Mohammed Jalaluddin
​Ansar Financial​

Mohammed Jalaluddin has a Master of Science Degree from the University of Texas at Dallas, United States and has over 40 years of experience in Islamic Finance as well as in Senior Business Management. Mohammed Jalaluddin is the founding member and
currently the Chairman of Ansar Financial Group as well as the Chairman and CEO of Ansar Financial and Development Corporation (AFDC), an IPO and reporting issuer company which is First of its kind in North America. It is based in Toronto that offers interest-free investments and is Sharia Compliant which includes in its by-laws to operate on the principles of Islamic Finance.
Mohammed Jalaluddin has served as a Board member of Islamic and Ansar Housing Cooperative Corporations for many years and currently is the Chairman. Mohammed Jalaluddin has played a significant role in establishing the first Takaful (Islamic Insurance) in North America as a joint project with the Co-operators General Insurance Company of Canada in 2007
that is currently offering Home and auto Insurance.

Mr. Jalaluddin has served as the Vice President (Canada) on the Board of ISNA Continental (USA and Canada). He has also served as the president of Indian Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC Canada). Mr. Jalaluddin has also served on the Boards of Islamic Foundation of Toronto and North American Muslim Foundation (NAMF) Toronto.
Mohammed Jalaluddin has made many presentations on Islamic Finance in Canada, USA as well as other countries, including Malaysia, Turkey, Brunei, Dubai, Oman, Bahrain and to the  inancial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), Canada.

Dr. Mohammed Sawwaf
​CEO, Manzil

Dr. Mohamad Sawwaf is the Founder and CEO of Manzil, Canada's premier Islamic FinTech company, which offers Shariah-compliant financial solutions such as mortgages and investment funds. 

He earned a Doctorate in Islamic Finance from Henley Business School in the UK, focusing on the determinants influencing the adoption of Islamic banking and financial services among Canadian Muslim consumers. Additionally, he holds an MBA with a specialization in finance from the Rotman School of Management in Canada and an MSc in Corporate Governance from Henley Business School.

Dr. Sawwaf regularly advises the UAE government on Islamic finance practices and teaches corporate and Islamic finance, as well as entrepreneurship, at business schools in Toronto. He is widely recognized as a leading authority on Islamic finance in Canada.

In his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Canada Arab Business Council (CABC), Dr. Sawwaf advises Canadian and Arab governments on policies to enhance and expand economic relations and trade.

• Founder & CEO of Manzil, Canada’s leading Islamic FinTech company.
• Holds a Doctorate in Islamic Finance from Henley Business School (UK), with a thesis focused on Islamic banking adoption in Canada.
• MBA in Finance from Rotman School of Management and MSc in Corporate Governance.
• First to bring AAOIFI-compliant financial products to the Canadian market.
• A recognized thought leader and educator in Islamic Finance across North America.​

Suresh Kolla
​President at Pharmaline Inc | Founder & CEO, Nutrameltz Inc

Suresh Kolla is a visionary entrepreneur and industry leader with over two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors. As the Director of Pharmaline Inc., he has played a pivotal role in transforming the company into a full-service contract manufacturing and pharmaceutical packaging powerhouse. Under his leadership, Pharmaline delivers innovative, turnkey solutions that empower brands to scale efficiently—specializing in private label supplements and high-quality packaging. His strategic vision and commitment to excellence have positioned Pharmaline as a trusted partner for businesses across North America.

​Pharmaline Inc. is a Canadian-based nutraceutical and supplement manufacturer specializing in full-service private label manufacturing, packaging, and export. The company offers a comprehensive range of manufacturing services, including capsules, tablets, tablet coating, pouches, sachets, stick packs, and contract manufacturing. Their packaging services encompass blister packing, powder filling, and bottling, providing clients with a one-stop solution for their supplement production needs. Committed to quality and innovation, Pharmaline Inc. adheres to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and implements a comprehensive set of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure product excellence. Their facility is equipped to manufacture oral solid forms, such as capsules, tablets, and powders in jars, catering to the diverse needs of the dietary supplement and pharmaceutical industries. With full control over service, quality, and reliability under one roof, Pharmaline provides one-vendor convenience to its customers, continually offering innovative solutions to meet growing demands.

