Clare Barnett brings a unique perspective having both private and public sector experience in international business development and marketing, economic development, attracting Foreign Direct Investment, developing Business Retention & Expansion programs, and building an award-winning Innovation District.

She has deep business development and marketing expertise cultivated through more than 15 years with the provincial government focused on Ontario’s economic competitiveness, in addition to prior private sector experience in the technology space.

Ms. Barnett served as Ontario’s representative in the United Kingdom with a mandate to further Ontario’s trade, investment and broader economic interests. She also established Ontario’s first Investment Office, leading international business development and marketing.

More recently, Ms. Barnett created an award winning and accredited Economic Development Office with the City of Brampton, part of the Greater Toronto Area. Global brands invested under her leadership, and Brampton’s place on the global stage was recognized through various awards, including being ranked one of Canada’s best locations to invest.

Ms. Barnett now serves as the Director of Business Growth with the City of Toronto, leading economic development in Canada’s largest city and economy. The focus of her work is Business Retention & Expansion, main street and small business support, entrepreneurship and investment attraction.

Ms. Barnett is a thought leader in economic development and is a sought-after speaker internationally. She serves as an Advisor and Board Member to many organizations such as the International Economic Development Council, Organization of Women in International Trade and local start up incubators and accelerators. She has been called an inspirational leader and is personally focused on supporting women to grow their careers in economic development.

Amit Brahme is Vice President, Strategic Cultural Segments at Scotia Wealth Management. An immigrant himself, he has over 25 years of professional experience in banking, technology, manufacturing, and educational sectors. Outside of work, Amit is an active volunteer with Junior Achievement and DECA, participating in mentoring and coaching programs designed to empower young people. He is also an instructor to post-graduate students at IMDR.

Amit is responsible to build and execute a comprehensive strategy to serve the wealth management needs of newcomers and diverse cultural segments. Working collaboratively with partners across Scotiabank, Amit drives an integrated wealth management and banking offerings to help newcomers build wealth and prosperity in Canada. Amit was most recently the Senior Director, Newcomer Client Segment at RBC.

贺博然先生是一位卓越的顾问及投资银行家，拥有超过20年的国际商务与投资银行从业经验。自2012年以来，他在矿业、快速消费品（CPG）和农业等多个行业进行战略性投资，凭借敏锐的投资眼光和前瞻性思维，成为加中两国商界的知名人士。

贺先生对多伦多证券交易所（TSX）和加拿大证券交易所（CSE）有着深刻了解，并在加中两地拥有广泛而深厚的人脉关系，凸显了他在国际金融领域的重要地位。

除投资专长外，贺先生还是多伦多多家高端俱乐部的创办人及所有者，包括知名葡萄酒俱乐部 Fame Club 及一个私人高尔夫俱乐部。他积极参与社团事务，现为加中贸易理事会（CCBC）、加拿大华商会（CCCC）以及加拿大华人企业家协会（ACCE）的活跃成员。

贺先生在商界的贡献广受认可。2014年，他荣获“亚太最佳商业奖”，以表彰他在该地区的卓越影响力和领导才能。他的学术背景同样令人瞩目，拥有对外经济贸易大学的硕士学位、巴黎高等商学院（HEC Paris）的工商管理硕士学位，以及法国巴黎的DEA高等深造文凭。

凭借丰富的经验、卓越的投资策略和强大的国际人脉网络，贺博然先生在金融界的影响力堪比华尔街顶尖银行家。

Karayannopoulos先生的职业生涯长达三十多年，已成为稀土行业最长青的高管之一。他擅长与欧洲、北美和亚洲各国政府合作，协调公共政策和产业经济以实现战略性增长。

 
Karayannopoulos先生的稀土行业之旅始于1994年，当时他在Advanced Material Resources Limited（AMR）的创始人Peter V. Gundy的指导下工作。作为第一家获准进入中国稀土行业的外国公司，AMR树立了一个历史性的里程碑，成立了两家拥有多数股权的合资经营企业。Karayannopoulos先生在AMR的职位从业务开发经理到北美销售经理，到全球销售经理/合资公司董事长，到AMR稀土业务部副总裁兼总经理，再到首席运营官兼管AMR的稀土和磁性材料部门，最终在2005年收购了Magnequench公司、合并更名为新奥材料技术公司后成为公司首席执行官。2012年，NEO以13亿美元的价格出售给了Molycorp。
 

Karayannopoulos先生也是Neo Lithium Corp.的联合创始人，并曾担任董事会非执行主席，他从2016年开始担任该职务，直到2022年1月公司以9.6亿美元的价格出售。

除此之外，Karayannopoulos先生还担任多伦多大学化学工程与应用化学系咨询委员会成员。加中贸易理事会（Canada China Business Council）的董事，并担任专注于电池材料版税与流权业务的Lithium Royalties Corp.公司的咨询委员会成员。

Karayannopoulos先生凭借其在该领域的深厚专业知识，将通过其咨询公司Kloni Inc.为Appia公司提供关于关键矿产的服务，进一步提升Appia公司的战略地位。Appia公司已将30万份期权授予Kloni Inc.，这些期权可在五年内以每股0.275美元的价格行权。

Ricco Piao is Vice President of CTS Global Logistics Canada Inc. and a seasoned professional in cross-border logistics and supply chain management with 10 years of experience. He began his career in corporate finance at PwC, focusing on due diligence and M&A advisory, before founding his own logistics company in Canada in 2016. In 2023, his company was successfully acquired by CTS Global Logistics Canada, where he now serves as Vice President.

