Eric Vandewall is President & CEO of Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH) in Burlington. Under Eric’s leadership several major accomplishments have been realized at JBH, and an ongoing focus to continue to improve quality care, safe care, and service excellence is evident throughout the hospital. Over the past 10 years, Joseph Brant Hospital received Accreditation with Exemplary Standing 3 times from Accreditation Canada. In addition, JBH recently completed the largest redevelopment and capital expansion project in the history of the hospital.

Prior to joining JBH, Eric served as the Senior Vice President, Trillium Health Centre, and Vice President of Planning and Corporate Services at Trillium Health Centre. Eric has held a number of other senior management positions including Director, Glaxo Welcome; Director, Health Reform Implementation Team, and Director, Health Promotion Branch, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. He has held several other senior positions at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care over an 11 year period. Eric is a graduate of Queen’s University and holds a master’s degree in Public Administration, Health Policy. He also has an undergraduate degree from Toronto Metropolitan University in Architectural Sciences and he holds a Chartered Director designation from the Directors College, McMaster University.

James Schlegel is the CEO and Chair of Schlegel Health Care, overseeing Schlegel Villages, which provides long-term care, retirement, and assisted living for seniors, as well as Homewood Health, offering mental health and addiction services across Canada.

He also leads RBJ Schlegel, which includes Schlegel Poultry and Schlegel Urban Developments.

James chairs the Research Institute for Aging, whose mission is to enhance care and quality of life for older adults. One of their many innovations is the Living Classroom, including a partnership with Mohawk College through The Village of Wentworth Heights and The Village of Tansley Woods. He also serves on the Homewood Research Institute, advancing applied research in the area of mental health and addiction treatment.

Beyond his corporate leadership, James has served on many boards including the Grand River Hospital, University of Waterloo, Mennonite Economic Development Associates International and Ontario Health Team in Waterloo Region. He also served on committees established by the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care to oversee the COVID-19 pandemic response. He continues to serve on committees advising the Ministry of Long-Term Care and Ontario Health.

James holds a Master of Accounting from the University of Waterloo and obtained his CA designation in 1992.

Keith Segal is a visionary leader whose career bridges the worlds of creativity and business. As a graduate of Technical Theatre and Production at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (known today as Toronto Metropolitan University), Keith began his professional journey behind the scenes—designing, building, and managing theatrical productions. This foundation in creative problem-solving and production logistics laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial mindset and ability to think outside the box.

After 13 years in the Life and Health Insurance industry, Keith became Co-Founder, President and CEO of GuardMe International Insurance, helping shape one of the world’s leading student health insurance and mental support service providers. Starting in his basement along with his co-founder, they grew the company to a worldwide operation with more than 200 employees. Under his leadership, GuardMe became known for its personalized service, industry innovation, community involvement and strong institutional partnerships across the globe.

For nearly 30 years, Keith has made lasting contributions to the education sector by funding student programs, creating scholarships and bursaries, and supporting communities both locally and internationally. His unique blend of creative thinking and strategic leadership continues to make a real difference in people’s lives today.

Ron Foxcroft was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2019. He was named Entrepreneur of the Decade by Profit Magazine and named to the Burlington Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. He has been named Citizen of the Year in both Hamilton & Burlington. He received an Honourary Doctor of Laws from McMaster University.

He is a world-renowned basketball referee, including a distinguished career officiating NCAA Basketball and 23 seasons with the NBA. Ron officiated the 1976 Olympic Gold Medal Basketball Game. He enjoyed a distinguished career in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Division-1, highlighted by officiating Michael Jordan’s first college game. He was named by Referee Magazine as one of the 52 most influential persons in North American Officiating history. In 2016, the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) named Ron the recipient of the esteemed Gold Whistle Award, which is the officiating industry’s highest honour bestowed on a referee.

Ron had an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2015 when he was the Honourary Colonel of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders.

Today, Ron serves as CEO of Fluke Transportation and Fox 40 International, and he is the Chair of the Hamilton John C Munro Airport.

Frank Gerencser is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of triOS Education Group, the parent company of triOS College Business Technology Healthcare Inc., Eastern College Inc., and Lifecycle Systems Corporation. A proud graduate of the University of Waterloo with a degree in Systems Design Engineering, Frank was honoured with the Faculty of Engineering’s 2018 Alumni Achievement Medal for Professional Achievement.

His leadership and contributions to the private post-secondary education sector have earned him several prestigious recognitions, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the King Charles III Coronation Medal. Under his guidance, triOS Education Group formed a proud and impactful partnership with Mohawk College that helped expand opportunities for learners in Ontario at the Mississauga Campus.

Frank serves on multiple boards, including Career Colleges Ontario (CCO), where he advocates for innovation and quality in career-focused education. He is also a long-standing and active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), through which he continues to support and mentor fellow leaders in business and education.

Frank's career reflects a lifelong dedication to transforming education and empowering individuals to build brighter futures through practical, career-focused learning.

Sarah Vienot's journey began in Nova Scotia with entrepreneurial parents who encouraged her to embrace an unconventional career path. Her adventures led to Los Angeles, where she spent over a decade immersing herself in the entertainment industry, first working alongside legendary poet/songwriter Leonard Cohen and then as Co-Founder of The Alexander/Vienot Agency.

Her path to branding took shape during a seven-year tenure at Vibrato Naming. Now a principal executive at Fussfactory since its launch in 2008, Sarah leads social branding initiatives.

Sarah enhanced her expertise through Digital Marketing Management Certification from the University of Toronto and specialized training in brand strategy, innovation strategy, and viral growth through Section4.

As Board Chair for Community Living Central York, she demonstrates a commitment to building inclusive communities through supporting adults with intellectual disabilities. Sarah also serves as a Trustee of the Marinucci Family Foundation, founded and chaired by her husband, Giovanni Marinucci, which invests in education, live arts and proactive healthcare initiatives.

She and Giovanni split their time between Innisfil and Toronto, balancing their professional endeavours with their shared commitment to the Marinucci Family Foundation. They enjoy family life with their combined family of five children, two grandchildren, and their yellow lab, Marilyn.