Meet your speakers…
And more to come!
Keynote Speaker - Jeff Mallett
Vancouver Whitecaps FC executive chair Jeff Mallett has been a co-owner and director of the club since 2009. The BC native is widely known as the founding president & chief operating officer of Yahoo! Inc. from 1995 to 2002.
Over the last decade, Mallet has served as a governor on the Major League Soccer board and is an active MLS committee member at the league in business, media, and new ventures. He is also a principle partner and longstanding executive committee member of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants, and was co-owner and director of the historic Derby County FC in England from 2009 to 2015.
Speaker - Genesa Greening
Genesa M. Greening is a Certified Fund Raising Executive whose two decades of work in Canada, Africa, and the United States have seen her advise more than twenty charitable causes in fundraising over $300 million.
As the President + CEO of BC Women's Health Foundation, Genesa collaborates with those who share her commitment to gender equity in healthcare and invests in charitable causes that deliver social change. Genesa has received the distinction of being chosen by the Women's Executive Network as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada both in 2018 and 2019. She was recently honoured by Business in Vancouver magazine as a 2020 recipient of their Influential Women in Business Award in addition to her past recognition as a Forty Under 40 Award winner.
Genesa has served as a member of the Prime Minister's Women Deliver National Council. She is a member of the World Health Organization's Working Group on Advocacy and Communications for the Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative. Genesa has previously served on the Vancouver's Mayor's Task Force on Mental Health & Addiction as well as the Mayor's Women's Advisory Committee.
As an award-winning business leader, an unapologetic feminist, and relentless optimist driven to change women's experiences in the healthcare sector, Genesa is committed to ensuring women have equitable access to the highest quality healthcare when, where and how they need it.
Mark Pannes - Presenter
Mark Pannes is a proud to lead the Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club as CEO; University of Texas Teaching Fellow and Chairman UT Center for Sports Communication & Media board
CEO, Stadio della Roma (2013-16) Italian Serie A football club AS Roma’s stadium development co. Took €800MM project from conception through municipal approvals, DD design phases
Founding Director, HSBC Private Bank's Global Sports Group (2006-11). By 2011, the GSG managed USD$1.45 Billion funds under service for 500+ athletes/institutions, serving 19 jurisdictions on four continents
Skilo Brand's CEO (2000-04). Spent 1990s at Madison Square Garden’s NY Knicks. As CMO, the New York Knicks launched 1st HD team-run game broadcasts in sports, set all-time indoor sports season box office record (1999-2000), compiled then longest active consecutive games sellout streak in US sports (427 games; every game 9+ seasons). Helped launch WNBA’s NY Liberty (1997); led league in box office receipts first 7 seasons; played in 3 WNBA finals
Jason Pires - Emcee & Hosts
Jason Pires is a co-anchor of CTV Morning Live in Vancouver.
A multiple RTNDA and Edward R Murrow Award winner - Jason is always on the lookout for the next compelling story to share. “People actually invite us into their homes to reveal their inspiring, sometimes very personal experiences. It’s a rare and real privilege to do this for a living.”
Born and raised in Victoria, Jason earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology while playing varsity soccer at the University of Victoria.
In 2001, Jason helped launch a brand new television station in B.C.'s capital (now known as CTV Vancouver Island) and served as its original sports director/anchor/reporter. Under his leadership, the sports department established itself as a market leader for Vancouver Island sports coverage. After more than six years at CTV Vancouver Island, Jason was ready for a new challenge – and with the lure of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, he jumped at the chance to join the sports department at CTV Vancouver, the official Olympic network.
Meet your Whisky Host: Gez McAlpine
Gez McAlpine is the Canadian brand ambassador for Bruichladdich single malt Islay whisky and Westland Whiskey. Gez works to bring the story and philosophy behind Progressive Hebridean distillers to industry professionals and curious consumers alike. Gez has operated some of the world’s best drinking establishments from Melbourne to Los Angeles & Vancouver. From a background of over a decade in the cocktail and premium spirits industry, holding positions of cocktail consultation to venue management and Whisky curation - travelling extensively throughout this time in search of the best spirits and cocktails possible. Gez is in constant pursuit of the knowledge and experience required to educate all levels of imbibers & the whisky intrigued. Gez is a WSET level 3, Gold Certified BNIC Cognac educator, Multiple time global cocktail competition finalist, and most importantly truly passionate about spreading the word of premium spirits.
Meet your Chef Presenter: Chris Casado
Regional Kitchen Operations Partner
Kered Hospitality Group
Experienced Regional Operations Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the food & beverages industry. Skilled in Menu Engineering, Catering, Budgeting, Food & Beverage, and Cooking. Strong operations professional.
Lesley Anne Brown
Chief Executive Officer, Whisky Wisemen
With a passion for business development and operations, Lesley has worked in multiple industries, most recently taking on the role of Chief Executive Officer of the global non-profit, Vancouver-based Whisky Wisemen Society. With Lesley at the helm The Whisky Wisemen has more than tripled its revenues and has expanded into markets such as Toronto, Miami and L.A. Lesley is the brainchild behind Club Wise, a private members club for young professionals; and the Be Wise speaker series that has attracted keynotes such as Dragon Den’s David Chilton and INDOCHINO’s Drew Green. She also introduced over 100 new partner’s to the organization.
Lesley has worked in private investment, overseeing internal and external operations; client relations; deal flow; fundraising; and, investor relations.
Lesley’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. In 2017 BC Business named her one of BC Business Top 30 under 30 young professionals.