Tabish hasan
Co-Founder and CEO - Muslim Ad Network

Tabish Hasan is the co-founder and CEO of Muslim Ad Network—the world’s first and largest digital advertising platform built specifically for Muslim audiences. Founded in 2010 and based in the U.S., MAN has delivered over one billion halal-compliant, culturally aligned ads and reaches more than 250 million Muslims globally.

Recognized among the “Top 50 Most Influential Muslims in America” by Equality X, Tabish brings over 15 years of experience across both corporate adtech and startup innovation. He’s led product and strategy teams at firms like Basis Technologies and Viant, while also launching a portfolio of Muslim-centered platforms under Ummah Media Group—including UmmahJobs.com, the leading job board for Muslim professionals.

Tabish holds a Master of Science in Information Technology from the University of Redlands and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from the University of California, Riverside. He combines technical expertise with a deep commitment to ethical, narrative-driven media—shaping how Muslims are represented, reached, and respected in the digital age.

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rehan syed
​VP, Aya FinanciaL

Mr. Khan has an MBA in Islamic Finance and Banking from the International Islamic University of Malaysia and a CPA from Boston, USA. Since 2006 he has been regularly conducting seminars and certification courses on Islamic Finance especially in the areas of debt & equity-based instruments. He is frequently invited as a speaker at various conferences and by business schools at York University and the University of Toronto. His area of interest lies in training and product structuring especially in the re-engineering of conventional financial products into Shariah-compliant counterparts.
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Currently, he works as a Liaison to develop Shariah compliant financial products for Canadian Corporations. He also acts as an advisor to Ontario Credit Unions developing Shariah-compliant financial instruments on both sides of the balance sheet.

Chelby Daigle
​MuslimLink

Nick Gibson
​Client Business Partner - SMB Team, NielsenIQ Canada

Nick has worked at NielsenIQ for nearly ten years on various clients (large and small), across various issues ranging from consumer insights to pricing, online to physical retail, and much more. Today, he helps the grocery industry evolve towards consumer desires for health & wellness, sustainability, and other important product attributes (including halal) using innovative data. This has been a passion area for many years, and now finds himself doing this everyday with brands, retailers, and others in the industry. If he is not crunching data on these trends, you will find him researching the latest personal health insights, being active at the gym or sports, or pondering about the world and how to make it better. 

taha gayyur
Sound Vision

Taha Ghayyur is a human rights advocate, a personal growth and leadership trainer, and a writer, based in Toronto. Driven by a spirit of service and desire to elevate people’s leadership potential, Taha has been leading groundbreaking and impactful community initiatives for over 20 years across North America.

• Executive Director, Justice for All Canada, a human rights advocacy organization fighting to end genocides impacting minorities around the world 
• Senior Vice President, Sound Vision Foundation, a pioneering Muslim media & professional development training institution

• Board member and former Chairperson, MuslimFest, an award winning festival celebrating the best in Muslim arts and culture for over 20 years
• Member of the Canadian Council of Imams
• Former Advisory Committee member, Muslim Studies Program at Emmanuel College, University of Toronto
• Former host on Muslim Network TV
• Human rights commentator and contributor to national newspapers, including the Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, National Post, and The Hill Times
• Certified Communications and Leadership Trainer, Speaker and Coach by John Maxwell Leadership Team

