BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Aga Khan Foundation Canada - ECPv6.16.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.akfc.ca
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Aga Khan Foundation Canada
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Toronto
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20240310T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20241103T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250319T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250319T193000
DTSTAMP:20260615T111437
CREATED:20250304T151542Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250304T151701Z
UID:16520-1742403600-1742412600@www.akfc.ca
SUMMARY:The Role of the Private Sector in Advancing Sustainable Development
DESCRIPTION:Explore innovative strategies for sustainable global development and unlock your potential to drive impactful change in Canada and beyond.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis is a free event. \nJoin us for an inspiring and thought-provoking event designed to stimulate dialogue\, learning\, and knowledge exchange on innovative private sector practices driving sustainable development in Canada and around the world. This dynamic gathering will bring together leaders and changemakers from across sectors to explore how the private sector can play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable solutions that have a global impact. \nThe event will feature a keynote address by Mike Bowles\, Regional Co-Director\, Programs & Partnerships\, North America at AKF. He will discuss Accelerate Prosperity\, a transformative initiative supporting start-ups and small and growing businesses in Central and South Asia. Mike will share insights on how Accelerate Prosperity unlocks economic potential and fosters sustainable growth in emerging markets\, highlighting practical lessons and insights for Canadians looking to amplify their impact both locally and globally. The keynote will be followed by an engaging panel discussion: Driving Sustainable Development Through Innovative Finance\, Green Business Models\, and Corporate Action. This session will bring together experts to explore how businesses can lead in creating sustainable solutions\, unlock new opportunities through innovative financing\, and champion green practices for long-term impact. \nThe event will be conducted in English\, with a bilingual question period. \nLight refreshments will be provided throughout the event. \nOur conversation will explore critical questions\, including:\n\nHow can Canadian businesses and investors take a leadership role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?\nWhat innovative financing models and entrepreneurial approaches are driving sustainable growth globally?\nWhat types of support are needed to spur startups and unlock the growth of more innovative and sustainable enterprises?\nHow can collaboration between private sector actors\, foundations\, and international partners amplify social and economic impact?\n\nWhy Attend?\n\nLearn from leaders who are breaking new ground in sustainable development\, social finance\, and responsible business practices.\nEngage in meaningful dialogue about how Canadian private sector actors can drive impact through strategic investments and partnerships.\nConnect with a diverse audience of foundation stakeholders\, private sector leaders\, and changemakers committed to building a sustainable future.\n\nWhether you are personally invested in sustainable development\, or you represent a corporation or foundation seeking to amplify your impact\, this event offers fresh perspectives and actionable insights. \nLet’s build a future where we all thrive together.\n  \nMeet Our Speakers\nKeynote Speaker: Mike Bowles\, Co-Director of Programs and Partnerships\, North America\, Aga Khan Foundation Canada.\nSince joining AKF in 2005\, Mike has held senior roles in programs and partnerships based in Tajikistan\, Kyrgyzstan\, Switzerland and Canada. For 13 years\, Mike was a member of AKF’s Global Program Team co-leading AKF’s work and enterprise portfolio in Asia\, East Africa and the Middle East. In that capacity\, Mike worked with the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) on various initiatives that blended for-profit and not-for-profit expertise and resources. \nPanel Moderator: Dr. Samim Hasham\, Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy with Honors\, Master of Management\, Doctor of Pharmacy\nDr. Samim is a Senior Fellow at Massey College\, University of Toronto\, and has held prominent leadership roles at the Aga Khan University\, including Associate Director for East Africa and Chief Operations Officer Global at the Brain and Mind Institute. Dr. Samim’s commitment to underserved communities is reflected in her work with the Canadian Mental Health Association\, and her role as chair of the Scarborough Human Services Justice Coordinating Committee. \nPanelists:\nDevon Fernandes\, Senior Sustainability Integration Manager\, Definity Financial Corporation.\nDevon work catalyzes social and environmental initiatives within organizations. While completing his Master’s in Community Psychology\, he Co-Founded the KW Library of Things – a space where community members borrow infrequently used items\, such as tools\, that also provides inclusive employment opportunities. Devon currently serves as the Chair of Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region’s Board of Directors and completed AKFC’s Global Leadership Program. \nNarinder Dhami\, President of The Sonor Foundation and Founder of New Power Labs.\nNarinder is a trailblazer in social finance and Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 honouree. With a career spanning North America and the Global South\, Narinder brings expertise in gender and social equity investing\, microfinance\, and venture philanthropy\, showcasing how investments in overlooked founders can unlock sustainable impact. \nSteve Hubbard\, Director of Sales & Business Development and a Founding Partner of Lightenco & Chargenco.\nSteve was a recipient of the Ottawa 40 Under 40 Award\, and his company is one of Canada & North America’s fastest growing companies. Lightenco & Chargenco\, a fully turnkey lighting\, electric vehicle charging & solar photovoltaic solutions company operating across Canada since 2011. Lightenco is well known in the entrepreneurial space and has been featured on panels and articles by major news media including a Globe and Mail panel on bootstrapping your business. \nRegister today!\n 
URL:https://www.akfc.ca/event/the-role-of-the-private-sector-in-advancing-sustainable-development/
LOCATION:The Well: The Wellington Event Venue\, 486 Front Street West\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M5V 0V2
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.akfc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/InnovativePathways_2x1_BI-2.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR