The Summit Programme

Two intense days to master French-language finance and investment.

Day 1Day 2

Your guide for two days

At the heart of finance and investment in your language

Prepare for total immersion on October 28 and 29, 2025 in Toronto. The Francophone Finance & Investment Summit offers a rich and diverse program designed to provide you with the keys to navigate and excel in today's economic world. Discover the details of the sessions, workshops, and panels below.

Presented by

07am - 45:09pm

Registration of participants

09am - 00:09pm

Announcements and official opening

9am - 30:10pm

Presented by

45 min

Garden Hall

Table ronde

Teaching about money: How can we equip young people for the future?

Conference description

Financial literacy starts early. How can we introduce young people to the basics of money management, saving, and credit? This workshop offers educational tools, testimonials, and innovative approaches to prepare the next generation to make better financial decisions and develop healthy habits.

Intervenants:

Fayza Abdallaoui

Founder

Prosperities Inc.

Eunice Mud

CEO

U-Event

9am - 30:10pm

Presented by

45 min

Conservatory One

Interactive session

Financial scams: how to spot them, avoid them, and protect yourself from them

Conference description

Bank fraud, online scams, investment promises that seem too good to be true… The threats are numerous. Cybersecurity and finance specialists will explain how to identify warning signs, avoid common traps, and effectively protect your savings in an increasingly digital world.

Intervenants:

Imran Ahmad

Partner and Head of Technology

Norton Rose Fulbright

Tania Tanic

CEO & Founder

BrainStorm Cyber ​​Risk

Marie-Lou St-Onge

Editor in Chief

TFO-ONFR

Networking break

10am - 15:10pm

10am - 30:11pm

Presented by

45 min

Garden Hall

Lightning conference

Things I wish I had known about money when I was 20

Conference description

An inspiring panel where leaders share the advice they wish they'd received earlier: how to manage their first paycheck, avoid debt, build savings, and invest wisely. Personal anecdotes and practical lessons to inspire young adults and help them get a better start on their financial journey.

Intervenants:

Simon Bélanger

Co-host

Canadian Investor Podcast

Yerro Gassama

Athletic Programs and Customer Service Manager

York University

10am - 30:11pm

Presented by

45 min

Conservatory One

Interactive session

My financial integration journey: what every newcomer should know

Conference description

Arriving in a new country also means learning how to navigate its financial system. From opening a bank account and obtaining credit to filing taxes and saving, this workshop gives newcomers the essential tools to integrate quickly and build lasting financial security.

Intervenants:

Khadija Azizi

Strategist, Financial Services in Wealth Management

Desjardins Wealth Management

Joelle Mulombo

Director, One Client

BMO Wealth Management

Melanie Anthony

Director and Consultant in Communication and Marketing

Melanie Anthony Consultancy

Networking break

11am - 15:11pm

11am - 30:12pm

Presented by

45 min

Garden Hall

Lightning conference

Tools for managing your money on a daily basis

Conference description

Monthly budgeting, expense tracking, automatic savings: technology makes financial management simpler than ever. Discover the most effective apps and platforms to take control of your finances, optimize your habits, and reach your personal goals faster.

Intervenants:

Alexia Kitoko

Founder, Speaker and Financial Education Consultant

123 Finance

Felix-André Bakehe

Financial Services Professional

Immigrants Financial Fitness

11am - 30:12pm

Presented by

45 min

Conservatory One

Interactive session

Investing in real estate: legal keys, professional tips and winning strategies

Conference description

Real estate remains one of the safest investments… provided you do it right! Between legal pitfalls, complex financing, and a constantly evolving market, you need to be prepared with the right instincts. Our experts will share their exclusive advice to secure your transactions and maximize your returns. Whether you're a seasoned investor or a newcomer, this panel will give you the practical tools to take action tomorrow.

Intervenants:

Nelly De Breze

Real Estate Broker & Investor

The Lys Realty Group

Laurence Dutil-Ricard

Lawyer and Founder

Junction Law Professional Corporation

Sébastien Fournier

Mortgage Broker

BRX Mortgage

Marie-Lou St-Onge

Editor in Chief

TFO-ONFR

Networking break / Lunch break

12am - 15:13pm

13am - 30:14pm

Presented by

45 min

Garden Hall

Table ronde

Studying and working: financing your academic journey

Conference description

How to finance your studies without drowning in debt? Between student loans, scholarships, part-time jobs and management tips, this discussion offers concrete solutions to balance budget, academic ambitions and professional experience.

Intervenants:

Justin Morrow

Founder / CEO

Canadian Youth for French

Paule Véronique Fouda

Vice-President of the AEUOF and Ambassador for Digital Communications

French University of Ontario

Marie-Lou St-Onge

Editor in Chief

TFO-ONFR

13am - 30:14pm

Presented by

45 min

Conservatory One

Interactive session

Public and private funding: preparation methods, opportunity identification and application preparation

Conference description

Securing funding requires preparation and strategy. Discover how to identify relevant public and private programs, build a strong case, and convince financial partners. Experts will share methods and tips to maximize your chances of success.

