Market Overview - Commerce Hosted by Moneris and Interac @ TechTO HQ
The Future of Commerce: Adapting to Tomorrow’s Economy
Join us for a forward-looking conversation on the future of commerce, where technology, consumer behaviour, and macroeconomic forces converge. As inflation, shifting interest rates, global supply chain dynamics, and evolving digital ecosystems reshape the landscape, businesses are rethinking how, where, and why people buy. This event will bring together leaders and innovators across retail, fintech, and technology to explore what’s driving change—and what it means for the next generation of commerce. From AI-driven personalization to sustainable logistics and new payment models, we’ll dive into the trends shaping growth and resilience in an uncertain economic climate.
Agenda
1:00 - 1:20pm : Arrivals & Networking
1:20 - 1:50pm: Research presented by Shenela Tavarayan, Director, Product Development at Interac Corp. and a representative from Retail Council of Canada
1:50- 2:00pm: Peer Discussion
2:00 - 2:10pm: 1st presentation by Toju Ogbeide, CEO at Goodzilla
2:10 - 2:20pm: 2nd presentation by Ankur Sharma, CEO at Brsyk
2:20 - 2:30pm: 3rd presentation by Olusegun Osunrinde, CEO at Social Store
2:30 - 2:40pm: 4th presentation by Christina McGirr, Founder at Bconic
2:40 - 3:05pm: Fireside chat with Gad Elharrar, Vice President of Product for Small to Medium Business at Moneris, hosted by Lisa Zarzeczny, Co-Founder & CEO at Elevate
Featured Speakers
Lisa Zarzeczny is a passionate advocate of Canada’s tech and innovation economy. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Elevate, a not for profit organization that unites world-class innovators to catalyze transformation across our tech ecosystem. Lisa was instrumental in launching Elevate Festival, which grew from 5,000 attendees to over 20,000 in three short years and welcomed speakers including Michelle Obama, Al Gore, Eric Schmidt, Martha Stewart, Venus Williams, and many more.
Previously, Lisa oversaw marquee events and educational programs at MaRS Discovery District, one of the world’s largest urban innovation hubs. She graduated from McGill University with a B.A Honours in History & Political Science.
Gad Elharrar is the Vice President of Product for Small to Medium Business at Moneris, where he leads growth strategy, P&L ownership, and product accountability for the SMB segment. With over 15 years of experience in payments and banking, he brings deep expertise from top-tier consulting and financial organizations. Gad operates at the intersection of technology, product, and strategy, using collaboration and customer focus to drive impact. A results-oriented leader, he excels in solving complex challenges and delivering executional excellence. Outside of work, Gad enjoys chasing after his two young kids, coaching their sports teams, and traveling with his family.
Toju Ogbeide is the Founder & CEO at Goodszilla, a company on a mission to show that giving back isn’t just good for the world—it’s good for business. Through Goodszilla’s Conscious Cart technology, brands can seamlessly embed donation opportunities at checkout, turning everyday purchases into powerful acts of impact. By helping companies align their values with customer actions, Toju is enabling businesses to build deeper connections and drive growth through purpose-driven commerce.
Olusegun Osunrinde (Olu) is a seasoned UX strategist with over ten years of e-commerce experience. As Co-founder and CEO of Social Store, he helps SMBs grow by leveraging the power of social media and e-commerce to boost sales. His entrepreneurial journey began with the Goal Initiative in Nigeria, where he organized charity soccer events and summer camps for displaced youths, earning UN recognition. He holds a Master’s in Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation from Saint Mary’s University.
Ankur Sharma is the CEO & Co-Founder at Brysk, a deeptech company transforming the future of retail through AI-powered automation. A top graduate from IIT Dhanbad and MDI Gurgaon, Ankur combines academic excellence with a strong track record across organizations like LoginRadius, Cognizant, ITC, and Alcatel-Lucent. His diverse experience at the intersection of technology and business fuels his mission to enhance the retail experience without losing its human essence. At Brysk, Ankur leads a team focused on developing innovative solutions that seamlessly integrate Artificial Intelligence into retail, aiming to streamline operations and elevate customer engagement across the sector.
Shenela Tavarayan is a dynamic product leader driving growth and innovation in retail payments. As Director of Product Development at Interac Corp., she led initiatives such as Canada’s first proprietary digital wallet and partnerships with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. Shenela champions diversity and inclusion as co-lead of Interac’s Women’s Employee Resource Group. A sought-after speaker, she has presented at events including Collision Conference and Payments Canada Summit. With deep expertise in omnichannel payment strategies, regulatory frameworks, and inclusive leadership, Shenela continues to shape Canada’s digital payments landscape while fostering innovation and equity in the industry.
Christina McGirr is the Founder of Bconic and an impact-driven marketer with over 5 years of experience delivering results across diverse industries, including tech, e-commerce, CPG, healthcare, media, and the public sector. Known for her curiosity and systems thinking, Christina brings a thoughtful, pragmatic approach to tackling complex challenges. She is also an active community member, mentor, and advocate for open-source innovation. Colleagues value her positivity, candour, and depth of understanding in new domains. Whether leading marketing strategies or fostering meaningful conversations, Christina is passionate about creating impact through connection, learning, and thoughtful execution.
Big Thanks to Our Research Partner and Sponsors
Research for this market overview will be presented by Elevate.
If you would like to learn more about our sponsors, please visit:
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