Mission

Our Mission

” We are intensely focused on helping Scarborough business by driving prosperity, creating forums for networking, providing education and opportunity.We recognize Scarborough’s strengths of location, skilled labour and diversity. Strong business benefits the entire community.”

It takes hard work and continuous renewal to keep a business steered straight for the future. The Scarborough Business Association wants to provide the tools for prosperity. Whether we are a broker of information on opportunity, the identifier of the business community’s educational needs, or the provider of networking opportunities, we believe it’s through the collective effort of the business community itself that we will all grow and prosper. If you believe in this mission, if you believe in Scarborough, and believe as we do, that there is immense potential for the future, then join the Scarborough Business Association and strengthen the voice of business in the community!

The Scarborough Business Association depends on membership to steer its direction. We have a number of working committees and we’re always looking for new members.

Here’s a list of the committees that people can join and contribute. If you are interested, please let us know how you can contribute by emailing:

info@scarboroughbusinessassociation.com

Membership – Generates new memberships.
Revenue Generation/Events – Plan engaging, enriching, and entertaining events.
The Mayor’s Lunch – Help bring new features and ideas to our annually sold-out signature event – so popular, it demands its own committee.
Funding Committee – The SBA relies on the payments from members and the generosity of our great sponsors.
Advocacy and Policy – Speak on behalf of Scarborough businesses, and represent our collective interests on municipal, provincial, and federal issues.

Directors

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Shawn Allen

Matrix Mortgage Global

Shawn Allen founded Matrix Mortgage Global Canada’s Largest Brokerage Private Lending Brokerage in 2008. With a background in data base administration and marketing, Shawn has guided Matrix Mortgage Global to over $1.1B+ in funded volume to date and over 610% growth in the past five years, Matrix Mortgage Global is ranked on the 2018 GROWTH 500 list as one of the fastest growing companies in Canada. This success is shown by the numerous nominations for Broker of the Year (CMP). Shawn’s dedication to the industry has made him a major stakeholder in the Canadian Financing Landscape.

Keith Nugara

Senior Vice-President, Dye and Durham, Financial Solutions

Keith Nugara was appointed Vice-President, Financial Services Market in January 2007. In this role, he was responsible for the growth and management of the Emergis’ bank-centric business in the financial services sector. He joined Emergis in 2001 and has since held various senior positions in the financial services group.

Mr. Nugara holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Business Administration from the University of Windsor. He received a Certificate for the completion of the Executive Leadership Program from the Rotman & INSEAD School of Business and completed the Harvard School of Business Executive Leadership Program. He has Co-chaired several United Way campaigns, TELUS Cares Events and ongoing JDRP Team Leader. He sits on the Board of the Providence Healthcare Foundation

Tracy Deans

Consultant, Business Development AgentsC Inc.

Specialty: Relationship building, community collaborations, equitable and integrated marketing and communications. Tracy is a motivated, passionate and innovative relationship builder with over 14 years of multi-channel and omni-channel non-profit experience. Tracy specializes in relationship building and equitable approaches to developing community collaborations. She has worked with numerous national and international clients, ranging from hospitals, animal welfare, community shelters and health organizations. Tracy is an experienced and dedicated team leader, with a strong knowledge of complex, integrated campaigns. She strives to maximize results and provide unique strategic solutions for clients within the non-profit sector. was appointed Vice-President, Financial Services Market in January 2007. In this role, he was responsible for the growth and management of the Emergis’ bank-centric business in the financial services sector. He joined Emergis in 2001 and has since held various senior positions in the financial services group.
Mr. Nugara holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Business Administration from the University of Windsor. He received a Certificate for the completion of the Executive Leadership Program from the Rotman & INSEAD School of Business and completed the Harvard School of Business Executive Leadership Program. He has Co-chaired several United Way campaigns, TELUS Cares Events and ongoing JDRP Team Leader. He sits on the Board of the Providence Healthcare Foundation

Nishka Karan

Entrepreneur & a Global Safety, Sustainability and Risk leader

Nisa is recognized as one of Canada’s Top Women in Safety for 2023. She has also been appointed to an Ontario Tribunal, employing her expertise towards exercising just and fair decision making in adjudicative decisions. In her professional career, Nisa has held several executive roles, including, serving as Director to a large regional healthcare network and as a Consultant to the World Health Organization’s ‘Global Plan of Action – Workers Health’ and now as President of a leading Global Health and Safety Risk Management Firm, Cobra Safety, nominated as Small Business of the Year 2023, by the Canadian SME and RBC.

Nisa also serves on multiple boards, including serving as special advisor to Garuna Group, a leading investigations and intelligence firm, an advisor to one of Seneca College’s Program Advisory Committees and as Vice Chair of the Scarbrough Business Associations Policy and Advocacy Committee.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), a Masters of Business Administration from Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph, and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Business Administration amongst many other subject-matter specific designations Nisa holds.