Intervenants:

Cécile Bertin

Executive Director

The HEC Montréal sphere

Joe Tamko

Founder

NGU

Daniel Ilas

Associate Lawyer

Momentum Law

Networking break

14am - 15:14pm

14am - 30:15pm

Presented by

45 min

Garden Hall

Table ronde

Discovering careers in finance: between dream and reality

Conference description

Banking, investment, insurance, fintech… The financial sector offers numerous opportunities, but also often overlooked realities. Professionals will share their career paths, challenges, and successes to help young talent better understand career options and make informed choices.

Intervenants:

Maxime Tourangeau

Partner and Regional Team Leader, Growth Investment Partners

BDC Capital

Clément Dobosz

Associate Investment Advisor

Mawer

Wafa Oubella

Coach and career advisor – former investment banker

UOF

Sandra Gauthier

Professor and coordinator of programs in Business Administration

Collège la Cité

14am - 30:15pm

Presented by

45 min

Conservatory One

Lightning conference

Getting started with investing: profitability vs. security

Conference description

How can you start investing wisely? What are the differences between safe investments and high-yield investments? This conference offers an accessible introduction to the basics of investing, with practical advice for building a balanced portfolio from the very beginning.

Intervenants:

Alexia Kitoko

Founder, Speaker and Financial Education Consultant

123 Finance

Emmanuel A. Hergott

Wealth advisor and financial planner

RBC Wealth Management

Networking break

15am - 15:15pm

15am - 30:16pm

Presented by

45 min

Garden Hall

Lightning conference

Create additional income (side hustle)

Conference description

No longer depending on a single source of income is key to financial resilience. Entrepreneurs and experts will share concrete strategies for developing additional income streams, whether through investments, side projects, or digital opportunities.

Intervenants:

Adelin Brunal

Senior Manager of Entrepreneurial Communities

Futurpreneur Canada

Elvine Assouline

Co-founder

Credibled

Karim Sigere

Founder of a publishing house

Dad Tells a Story

Networking break

16am - 15:17pm

17am - 00:19pm

Special Event

Closing cocktail

Get ready for the Day's closing cocktail reception and the celebration of Collège Boréal's 30th anniversary.

09am - 15:10pm

Presented by

45 min

Garden Hall

Panel

Building the financial services of the future

Conference description

Digital banking, fintech, artificial intelligence: the financial industry is undergoing a revolution. Explore the emerging trends, technological innovations, and new models that will shape the financial services of tomorrow.

Intervenants:

Lamia Mekouar

Vice President, Banking Services

IG Wealth Management

Yara Elias

Associate

EY

Xavier Labrecque

Account Manager

FNZ

Billy Boucher

Chief Executive Officer

Gardens

09am - 15:10pm

Presented by

45 min

Conservatory One

Panel

Advanced international partnership strategies for businesses Canadian

Conference description

Expanding internationally or collaborating with global partners requires vision, preparation, and strategy. Experts and executives will share their best practices for building strong alliances, mitigating risks, and seizing opportunities in global markets.

Intervenants:

Cécile Bertin

Executive Director

The HEC Montréal sphere

Frederico Panetta

Entrepreneur

Website

Kang Lee

Partner / Associate

Blaney McMurtry LLP

Networking break

10am - 00:10pm

10am - 15:11pm

Presented by

45 min

Garden Hall

Table ronde

Raising funds effectively: explore financing models suited to your growth

Conference description

Venture capital, bank loans, grants, crowdfunding… there are plenty of options. This session compares the different financing models, explains their advantages and limitations, and offers guidance on choosing the best solution based on the size and ambitions of your business.

Intervenants:

Hind Ayouni

Financial & Capital Expert

HA Capital Consulting

Catherine Fagnan

Chief Legal and Compliance Officer

Spectrum Health Care

François Cartier

Administrator

Clean Energy Transition Inc.

Denis Frawley

Partner Attorney

Momentum Law

10am - 15:11pm

Presented by

45 min

Conservatory One

Panel

Tech and finance: mastering the tools to manage your growth

Conference description

From automated management to real-time data tracking, new technologies are transforming how businesses manage their finances. Discover how SMEs and startups can leverage digital solutions to accelerate their growth and optimize their financial performance.

Intervenants:

Axelle Cazalets

FP&A Systems Program Manager

Procore

Ghita Lazaare

Change management and communication manager

Deloitte

Vincent Desrochers

Senior Account Manager

helloDarwin

Catherine Thibault

Country Manager Canada

Yapla

Networking break

11am - 00:11pm

11am - 15:12pm

Presented by

45 min

Garden Hall

Table ronde

Power, leadership and investment: who is shaping the finance of tomorrow? (In English)

Conference description

How are major players – financial institutions, investment funds, visionary entrepreneurs – redefining the rules of the game? What role do inclusive leadership and innovation play in the future of economic governance?
An exchange of perspectives that highlights those who, today, are shaping the finance of tomorrow.

