Join CCBC for an exclusive Lunar New Year cocktail reception on Friday, January 17, 2025, in Toronto. We are honoured to have Mr. LUO Weidong, Consul General of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto, provide China’s economic priorities in 2025, along with opening remarks from Alex Besharat, Executive Vice President and Head, Canadian Wealth Management, Scotiabank. Rebekah Young, Vice President, Economist, Scotiabank, will offer her perspectives on the global economic outlook for 2025 and beyond, including international trade and the investment landscape.

This event celebrates the farewell of Sarah Kutulakos, who has served as CCBC’s Executive Director and COO for nearly 18 years, and welcomes her successor, who will officially assume the role on January 1, 2025. CCBC President Graham Shantz will also share remarks during the event.

In the spirit of Lunar New Year festivities, guests can participate in various lucky draws for exciting prizes. Kindly remember to bring along your business cards to participate in the lucky draws. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the richness of Lunar New Year traditions while gaining valuable insights into the dynamic Canada-China business landscape.

Tickets:
CCBC Members: $20+HST; Non-Members: $100+HST
Capacity is limited and registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to CCBC members.
Click here to register.

Address:
Scotia Plaza
Scotiabank Centre, 40 King St. W, 2nd Floor
Toronto, Ontario

Special Guest Remarks:

LUO Weidong
Consul General
Chinese Consulate General in Toronto

Mr. LUO Weidong was born in December 1967 and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree.

He began his career in 1990 in the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, which is now the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China.

He assumed his role as Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto in September 2023.

About the Speakers:

Alex Besharat
Executive Vice President and Head, Canadian Wealth Management
Scotiabank

Alex Besharat is Executive Vice President and Head of Canadian Wealth Management. He is responsible for defining and implementing the strategic direction, goals and values for Canadian Wealth Management, including ScotiaMcLeod, Private Banking, Scotia iTRADE, MD Financial Management, Private Investment Counsel and Scotiatrust businesses. Mr. Besharat has more than 35 years of wealth management experience, and over the course of his career, has been recognized for his strategic leadership, relationship management expertise and unwavering focus on client-centered, comprehensive wealth management solutions.

Rebekah Young
Vice President, Economist
Scotiabank

Rebekah Young is an economist with Scotiabank Economics. As Vice-President, she provides thought leadership on a broad range of economic trends that will impact long-term growth in Canada and abroad including evolving demographics, housing affordability, fiscal sustainability, and the green transition to cite a few. She also actively probes near-term economic and policy developments. Previously, she held senior roles at the IMF, the Canadian Department of Finance, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Gautam Mohorikar
Director, Partnerships
Scotiabank

Gautam Mohorikar is a seasoned leader with a strong background in financial services, marketing, and strategic partnerships. With extensive experience across business strategy, client acquisition, and cultural segment development, he has consistently delivered impactful results by fostering collaboration and driving innovation. With proven track record to build meaningful partnerships and generate growth and value, Mr. Mohorikar is committed to driving sustainable success and driving transformational outcomes. He holds an MBA in Marketing and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Marketing Analysis.

Graham Shantz
President
Canada China Business Council

Graham Shantz served for over 25 years in Canada’s public service providing advice to Canadian governments, mainly on management of Canada’s relations with Asia. He has lived and worked for over 12 years in Asia, half of that in China. In Ottawa, Mr. Shantz has worked in senior management positions in Global Affairs Canada, the Department of Finance and the Privy Council Office. In 2000-2001 he served as Canada’s lead negotiator for Foreign Investment Protection Agreements (FIPAs) and in 1996-1997 served as deputy chief negotiator for the Canadian team during China’s WTO accession talks. Over the past decades, Mr. Shantz has been involved in numerous major bilateral visits between Canadian and Chinese leaders.

Mr. Shantz has served on the Board of Directors of the Asia Pacific Foundation (2013-2016) and on the Board of Directors of the Centre for International Governance Innovation (2006-2009). He served as Canada’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain (2009-2012) and ended his career in the public service in senior management positions in Global Affairs Canada’s Asia Branch.

A Mandarin speaker, Mr. Shantz pursued his interest in China while studying economics at Goshen College in Indiana. He holds an M.A. in International Affairs from Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs. He also pursued language and economics studies in China, including at Beijing University and Xiamen University, under the Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program.

Sarah Kutulakos
Executive Director and COO
Canada China Business Council

Sarah Kutulakos joined the CCBC in 2007 and has since revitalized CCBC’s role as Canada’s premier bilateral trade and investment organization. Ms. Kutulakos has re-centered the Council’s activities around providing business services, catalyzing business growth and activity, and advocating for stronger Sino-Canadian bilateral trade and investment. This has resulted in extensive public outreach activities, internal infrastructure improvements, the launch of new programs such as the Business Incubation Centre, and thriving member relations.

Prior to joining CCBC, Ms. Kutulakos worked for 11 years in marketing, product development, and management with a major multinational corporation, where she had multiple assignments involving China. Ms. Kutulakos managed worldwide product businesses that marketed to China and used China-based sources of supply. She was also involved in several projects requiring cooperation with the Chinese government. Ms. Kutulakos has led both established and start-up businesses within the context of a global corporation and has broad emerging market business experience, and has been involved in the Greater China region since the late 1980s when she lived and worked in Taiwan. There, she was the first non-Chinese employee of a local high-tech start-up firm, where she gained a deep understanding of Chinese business practices.

A fluent Mandarin speaker, Ms. Kutulakos’s interest in China began at the University of Wisconsin, where she studied Chinese, marketing, and international business. She holds an MBA in finance and operations from the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester. She frequently speaks on China issues, including marketing, trade, investment, and Canada-China relations.

Jeff Zhang
Regional Director, Central Canada
Canada China Business Council

Jeff Zhang has over 30 years of international experience in private, public and non-profit organizations in a variety of sectors including E-commerce, oil and gas, retail, commercial real estate, education and financial services. Prior to joining the Canada China Business Council, Mr. Zhang worked in establishment and operation management at a Sino-Foreign joint venture company and in strategic partnership management at a Fortune 500 multinational company. He also led and assisted a number of Canadian companies and educational institutions into China where he was responsible for strategic partnerships and branding establishment.

Mr. Zhang has an MBA in marketing and international business from Concordia University in Montreal and is fluent in Mandarin and English. He is a frequent guest speaker at professional business associations in Canada.