Alice Han
Student Ambassador

Department: Campus Ambassador

Alice has an inclination to find out all things to which she doesn't know the answers to. She is attaining a degree in digital communications and a minor in professional writing. In her spare time, she likes to travel to Central Asia to expand her horizons and meet accomplished people her own age. Her biggest lesson learned from that is: we all start somewhere small before we grow into anything big. Just work smartly and give everything 120%!

Grew up in: China & Vancouver
Can’t give up: Turkish tea, decaf coffee, and any cuisine that's really spicy.
Excited by: the thought of travelling & scuba diving

Alykhan Kanji
Vice President of Web Development

Department: Web Development

Alykhan Kanji is an undergraduate student at the University of Waterloo, pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Software Engineering. As the Vice President of Web Development, he is responsible for the development of the Nspire, Discovery Series, and NBTC websites. He has a passion for software development and entrepreneurship as a member of the VeloCity program in Waterloo. His experience with web and mobile application development is a strong asset to the team.

Grew up in: Brampton, ON
Can’t give up: Tools of the trade
Excited by: Gorgeous looking food

Angela Wong
Co-Managing Director

Department: Discovery Series Waterloo/Laurier

Hi everyone, I'm Angela. I'll be completing the BBA program at Wilfrid Laurier University in the next year with a specialization in Marketing. I'm fascinated by how easily things can change, but more importantly, by how even the littlest things can make the biggest difference. That being said, I think Attitude makes all the difference. I see the world as a sea of opportunities, and I live my life like a captain steering a ship through uncharted territory. A little scared, yes, but mostly thrilled and with insatiable curiosity! And if I had a motto, it'd be to "Nspire, or be Nspired"... See what I did there? ;)

Grew up in: a music video for a 90's pop song
Can’t give up: music, smiling, laughing, tears of joy... and any other telltale signs of happiness :)
Excited by: good eats, people with passion, and learning new things!

Anjali Arya
Business Development Associate

Department: National Business and Technology Conference

Anjali is a 4th year Science and Business student at the University of Waterloo. Aside from Nspire, Anjali is the Human Practices lead for Waterloo iGEM. When not answering her e-mails, you can find Anjali just hanging out with her friends, catching up on latest TV show episodes, adding music to her library, enjoying Trivia nights, playing card games and experimenting with various food ingredients. She is passionate about science communications and hopes to convey research messages through innovative media means.

Grew up in: GTA
Can’t give up: Combination of Milk & Cookies, TV shows and Music.
Excited by: FOOD! Mention food and you have my attention.

Annie Zhang
Managing Director

Department: Discovery Series Western

Annie is a second year student at the University of Western Ontario. She is currently specializing in Economics, Politics and Philosophy with prospects of entering the Richard Ivey School of Business in the upcoming year. Originally a die-hard figure skating addict and later turned passionate musician, she pursued numerous performance and leadership roles in the athletics and performing arts such as being a member of the Canadian Wind Orchestra and competing at the Canadian Synchronized Skating Championships. She is passionate about strategy, challenging traditional norms and problem solving. Striving for a career in strategic consulting, she hopes to constantly create unique solutions to problems and propose changes to flawed systems. In the past summer, she worked as a social media marketer for a career management company called Magnify Your Marketability. In her free time, she enjoys obsessively watching figure skating videos, music jams, being active, being in nature, and absorbing knowledge.

Grew up in: A little too many suburbs.
Can’t give up: Night Jogs
Excited by: Going on random adventures. After all, the sky's the limit.

Arshdeep Sidhu
Director of Business Development

Department: National Business and Technology Conference

Arshdeep is a third year student at the Richard Ivey School of Business. Aside from Nspire, he oversees the student operations for a non-profit called OneProsper International. His interests lie in disruptive technology, entrepreneurship and sustainability. When he’s not madly typing away on his laptop, you’ll find him catching up on the latest episode of Suits, at the basketball court, or out for a long run.

