Theme: Eureka!

For Archimedes, it was the Archimedes principle and for Einstein, it was the theory of relativity. We can all have that light bulb moment, that “Aha!” moment - all we need is an inspiration to strike, and a way to provide insight.

This year’s theme revolves around the central idea of discovery, change and innovation. It is when someone has made a discovery which can impact the future of industries, people, and our lives. Eureka is the moment that one has worked consistently towards, a moment that outlines their growth, successes, and passion - a moment where the light bulb finally turns on.

George Vari Engineering and Computing Centre, ENG
245 Church St, Toronto, ON M5B 1Z4
First Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1Z4
Canada

Adam Rodricks

Social Media Strategist, Author and Speaker

An award-winning social media strategist and public speaker, Adam Rodricks has transformed word of mouth into a "world of mouth" for Fortune 500 companies. Adam has earned the title of ‘Canada's Top Social Media Strategist’ by the Speakers Bureau of Canada and led social strategies and personal branding within schools and the professional services industry, helping hundreds of Canada's leaders harness the power of their personal brands. Adam also teaches a course on social selling at the college level and serves as a Program Advisor on Digital Strategy at Centennial College in Toronto, Canada. His first book, Trigger Fingers: Personal Branding through Storytelling skyrocketed to the top of the charts, becoming a #1 best-seller in Canada in the categories of Direct Marketing, Public Relations and Business. His work as a social media influencer has been featured on several platforms, including CBC, CTV, Yahoo, BNN, and his personal website: www.adamrodricks.com

Amanda Cupido

Podcast Producer, Radio Director, and Author

Amanda Cupido is an award-winning podcast producer, author, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Lead Podcasting, a production company that develops podcasts for thought leaders and organizations. Her book, Let’s Talk Podcasting: The Essential Guide to Doing it Right, is an Amazon #1 bestseller and used in journalism programs across Canada. Amanda is also the program director at AM 640 Toronto, where she leads a team of producers and radio hosts. She has a Bachelor of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University and a Masters in the Psychology of Leadership from Penn State.

Awa Sanneh

Social Media Influencer

Awa Sanneh is a 22-year-old college student, full-time influencer, and content creator. With a strong passion for social media and a unique perspective on equity, diversity, and inclusion, Awa has become a recognized figure within the influencer community. Over the past two years, her work has been featured in Teen Vogue, Elle Canada, and HerCampus, where she has been celebrated for the positive impact her videos have on black youth. As an influencer, Awa has gained a significant following, amassing over 470,000 devoted followers. She uses her platform to promote messages of positivity, self-love, and inclusion, emphasizing the importance of representing marginalized voices and communities. Through her work, Awa is committed to creating a safer, more equitable social media space, where people of all backgrounds can feel empowered and uplifted.

Gautam "Siddartha" Tiwari

Artist, Producer and Rapper

Siddartha is an Indo-Canadian artist who delivers introspective and vulnerable stories—exploring themes that challenge himself and the listener. Selected for Manifesto discovery series, awarded the RISE and Flow competition winner, and opened for Koffee & TOBi. He was chosen for both the RBC Launchpad Music Entrepreneurship program and the TD Incubator for Creative Entrepreneurship, honing his skills as a musician and entrepreneur. This year, Siddartha was awarded a music recording project grant by the Ontario Arts Council to release his upcoming "Late Bloomers" project.

Josephine Yam

CEO + AI Lawyer and Ethicist

Josephine Victoria Yam is the CEO and Co-Founder of Skills4Good AI, a global managed service provider for Privacy and AI compliance solutions for all businesses. An AI lawyer, ethicist, and entrepreneur, she's been honored as a Top 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics, Top 21 Asian Entrepreneurs Shaking Up Canada, RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant, and Most Influential Filipina Woman. She's a Stanford graduate, with advanced legal education from Harvard Law School and the University of Toronto, and a Master’s Degree in Philosophy (AI Ethics) from the University of Guelph, complementing her Master’s Degree in Law from the University of Calgary. As a woman, person of color, and immigrant entrepreneur, Josephine passionately advocates for equity, diversity, and inclusion in AI to create a human-centered AI world.

Linda Marshall

Grief Specialist, Speaker and Author

Linda Marshall is a published author, speaker, grief specialist, trainer, and hypnotherapist. She specializes in helping others grow through grief. She loves teaching suicide intervention skills (ASIST) to students, first responders, military, health care workers, teachers, and community members. She is currently on the Board of Directors for Brant Skills Centre. She previously volunteered with the Halifax Regional Police, Victim Services, helping victims of sudden death, sexual assault, and domestic violence.

Mark Donaldson

CEO, Engineer and Mentor

Mark Donaldson is the CEO of Quantuity Analytics Inc., an AI and IoT technology startup that focuses on the commercial transportation trucking industry's regulatory compliance, safety, and efficiency. With over 25 years of diverse technology experience in electronics engineering, RF wireless, and machine learning, Mark delivers end-to-end solutions to customers worldwide. He holds an associate degree in electronics engineering from Humber College and a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Information Technology Management from Toronto Metropolitan University. In his free time, he volunteers at the DMZ Startup Incubator mentoring young entrepreneurs, while contributing to the “Embedded Systems Professionals” community on Discord. Mark aspires to share his experiences to help everyone become better engineers, especially those of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Patricia Jaggernauth

EMMY Award Winning Television Host

Patricia Jaggernauth is a celebrated EMMY Award-winning television host and media personality with over 20 years of experience. With a 12-year career as a national TV Weather Anchor, she has covered major storm systems and historic weather occurrences as an international Weather Expert. She has worked for Toronto's #1 news team on CP24 Breakfast as a co-host, LIVE EYE/remote host, weather specialist & special presentation host. Patricia has also appeared on CTV's Your Morning and CTV Toronto as a Weather Specialist. In addition, she has co-hosted the daytime talk show "E! Daily POP" LIVE from Los Angeles and appeared on BBC, BBC World News, BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio, and PBS NEWS as a Canadian & American Weather Expert for the BBC Network, reaching an audience of over 110 million.

Taulant Muka

Epidemiologist, Scientist, Professor and Author

Taulant Muka, MD, PhD is an epidemiologist and leader of a cardiometabolic health research group at the University of Bern. With a career spanning top institutions, including Erasmus, Cambridge, Harvard, and Stanford, Dr. Muka is an expert in cardiometabolic health, specifically in omics data and sex differences in disease prevention and precise care. He integrates knowledge from various disciplines, such as epidemiology, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, nutrition, epigenetics, reproductive health, and the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Muka has published over 140 peer-reviewed articles, co-authored three books in epigenetics, and mentored over 50 students pursuing MSc, MD, or PhD degrees. His work has garnered global recognition, with international media outlets, such as BBC, CNN, Reuters, the Times of London, and the New York Times, highlighting his contributions to the field.