Ricco has played a leading role in developing international warehouse networks and integrated logistics solutions across North America. His expertise spans overseas warehouse setup, e-commerce fulfillment, freight forwarding, and cross-border compliance, supporting both multinational corporations and high-growth enterprises.

CTS International Logistics Corporation Limited, the parent company of CTS Canada, is a subsidiary of China Logistics Group Limited and a Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed enterprise (603128). With over 90 branches worldwide and operations in more than 160 countries, CTS provides comprehensive services in international freight, project logistics, warehousing, e-commerce, and supply chain solutions.

Ricco holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia. He brings to the Advisory Council of CCBC not only deep industry knowledge but also a proven track record of bridging Canadian and international markets through innovative and sustainable logistics strategies.

Dr. Cory Searcy is the assistant vice-president (AVP), international at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Appointed in 2024, Dr. Searcy furthers the university’s goal of increased internationalization by working with a broad range of stakeholders to foster collaboration, build international learning opportunities and drive the recruitment and success of international students based on an understanding of the global landscape and cultural diversity. He supports internationally focused activities in faculties and advance academic, research and social partnerships that align with TMU’s values, while driving a strategy to strengthen the university’s global presence and reputation.

An accomplished post-secondary leader, Dr. Searcy has been with TMU for more than 15 years. In his previous role as vice-provost and dean, Yeates School of Graduate Studies (YSGS), Dr. Searcy played a critical role in advocating for and implementing TMU graduate scholarships and fourth year PhD funding, and contributed to a new framework for financially supporting international graduate students. He oversaw international graduate student recruitment activities and supervised more than 25 graduate students.

Prior to taking on the role of vice-provost and dean, Dr. Searcy served as associate dean, programs, YSGS where he oversaw the graduate component of the institutional quality assurance process. This included guiding graduate programs through cyclical reviews, new program development, curriculum modifications, and other strategic initiatives. He has also served as program director for both environmental applied science and management as well as industrial engineering.

In 2021, Dr. Searcy co-chaired an internal review of TMU’s international units, including TMU Global and recruitment. This included a key focus on increased enrolment of international students and accompanying supports. He has worked closely with teams to strengthen international collaborations, global learning opportunities for domestic students and the university’s international rankings and profile.

A well established researcher, Dr. Searcy has published with researchers from the United States, Germany, Denmark, New Zealand, Australia, Turkey, Pakistan, the Netherlands and Italy. Dr. Searcy is a professor in the Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering with expertise in corporate sustainability, environmental management systems, quality management systems, performance measurement, industrial ecology, and life cycle assessment.

Yang Yang is the Chief Executive Officer of Motion Pay and the Chief Strategy Officer of DIAN Motors Inc.

Founded nearly a decade ago, Motion Pay is a pioneering payment technology company that provides alternative payment solutions to customers from China and more than 30 other countries. Its platform allows international consumers to use their home country digital wallets for purchases in Canada. This innovative service not only drives revenue growth for Canadian merchants, but also delivers significant convenience to international students, foreign workers, new immigrants, and Chinese Canadians who maintain financial connections abroad.

Yang brings nearly 18 years of experience in the banking and financial services industry. Before joining Motion Pay, she held senior leadership positions at CIBC Capital Markets, where she served as Director and Head of Strategy of China and Southeast Asia Market. Her extensive expertise in financial markets and strategic planning has been critical to her success in guiding Motion Pay’s innovation and expansion.

Yang holds an Executive MBA from the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University and a Bachelor’s degree from Carleton University. Leveraging her strong professional background and strategic insight, she also serves as Chief Strategy Officer of DIAN Motors, where she leads international trade and global business development initiatives.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Yang is dedicated to community service. She is the President of the Scarborough York Region Chinese Business Association and has devoted nearly two decades to volunteer work. Her efforts have supported newcomers, promoted cultural exchange, and advanced economic development within the Chinese Canadian community.

尹璐（Candice Yin）女士拥有理学学士、文学学士及理学硕士学位，现任Viva Naturals亚洲区业务拓展与发展高级经理。Viva Naturals 是由 Husayn Remtulla 于2011年创立的知名维生素、营养补充剂及健康产品提供商。自2017年带领公司进入中国市场以来，尹璐女士成功推动了显著的销售增长，并在天猫、京东、小红书、抖音及拼多多等平台建立了稳固的市场地位。她与其团队持续深耕中国市场，并积极拓展亚洲周边地区，进一步巩固 Viva Naturals 在健康产品行业的领先地位。