A Bold Stage for Entrepreneurs

Carl is a Montreal-based business strategist, digital marketer and executive advisor with over 25 years of hands-on operational, marketing and retail executive experience. He has worked across a full array of business environments from the very large, such as 10 years with Costco Wholesale to working as commercial applications lead for a global B2B security technology company. In both, managing product portfolios and emerging go-to-market strategies.

As the founder of StudioRx, he advises executives, B2C/B2B solution providers and all types of ecosystem partners on how to tailor their solutions according to customers’ evolving needs and build effective commercial strategies to meet them.

He holds an MBA from Queen’s University as well as professional certificates from Stanford, Harvard and MIT.

He advises several technology startups, industry associations and innovation labs.

He is the principal advisor for the McGill University Retail Innovation Lab in Montreal, Canada. He is also, course instructor at McGill Masters in Retail Innovation (emerging technologies and new business models) and adjunct digital marketing faculty at Asian Institute of Technology MBA School of Management.

Carl is recognized by Rethink Retail among the world’s most influential thought leaders and has keynoted, chaired and/or moderated the largest retail conferences around the world. He remains a regular media contributor with global news networks.

In 2021 he published his first book; The Great Acceleration – on how the Covid-19 pandemic rapidly propelled digital transformations and the business strategies to address the challenges that followed.

Jake Karls is a different type of business leader – unapologetically authentic, refreshingly relatable, and completely free of BS.
He is the Co-founder and Chief Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares, the better-for-you chocolate snacking brand that turned a kitchen-table dream into a North American household name. Mid-Day Squares is leading the disruption of the chocolate industry.
Jake is recognized as a rising star in the business world. He’s currently a finalist for EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year awards, lead the category for Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for (Food and Beverage), and is featured as a regular contributor to media outlets across North America.

Jean-François Béliveau is a seasoned creative director with over twenty years of experience in advertising, branding, and graphic design. His expertise spans the promotion of brands in various sectors, including agri-food, restaurants, entertainment, tourism, and culture.

Whether it’s in structuring and implementing brand ecosystems for renowned companies such as Gogo Quinoa, Van Houtte, La Parisienne, 3 Brasseurs, Éducaloi and Montreal Airports or in-store communication for reputable retailers and consumer brands such as Metro, Super C and Food Basics Jean-François has an intrinsic understanding of the critical moment of truth.

His impressive portfolio includes significant contributions to the identity and recognition of numerous local and international brands, including CF Montreal, IKEA, Del Monte, Nutrinor, Biscuits Leclerc, Lactantia, Astro, Cirque du Soleil, Almond Fresh, SoNice, Boston Pizza, Hershey’s, Maple Leaf, Air Transat and Mont-Tremblant. Jean-François brings valuable creative and strategic vision to his role as creative director at PIGEON, where he shapes innovative and impactful advertising campaigns.

William McDiarmid has spent his entire career in entrepreneurship and food distribution. His professional journey has led him to contribute to the growth and structuring of businesses, holding key roles in management, operations, and business development.

He has also served on boards of directors, where he developed a strong understanding of governance challenges, decision-making processes, and sustainable growth.

An engaged entrepreneur and executive, William now leverages his experience, network, and strategic perspective to support the next generation of entrepreneurs. Recognized for his pragmatic and people-focused approach, he guides young entrepreneurs in their strategic thinking, decision-making, and long-term development.

Julie Daigle supports the Canadian food and beverage sector to help them develop their businesses and bring new and innovative food products and technologies to market. She has spent years providing She has spent years providing mentoring and marketing services to startups and SMEs in the food sector, helping these fast-growing companies expand into new markets. She also gained extensive experience in the seafood sector during her time in Mexico and with Les Pêcheries Marinard, where she oversaw international market development for their biotech by-products.

Julie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Biology from the University of Victoria and a Master’s degree in Fisheries Management and Marketing from the Université du Québec à Rimouski. Her more than 23 years of experience include positions as Executive Director of Créneau d’excellence Aliments Santé – a food and nutrition industry cluster focused on innovation – and MYCÉLIUMaQuebec City-based food gas pedal and incubator. Julie is passionate about innovation and co-creation in food and beverage, nutrition and functional foods, and helps members access food industry financing and marketing strategy resources.

Julie is fluent in French, English and Spanish, and is an excellent resource for members who wish to work with a Regional Innovation Manager ( RCIA ) and food industry expert who can converse with them in any of these languages.