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2021 Business Conference - Keynote Speakers

Wim Vanhaverbeke

Prof. Wim Vanhaverbeke
Professor of Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of Surrey, UK
Visiting Prof ESADE Business School

Wim Vanhaverbeke is a professor of Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Surrey Business School. He is also visiting professor at ESADE Business School (Spain) and till recently at the National university of Singapore. He is Co-editor-in-Chief of Technovation since January 2020. He has published in several international journals such as Organization Science, Research Policy, California Management Review, Journal of Management Studies, Small Business Economics, Journal of Business Venturing, Technovation. He was co-editor with Henry Chesbrough and Joel West of “Open Innovation: Researching a New Paradigm” (OUP, 2006) and “New frontiers in open innovation” (OUP, 2014). He published a management book “Managing open innovation in SMEs” (CUP – 2017) and an academic volume “Researching open innovation in SMEs” (World Scientific Press - 2018).

He is a dedicated open innovation researcher collaborating with different partners in universities and companies around the globe. His current research is focusing on open innovation in SMEs, and innovation ecosystems. He has established the European Innovation Forum with Henry Chesbrough in 2012 and is a co-organizer of the World Open Innovation Conference. He is a frequently asked speaker at leading international conferences and an adviser for several globally operating companies. He consults and organizes workshops for multinationals and technology companies.

He was recognized by the International Association of Management of Technology (IAMOT) as one of the top 50 authors of technology and innovation management during the period of 2008-2012. He is appointed as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Research Center for Technological Innovation of the Tsinghua University.

 
Dr. Nobuyoshi Yamori

Professor Dr. Nobuyoshi Yamori
Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University, Japan

Nobuyoshi Yamori was born in Shiga Prefecture and graduated from Shiga University in 1986. He received an MA degree at Kobe University in 1988 and Ph.D. at Nagoya University in 1996. Before becoming a professor of Kobe University in 2014, he taught at Nagoya University. Currently, he is an Advisor and a member of Financial System Council of Financial Services Agency (FSA) of Japanese Government. He is also a member of several official committees of Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. He has published many academic articles in international journals, such as Economics Letters Journal of Banking and Finance, Journal of Financial Intermediation, Journal of Financial Research, and Journal of Financial Services Research.

 
Dr. Wendy Cukier

Dr. Wendy Cukier, MA, MBA, PhD, DU (hon) LLD (hon)
Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy and
Founder of the Diversity Institute, Ryerson University, Toronto

Dr. Cukier is the co-author of the bestseller, Innovation Nation: Canadian Leadership from Java to Jurassic and former VP of Research and Innovation and more than 200 articles on aspects of diversity, inclusion and innovation. The Diversity Institute has 75 research staff, 100 research associates from around the world and 200 industry partners focused on dimensions of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, future skills, and entrepreneurship and innovation. Projects include Diversity Leads, which has tracked the representation of women in leadership roles and a host of projects focused specifically on women in technology. The Diversity Institute has also pioneered innovative projects such as the Advanced Digital and Professional Training program (ADaPT), the Women Entrepreneurship Hub and the Newcomer Entrepreneurship Hub. She also leads the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub and a program of research for the Future Skills Centre as well as the new Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship Network (IIE-Net). She serves on a host of non-profit boards including Women's College Hospital, nPower, the Lifelong Leadership Institute, Green Iglu and many advisory committees. Her awards include Sara Kirke Award; YWCA Woman of Distinction; Woman of Influence; Harry Jerome Diversity Award; the Bob Marley Diversity Award, Canada Pakistan Business Council’s Professional of the Year; Metropolis Research Award, most powerful women by WXN. She was named among ‘100 Alumni who shaped the century’ by the University of Toronto and International Women’s Forum 2020 Women Who Make a Difference. She holds two honorary doctorates as well as the Meritorious Service Cross, one of Canada's highest civilian honours.

 
Rocco Rossi

Rocco Rossi
President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Toronto

A successful entrepreneur and business executive, champion fundraiser, and dedicated public servant, Rocco Rossi joins the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in 2018 as President and CEO. Coming from his role as President and CEO of Prostate Cancer Canada and earlier as the CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation – one of Canada’s largest non-profit organizations – Rossi has overseen consecutive years of record fundraising combining for over $600 million in total and launching many new, life-saving initiatives. His passion for public policy has led him to stand for election both for the position of Mayor of Toronto and for MPP. Mr. Rossi has held senior positions at the Boston Consulting Group, TORSTAR, Labatt/Interbrew and MGI Software. He is a graduate of McGill and Princeton

Rossi currently serves as a member of the Board and Audit Committee of TerraVest Industries. A past board member of United Way of Greater Toronto and other charities, Mr. Rossi has been an active community builder. In fact, in 2012 he was awarded the Queen's Jubilee Medal for his Philanthropic and Community service. A dedicated adventurer, Rocco has walked the legendary Camino de Santiago several times, cycled the 1900 km length of Yonge Street from Rainy River to Toronto, kayaked the 500 km from Toronto to Ottawa, and climbed to Everest Base Camp. Mr. Rossi has a BA (Hons) in political science from McGill University and a Masters of Arts in politics from Princeton University. He is married to his wife of 33-years, Rhonnie, and they have a 30-year-old son, Domenic John, who is a teacher.

 
Nadine Spencer

Nadine Spencer
President, Black Business and Professional Association

Nadine Spencer serves as president of the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA), which was founded in 1983. The BBPA is a charitable organization whose mission is to advance Canada's Black community by addressing equity, and though the delivery of programs that support business and professional excellence, higher education, and economic development.

She has been acknowledged in the publication 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women and has received numerous awards, including the BBPA Harry Jerome Business Award.

A dedicated Black community champion, Ms. Spencer has devoted her life and work to fighting discrimination, battling poverty and advancing women’s education, including equality for women and girls of colour and other relevant topics related to the uplifting of society’s marginalized people. She holds a B.A. in political science with honours from York University and serves on the York Alumni Board.

Ms. Spencer is the CEO of BrandEQ Group Inc., a global agency specializing in social change marketing, communications, and public relations. Spencer has accelerated strategic growth and brand visibility for a diverse client portfolio. She also pioneered BrandEQ Black, BrandEQ’s cultural sensitivity arm, whose goal is to work with organizations and governments to look at racial biases in advertising and marketing.