Fahad Alhattab
Get ready for an energetic and transformational keynote from Fahd Alhattab, the CEO and Founder of Unicorn Labs, a serial entrepreneur, and the creator of the Unicorn Leadership model. Fahd has trained thousands and spoken to 100,000 leaders across North America, guiding them to build high-performing teams using his Six Levels to Creating High Performing Teams framework. His unique insights into the differences between entrepreneurial disruptive leadership and traditional enterprise leadership set him apart as a thought leader in modern leadership development.
Fahd’s journey began with a passion for philanthropy, where before the age of 20 he raised over $1 million for local charities and was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 20 Under 20. He went on to co-found multiple ventures, including a mobile tech startup and a student entrepreneurship centre that launched over 50 startups. Through these experiences, Fahd mastered the art of balancing disruption and leadership—a skill that he now teaches to managers, helping them shift from individual success to team-driven performance.
Named both Rising Star Speaker and Most Entertaining Speaker by the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, Fahd brings a wealth of experience, energy, and creativity to every stage.
Jennelle Arnew
Jennelle Arnew works as a Public Health Nutritionist in the southwestern Ontario; traditional territory of the Odawa, Potawatomi and Ojibwe peoples. She’s a mother; pet owner; sister, daughter and friend to an amazing circle of people.
Jennelle believes that student nutrition programs have the potential to improve the emotional and physical health of children and youth. She supports school staff to promote food literacy and access to local, nourishing, and culturally diverse foods. She has supported the local student nutrition program for over 18 years. In her region, school food programs began in the early 1990’s as a response to community need with the main goal to support children attending school hungry. Today; 100% of schools provide meals and snacks daily. These programs are supported by ministry and community funding.
Jennelle feels fortunate to learn and teach on the topic of food, as she believes it is a powerful tool to nurture, connect, heal and sustain health.
Chantal Bélanger — Registered Dietician
Chantal Bélanger is a Registered Dietitian and a graduate of the University of Ottawa’s Nutrition Sciences Program. With over eight years of experience in Public Health, Chantal is passionate about health promotion and meaningful collaboration with schools, particularly in the areas of school nutrition, and body inclusivity. Some of her most notable work includes spearheading the development and implementation of a food literacy program for schools, engaging in advocacy for sustainable and universal school food programs within Northern Ontario, and coordinating the Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program. As a member of the Ontario Dietitians in Public Health, she supports Student Nutrition Programs, and promotes neutral approaches to food in school settings. She also helped establish BrightBites, a website dedicated to fostering positive school nutrition environments.
Chantal Bélanger est diététiste professionnelle et diplômée du programme de sciences de la nutrition de l’Université d’Ottawa. Avec plus de huit ans d’expérience en santé publique, Chantal est passionnée par la promotion de la santé et la collaboration avec le système scolaire, notamment dans les domaines de la nutrition scolaire et de l’inclusion corporelle. Parmi ses travaux les plus remarquables, on compte l’élaboration et la mise en œuvre d’un programme de littératie alimentaire pour les écoles, son travail de plaidoyer pour un programme alimentaires scolaires durables et universels dans le Nord de l’Ontario et la coordination du Programme de distribution de fruits et de légumes du Nord de l’Ontario. En tant que membre des Diététistes en santé publique de l’Ontario, elle soutient les programmes d’alimentation saine pour les élèves et fait la promotion d’approches neutres en matière d’alimentation en milieu scolaire. Elle a également contribué à la création de BouchéesBrillantes, un site Web consacré à la promotion d’environnements nutritionnels scolaires positifs.
Benjamin Feagin Jr. — Agri-Tech North
AgriTech North is the first year-round vertical farming facility in Northwestern Ontario. This Beneficial Corporation is located in Dryden, ON and began harvesting its leafy greens and herbs in April 2022 under the expertise of Benjamin Feagin Jr. Benjamin is the CEO and a prior Research Scientist with the U.S. Department of Energy; he grew up in Dryden, Ontario, and started this venture when returning home with his fiance, Fabian Velez, who brings his experience in horticulture and botany as the organization’s COO. Benjamin is Indigenous, disabled, and LGBTQ2S+. AgriTech North has evolved to incorporate distribution of other regionally produced food products including meat, eggs, wild rice, baked goods and more to help strengthen the regional food economy. Beyond farming, AgriTech North operates as a Living Lab, researching and developing multiple innovative technologies to make year-round agriculture financially sustainable, and increase food security and affordability in Canada’s northern and remote communities, with the new technologies coming to market in the next year.
Danielle Findlay
Danielle Findlay works for VON in the Southwest Region as the Supervisor of Community Relations. Previously, she worked as a CDC for over ten years in the community of Windsor-Essex. Prior to becoming involved in school food programming Danielle coordinated the Meals on Wheel program, and through these channels has gained insight on food access and the associated barriers for a broad spectrum of ages, abilities and backgrounds. She is a passionate advocate for food security and food access, a community volunteer, and mother to a son in university and a daughter in grade 11.
Danielle is grateful to work, learn and live on the ancestral territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, comprised of the Ojibwe, the Odawa and the Potawatomi and thankful for the opportunity to strengthen connections at the Vision Conference.
Marc Kardonoff — Vice-President, Sweets from the Earth
An experienced entrepreneur with a proven track record for negotiating sophisticated transactions, Marc has been involved in numerous businesses and industries. Marc is currently an equity investor and strategic advisor to several fast growing companies in the Health food, Marketing and High tech sectors.