Intervenants:

Sharon Castelino

Toronto Investment Board Member

Toronto Investment Board

Lara Zink

Vice President Client Service & Development

DELANEY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LTD

Peggy Van de Plassche

Managing Partner

PVDP Advisory Services

Jasmin Ganie-Hobbs

Senior Development Banker

BDC

11am - 15:12pm

Presented by

45 min

Conservatory One

Interactive session

Bitcoin, Ethereum & Co.: how to find your way around and benefit from them?

Intervenants:

Marc Lijour

President

Northstar Foundation

Douglas Heintzman

Chief Catalyst

BRI

GERALDINE JIPPE

Co-founder & COO

AssetsWaves

Antoine Sarhan

OTC Sales Manager

Ndax

Networking break / Lunch break

12am - 00:13pm

13am - 30:14pm

Presented by

45 min

Garden Hall

Table ronde

Francophone investment fund: diversifying and seizing new economic opportunities

Conference description

A look at Francophone initiatives in collective investment. Discover how these funds support businesses, foster international partnerships, and open up new opportunities for investors seeking diversification and impact.

Intervenants:

Marine Vialar-Lochon

Investor Services 

Invest Ontario

Hosni Zaouali

CEO and Lecturer at Stanford University

And that´s it

Philippe de Montigny

journalist and head of the economic bureau

Radio-Canada in Toronto

13am - 30:14pm

Presented by

45 min

Conservatory One

Interactive session

Starting a business by acquiring a company

Conference description

Taking over an existing business can be a more accessible and secure path than starting from scratch. This session explores the advantages, challenges, and best practices of entrepreneurship through acquisition, with testimonials from entrepreneurs who have taken the plunge.

Intervenants:

Daniel Ilas

Associate Lawyer

Momentum Law

Jean-David Rezaioff

Co-founder

Agoralliance

Christine Dikonguè

Founder

Akwā Agency

Networking break

14am - 15:14pm

14am - 30:15pm

Presented by

45 min

Garden Hall

Table ronde

Optimize and diversify your asset portfolio

Conference description

From real estate to stock market investments and alternative products, diversification remains a key lever for managing risk. Learn how to build a balanced portfolio capable of withstanding market fluctuations while maximizing your returns.

Intervenants:

Elke Rubach

President

Rubach Wealth

Jeans Philippe Giguère

Institutional portfolio manager

Mawer Investment Management Ltd.

Christine Dikonguè

Founder

Akwā Agency

Abderrahmane El Amjad

Senior Manager

EY

14am - 30:15pm

Presented by

45 min

Garden Hall

Table ronde

Growing your project: from a side hustle to a business

Conference description

Transitioning from a side project to a thriving business is a challenge faced by many entrepreneurs. Learn how to structure your business, secure the right funding, and build a sustainable vision to successfully navigate this crucial transition.

Intervenants:

Emilie Ferrieu

Investment Manager

Credit Mutuel Equity

Arnaud Soupa

Independent CFO Consultant

A. Soupa Consulting Inc.

Murray Simser

Founder and CEO

CITIZN

Clément Panzavolta

Senior Director, Performance Division

ImpactOn

Networking break

15am - 15:15pm

15am - 30:16pm

Presented by

45 min

Garden Hall

Panel

Economic risks and uncertainties: turning challenges into opportunities

Conference description

Inflation, market volatility, geopolitical tensions… these are just some of the factors disrupting the global economy. How can we anticipate these uncertainties and capitalize on them? Experts share their perspectives and strategies for transforming risks into drivers of innovation and growth.

Intervenants:

Simon Gaudreault

Chief Economist and Vice President, Research

FCEI

Marjorie April

Presenter, director, and economic journalist

Radio-Canada

Robert Asselin

Chief Executive Officer

U15 Canada

15am - 30:16pm

Presented by

45 min

Conservatory One

Panel

Investment and export: the keys to internationalization

Conference description

Exporting means growth. But how do you finance and structure this international expansion? This panel highlights the financial tools, support programs, and winning strategies for success in foreign markets.

Intervenants:

KC Goundiam

Founder & CEO

B2BeeMatch

Anthony Taylor

Chairman and CEO

SME Strategy Consulting

Iba FALL

Country Director

Invest in Africa

Networking cocktail

16am - 15:17pm

Our Partners and Sponsors

TogetherWe are building the success of the Summit

Ambassador Partner

Major support for the Summit's vision

Institutional Partners

In the foreground, supporting the scope of the Summit

Financial Partners

Essential support for holding the Summit

G Partnersgovernment

Essential support for holding the Summit

Innovative Partners

Entrepreneurship, investment and financial literacy

Education and Youth Partners

Actors in education and the development of the next generation

Summit Partners

Stay in touch

Don't miss any opportunities!

Whether you wish to share your expertise as a speaker (workshop, panel, lightning talk), explore partnership and sponsorship opportunities, or simply stay informed about the evolution of the program, this form is your gateway to the Summit.