Adebola Adefioye
Founder & Executive Director, Afro Women and Youth Foundation & Professor, Early Childhood Education (ECE), Cambrian College

Adebola is an award-winning educator and social justice advocate. She is a part-time Early Childhood Education Professor, Team Lead at Adebola Adefioye Consulting and Executive Director at Afro Women and Youth Foundation. 

Adebola holds a diploma in Early Childhood Education, undergraduate degree in Child Development, master's in Child and Youth Care, and currently a PhD Policy Studies student at Toronto Metropolitan University. 

Adebola has won many awards for outstanding academic achievements and commitment to community work. Some of the awards include 2023 Canada's Top 100 Black Women, 2024 Top 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women, 2024 Afro Heritage Sudbury Community Builder award, 2022 YWCA Sudbury Woman of Distinction, 2021 Ontario Premier's Award and United Way Greater Toronto Black Leadership Award.

Samantha Craig-Curnow
Associate General Counsel, Legal, Chippewas of Rama First Nation

Samantha Craig-Curnow is Anishinaabe-Kwe from the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. She is from the Marten clan and is a mother, an auntie, a sister, and a daughter. 

Samantha graduated from Seneca College in 2012 with a Law Clerk diploma, from York University in 2014 with an Honours Bachelor of Art in political science and in 2019 from Osgoode Hall Law School with her juris doctorate. Samantha is now undertaking her LLM through OsgoodePD and is expected to graduate in the Fall of 2026. She was called to the bar in November of 2020 and has practiced since as Associate General Counsel for her First Nation.  Samantha is passionate about her work which involves the opportunity not only to guide her community toward sound legal decisions, but also allows her to be involved in the reinvigoration of Anishinaabe law, governance and justice. As in-house counsel for a First Nation, Samantha's practice includes a wide range of subjects from contract law to employment, environmental, health, education, and even estates law. 

In addition to her work in her community, Samantha has strong ties with her alma mater as Co-Chair of Seneca Polytechnic's Indigenous Education Council, she serves as a member of the Polytechnic's Board of Governors, and with the youth in her community though her facilitation of the Indigenous Youth Justice Program.

Marianne Marando
Vice-President, Business Development & International, Seneca Polytechnic

Marianne has enjoyed a 30-year career in higher education. She started teaching at George Brown College, where she also served as the Coordinator of the Marketing program. Marianne then joined Seneca Polytechnic as a faculty member and Coordinator in the School of Marketing, progressing on to her first administrative responsibilities with academic chair positions in the School of International Business and the Centre for Human Resources and the School of Media and Marketing. She also served as Seneca's Director of Marketing and Communications. 

Marianne spent six years at Durham College, first as Executive Dean, School of Business, IT & Management, and then as Associate Vice-President, Academic. She returned to Seneca in 2021 as Vice-President, Academic & Students. In 2024, she was appointed Vice-President, Business Development & International, responsible for Seneca's international student recruitment and partnerships, work-integrated learning, contract training and academic pathways.

Prior to her career in education, Marianne spent 10 years managing marketing strategy in the consumer-packaged goods and health care sectors for global brands such as Johnson & Johnson and Baxter International.

Marianne holds a doctorate in education and educational leadership from Western University, an honours bachelor's degree in business administration and an MBA from York University, as well as an adult education certificate from Seneca. She has served as Board Chair for Blue Door, a York Region-based provider of emergency housing and housing supports.

Marieke Vandekolk
Manager, Social Impact, Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship, TD

Marieke is a dynamic leader spearheading the TD Ready Commitment's granting focus areas including early learning, affordable housing, financial education, and income stability. Managing a Canada-wide community investment portfolio exceeding $28 million, she plays a pivotal role in driving positive social change. Marieke collaborates closely with Women at TD, the bank's largest employee network, to advance equity and progress for women. With a diverse background across multiple sectors, she has led impactful projects in partnership with government bodies, First Nations leadership, nonprofits, and private corporations. Passionate about removing economic barriers, Marieke is dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals to grow and achieve their goals. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, tackling home projects, and exploring Toronto's neighborhoods with her rescue dog, husband, and two young children.