Grew up in: Brampton
Can’t give up: Daily Elon Musk updates
Excited by: Young people proving old frameworks wrong

Cameron Arksey
Brand Consultant

Department: Design and Graphics

I'm a creative professional through and through. Western University alumnus and currently Creative Director at WARPAINT Media Inc., the creative services agency. I don't think very many people start out thinking they are going to be entrepreneurs per se - or at least I didn't. It's about just knowing and feeling that you need to forge your own path and create something of your very own. Learning the term "entrepreneur" and figuring out how to turn that innate drive into a business comes later. I discovered that to be creative is to substantiate your existence in this world and I aim to help others make their mark on the world with cutting edge design and the most modern of development.

Grew up in:
Can’t give up:
Excited by:

Chanakya Sinha
Campus Ambassador

Department: Campus Ambassador

I am a third year student completing a specialist in Economics and a minor in Mathematics at the University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus. I have a combined interest in the automotive and finance industry. I enjoy meeting new people and discussing their perspective on different views, Innovative ideas and opinions on current affairs. If you ever need me I will be around at the UTM campus, so come up and say hi, i am sure i can amaze you.

Grew up in: The Land of Oil...Abu Dhabi, UAE
Can’t give up: Bloomberg and Game Of Thrones!!
Excited by: Meeting new people!!

Daniela Trivanovic
Producer/Host

Department: NspireTV

I am currently in my second year at the University of Toronto Mississauga, pursuing my Bachelor of Commerce Degree. After finishing my first year, I have decided to specialize in Marketing, with a major in Economics. As an active member of the Undergraduate Commerce Society at UTM, I assist in producing and hosting "CommerceTV", raising awareness of events and opportunities within the school. When the business cloths are put away, I continue to fuel my passion for dance as part of a Serbian Folk Dancing group. For over 15 years, I have participated in competitions, helped instruct youth, travelled around the world, and am still going strong! I love to travelling, exporting the great things this city has to offer, and meeting new people to share these experiences with!

Grew up in: Toronto
Can’t give up: Food, dance and exploring the city
Excited by: People

Darin Kutob
Director of Operations

Department: Discovery Series UofT

Darin is a first year student at the University of Toronto doing Engineering, Track One. Originally from Jordan, Darin was lucky enough to live and experience both cities, Amman and Toronto. Darin is passionate about business and entrepreneurship, a passion that grew when she started accompanying her father to their family business at a very young age. She also enjoys a variety of activities including volleyball, swimming and networking with people. She is super excited to be a part of the Nspire team and looks forward to meeting you!

Grew up in: Jordan
Can’t give up: Chocolate
Excited by: Challenges

Elizabeth de Roode
Managing Director

Department: Discovery Series UofT

Growing up, Elizabeth always loved math, science and people. Pursuing her passion for optimization of these three has led her to the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Toronto. Taking a leap of faith to discover the power in her potential, she is new to the Nspire team this year. She is excited to create a significant impact by providing lasting, relevant value to the participants of her Discovery Series events. If you didn't catch Elizabeth during F!rosh week as a purple Head Leedur, you can see her in the March shows of Skule Nite, dancing, singing and acting!

Grew up in: Muskoka
Can’t give up: Animals
Excited by: Learning new things!

Erika Tsang
Director of Operations

Department: National Business and Technology Conference

Erika Tsang is a second year Global Economics student at the University of Western Ontario. She is passionate about branding, strategy and sustainability and likes to integrate these interests into everything she commits to. Erika is keen on bringing people together for one cause and adding value to the event experience. From organizing charitable fundraisers to teaching karate camps to volunteering for fashion shows, you will find her working on a project with a team of passionate, like-minded people. When she is not running around campus with Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade in hand, she is an avid foodie and treks around the city looking for hidden gems, such as rustic cafes or fusion restaurants. She hopes to travel around the world one day to try as many delicacies as possible, and attend New York Fashion Week.

