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OHC2025
SPEAKERS
SPEAKER BIOS
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab, Dalhousie University, Canada
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is a visiting scholar at McGill University in Montreal as well as the Senior Director of the Agri-food Analytics Lab, located at Dalhousie University in Halifax.
Known as “The Food Professor”, he is one of the world's most cited scholars in food supply chain management, food value chains and traceability with over 775 published peer-reviewed journal articles. He is also an editor for the prestigious Trends in Food Science Technology journal. Since 2012, he has published the highly anticipated Canadian Food Price Report, providing an overview of food price trends for the coming year. He co-hosts The Food Professor podcast, now ranked as top Canadian management podcast, discussing issues in the food industries. He has been asked to act as an advisor on food and agricultural policies in many Canadian provinces, in the United States, Brazil, Austria, Italy, France, Belgium, China, Great Britain, Finland and the Netherlands.
Marc Lipman
President, Americas & Attorney-in-Fact for Lloyd’s Underwriters
Marc Lipman is the President of Lloyd's Americas, supporting the company's business across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean. He also serves as the Attorney-in-Fact for Lloyd's Underwriters in Canada.
With extensive experience in the insurance industry, he has a deep understanding of the US and Canadian sectors, including legal and regulatory frameworks of property, casualty, and reinsurance fields. He is a member of the Law Society of Ontario and holds a Master of Laws degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.
In this role, Marc is responsible for Market Development, the execution of the Lloyd’s commercial strategy as well as functional oversight across sector.
Val Upfold
Executive Recruiter and HR Specialist
Val Upfold is a hospitality industry expert with decades of experience in Canada and Australia. She spent 15 years at Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality, including five years managing and serving as Sommelier at Canoe and ten as HR Director, where she built the HR department from scratch and helped grow the team from 100 to over 1,500. For the past 12+ years, Val has specialized in recruiting for top hospitality brands and also works in food TV casting.
Val sits on advisory committees for Centennial and George Brown Colleges and has lectured at the University of Guelph’s HAFA program. She’s a frequent speaker at industry events and a media commentator featured on CTV’s The Social and in The Globe and Mail. Through Catalyste+, Val supports hospitality sector growth in developing markets. Her deep knowledge of the industry and its people makes her a trusted voice in the field.
Maria Michaud
Head of Luxury & Lifestyle, MLAC & Canada, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Maria Michaud is a regarded leader in hospitality procurement, with over 5 years as Director of Procurement for Canada and now currently serving as Head of Luxury and Lifestyle, MLAC & Canada at IHG Hotels & Resorts. She previously held senior roles including Vice President of Hotel Relationship Management at Four Seasons and Strategic Accounts Director at Avendra, among others. Maria’s experience and deep knowledge of hospitality sourcing, make her one of the top Canadian specialists in navigating change through Canada’s evolving supply chain landscape.
Nick Patience
Director – Risk Management Solutions Group, National Bank Capital Markets
Nick Patience is a Director at National Bank Capital Markets, where he advises corporate and commercial clients on risk management strategies. With over a decade of experience in capital markets, Nick specializes in fixed income and interest rate products. He is recognized for his ability to analyze macroeconomic and market trends and translate these into actionable insights that help clients navigate market-driven risks. His strategic guidance enables businesses to make informed decisions aligned with their financial objectives. Nick brings a thoughtful, data driven approach to managing interest rate exposure and other market risks, helping clients adapt to evolving financial conditions.
Dean Correia
Founder, Correia Security Resources
Dean Correia is the founder of Correia Security Resources, a Canadian consulting firm that specializes in customized security training solutions based on research and industry proven practices. Dean has had a career in operations and people & asset protection in Canada spanning more than 30 years, holding senior leadership roles with global brands GAP, Starbucks Coffee, and Walmart. Some of Dean’s career highlights include successfully leading Walmart Canada’s security event planning for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the G8/G20 summit.
Dean is also a contributing editor of Business Continuity Playbook The Playbook defines business continuity planning as a practice which identifies an organization’s exposure to various risks while bringing together various resources in order to provide effective assessment, preparedness, response, and recovery from these risks negatively impacting the organization.
Nicole Nguyen
Senior Vice President, CBRE Limited
Nicole Nguyen is Senior Vice President and Practice Lead with CBRE Hotels Valuation & Advisory Services team in Canada. A trusted advisor to investors, developers, brands and operators, Nicole is recognized for her deep industry insight and ability to translate complex data into actionable recommendations.
Relying on her expertise in financial modeling and market intelligence, Nicole delivers strategic advice grounded in hands-on operational experience. She is a sought-after speaker and contributor on hospitality trends, regularly presenting at industry events and authoring thought leadership pieces.
Tim Magwood
Partner & Co-Founder, 1-Degree/Shift
Tim has been leading culture transformations with CEOs and executive teams since 2014 and has impacted tens of thousands of people. He also specializes in leadership development. He loves it when a couple of new habits are formed to make a big impact. Tim’s background as a trained professional actor, coach, facilitator and keynote speaker allows him to tap into a broad and deep toolkit for his clients. Before 1-DEGREE/Shift, Tim was Founder & Partner at Fusion Learning(now DDS) where he grew a start-up to become the fastest growing, largest private sales effectiveness firm in Canada.
Tim is a strategic, practical and compassionate leader who looks through the lens of Strategy, Culture and maximizing leadership potential. His personal philosophy is inspiring sustainable shifts to fuel well-being and innovation through Compassion, Clarity and Creativity.
