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 business community’s education need 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!

Directors

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Andrea Hazell

President

Winspire Generational Wealth Solutions

Charismatic, powerhouse, Andrea Hazell is best known for her humanity, compassion and philanthropic work within her community and chosen profession. A tireless relationship builder, Andrea brings passion and purpose to everything she does.

During her 3 decades of experience in the financial industry, Andrea has held countless leadership roles within the Retail, Commercial and Wealth Banking arenas.

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.

Ajan Thiru

Although Ajan began his professional education in medicine, he realized that his destiny lay elsewhere in entrepreneurship. In the past, he has exited numerous organizations and created various 30M+ evaluated companies, all while planting roots in the Scarborough community. As a resident of Scarborough for two decades, Ajan’s heart and soul are set to empower our community and businesses by sharing my knowledge and skills acquired over the years. “I’m keen to serve an organization with a great reputation and high impact like The Scarborough Business Association Inc.”

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

Sherief Rezk

Sherief Rezk is a student at the University of Toronto Scarborough, studying political science and public policy. His studies focus on municipal politics and the intersection of government and non-government political groups. Sherief is passionate about representative advocacy, and believes in the value of community focused solutions.

Sherief’s work at the Harbourfront Centre has emphasized both community outreach and event management, skills that will help serve the Scarborough Business Community. He has also worked at the multi-national law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, giving him real exposure to corporate marketing and client relationship management.”

Moshfaqeen Khan

Moshfaqeen Khan is a Business Account Manager for RBC Royal Bank. He has a bachelor Degree in Finance and Management Information System (MIS) from North South University – Bangladesh and 15+ years of corporate experience and lead organization like Junior Chamber International (JCI) and AIESEC International during his university time. This gave him the opportunity to work closely with the community, organize various events and run community-based projects. “I would like to take this learning and start with SBA so that I can learn and give back to the community that I am working for now.”

Arun Kirupa

Pro Marketer

Arun Kirupa, the Founder and CEO of the Pro Marketer Organization believe that life happens outside the comfort zone. Arun believes that to grow and expand personally we need to push our own boundaries and take risks. Arun extends this thinking to his own business and that of his clients.

Arun was born in Sri Lanka and moved to Chennai, India for higher studies. He started a career in sales at the age of 15, built multiple businesses, and failed in multiple businesses. Arun attended Vels University in Chennai to study computer science and graduated with a Bachelor of Computer Science.

Deborah James

Deborah James is a member of the Toronto Zoo Senior Leadership Team as the
Executive Business Partner to the Chief Executive Officer and actively supports the
organization’s mission of connecting people, animals, and conservation science to fight extinction. She first joined the Zoo in 2014, working in the Conservation, Education Wildlife Department.
Deborah developed a love for nature and animals at a very young age and pursued this passion by training as a Veterinary Technician. Her commitment to preserving the natural world is what drives her both personally and professionally.
In addition to her Zoo responsibilities, Deborah sits on the Scarborough Walk of Fame Committee, which allows her to connect with the community and to recognize individuals who are making a difference. Deborah holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and Environmental Science from McMaster University.

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:

[email protected]

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.

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Founding Members

Gold
Sliver
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.

FastSigns:

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.

About Us