Grew up in: North York, Thornhill, Richmond Hill - all over GTA
Can’t give up: Wine and cheese - my favourite nights are where I can watch my favourite shows and enjoy a plate of Brie and Iberico cheese
Excited by: indie concerts and music festivals

Fiorella Martinez
VP Branding and Graphics

Department: Design and Graphics

Fiorella is a 4th year Advertising Design student at OCAD University and she just finished an internship as an Art Director with Sid Lee. She is passionate and obsessive about problem solving and design and its power to transform people. She scavenges and rummages the world around her for inspiration. As an emerging designer, she became interested in Nspire because it was an ideal environment to learn more about how business can compliment her work and to develop her leadership skills. Fiorella has a keen interest and understanding on branding, which she hopes will help Nspire reach a whole new level of awesomeness.

Grew up in: El Salvador
Can’t give up: My Bamboo Wacom tablet and Pizza
Excited by: Pretty things and new ideas

Hanning Zhang
Business Development Associate

Department: Nspire Strategic

Hanning is a first year student at the University of Western Ontario under the Management and Organizational Studies, hoping to attend the Richard Ivey School of Business in his third year. He has helped create the Ottawa Rosebud Foundation, a Charity, and has brought them great success in their first few events as a member of the executive board. He also has an extensive history with Key Club and Kiwanis, maintaining the role of Lieutenant Governor in his final year in High School. Hanning is extremely interested in learning things he considers interesting, and is always striving to master new skills or understand new concepts. An example of this is his new found hobby of magic tricks.

Grew up in: The Capital of Canada, Ottawa.
Can’t give up: My Playing Cards
Excited by: The prospect of something new

Harsh Patel
Ryerson Ambassador

Department: Campus Ambassador

Hi, my name is Harsh. I'm in my third year at Ryerson. I'm from Markham, went to Bur Oak Secondary School. I participate in DECA and I have the position of Director of Promotions for the student group I am in at Ryerson. I like to play some recreational basketball or mostly every sport. I'm really outgoing so don't be shy for a handshake and have a good sense of humor.

Grew up in: I grew up in Scarborough. I lived near STC and went to woburn for year before I moved to Markham.
Can’t give up: I can't give up my passion for games. Also, I can't give up my dreams.
Excited by: The most excitement I ever had was when I stepped into Disney when I was little. Regardless the fact, that there are so many people there, there's people in costumes dancing, singing this "good morning song" to you as you enter. As you're about to leave Mickey comes onto the stage. It was pretty exciting.

Jitesh Vyas
VP External Affairs

Department: Nspire Strategic

I'm a second year student at Western University and I'm loving the business and technology space. Through working in this space, I've learned to strategize my thought process and sharpen my decision-making ability; both of which are essential in life. Beyond that, I've discovered my entrepreneurial qualities, like being fascinated by complex problems, and obsessed with solving them. My side interests include management theory, basketball and staying up to date on tech news. I'm available any hour of the day for substantial conversations, or if work needs to get done - that's my promise!

Grew up in: My own world.
Can’t give up: Blogging. (I tried, but couldn't)
Excited by: LeBron James and Sachin Tendulkar

Jonah Hetherington
VP Finance

Department: Nspire Strategic

Jonah is a 2nd year Economics student at the University of Western Ontario with the hopes of earning an HBA from the Ivey Business School. After finishing first year studying Financial Modelling and Computer Science, he realized his passion was and has been finance all along, which has driven almost every extra-curricular involvement he’s been a part of. From being an active member of Western Investment Club and Capital Markets; visiting top finance firms in New York City to an internship at Integral Wealth Securities, a national boutique investment firm, Jonah’s extensive finance experience has culminated in the VP Finance role with Nspire. He is a true believer that money does indeed bring happiness, so long as you don’t spend it on yourself. He wishes to achieve that by creating as much value for business and technology students through Nspire. Outside of the financial world, Jonah is a brother of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, where he won the annual Airbands dance competition with his pledge class. He is also a slam poet and national ranking sport karate fighter. He is always willing to meet new people, especially those that don’t take everything in life too seriously.

