Toronto Gala Shines Spotlight on Canadian Business Leaders

On Thursday, June 19, we gathered in Toronto to celebrate two standout figures in Canadian business: Arlene Dickinson and Edward S. Rogers.

The evening brought together guests from across the country for a night of recognition, connection and conversation, as well as thoughtful remarks and outstanding local entertainment.

Our Canadian Business Leader Lifetime Achievement and Business Leader of the Year awards honour executives who lead with impact, not only driving business success but also making meaningful contributions to their communities and the broader Canadian economy.

Our President and CEO, Candace Laing, guided the evening as emcee, bringing warmth and energy to a night shaped by reflection and celebration. Remarks from both Edward S. Rogers and Arlene Dickinson set the tone, with the honourees sharing their inspiring journeys and calling on Canadians to recognize our history, learn from our accomplishments, and invest boldly in what comes next, especially by supporting our youth and entrepreneurs. Through their words, the themes of Canadian courage, pride and ambition took centre stage.

As guests experienced the evening’s three-course dinner, award presentations and tribute videos, one message rang clear: Canada’s future depends on how deeply we believe in and invest in our own potential.

Edward S. Rogers, Canadian Business Leader of the Year Honouree

Edward Rogers is Executive Chair of Rogers Communications Inc. and serves as Chair of Rogers Bank, the Toronto Blue Jays, CableLabs and Constantine Enterprises. Edward also serves on the Board of Directors of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE).

Prior to joining the Rogers Board, Edward served in various operating capacities at the company for over 20 years, including as President & Chief Executive Officer of Rogers Cable Inc. from 2003 to 2009. He also served on the board of the Sick Kids Foundation from 2006 to 2020. Since 2019, Edward has been an active member of the Scarborough Health Network (SHN) and serves as the Honorary Co-Chair of its fundraising campaign, “Love, Scarborough.”

Arlene Dickinson, Canadian Business Leader Lifetime Achievement Honouree

Arlene Dickinson is a visionary entrepreneur, investor, and leader whose journey embodies the Canadian dream. Immigrating to Canada as a child with limited means, she built a remarkable career through resilience, determination, and an unwavering belief in possibility. Today, she is the Founder and General Partner of District Ventures Capital, a venture capital fund dedicated to investing in innovative food, beverage, and health and wellness companies. Through this work, she has become one of Canada’s most passionate champions of entrepreneurship, helping early-stage businesses scale, succeed, and thrive.

Beyond her business ventures, Arlene is a sought-after speaker, three-time best-selling author, and committed philanthropist. She is also widely recognized for her long-standing role as a Venture Capitalist on CBC’s Dragons’ Den, where she has inspired millions of Canadians and supported countless entrepreneurs over more than 15 seasons.

Entertainment was provided by the Supersonic Hearts Band, a talented local group that has become a fixture at this event over the past three years. We are very grateful to the members of Toronto’s business community who joined us to celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s honourees.

We would like to extend a special thanks to the Fairmont Royal York hotel and all of our event sponsors.