Speakers & Judges

Founder, The Business Leader Podcast

Edwin J. Frondozo is a visionary tech entrepreneur, an award-winning podcaster, and the co-founder of Slingshot, a B2B voice communications platform. He is the founder of The Business Leadership Podcast, where he has interviewed over 300 pioneering leaders from notable companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Wealthsimple. His insights focus on leadership, innovation, and transformation. The podcast has received multiple accolades, including Podcast of the Year, and has been ranked among the Top 10 Best Business Podcasts. As the co-creator of the Future Narrator Framework, Edwin assists leaders in crafting their Future Point of View (POV) to create podcasts that spark conversations, shape industries, and drive innovation. He has collaborated with global brands like RBC, Mastercard, and Intel to develop impactful thought leadership initiatives. Actively engaged in Canada’s startup ecosystem, Edwin mentors emerging entrepreneurs and fosters dialogue on the evolving landscape of leadership and business.

CEO, AV Communications (AVC)

Joycelyn David is the Owner & CEO of AV Communications (AVC) a leading full-service multicultural marketing agency, and theFounder of TULONG Technologies a B2B martech startup. She is on a mission to help foster a more inclusive marketing industry by helping brands expand their cultural intelligence through marketing and technology.  Her company has been recognized as one of the Top Growing Companies in Canada, by the Globe and Mail, and Joycelyn was the recipient of the “Most Influential Filipina Award” in the category of Thought Leadership recognizing her efforts in martech innovation. She is a frequent guest speaker on marketing having spoken at conferences, webinars and podcasts across North America, and remains an industry advocate as board member of POCAM (People of Colour in Advertising and Marketing) and MMAC (Multicultural Marketing Alliance Canada.) Her upcoming book release with Forbes Authority Advantage titled “The Multicultural Mindset” will be released in Mary 2025.  Learn more Joycelyn and her upcoming book here: www.joycelyndavid.co

Founder, Jfulgar Design Inc.

Ace Fulgar is the founder of Jfulgar Design Inc. and a multidisciplinary creative leader at the intersection of fintech, design, and sport. As the former Head of Design at STACK and now Creative Director at Zum Rails, Ace has helped shape innovative financial experiences—from building one of Canada’s first prepaid digital banking apps to designing infrastructure for modern payment solutions. He also served as Director of Product Design at CIBC, where he led teams in delivering trusted, user-first solutions at scale. Beyond fintech, Ace brings his creative vision to the basketball court as the Director of Strategy & Creative Operations at North Pole Hoops (NPH), playing a key role in growing Canada’s youth basketball ecosystem. With a deep belief in the power of design to move culture forward, Ace continues to build products, brands, and platforms that inspire, enable, and elevate.

Junior Policy Analyst, 

Race-Based Data Team RCMP

Born in Manila and based in Toronto. Alfonso Ralph Mendoza Manalo is a Filipino-Canadian public servant. He is currently a Junior Policy Analyst in the Anti-Racism Unit and an Anti-Asian Racism Learning Advisor at the Canada School of Public Service. Prior to this, Alfonso worked as a Policy Advisor in the RCMP's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Unit and the Race-based Data Collection (RBDC) Team, and as a Research Assistant for the Information Management Policy Section. He is the co-founder and is currently the co-chair of the RCMP’s Pride Network.

Throughout his federal public service career, he has presented and/or worked for a multitude of federal government departments. These include but are not limited to the Canada School of Public Service, Correctional Service Canada, the Department of National Defense, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Outside of the RCMP, he has worked in a variety of research and policy roles for the Urban Alliance on Race Relations, the Scarborough Campus Student Union’s Racialized Students Collective, the Filipino Centre Toronto, and the Asian Institute at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto, with a double major in Public Policy and Global Asia Studies and a minor in Critical Migration Studies.

Gelaine Santiago is an award-winning entrepreneur who lives and works at the intersection of entrepreneurship, social justice, and cultural identity. She's on a mission to build more ECOSYSTEMS – not empires – and helps marginalized founders scale businesses that grow collective, wealth, and joy.

Gelaine is the co-founder and CEO of Cambio & Co. Filipino Jewelry and Sinta & Co. Filipino Weddings, two companies that are dedicated to sustainable livelihood for artisans in the Philippines.

Her work has been featured in major publications like Forbes, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Huffington Post,  CBC and Rappler.  Gelaine has also spoken on stages across North America and was a recipient of the RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award in 2019.

