(Toronto, ON): Sixteen Toronto leaders were honoured at the 6th Annual Leaders Circle Recognition Celebration at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on March 26, 2025. Their efforts helped secure seven international meetings across industries such as life sciences, business, and transportation — events expected to bring nearly 8,000 delegates to Toronto and generate an estimated $25 million in economic impact for Ontario.
Through prospecting and research, the Leaders Circle, supported by Destination Toronto and the MTCC, collaborates with industry experts to win international meeting bids. International conventions are powerful economic drivers for Toronto, Ontario, and Canada, leaving lasting legacies while showcasing Canada’s strong economic sectors and its position as a global hub for innovation and opportunity.
Over the past decade, the Leaders Circle program has helped secure 66 international conventions for Toronto, generating more than $435 million in economic impact. This year’s celebration underscored the economic and social value of international meetings and honoured the experts whose efforts have contributed to Toronto’s success.
“The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is a world-class business and major event venue, hosting events and conventions that play a vital role in Ontario’s tourism industry and economy,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “We’re proud to support the collaborative efforts of the Leaders Circle and the MTCC in attracting events from across the globe and elevating the province’s reputation as a destination of choice for large-scale gatherings of every kind.”
“Toronto’s reputation as Canada’s top destination for international meetings reflects our city’s status as a global hub for innovation and opportunity,” said Kathy Haley, President & CEO of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. “Collaboration is key to ensuring these events continue to deliver meaningful contributions to Canada’s future. As a proud partner of the Leaders Circle, the MTCC remains committed to attracting more international events that create lasting benefits for our city, region, and country.”
“Toronto’s thriving economic sectors are among our greatest assets in attracting international meetings and conventions,” said Andrew Weir, President & CEO of Destination Toronto. “The honourees we’re celebrating today have played a vital role in showcasing Toronto’s leadership in tech, finance, manufacturing, creative industries and services—helping to bring global business events that drive significant visitor spending when the meetings are in our city, and sustained economic growth long afterwards.”
Honourees at the 6th Annual Leaders Circle Recognition Celebration
Sheldon Williamson
- Electrical, Computer and Software Engineering Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science — Ontario Tech University; Canada Research Chair in Electric Energy Storage Systems for Transportation Electrification
- 34th IEEE International Symposium on Industrial Electronics (ISIE 2025)
Zuzanna Strom
- Manager, Road Safety and Vehicle Regulations, Transport Canada
- 28th International Technical Conference on Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (2026)
Kathryn McManus
- Executive Director, American Harp Society
- World Harp Congress – One Harp World (2026)
Angela Schwarzkopf
- Chair of the Board, American Harp Society
- World Harp Congress – One Harp World (2026)
Kathy Kienzle
- Chairperson, World Harp Congress
- World Harp Congress – One Harp World (2026)
Lynne Aspnes, A.Mus.D
- Professor Emerita, University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance; Past President of the American Harp Society
- World Harp Congress – One Harp World (2026)
Dr. Chaya Kulkarni
- Director, Infant and Early Mental Health Promotion (IEMHP), Hospital for Sick Children
- 19th World Congress of the World Association for Infant Mental Health (2026)
Stefanie Watmough
- Business Manager, Infant and Early Mental Health Promotion (IEMHP), Hospital for Sick Children
- 19th World Congress of the World Association for Infant Mental Health (2026)
Louie DiPalma
- Vice President SME Programs, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
- 15th World Chambers Congress (2027)
Todd Letts
- Vice Chair, The Americas, World Chambers Federation; President, Todd Letts Consulting
- 15th World Chambers Congress (2027)
Julie Martini
- Vice President of Public Affairs, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
- 15th World Chambers Congress (2027)
Daniel Tisch
- President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
- 15th World Chambers Congress (2027)
Jaipaul Massey-Singh
- CEO, Brampton Board of Trade
- 15th World Chambers Congress (2027)
Dr. Sharon Cushing
- Professor, Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto; Otolaryngologist, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children
- 10th International Congress on Bone Conduction Hearing and Related Technologies – OSSEO (2027)
Dr. Karen Gordon
- Professor, Department of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery – Audiologist, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto; Senior Scientist, Audiologist, Hospital for Sick Children
- 10th International Congress on Bone Conduction Hearing and Related Technologies – OSSEO (2027)
Dr. Andreas Schulze
- Professor, Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto; Medical Director, Newborn Screening Program, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children
- 16th International Congress of Inborn Errors of Metabolism (2029)
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About the Leaders Circle
The Leaders Circle program partners with top thinkers, innovators, and researchers throughout the Toronto region to bring international meetings to the city. These conferences showcase Toronto as a hub of innovation and excellence, leaving lasting legacies for both the city and the region. The Leaders Circle, in partnership with the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Destination Toronto, aims to enhance Toronto’s global reputation as a leading destination for international events. For more information, visit www.theleaderscircle.ca.
Media Enquiries:
Melanie Wade, Communications Manager
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
T: (416) 585-8504 | E: mwade@mtccc.com