Meet this year's LiONS
The entrepreneurs take the stage, but our LiONS decide their fate. This year’s panel brings together industry leaders who spot potential before anyone else. They don’t just ask tough questions; they ask the right questions. And when they lean forward, you know something special is happening.
LiONS - 2026
Mark McQueen
Director, Deloitte Burlington Gi3
Kevin Shipley
Patent Agent, Lawyer and Head of Mechanical & Industrial Processes (Canada) at Marks & Clerk
Emily Porta
Executive Director of Maple Leaf Angels
A legacy of LiONS
Over the years, LiONS LAIR has become the stage where industry experts meet tomorrow’s disruptors. With their expertise, networks, and insights, our diverse roster of judges has made LiONS LAIR a supportive platform for entrepreneurs ready to take their next big leap.
Jump to year:
LiONS - 2025
Aaron Goldstein
Lawyer, Gowling WLG
Mark McQueen
Director, Deloitte Burlington Gi3
Carley-Rose Horowitz
Investor, Wittington Ventures
LiONS - 2024
Derek Sheppard
Associate, Gowling WLG
Danielle Graham
Co-Founder, The Firehood
Jonathan Brindley
Founder, Capitally Finance Corp.
Chris Rathwell
CPA, BDO
LiONS - 2023
Jen Mahon MASc, BEngSc
Partner, NorthTech Capital Investors
Marat Mukhamedyarov
Managing Partner, Good News Ventures
Aaron Goldstein
Lawyer, Gowling WLG
LiONS - 2022
Pillar of Business LiONS
Alex S. Ross
Lawyer - Registered Canadian Patent Agent, Gowling WLG
Aaron Gillespie
Partner, KPMG Hamilton
Chantel Broten
President/CEO, Jan Kelley
Investor LiONS
Julie Ellis
Co-Founder, Mabel's Labels
Dr. Frank Naus
CEO, Lumedi Inc.
Leonard Kofman
Partner, IP Backed Financing Group at BDC
LiONS - 2021
Pillar of Business LiONS
Sacha Babic
Partner, Gowling WLG
Chantel Broten
President/CEO, Jan Kelley
Aaron Gillespie
Partner, KPMG Hamilton
Investor LiONS
Prathna Ramesh
Vice President, FutureSight
Dr. Frank Naus
CEO, Lumedi Inc.
Leonard Kofman
Partner, IP Backed Financing Group at BDC
LiONS - 2020
Pillar of Business LiONS
Sacha Babic
Partner, Gowling WLG
Chantel Broten
President/CEO, Jan Kelley
Aaron Gillespie
Partner, KPMG Hamilton
Investor LiONS
Dominic Talalla
Managing Partner, Trellis Capital Corp.
Karen Grant
Interim CEO, Equation Angels
Stuart Wheldon
CEO, Junction Craft Brewing
LiONS - 2019
Pillar of Business LiONS
Alex S. Ross
Lawyer - Registered Canadian Patent Agent, Gowling WLG
Aaron Gillespie
Partner, KPMG Hamilton
Chantel Broten
President/CEO, Jan Kelley
Investor LiONS
Dominic Talalla
Managing Partner, Trellis Capital Corp.
Karen Grant
Interim CEO, Equation Angels
Stuart Wheldon
CEO, Junction Craft Brewing
LiONS - 2018
Daniel Kube
CEO, servicePath
Julie Ellis
Co-Founder, Mabel's Labels
Ruth Todd
Enterprise Advisor, KPMG Enterprise
Stuart Wheldon
CEO, Junction Craft Brewing
LiONS - 2017
Dilys D’Cruz
Vice President of Community Banking, Meridian Credit Union
Julie Ellis
Co-Founder, Mabel's Labels
Michael Macaluso
President, CARSTAR North America
Ruth Todd
Enterprise Advisor, KPMG Enterprise
Stuart Wheldon
CEO, Junction Craft Brewing
LiONS - 2016
Cheri Chevalier
General Manager, Microsoft Office Division
Julie Ellis
Co-Founder, Mabel's Labels
Mario Paron
Canadian Managing Partner, KPMG Enterprise
Michael Macaluso
President, CARSTAR North America
Tonia Jahshan
Founder/President, Steeped Tea Inc.
LiONS - 2015
Cheri Chevalier
General Manager, Microsoft Office Division
George McCarter
President/CEO, Pearson Dunn Insurance
Mario Paron
Canadian Managing Partner, KPMG Enterprise
Michael Macaluso
President, CARSTAR North America
Tonia Jahshan
Founder/President, Steeped Tea Inc.
LiONS - 2014
Blair McKeil
CEO/Chairman, McKeil Marine Limited
Carmela Trombetta
Vice-President of Greater Hamilton Commercial Financial Services, RBC Royal Bank
Jeff Paikin
President, New Horizon Development Group
Mario Paron
Canadian Managing Partner, KPMG Enterprise
Tonia Jahshan
Founder/President, Steeped Tea Inc.
LiONS - 2013
Blair McKeil
CEO/Chairman, McKeil Marine Limited
Carmela Trombetta
Vice-President of Greater Hamilton Commercial Financial Services, RBC Royal Bank
Mike Morreale
President, CFL Player's Association
Paul Lee-Chin
Investment Advisor, Manulife Securities Incorporated
Tim Richard
Co-Founder, Weever Apps Inc.
LiONS - 2012
Dr. Nick Bontis
Professor, DeGroote School of Business
Mike Morreale
President, CFL Player's Association
PJ Mercanti
President, Carmen's Event Centre
Rami Reda
Owner/Director, CanGlobal Traders Inc.
Sophia Aggelonitis
Former Hamilton Mountain MPP
LiONS - 2011
Bill Kelly
Host, The Bill Kelly Show
Dr. Nick Bontis
Professor, DeGroote School of Business
Edward Minich
Group Leader, CEO Global Network
PJ Mercanti
President, Carmen's Event Centre