Arnaud has nearly 20 years of analytical experience and 15 years in leadership, and is known for translating complex economic trends into clear, practical insights for business audiences. As Director of Economic Research at BDC, he leads a team focused on delivering actionable intelligence to Canadian SMEs—an economic sector he believes is often underserved but essential to national prosperity.

Before joining BDC, Arnaud spent 17 years specializing in global commodities research at PPPC/Numera Analytics, where he became a trusted voice in the forest products industry.

Born in Washington, D.C., and raised across the U.S., Senegal, Zimbabwe, and Spain, his international upbringing continues to shape his broad and global perspective.

Jon Schreibfeder is the founder of Effective Inventory Management, Inc. (EIM), established in 1996 to help manufacturers, distributors, and retailers maximize their investment in inventory.

Over 45 years, he has assisted more than 3,000 firms in improving productivity and profitability and is the author of numerous books and articles, including Achieving Effective Inventory Management – now in its 7th Edition.

A sought-after speaker and faculty member at the University of Innovative Distribution, Jon remains actively involved with EIM clients and serves on the Board of Advisors for Inspiring Better Business, supporting entrepreneurship in developing countries.

Jonathan facilitates collaboration among brands, retailers, and their supply chain partners to optimize the sustainable use of GS1 Standards in the retail industry.

With a focus on leveraging item level radio frequency identification (RFID) for inventory accuracy, Mr. Gregory draws on his first-hand implementation experience to help companies achieve unified commerce and create the optimal consumer experience.

Kevin Lawton is the founder of The New Warehouse and has been working in the distribution and logistics industry since 2012 when he began his career as a temp employee in the Inventory department at Simon & Schuster.

From there he grew in the inventory department and moved into various distribution and operations management roles. He was able to be a key player in four different new distribution center start ups as an integral part of the project as well as involved in multiple software update and transition projects.

He has experience dealing with Manhattan, SAP, Oracle, DiQ, Prelude and various types of automation such as voice picking and GTP picking. His passion is to continuously learn and also share that knowledge which led him to the creation of The New Warehouse.

Maria is the founder of MVC Logistics Academy and co-founder of Marvikco Logistics LLC. She is also a college professor and logistics professional with over 15 years of experience, an MBA graduate with extensive research and academic background, and career development consultant.

She was recently named as one of the top Women in Supply Chain by Supply & Demand Chain Executive Magazine.

Matt Kostan is a certified GS1 Standards Professional, which is a fancy way of saying he’s really into barcodes. He leads the hardware division at inFlow and is all about helping people crush it in e-commerce and on Amazon. As a global speaker, Matt loves teaching and sharing what he’s learned to help others succeed.

Monica is the founder of SnaptureThis. She discovered Etsy in 2013 and launched her own shop a year later after relocating to Toronto. What began as a side project selling prints quickly grew into a thriving business featuring original artwork, commissioned illustrations, and best-selling pieces like the Toronto Coffee Shop V1 Print.

Over the years, Monica has expanded SnaptureThis to include tote bags, apparel, and collaborations with local businesses across Ontario. In 2022, she took a bold step by opening a brick-and-mortar storefront in downtown Toronto.

Tina is an artist, entrepreneur, and founder of XXL Scrunchie & Co. She started painting murals professionally at 23, and by 25 she launched a scrunchie brand that grew beyond her wildest dreams!

Her journey wouldn’t be the same without her hardworking parents who came to Canada with nothing and built a life for their family. Tina’s parents inspire her hustle every day and have helped her in any way they could from the start!