Brian Bazely is a franchise leader, public speaker, and the former CEO and co-founder of Driverseat - one of Canada’s most awarded franchise systems. Today, through Bazely Consulting, he acts as a fractional CEO and “Franchise Architect,” helping organizations scale their business the right way - with culture, clarity, and long-term strategy at the center. Brian is also a contributing writer for Elite Franchise Canada and a passionate advocate for ethical, purpose-driven franchising.

Carmelo Marsala – Founder & CEO, Spray-Net

Carmelo Marsala is the founder and CEO of Spray-Net, a groundbreaking home improvement franchise transforming the way homeowners renovate. With over 120 territories across North America, Carmelo leads R&D on Spray-Net’s patented weather-adjustable coatings and innovative application processes. A quadruple patent holder and member of YPO, he’s been featured in Forbes, HGTV, Netflix, and more. Under his leadership, Spray-Net has grown into one of Canada’s top franchise brands and earned global recognition. Carmelo is a graduate of the Entrepreneurial Master’s Program at MIT and a passionate advocate for entrepreneurship, marketing, and simply getting started.

Ed Hansen is an accomplished entrepreneur, leadership coach, and visionary business leader with over three decades of experience building and scaling companies. Starting in the landscaping industry, Ed grew his operation into a multimillion-dollar business before transitioning into coaching as a TEC Canada Chair, where he now mentors CEOs and executives across the country.

As President of Landscape Ontario and Co-Founder of Ext.Tech, Ed combines hands-on industry expertise with a passion for developing leaders, empowering teams, and fostering innovation. Known for his straight-talking, people-first approach, Ed equips leaders to navigate change, embrace resilience, and create lasting impact in their organizations and communities.

George Croft is a seasoned leader in the beverage industry, currently serving as Senior Advisor, Strategy & Finance at First Key Consulting and as a Non-Executive Board Member at BrewDog. With decades of experience that include transforming Waterloo Brewing into a national competitor and chairing Beer Canada, George is known for his straight-shooting leadership style, commitment to people development, and track record of driving results. He brings strategic insight and governance expertise to some of the industry’s most innovative companies.

Jason Wentzell is a Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist, founder of Extend Pharmacy in Ottawa, and past president of the Canadian Association of Pharmacy in Oncology (CAPhO). A researcher, author, and 40-Under-40 honouree, Jason leads the Extend Cancer Pharmacy Network (ECPN) -empowering independent pharmacies with training, on-demand oncology support, and integrated care so patients can access specialized cancer care close to home.

Jeff Clark is a Canadian food-industry executive turned consultant with 30+ years leading growth in processing and manufacturing. As former President of Kitchen Partners and now President & CEO of Jeff Clark Consulting, he helps mid-market leaders scale by embedding purpose, values, and executional excellence—without sacrificing culture. Known for straight talk, people-first leadership, and results, Jeff partners with teams to challenge the status quo and deliver better business outcomes.

Jeremy Harvey is a global strategist, leadership coach, and former marketing executive whose career spans Unilever, Reckitt, and now Red Swan Partners. Based in Canada, Jeremy is also a Chair with TEC Canada, where he facilitates high-performance peer groups for CEOs and senior leaders. A passionate advocate for community-driven leadership, Jeremy believes, "We only succeed when we all succeed."

Joe Salemi, CAE is the Executive Director of Landscape Ontario and a Certified Association Executive with over two decades of experience across the green industry. A passionate culture creator, Joe has helped landscape business owners grow through leadership development, operational efficiency, and community collaboration. Known for his people-first philosophy and contagious energy, Joe’s career spans association management, software leadership, and industry mentorship - making him a trusted voice for leaders building purpose-driven organizations.

John Evans is the award-winning founder and CEO of EverLine Coatings, North America’s fastest-growing pavement maintenance franchise. Known as a disruptor and proud millennial franchisor, John transformed a small Calgary-based business into a $51M franchise powerhouse. With a bold leadership style and people-first approach, John is passionate about scaling unglamorous industries, empowering entrepreneurs, and redefining what success looks like in franchising.

Moatassem Moatez is a TEDx Speaker, Entrepreneur of the Year, and the Founder & CEO of MyCourier Inc. - an Ontario-based last-mile delivery company that scaled from zero to 100+ employees in just two years. Drawing from a rich background at global giants like Nestlé, Unilever, and British American Tobacco, Mo brings a unique blend of corporate discipline and scrappy startup resilience. He also serves as Vice Chair of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce and is passionate about community, innovation, and empowering new Canadians to thrive in entrepreneurship.

Neil Nicholson is the CEO of Powerhouse Controls, a global leader in automation solutions. With nearly 30 years of experience and a passion for empowering teams, Neil has helped shape Powerhouse into an innovation-driven, people-first organization. Outside of work, he serves on the board of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs and is a strong advocate for leadership development grounded in integrity, trust, and transparency.

Steven Wright is the President and CEO of Focus, where he helps business owners scale without sacrificing freedom. Through Focus’ signature Sales Independence Growth System (SIGS), Steven and his team build the strategy, process, leadership, and structure needed to grow sales - without hiring expensive full-time managers. With over 18 years of experience in sales leadership, Steven has worked with 40+ B2B companies across North America, helping them create predictable, scalable revenue engines. He’s also a youth baseball coach, bringing the same passion for structure, coaching, and long-term development to both the ballfield and the boardroom.

Tim Sieders is the President of Maple Ridge Living, a Southern Ontario design-build firm specializing in landscaping, hardscape, and residential renovations. Since founding the company in 2002, Tim has grown Maple Ridge from a one-man operation to a 21-person team by hiring for character, building clear career paths, and delivering a client-first experience anchored in thoughtful design. A McMaster University grad, Tim is known for open communication, empowering leadership, and projects that elevate how people live at home.

Todd Belliveau is the President of Primexecutive Inc. and a former CEO of 214 Carson Company, with over 40 years of leadership experience in the beverage, retail, and manufacturing sectors. He advises CEOs and senior executives on leadership, culture, and strategy, and continues to lecture at McMaster University. Known for his 3P Leadership Model – Purpose, Passion, and Persistence – Todd helps organizations scale while keeping people and culture at the center.

Tony Gareri is the CEO and “Chief of WOW” at Roma Moulding, a global leader in picture frame design and manufacturing. Passionate about building cultures where workplace happiness is a right, not a privilege, Tony has transformed Roma into an award-winning organization recognized for its people-first philosophy.

Beyond running a multi-country business, Tony is a keynote speaker, culture mentor, and entrepreneur who helps leaders worldwide create engaged, purpose-driven teams. His mission is to move, inspire, and wow people - whether through business, community work, or global mission projects.