Nisa volunteers her time as an international partner of a non-profit social enterprise tackling local socio-economic and environmental challenges in developing nations. She does so through implementing challenge-based learning, grassroots innovation and impact venture building. Nisa also mentors small businesses via a Toronto-based community-focused charity, which provides practical business training and mentorship for under-served young people, equipping them with the support and knowledge needed to build resilience and thrive in an ever-evolving world.

Kurtis Vermont

CEO Vermont Strategies

Kurtis is President & CEO of Vermont Strategies. His team contributes to a wealthy and well-resourced region for small and medium business owners by expanding domestic and international trade opportunities, and offering support in strategic communications, government relations, and advocacy.

A problem solver by nature, Kurtis led a successful business development career across the telecom, adtec, digital marketing and market research industries before working in different levels of government with varying complexity. He was most recently part of Councillor Jamaal Myers’ team as Advisor, Policy and Communications, after helping him win his seat in Toronto’s historic 2022 Municipal Election.

Apart from his professional responsibilities, Kurtis is active in his community as President of the Afro Canadian Political Literacy Foundation, Chair of myRESET’s Board of Directors, Chair of the Scarborough Business Association’s Policy and Advocacy Committee, Director at Parents of Black Children Knowledge Exchange Centre, member of TAIBU Community Health Centre, member of The Reading Partnership’s Fundraising Cabinet, and the Social Economy Through Social Inclusion (SETSI).

was appointed Vice-President, Financial Services Market in January 2007. In this role, he was responsible for the growth and management of the Emergis’ bank-centric business in the financial services sector. He joined Emergis in 2001 and has since held various senior positions in the financial services group.
Mr. Nugara holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Business Administration from the University of Windsor. He received a Certificate for the completion of the Executive Leadership Program from the Rotman & INSEAD School of Business and completed the Harvard School of Business Executive Leadership Program. He has Co-chaired several United Way campaigns, TELUS Cares Events and ongoing JDRP Team Leader. He sits on the Board of the Providence Healthcare Foundation

RYAN SOMER

Business Development Manager

Ryan has spent nearly two decades honing his skills and expertise in various roles. His journey began on the front lines where he learned the intricacies of construction projects from the ground up. Over the years, he ascended through the ranks, taking on roles such as foreman, project manager, and eventually transitioning to business development and small business ownership.Throughout his career, Ryan has contributed his expertise to a diverse range of projects, including high-rise buildings, commercial spaces, luxury developments, and custom homes. His commitment to excellence and his ability to navigate the complexities of the construction industry have made him a respected figure in his field.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ryan is deeply committed to giving back to the community. In Brooklyn, New York, he served as a mentor with Teen Challenge, engaging with elementary students in after-school programs and contributing to the men’s rehabilitation program. In Toronto, he volunteered with People’s Church Community Basketball Program, dedicating his time to support and mentor young individuals, even traveling with the team to tournaments in Toronto, Long Island, New York, and New Jersey.

Ryan’s passion for philanthropy extends beyond local communities. He has actively participated in mission trips to Haiti, where he played a pivotal role in fundraising and building cisterns to provide essential water resources to those in need.

In addition to his hands-on involvement, Ryan has volunteered numerous times with 31 Division, contributing to events like Taste of Jane and Finch. Currently, he continues to support the community through his involvement with the 43 Division Community Liaison Committee and the Skills for Change committee, showcasing his dedication to making a positive impact at both the local and global levels.

Ryan Somer’s story is one of professional success intertwined with a genuine commitment to community service, making him a well-rounded individual whose influence extends far beyond the construction sites he has managed and into the lives of those he has touched through his charitable endeavors

Anthony Captain

Arrow Group of Companies

Anthony Captain is an entrepreneur with a passion for networking and a commitment to making a positive impact in Scarborough, currently working with the Arrow Group of Companies.

Throughout his career, Anthony has developed expertise in sales, marketing and business development. Anthony is passionate about fostering collaboration and believes in the power of diverse perspectives to drive innovation. This experience not only honed his business acumen but also sparked a dedication to community development, specifically here in Scarborough where he was born and raised.

In addition to his professional endeavours, Anthony enjoys the arts, music, travelling the world and sports which inspire creativity and balance in his life. He is actively a soccer coach for youth and young adults in Scarborough

We appreciate our

Founding Members

Gold
Silver
Bronze

Centennial College:

Over the past 47 years Centennial College has transformed itself from a local community college to a worldly institution with a presence in several emerging markets, including China, India, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. Our core focus, as it has always been, is on preparing graduates to enter the work force, while offering our students distinct ways to learn to be leaders.

We’ve worked to build lasting partnerships with local communities while preparing our graduates to succeed in a global context.