As a vice president of Sweets from the Earth, Marc advises on all aspects of strategy, finance, marketing and operations. Sweets from the Earth was founded in 2002 with a passion for and a dedication to creating all-natural vegan baked goods. As a small family-owned bakery, our products are crafted in small batches using only the finest 100% plant based ingredients in either our DAIRY, EGG, SESAME, PEANUT & NUT FREE OR DAIRY, EGG, WHEAT & GLUTEN FREE bakeries. We offer a delicious assortment of cakes, cookies, bars, squares, breads and muffins available at natural food stores, grocery stores, cafes, schools and restaurants across Canada. In 2019, Sweets from the Earth completed the build out of its high tech 41,000 square foot State-of-the-Art baking facility. Sweets from the Earth has been ranked one of Canada’s fastest growing companies the last 11 years by Profit Magazine / Globe & Mail and is in the process of rolling out the Treats from the Earth brand across the US and Middle East.
Marc holds a B.Comm from McGill University, and an M.B.A. from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.
MP Iqra Khalid
A lawyer, public servant, immigrant, and long-time resident of Erin Mills, Iqra Khalid is here to serve the diverse needs of residents in our riding and the Canadians Iqra knows that leadership requires understanding, and she works to inspire others to take an active role in building Canada. Born in Pakistan, Iqra Khalid moved to Canada with her family at a young age and grew up in Erin Mills. She studied criminology at York University and moved on to complete her law degree at the University of Michigan. Before entering politics, Iqra was actively engaged in the issues facing Canada and peoples around the world. Honorable MP Iqra took her first steps into politics and ran for office in 2015. She has served as the first Member of Parliament representing Mississauga-Erin Mills since she was elected. She was re-elected in 2019 and 2021 with a huge majority. She serves as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue, as well as a member of the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics, for which she previously served as Vice-Chair and as a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. She has previously served in a variety of roles including the International Human Rights subcommittee, the top-secret National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians, as well as Chair of the Justice Committee and the Women’s Caucus. Throughout the pandemic, Iqra has worked with the Erin Mills community to help families, businesses, and local non-profits access the support they need. She has raised the alarm on escalating intimate partner violence, pushed for stronger supports for businesses and workers, and successfully advocated for investments in safe long-term care facilities. a national childcare system as well as the National food program. Iqra knows that effective leadership requires understanding the needs of her constituents. She hosts regular town halls and seminars to take feedback from her constituents and to keep them informed on the policies and programs that affect them. Iqra is also proud to have created the Erin Mills Women’s Council, the first of its kind, to advise her on the issues facing women in her riding and women at large.
Today Iqra will shed some light on what next steps the federal government is taking to ensure the implementation of a National food program in Ontario.
Riffaat Mamdani
Riffaat Mamdani is a dedicated public service professional. She has worked extensively in the Children and Youth Services sector, holding various roles including Consultant and Manager where she has focused on improving services for children, youth, and communities.
In addition to her government roles, Riffaat has a background in Public Health Nursing and has been actively involved in addressing cross-cultural and social determinant of health issues within the healthcare system.
Riffaat is an alumna of the University of Toronto. Her career reflects a strong commitment to public service, cultural sensitivity, and community engagement.
Erin Moraghan
Erin Moraghan’s mission is making a lasting impact on the whole and vibrant wellbeing of our communities. An accomplished entrepreneur and business strategist, Erin has helped found and develop some of Canada’s leading fitness and wellness brands. Erin has also spent over fifteen years in the not-for-profit sector helping organizations revolutionize their relevance and impact.
Daniel Overbeek — Produce Express
Daniel Overbeek, founder of Produce Express since 2008. Produce Express supplies fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats and grocery items to schools, restaurants, grocery stores, institutions and direct retail home delivery. They pride themselves on excellent quality and make a difference for their customers.
Shiyen Shu
Shiyen Shu is a Certified Executive Coach, Speaker, and Advisor, guiding leaders on a journey of personal transformation and professional mastery. Named one of the Top 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership by leadersHum alongside industry icons like Simon Sinek, Adam Grant, and Marshall Goldsmith, Shiyen’s thought leadership is widely recognized. She has also been honored as a Top 75 Canadian Immigrant and received the prestigious Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award for her contributions to healthcare and leadership.
Shiyen holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from McMaster University. She began her career as a frontline clinician in Toronto’s healthcare sector before founding Dream Dare Lead Inc., a consulting firm that empowers leaders and organizations to reach new levels of excellence.
In addition to her consulting work, Shiyen is an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto and serves as Board Chair for the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists. A proud mother of three, she balances the challenges and joys of family life with her impactful career in Mississauga, Canada.
Wendy Smith — MEALsource
Wendy Smith is a Sourcing Manager with Mohawk Medbuy Corporation’s MEALsource program. She has over 30 years of institutional procurement experience and has been working with SNO for 11 years. As well, Wendy has sat on the Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council since its inception in 2020 advising the federal government on Food Policy.
Ziyaad Vahed — Director, Child Development and Specialized Services Branch from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services
Ziyaad Vahed has worked for the Ontario Public Service for 21 years in various ministries including the ministries of education, agriculture and food, cabinet office and citizenship and multiculturalism.
Currently, Ziyaad is the Director of the Child Development and Specialized Services Branch at the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. In this role he leads a team that provides strategic advice to government, as well as oversees programs that improve outcomes for infants, children, youth and their families, including the Student Nutrition Program.