Beth McMahon
President & CEO, Hotel Association of Canada
Beth McMahon brings over 20 years of executive leadership in the association sector, with a strong track record of driving growth, advocacy, and organizational transformation. As President & CEO of the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), she is leading the industry into a bold new era—amplifying its voice and advancing key policy priorities that grow Canada’s travel and tourism industry. Prior to HAC, Beth served as CEO of the Canadian Institute of Planners, Vice President of Policy and Public Affairs at the Canadian Vintners Association (now Wine Growers Canada), and CEO of the Canadian Organic Growers. Having lived on both the East and West coasts of Canada, she brings a broad national perspective to her work—and now proudly calls Ottawa home.
Chef John Higgins
George Brown College
Engaging, Entertaining and Irreverent with Decades of Hospitality Industry Experience…. Chef John Higgins!
He’s cooked for Royalty, guided the careers of thousands and always leaves those around him with insight and wisdom. Chef Higgins who recently retired as Director of Hospitality and Culinary Enterprises at George Brown College, was television personality on “Chopped Canada” and is globally recognized as a leading Canadian contributor to the development of thousands of hospitality professionals while also helping to raise tremendous sums in support of industry education, will lead the conference’s events. John will share his witty, yet pointed views on where the industry is headed and how to navigate successfully through the current environment.
Garry Shapiro
Founder, Shapiro Real Estate and Business Lawyers
Garry Shapiro is the founder of Shapiro Real Estate and Business Lawyers and has been practicing law for over 45 years. He advises clients on residential and commercial property transactions, mortgage matters, wills, powers of attorney, and business law.
Garry began his career in Montreal, earning law degrees from McGill University and an MBA from the University of Toronto. He was called to the Bar in 1980 and practiced with Bay Street firms, CIBC, and large corporations before establishing his own firm.He also holds a Master’s in Real Estate Law from Osgoode Hall and is known for delivering practical, business-savvy legal solutions. Garry frequently presents to real estate professionals and offers flexible, client-focused legal services
Lucy Hathaway
VP, Commercial Lines, National Programs at Wawanesa
Lucy Hathaway is VP, Commercial Lines, National Programs at Wawanesa, where she leads the strategic direction of the company’s commercial programs business. Since joining the organization is 2023, Lucy has helped to accelerate growth by expanding broker partnerships, championing digital innovation, and strengthening its membership base.
With more than 30 years of international P&C experience, Lucy has earned a reputation for executing high-impact strategies in underwriting, business development, marketing, and post-merger integration that deliver results.
Irwin Prince
President & COO, Realstar Hospitality
Irwin Prince is the President and COO of Realstar Hospitality, which franchises over 145 hotels under the Days Inn, Motel 6, and Studio 6 brands in Canada. A recognized industry expert, he is a former Chair and one of the longest-serving members of the Hotel Association of Canada. Beyond his professional achievements, Prince is deeply committed to raising awareness and combating human trafficking within the hospitality industry. He actively advocates for training and protocols to help hotel staff identify and report signs of this crime, leveraging his platform to make a meaningful difference.
Jeff Dover
Principal, fsSTRATEGY
Jeff is a Principal with fsSTRATEGY, a management consulting firm focusing on the foodservice industry: enhancing guest satisfaction, revenue generation, expense control and return on investment. Jeff holds the Certified Management Consultant, International Society of Hospitality Consultants and Foodservice Consultants International Society designations. He has been consulting to the hospitality and tourism industry since 1998 and specifically to the food service industry since 2003. Prior to his consulting career, Jeff held hospitality industry management positions in the hotel, attractions and food service sectors. Other positions include Director, Asset Management for Fairmont Hotels and Resorts and Director, Resort Sales and Service for Interval International.
Dharmesh Patel
CO-CEO Infinity Hospitality Group
Dharmesh Patel is a seasoned hospitality professional with over 20 years of experience managing and elevating guest experiences across top hotel brands, including Choice Hotels, Wyndham, IHG, and Hilton. Known for his leadership, operational excellence, and guest-centric approach, Dharmesh has consistently delivered strong performance across multiple properties. He was honored as Leader of the Year, a testament to his ability to inspire teams and uphold the highest service standards. His deep industry knowledge, combined with a hands-on management style, has made him a trusted name in the hospitality sector. Dharmesh is passionate about creating welcoming environments where both guests and staff feel valued.
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Tony Elenis
President & CEO, Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA)
Tony Elenis is the President & CEO of the Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA), he was appointed to this position in April 2008.
As an Ontario hospitality leader with over 35 years of industry experience and a proven track record of positive contributions to hospitality and management, Tony Elenis is dedicated to supporting the hospitality and tourism industry of Ontario. Prior to his arrival at the ORHMA, Tony managed high achieving hotels for 30 years.
Tony sits on the Board of Directors for the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC). His expertise and creativity in food and beverage operations is well recognized within the industry. Tony was awarded the 2022 Pinnacle National Award for Hospitality Industry Support. He sits on industry boards including the Ontario Wine Appellation Authority (OWAA) and is a participant with hospitality schools and government related advisory and steering committees.
Matt Friesen
Senior Vice President, Central Sales, Western Financial Group
For over a dozen years, Matt has been with Western Financial Group in increasing roles of responsibility, leading to his current position as Senior Vice President, Central Sales. In this role, he leads the national sales strategy for Western’s centralized and digital sales teams, which focus on selling commercial, employee benefits, and personal insurance products to buying groups and associations members coast to coast.
Matt received his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a major in Marketing from the University of Winnipeg’s Faculty of Business and Economics. Since then, he has received his Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB), Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP), and Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP) designations.
When not working, you can find Matt spending his free time travelling or at his cottage just north of Winnipeg with his wife and doodle.