Grew up in: Born in Hong Kong / Raised in Ottawa
Can’t give up: Dairy products, especially milk
Excited by: The ideas that come to you in the shower

Julie Nguyen
Director of Operations

Department: Discovery Series Waterloo/Laurier

Hey there! My name's Julie Nguyen, and i'm currently a second year student at the University of Waterloo. I'm studying two of the most bizarre subjects combined- Biotechnology and Chartered Accountancy. But trust me, I don't think I will be doing accounting for cells. I have a very diversified set of interests and I take pleasure in facilitating others' developments. I founded a non profit organization known as the Sparks Youth Enrichment Group, I am a Shad Valley 2011 Alumni, I interned for Impact Entrepreneurial Group as a Marketing Developer, and assisted with some research in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto. I love event planning and on top of that Innovation, design technology, education and health are just some of the things that fascinate me. I am a strong believer in continual learning and love meeting new people. Let's talk sometime!

Grew up in: Toronto, ON
Can’t give up: My phone
Excited by: Meeting new people with similar interests and those who know how to have a good time :)

Karolina Deoniziak
Director of Marketing

Department: Discovery Series Waterloo/Laurier

Karolina is a third year business of administration student at Wilfrid Laurier University. She is an innovative, creative, and technology driven individual always seeking to be inspired by likeminded people. From organizing a flag football team to planning a leadership and business conference, you will always find her looking for opportunities to bring people together. She has a passion for marketing and often criticizes different brands on trending websites like Fastcompany or AllThingsD. When she is not planning her next ventures in life she is making music on her violin, is immersed in photography and taking pictures, or practicing her baking skills. She is most looking forward to integrating different marketing efforts across campuses and executing her visions with her role at Nspire.

Grew up in: Kitchener
Can’t give up: Nikon D3100
Excited by: FOOD!

Layan Kutob
President

Department: Nspire Strategic

Layan is a Master of Industrial Engineering student at the University of Toronto. Originally from Jordan, she has competed as a member of Jordan's national karate team and is an international award winner for her invention of a unit to decrease the pollution caused by residential chimneys. An active member within University of Toronto's Engineering Society, she increased sales of the Engineering Stores by 40% while serving as a manager, has led many groups and events on campus as well as been part of Canada's Next 36 entrepreneurial program. Layan has co-founded the You're Next Career Network, and has served as the NBTC'12 Operations Director and NBTC'13 Chair. Her favourite things to do are practicing karate, travelling and shopping. On top of that she enjoys a variety of activities and hobbies, including attending musicals, dining out, swimming, volleyball, hiking, diving..actually anything that's adventurous and that will get her adrenaline rush.

Grew up in: Jordan
Can’t give up: Peanut butter
Excited by: What Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”

Mantas Matelis
Lead Web Developer

Department: Nteract

Mantas is a first year student at the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, pursuing a Bachelors in Computer Science and Bachelors in Business Administration. Computers have always been his passion and he is looking to use these skills to better youth in business through Nteract. Feel free to connect!

Grew up in:
Can’t give up:
Excited by: Complex systems.

Massimo Gordillo
Director of Marketing

Department: Discovery Series UofT

Hey there, I'm Massimo. I rather enjoy fair competition in any medium, be it soccer or chess. I'm currently studying Industrial Engineering at the University of Toronto and I'm a big fan of optimization and system design. I like the idea of contributing to big things and wanting the best for others, I always try to promote the things I enjoy to other people. I can't stand musical theatre but I do enjoy participating in it. I also don't like cake.

Grew up in: Toronto, Ontario
Can’t give up: Music, it is my drive and my love.
Excited by: Ingenius engineering and inteligent design.

Matthew Magdales
Co-Managing Director

Department: Discovery Series Waterloo/Laurier

4th year Laurier biz student. VC-in-training.

Grew up in: Brampton, ON
Can’t give up: Twitter.
Excited by: Passionate people.