Scarborough Town Centre:

Located in the heart of the community, Scarborough Town Centre (STC) is the dominant retail destination in East GTA, attracting 22 million shoppers annually. STC is one of Canada’s largest and most successful shopping centres and serves a trade area comprised of nearly one million people living in 340,000 households. The Centre features over 250 retailers and 1 million square feet of retail space. With an impressive roster of many of the world’s leading fashion retailers, and a proven commitment to excellence in customer service, STC provides the ultimate shopping experience and continues to invest in the future and build on its success.

Metroland Media:

Metroland, Ontario’s largest and most successful community newspaper publisher, provides local news and advertising in Canada’s heartland. We publish over 100 community newspapers with over 125 editions that span from London in southwest Ontario to Ottawa in the northeast, with concentration around Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area.

University of Toronto – Scarborough:

An anchor institution in the eastern GTA, UTSC combines the intimacy of a close-knit campus, the breadth of the liberal arts and the depth and rigor of one of the world’s best research universities. Fostering a vibrant culture of community engagement, UTSC students cross academic as well as geographic boundaries in their pursuit of knowledge.Read More

The dynamic campus life features more than 150 student groups. Located next to popular natural landmarks in Toronto’s greenest area, UTSC is situated in one of Toronto’s most diverse and multicultural neighbourhoods. New buildings by award-winning architects characterize UTSC’s transformational growth.

BMO:

Bank of Montreal promises our customers a great experience and the clarity they are looking for to help them make the right financial decisions. Collaborating with our colleagues across BMO Financial Group, we offer solutions for everyday banking, financing, investing, credit cards and creditor insurance, as well as a full suite of integrated commercial and capital markets products and financial advisory services. We’re building our presence and making it easier for customers to do business with us through an integrated national network of branches, telephone banking, online banking and ATMs, along with the expertise of our mortgage specialists and financial planners

Meridian Credit Union:

Meridian is Ontario’s largest credit union, helping more than a quarter of a million Members grow their lives and businesses. As a credit union, we are 100 percent owned by our Members. We work only for them, with profits returned to our Members in the form of the best products and services we can offer. We get to know our Members so that we can proactively advise them on ways to save money, how to invest for the future and what financial solutions are in their best interest.

Royal Bank of Canada:

Royal Bank of Canada is Canada’s largest bank, and one of the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America’s leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management, insurance, investor services and capital markets products and services on a global basis. We have over 80,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 16 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 37 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com.

TD Bank Group:

TD Bank Group invests in communities in order to effect positive change in the places where it operates and where its clients and employees live and work. In 2015, TD donated more than $92.5 million to community organizations in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Canada, TD focuses on education and financial literacy, creating opportunities for young people and the environment. For further information, please visit www.td.com/corporate-responsibilityRead More

to save money, how to invest for the future and what financial solutions are in their best interest.

Telus:

A global telecommunications leader. Telus has been delivering innovative telecommunications solutions to Canadians. Today, Telus is unleashing the power of the Internet to deliver the best solutions to Canadians at home, in the workplace and on the move. We provide a wide range of communications products and services including data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, wireless, entertainment and video.

Fast Signs:

With more than 590 FASTSIGNS® locations around the world, you’re never far from sign solutions. Whether you want banners, building signs, vehicle graphics, or signs for your windows, walls, doors or floors, FASTSIGNS® uses the latest sign-making systems and techniques to create high-impact signs that get you results. FASTSIGNS International, Inc. does not perform or offer to perform electrical sign work in any state.

All FASTSIGNS® centers are independently owned and operated. FASTSIGNS centers may or may not perform or offer to perform sign installation and/or electrical work.

Canfinse:

At the heart of Canfinse Group Inc. is vision. Vision is the talent that sets Canfinse apart as leaders. Vision is the driving force that brings Canfinse’s clients back repeatedly. Based in Toronto, Canfinse uses its vision to deliver excellence and achieve success across the risk-taking insurance business. Canfinse established strong relationships with Canada’s and International leading insurers.Read More

Canfinse writes both personal and commercial insurance. The Group employs approximately 50 people, based in Ontario.

Blue Umbrella Financial Services:

Blue Umbrella Financial Services is an independent insurance brokerage that provides individual and corporate clients with a variety of medical, dental and group policies to meet their current and future needs. As a full service brokerage, Blue Umbrella Financial Services works with clients to tailor a policy for all of their risk management needs including Life insurance, Critical Illness, Disability, and Long Term Care Insurance. Blue Umbrella also provides financial services for retirement planning and educational savings.Read More

TPASC:

This world-class facility serves as a beacon for those looking to pursue healthy, active lives. More than just a building, TPASC is a health and wellness environment where all members – from individuals new to physical literacy, to sports teams, to fitness enthusiasts, to high performance and Olympic athletes – are welcomed to help foster a culture of inclusivity.

As a part of the legacy of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, TPASC will offer sports and physical activity programming for residents of the community, University of Toronto Scarborough students, faculty and staff, in addition to recreational and high performance athletes. The new facility will be Canada’s premier aquatics centre as well as a state-of-the-art training and competition venue, and will be home to the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario.

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