SPEAKERS
Armaan Ahluwalia is a recognized leader in sponsorship strategy and measurement, currently serving as the Head of Strategic Commercial Solutions at the Alpine Formula One Team. Previously, he has had stops as the Director of Global Partnerships Business Operations & Insights at BSE Global, the parent company of the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, and Barclays Center, and also the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL. Throughout his career, Armaan has been instrumental in redefining how partnerships are measured and their impact assessed. With a proven ability to turn analytics into actionable insights, he is passionate about ensuring every sponsorship delivers measurable returns. Armaan holds an MBA in Sports Business from San Diego State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Dalhousie University.
Mary serves as Thorne's Chief Growth Officer, overseeing the company's marketing team and e-commerce businesses. She spearheads all efforts related to product and brand marketing, uniting data, customer sentiments, and scientific rigor to grow the company's D2C, B2B, and healthcare practitioner channels. Mary is a seasoned C-suite executive who has served in CEO, CMO, and Chief Transformation Officer roles throughout her career. As an accomplished marketing leader, Mary is an expert at scaling consumer brands for exceptional growth in the digital space and a strategic thought leader who champions the voice of the customer, ideates brand vision, and develops and drives the full customer experience. Prior to Thorne, Mary was the Chief Marketing and Transformation Officer of Scholastic, Inc., a global children's publishing, education, and media company. Mary also served as Chief Executive Officer of Sarah Flint, a luxury D2C footwear brand, and Chief Marketing Officer of Kate Spade New York. Earlier in her career, she rose through the ranks of The Walt Disney Company and Pixar Animation Studios, leading the launch and growth of the Disney Princess brand. Mary holds a BA from Wake Forest University and a Strategic Leadership Certificate from The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.
Jennifer Frees has diverse revenue leadership, marketing, business development, and strategic partnership experience in private, public and non-profit sectors. Her innovative projects have won marketing and design awards for highly regarded international brands, as well as leading the generation of over $180M for her non-profit clients globally. Jennifer is an internationally sought-after business development speaker and workshop facilitator, and has provided executive business development consulting services for an array of organizations in the creative sector. She currently serves as Chief Business and Marketing Officer at TIFF.
Mark Harrison is the founder of the MH3 Collective, a group of ventures whose purpose is to connect people & ideas to create social impact. The Collective includes Humanity, T1, Sidekick, and SponsorshipX. In addition, he co-founded the BTI to support Black entpreprenuers, leaders, and changemakers; and Park Street Education, a charity to remove all barriers to children’s education. His community involvement includes being Board Chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto and a Board Member of several organizations, including the CAMH Foundation, and the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences/The JUNO Awards, Mark is a recipient of the Black Business and Professional Association's Harry Jerome Award and the Association of Canadian Advertisers’ 2022 Gold Medal Award winner. Mark is also CBC Metro Morning's business columnist, where you can hear his regular takes on corporate and societal matters.
Bob Park is the Chief Brand Officer for GE Appliances Canada, leading corporate communications, branding, public relations, and digital strategy across a billion-dollar portfolio that includes GE, Café, Monogram, Profile, and Haier. With over 15 years of experience in sales and marketing, he has been a driving force behind digital innovation, strategic partnerships, award-winning campaigns, and industry-leading sponsorships that have elevated brand engagement and consumer connection. Bob’s career spans both B2B and B2C sectors, with leadership roles where he has spearheaded retail execution strategies and groundbreaking digital campaigns. During his tenure at Samsung, he played a pivotal role in launching large-format commercial displays and personal laser printer technology. Under his leadership, the Café brand has gained market prominence in Canada through innovative digital content and data-driven marketing. Beyond business, Bob is a passionate advocate for corporate social responsibility. He collaborates with Canada Soccer to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, reinforcing his commitment to meaningful industry change. Bob holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Alberta and executive certification from Princeton University, underscoring his dedication to continuous learning, leadership, and brand transformation in Canada’s consumer electronics and appliance industry.
Chris is the Director of Brand & Partnerships for Trixstar LIVE and the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival, with nearly two decades of experience in the event industry. He has collaborated with top-tier talent like Gary Vaynerchuk, Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin Hart, William Shatner, Shane Gillis, Bill Burr, Matt Rife, Theo Von, and Nikki Glaser, as well as major brands such as SkipTheDishes, Molson, Jim Beam, Kuma Outdoor Gear, Coca-Cola, Ole Cocktails, and Tixr...to name a few. Beyond his career, Chris is deeply committed to community involvement, volunteering his spare time with organizations like Make-A-Wish, Special Olympics, and 100 Men Who Give A Damn. Him and his wife, Michelle, and two rescue pups Bentley and Sophie are excited to be welcoming a new addition to the family this year too! With a passion for building meaningful partnerships, developing brands, and creating unforgettable experiences, Chris continues to make an impact in both the entertainment industry and his community.