This year’s Innovation Exchange will feature four breakout sessions focused on the topics that matter most to our members—all tied to the theme Smarter, Faster, Further: Scaling in a Changing World. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from industry leaders and experts, and to connect with your fellow Innovators as we chart the path ahead together. Read on for details about our breakout sessions and presenters.
Beyond Borders: Strategic Growth Through Trade Diversification, Presented by Doane Grant Thornton
This breakout session will examine the current tariff and trade climate and will explore how businesses can expand internationally while strengthening their resilience through trade diversification. Participants will gain practical strategies to identify new markets, navigate regulatory and supply chain complexities, and optimize growth opportunities in today’s shifting global environment. The session will conclude with a Q&A, offering attendees the chance to engage directly with the presenters.
About Your Presenters
Trevor Brown
Trevor is a Partner in Doane Grant Thornton’s Tax practice based out of their Hamilton office. With a focus on US Corporate Tax, he is a Canadian trained CPA & CA and also holds his US CPA designation.
Trevor has experience working with both corporate and personal clients with US cross-border tax issues. He has served clients to structure US business expansion, manage tax costs, determine state tax obligations, and assist with compliance.
Trevor also has experience with merger and acquisitions in both a foreign and domestic context. His experience with clients ranges greatly in the manufacturing, private equity, and technology sectors.
Ray Fischer
Ray Fischer is a Senior Manager in the Customs and Global Trade practice based in Windsor, Ontario, with over 35 years of experience in customs and trade compliance. He helps clients reduce customs risks and ensure compliance across their international trade operations.
Ray brings a diverse background to his role, having operated his own customs brokerage, served as Canadian Customs Operations Manager for a multinational automotive manufacturer, and held a senior management position at a Big Four accounting firm.
For the past 15 years, Ray has represented industry on the Canada Border Services Agency’s Border Customs Consultative Committee (BCCC), where he provides input on customs-related discussions and initiatives. He offers strategic guidance across a wide range of industries, helping businesses navigate regulatory requirements and improve the efficiency of their trade processes.
Succession Strategies for Innovative Leaders, Presented by Phil Evenden, Kingsmere Financial Services, along with IA Members and Special Guests
This breakout session explores innovative approaches to succession planning for forward-looking leaders. As business environments evolve, so must the strategies that ensure continuity, growth, and legacy. Participants will gain practical insights to design adaptable succession plans, empower emerging leadership, and align personal and organizational goals. The session will conclude with a Q&A, offering attendees the chance to engage directly with presenters and peers.
About Phil Evenden
Phil has been a member of Innovators Alliance for close to a decade and is an Innovation Sponsor through Kingsmere Financial Services. Phil and the Kingsmere financial planning team takes the time to understand your business and family dynamics, creating custom solutions to the problems most business owners face, and provide guidance across all platforms—helping their clients achieve long-term financial goals.
Employment Law: Reshaping Work Productivity, Performance, and the Legal Side of Change, Presented by Keith Burkhardt, Sherrard Kuzz LLP
About Keith P. Burkhardt
Keith P. Burkhardt is a partner at Sherrard Kuzz LLP, one of Canada’s leading employment and labour law firms. Recognized by Lexpert® and Best Lawyers® as one of Canada’s leading labour lawyers and by Canadian Occupational Safety® as a Five-Star Safety Lawyer, Keith regularly appears before the Ontario Labour Relations Board, labour arbitrators and is frequently invited to speak at industry and legal conferences. Keith focuses his practice on the representation of management in a number of areas including: employment contracts and terminations, positive employee relations training, Ontario Labour Relations Board proceedings, collective bargaining, grievance arbitrations, and occupational health and safety and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board issues. He is also a member of the Ontario Labour Relations Board Advisory Committee where he provides insight and feedback to the Labour Board regarding its policies, practices and rules. Prior to joining Sherrard Kuzz LLP, Keith obtained a Juris Doctor and Master of Industrial Relations Degree from University of Toronto, as well as an Honours Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Lakehead University.
High Performance Living for Leaders, Presented by Marcus Mackay, M PERFORM
High Performance Living and Longevity for Leaders
Getting older is inevitable. Getting better isn’t.
Leaders lose 4–8% of muscle per decade after 30, while stress and sleep debt quietly erode productivity and raise the risk of the “four horsemen” of chronic disease: heart disease, cancer, neurodegeneration, and diabetes. Time isn’t the currency—energy is. Your body is your business card: a Ferrari never skips maintenance, and neither should you. Attendees will walk away from this session with tools for high-performance living, empowering them to sustain their energy, health, and leadership for the long game.
About Marcus Mackay: Founder of M PERFORM & Master Health Coach
From a competitive athlete to someone battling alcohol, drug abuse, crippling anxiety, and depression, Marcus Mackay knows the reality of self-sabotage. At rock bottom, he discovered a life-changing truth: health and fitness aren’t just about physical transformation—they’re the gateway to unlocking your full potential.
After rebuilding his body and mind, Marcus skyrocketed from survival mode to becoming the youngest manager in Equinox history. At just 25, he led their most successful personal training team of all time.
Now, as a sought-after consultant for brands like Lululemon, Equinox, KPMG and Zero Fasting App, Marcus has personally overseen over 5,000 transformations for top CEOs, entrepreneurs, and pro athletes. His signature MNRX system (Mindset, Nutrition, Recovery, Exercise) empowers high-achievers to maximize performance, resilience, and longevity.