Michael Pawly
Campus Ambassador

Department: Campus Ambassador

Being a second year Biomedical Sciences student at the University of Ottawa, my aim is to gain knowledge from inside the classroom, just as much as outside it. Having grown up in three different continents, I realized how competitive the world is, and have learnt to enjoy life to the fullest while pushing myself in everything I do. As the son of a successful entrepreneur, I've always had a deep passion for business and social entrepreneurship, finding an innovative way to help people around the world. I am also a devoted soccer and NBA fan, with a music addiction. "You come into the world with nothing, and the purpose of your life is to make something out of nothing." -Henry Louis Mencken

Grew up in:
Can’t give up: Champions League and NBA playoffs
Excited by: New experiences

Rebecca Luo
VP Business Development

Department: Nspire Strategic

Rebecca Luo is a second year student in BMOS at the University of Western Ontario. She has been working in the area of fundraising, sponsorship, finance and business development since her first year of high school for various non-profits, charities, and most recently, contributing to an Investors Group client base at an existing $60 million in assets under management. Rebecca’s past experiences start from humble beginnings, closing her first sponsorship deal for a whopping $20 Swiss Chalet gift card, to earning the Highest Number of Credit Card Gifts secured for the Richard Ivey School of Business Annual Fund. Rebecca is also a national member of the Canadian junior kungfu team, and a national multiple gold-medalist. She has been a choreographer and performer for various Chinese arts and culture festivals, having been invited by the CEO of GE Canada to perform at the Shanghai World Expo Launch and meeting the Toronto Counsel General of China. Rebecca is often regarded by her colleagues and managers as someone who is "results-oriented", "diligent" and "extremely hard-working". Funnily enough, to contrast this hard-set attitude, Rebecca is a self-admitted "girly girl" who loves the fashion and beauty industry, having worked as a professional makeup artist (during high school) backstage and at SEARS Canada as the youngest Beauty Advsor in the department. Her favourite animal is a dog for their widely known unconditional love and undying loyalty.

Grew up in: Mississauga, Ontario
Can’t give up: Spending time with loved ones
Excited by: All things glamorous - cosmetics, fashion, accessories

Ribhu Rampersad
Campus Ambassador - UTSG

Department: Campus Ambassador

Ribhu is a 3rd Year Chemical Engineering student passionate about optimizing operational processes by combining attributes of the business, technology and engineering industries. His strengths lie in creating meaningful connections to build networks that are beneficial to all parties involved. He is motivated by a desire for continuous growth, whether it be personal or organizational, and is looking forward to executing his role to assist in the expansion of Nspire's network and exposure.

Grew up in: Trinidad & Tobago
Can’t give up: Trinidadian food and music
Excited by: Achievement

Sofia Remtulla
Campus Ambassador

Department: Campus Ambassador

Sofia is a curious and adventurous second year Commerce student at Queen's University. She always strives to take on new challenges and engage herself in new opportunities. Plans for Sofia's future are still vague so she aims to make the most out of the present by filling her time with activities such as Yoga and Bollywood dance as well as involving herself in leadership roles with AIESEC Queen's and the Queen's Commerce Corporate Challenge Conference. These activities foster her diverse skill set by providing her with the means to work in different teams and tackle new projects. Travel is very important to Sofia, as she realizes that there are so many people to meet and so many things to learn about other cultures. Her most recent endeavor was teaching in a slum in India to less fortunate students. Sofia believes that the key to success lies in networking and meeting the right people so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation!

Grew up in: my own little corner of the universe, over the moon most likely
Can’t give up: Friends and family
Excited by: Anything chocolate

Soha Yasrebi
Director of Events

Department: National Business and Technology Conference

Soha is a fourth year Electrical Engineering student pursuing a business minor at University of Toronto. She has completed internships at AMD and Deloitte in the past year and is ready for her next big step! Soha is fluent in French, loves meeting new people and is fascinated by different cultures. She's all about new experiences like jumping from the sky and loves to dance, play tennis, travel and go shopping (of course)!

