Women in Family Business: Navigating Complexity and Opportunity
November 3 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm EST
Presenters
Dr. Francesco Barbera,
Academic Director of the Family Business Institute at Ted Rogers School
Dr. Francesco Barbera is a globally-acclaimed expert and leads the Family Business Institute at the Ted Rogers School of Management (TRSM) as the Academic Director. An international award-winning family business author, educator and presenter at renowned conferences and workshops, Dr. Barbera has received multiple teaching and research awards, including the prestigious Barbara Hollander Award from FFI and Best Article Award from Family Business Review. He designed and delivered family business curricula in Canada, Australia and the USA, and served as Director of family business centres at University of Adelaide (Australia) and Stetson University (USA).
Dr. Wendy Cukier,
Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Founder of the Diversity Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University
Dr. Wendy Cukier, MA, MBA, PhD, DU (hon), LLD (hon) is Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Founder of the Diversity Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University. She co-authored the bestseller Innovation Nation: Canadian Leadership from Java to Jurassic Park and previously served as TMU’s Vice-President of Research and Innovation. Through initiatives such as the Advanced Digital and Professional Training program, Women Entrepreneurship Hub, and Newcomer Entrepreneurship Hub, she advances opportunities for underrepresented groups. Her leadership in diversity and inclusion has earned numerous honours, including the Meritorious Service Cross, one of Canada’s highest civilian awards.
Discussion Panelists
Erica Herbert,
Co-founder of the Ode Toronto
Born and raised in Tobago, Erica is a mother of four, accountant, property investor and hotelier. After decades in real estate, she co-founded Ode with her children, transforming a family-owned building into a boutique hotel celebrated for its culture, community and creativity. Ode has been featured in Forbes, Vogue, The New York Times, Refinery29 and Condé Nast Traveler, a testament to Erica’s vision of thoughtful, independent hospitality. With a sharp business mind and a passion for true hospitality, she continues to shape the industry while keeping family at the heart of it all.
Christina Sorbara, ICD.D,
VP of Corporate Knowledge at Sorbara Group, and Family Business Fellow at the Ted Rogers School of Business
Christina Sorbara is a business leader, corporate director and former national team athlete. At the Sorbara Group of Companies, she is an organizational leadership and governance executive. She also chairs The Sam Sorbara Charitable Foundation and serves on several boards, including the SickKids Foundation. Christina is the first Family Business Institute Fellow at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Ted Rogers School of Business.
Liz McBeth,
President & CEO of Armour Valve Ltd.
Liz McBeth is the second-generation CEO & President of 50+ year old family business, Armour Valve. A strong proponent of corporate social and environmental responsibility her entire career, Liz is on a mission to create a sustainable and human-centric economy by supporting her energy and industrial clients’ efforts to decarbonize and adopt circular processes while modeling responsible social and environmental practices at Armour Valve. A strong advocate for family business, Liz currently serves on the board of Family Enterprise Canada and chairs its Impact Committee.
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