University of Guelph-Humber

Join industry professionals from various fields to discuss the unique challenges and opportunities they have experienced throughout their career.  

Power Chats

10:30am - Nigela Purboo - Founder, Onyx Initiative
11:15am - Maria-Leena Clarke - Executive Director, Canada Basketball Foundation

Power Hour Networking

12:00pm-1:00pm - Join students, alumni, faculty, staff and employer partners for breakout sessions to network across all fields and industries

Join for the entire event, or log in at the time indicated for the session(s) of interest. 

Register now

Speaker Bios

Nigela Purboo

Founder, Onyx Initiative

“Stand for What is Right. Even if it Means Standing Alone.” Thankfully, Nigela Purboo’s tireless efforts have always been bolstered by a collective of like-minded individuals and organizations who share her conviction and determination to ensure all people - regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic background or any other demographics - have equal access to the opportunities and necessities they seek.

Nigela graduated from Western University in 1992, with a Master’s in Cultural Anthropology, specializing in human rights and race relations. After graduation, she devoted her time to various organizations and causes, most notably The North York Committee on Community, Race and Ethnic Relations, The Urban Alliance on Race Relations, The Race Relations and Policing Unit of the Solicitor General’s Office and other government-funded initiatives. Prior to departing from the workforce on maternity leave, Nigela was a key part of the team that spearheaded the Toronto District School Board, Change Your Future Program - an effort that aligned perfectly with her passion for human rights and anti-racism issues and her philanthropic endeavours that focus on education and health care. For the past four years, she has been a member of the Foundation Board of the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, resigning recently to pursue other ventures, leading to the establishment of Onyx Initiative.

Nigela is an avid supporter of Food For The Poor Canada, The University of the West Indies, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and The Hospital For Sick Children. She resides in Oakville, Ontario with her husband, Wayne Purboo and their three sons.

Maria-Leena Clarke

Executive Director, Canada Basketball Foundation

Maria-Leena is the Executive Director of the Canada Basketball Foundation, a role she recently took on after 8 years as the Director of Marketing and Partnerships for Canada Basketball, the national sporting organization for the sport of basketball.   She is an accomplished marketing professional with vast experience in the sports, media and entertainment industries.  Her career began at the Walt Disney Company’s international headquarters in London, England and then led her to Paris, France where she worked for the international broadcaster Eurosport, as Head of External Relations and Strategic Partnerships.  She gained expertise in the marketing of Olympic sports and increasing their visibility through partnerships with many well-known global brands. Maria-Leena enjoys this career in basketball with a quintessential team-first attitude.