Grew up in: 10,000 km away, IRAN
Can’t give up: Combination of movies, popcorn and coke
Excited by: Making new friends

Stephanie Yiu
Graphic Designer

Department: Design and Graphics

Graphic Design graduate from OCAD University, freelance graphic designer, home-baker, coffee-lover, swimmer, and...

Grew up in: Toronto & Hong Kong.
Can’t give up: Watching animal clips and wearing glasses.
Excited by: Traveling and my best friend's dachshund, Limo.

Sucheta Shankar
VP of Marketing and Communications

Department: Nspire Strategic

Sucheta started talking at six months and put together complete sentences by nine months, albeit simplistic ones. She believes in the power of communication and its ability to make exciting things happen. She is currently a postgraduate advertising copywriting student at Humber and previously completed her undergraduate bachelor's degree at Queen's University. Her passion lies in creating great advertising work which is effective and appealing. Currently, she juggles her time between writing for Arbitrage Magazine, creating pages upon pages of speculative advertising campaigns for school and working as a freelance writer.

Grew up in: a one season (summer) destination
Can’t give up: Lists
Excited by: minimalist design and clever advertising campaigns

Vernon Tam
Campus Ambassador - Waterloo

Department: Campus Ambassador

Vernon is a first year student at the University of Waterloo and he is currently studying Accounting and Financial Management. When he's not on the basketball court, watching the Food Network or catching up on Suits, you can find him working away on his latest endeavour. He is always eager to learn and try new things from academic/professional challenges to Try-It-Night hip hop class. During his senior year, he worked on Student Council as the External Affairs Officer, competed in Anaheim, California representing DECA Ontario and worked at a summer camp teaching kids basketball. Vernon is an optimistic and hardworking individual who is always ready to commit his efforts towards his team.

Grew up in: Markham, Ontario
Can’t give up: Basketball (my 1 true love)
Excited by: Random Acts of Kindness

Victoria Chok
VP Operations

Department: Nspire Strategic

Victoria learned throughout her life the importance and the value of adaptation and flexibility. She was trained since the age of 4 professionally in classical ballet until a long history of injuries forced her to convert her passion into a hobby. She channeled her efforts in establishing a charity at the young age of 14 in order to promote and encourage local artists to expand their creative works of art. The group’s impact connected around 500 local artists to showcase their opportunities and at the same time fundraising over $50,000 to various charitable causes. To start her post-secondary career, she developed an interest in self-starting and joined Nspire Innovation Network. Victoria is determined to provide opportunities for the younger generation to follow their passions and become future leaders. She has been recognized as a Global Changemaker at the Global Youth Summit organized by the British Council; she was awarded as a Global Teen Leader by Nile Rodgers at the Three Dot Dash Just Peace with We are Family Foundation; and, was named one of Canada’s Top 20 Under 20 in 2013 by the Youth in Motion. She is currently a student advisor with Pearson Education, developing online learning platforms and efficacy frameworks for corporate infrastructure across North America and Europe. In addition, she is an active contributor to Thomson Reuters, the Globe and Mail, 2 Billion Under 20, and Create2050. She is currently 19 and is a sophomore pursuing a BA at the University of Western Ontario in Medical Sciences, and a HBA at Richard Ivey School of Business. On a personal note, she’s known for being a science geek and food-connoisseur in the making. Victoria resides in Toronto, Canada spending her days as a gym rat and serenading her five beloved cats.

Grew up in: A house with 5 cats.
Can’t give up: Smiling.
Excited by: EVERYTHING.

Youssef Ibrahim
Campus Ambassador

Department: Campus Ambassador

Youssef is currently a third year Chemical Engineering student at the University of Toronto. He highly enjoys building connections, organizing events and improving himself. Youssef is currently the Director of Operations at the You're Next Career Network, as well as the third year Class Representative at Chem Club. Recently, he joined Nspire as a Campus Ambassador and he is excited to be part of the team!

Grew up in: The land of the Pharaohs- Egypt
Can’t give up: Family
Excited by: New adventures