Founder, Scarborough Spots

Jesse Asido, is the the dynamic founder and owner of Scarborough Spots, a social media powerhouse with over 125k followers, a bustling retail store at Eglinton Square Shopping Centre, and a cutting-edge marketing company Asido Media. With a passion for his hometown, Jesse transformed a simple Instagram page into a cultural movement and go-to community hub, celebrating the vibrant, energetic spirit of Scarborough. His mission? To put Scarborough on the map and create spaces where locals and visitors come together to connect, shop, and experience the best of the area!

Scarborough Spots began during the COVID-19 pandemic as a platform to promote local restaurants. Over time, it evolved to cover Scarborough news, memes, and unique merchandise, becoming a digital love letter to the community. Jesse's dedication to highlighting the positive aspects of Scarborough, from its diverse culture to its rich history, is evident in every post and product.

The store itself is a unique experience, designed to resemble a subway station, with sections dedicated to different areas of Scarborough. It not only offers clothing and merchandise but also serves as a center for community events and initiatives. Jesse's efforts extend to supporting local causes, with proceeds from certain collections going to groups such as the Scarborough Health Network and is currently working on a project with the Toronto Zoo.

Jesse's work with Scarborough Spots has not only redefined retail but also helped reshape the narrative around Scarborough, challenging negative stereotypes and celebrating the area's true essence. His deep love for Scarborough, coupled with his innovative approach, continues to inspire and bring positive change to the community.

PwrForward, Executive Director

Charmaine is a connector, storyteller, and advocate for Filipino excellence. With 10 years in talent development, she is the co-founder and Executive Director of PwrForward—a global platform that uplifts emerging Filipino leaders and entrepreneurs through storytelling, community, and transformative learning experiences. With a strong background in industry relations and workforce development, she works at a leading Global university, where she bridges academia and industry to unlock career pathways in tech, construction and all spaces in STEM. 

Partner, Gowling WLG's Toronto Office

Josh Almario is a partner at Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP, a large international business law firm, where he practises in the areas of capital markets, corporate M&A and private equity.  

Josh has represented companies, investors and entrepreneurs in numerous domestic and cross-border transactions and across a broad range of industries including technology, health care, cannabis, energy, consumer retail and manufacturing. Clients turn to Josh for assistance with going public transactions, equity and debt financings, corporate mergers and compliance with securities laws and stock exchange listing requirements. His clients benefit from his strong negotiating skills and ability to provide strategic and practical advice.

Josh has been consistently recognized in The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory in the corporate mid-market and finance & securities sectors.

Author, Former Politician, Regulator, and Integrity Commissioner

David Tsubouchi is an accomplished author and former politician, as well as a regulator and Integrity Commissioner. He holds a B.A. from York University, a J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School, an LL.D. from Assumption University in Windsor, a D.S. Litt. from Huntington University, and a C.Dir. from McMaster University.

Notably, Mr. Tsubouchi is the first Japanese Canadian elected to public office in Canada. He served two terms as the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Markham and held several cabinet positions in the Ontario Legislature, including Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations, Solicitor General, Chair of the Management Board, and Minister of Culture. Before his time in the Ontario Legislature, he was a Councillor for the Town of Markham for two terms.

Currently, Mr. Tsubouchi serves on the boards of the OMERS Administration Corporation and Tarion. He has also acted as the Honorary Consul General for Mongolia in Toronto and participated in various boards, including those for Women’s College Hospital, York University, Seneca College, Markham Stouffville Hospital, Hitachi Canada, and Lakefront Utilities.

As a campaign chair, Mr. Tsubouchi has successfully raised millions of dollars for nonprofit organizations and institutions, including Seneca College, George Brown College, and the Rising Sun Campaign to aid tsunami and earthquake victims in Japan.

His numerous awards and honors include the Queen’s Diamond and Golden Jubilee Medals, the NAAAP 100 Award, the Bruce Bryden Award from York University, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers, the Award of Merit from the Japanese Canadian Community, and the Canadian Horse Racing Industry Award of Recognition.

Mr. Tsubouchi’s memoir, "Gambatte," published by ECW Press, was nominated for both the Speaker’s Book Award and the Heritage Toronto Book Award. He has also authored five sci-fi fantasy books, including "The Chinese Door" series and "Zeke." His latest book, "The Ripple Effect," is set to be released on May 27, 2025, by ECW Press.

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