Mamoun S. Hassan
Nabaga Media Production & Agency​

Mamoun S. Hassan—an award-winning filmmaker, media educator, and khateeb who believes that stories shape the soul of a people.
For over 20 years, I’ve been behind the camera telling stories that matter. From corporate and nonprofit films to documentaries, music videos, and social media content, my goal has always been the same: to create work that moves people and makes them think. Among my many projects, the most significant has been my first feature film, Purple Don’t Cry—a deeply personal story that has earned critical recognition and remains a milestone in my filmmaking journey.
I also teach. Sharing what I’ve learned through video production, lighting, and cinematography courses—both here in the Greater Toronto Area and online—is one of the most fulfilling parts of my work. My background in Communication Studies and Film Production helps me bridge the academic with the practical, the technical with the creative.
But filmmaking isn’t my only passion. I’ve also served as an Islamic teacher and khateeb for over two decades. Faith and storytelling have always gone hand in hand for me. Whether I’m speaking from a minbar or from behind a lens, my message is rooted in the same truth: stories are how we understand the world, how we resist erasure, and how we pass down our values.
A big part of my work focuses on Islamic media and the way Muslims are portrayed across film, news, and popular culture. I research and reflect on how media shapes perceptions—and how we can reclaim our narrative by telling our own stories with strength and authenticity. Because if we don’t, someone else will.

Tabish Rizwani (Coach Rizwani) 
Founder & CEO, Sahara Supplements

Tabish Rizwani is the Founder and CEO of Sahara Supplements, North America’s first halal-certified sports nutrition company, created to serve the growing demand for clean, purpose-driven supplements rooted in Islamic values.

After spending nearly two decades climbing the corporate ladder with a Fortune 500 company and as a managing partner of an 8-figure consumer tech startup, Tabish walked away from conventional success in pursuit of deeper impact. What emerged was Sahara Supplements—a proudly Canadian, Toronto-based organization on a mission to redefine wellness and nutrition for the ummah.

Sahara’s flagship product, Whey Supreme, exemplifies that vision: a multi-benefit supplement combining Hydrolyzed Isolate Whey, Bovine Collagen (Zabiha, Grass-Fed), Creatine, Glutamine, and Black Seed Extract, all halal-certified, third-party lab tested, and free of banned substances. It reflects a core belief behind the brand: that Muslims deserve better—not just physically, but holistically.

As an entrepreneur, former athlete, and now purpose-driven leader, Tabish is building more than a supplement company—he’s building a movement. Sahara stands for clean performance, intentional living, and spiritual strength—with a commitment to empower the next generation of Muslims to take ownership of their health with excellence and integrity.

Rowda Mohamud
Director, Business Development, BDC Advisory Services 

Rowda has been a pivotal member of BDC for 15 years, bringing expertise in consulting, project management, performance improvement and business development. She launched BDC’s Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit consulting practice in 2010 and has since held key advisory roles, helping BDC clients boost productivity, ensure regulatory compliance and grow their businesses. Recently, she led national initiatives in AI, digital transformation, cybersecurity and sustainability. Rowda holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering from the University of British Columbia and a Certificate in Program and Portfolio Management from the University of Toronto.
 

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Zeeshan Fazal
Regional Manager at EDC

Zeeshan Fazal is a Regional Manager at EDC, responsible for a team of Relationship Managers supporting Canadian companies to penetrate, grow and succeed internationally. He is also responsible to strategically increase EDC’s support to Québec companies in Agriculture and Agri-food sectors.

Mr. Fazal has significant experience in assisting Agri food, Manufacturing, Technology and Innovation companies to go, grow and succeed internationally. Prior to his appointment to the Business Development team, Mr. Fazal held various underwriting positions for Accounts Receivable Insurance, Bank and Loan Guarantees. He was also a Lean Sustainability Advisor where he collaborated closely with internal stakeholders to help lead projects, improve operational efficiencies and client communication processes.

Outside of EDC, Mr. Fazal was a lecturer at McGill University and Queens University where he taught International Finance, Corporate Finance and Financial Statement Analysis. Most recently, he also taught a course on Business Valuation at the Smith School of Business at Queens University. Furthermore, he taught CITP professional designation courses on Global Value Chain and International Trade Finance.

Mr. Fazal holds a Master of Business Administration from the Smith School of Management (Queens University), a bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting and Biology from McGill University. He is also a Certified International Trade Professional (CITP | FIBP).

Musaab Maniar
Halal Certification Coordinator at ISNA Canada

Lora Rigutto
CITP – Forum for International Trade Training (FITT)

Lora Rigutto, CITP®, is an international business development coach with a passion for international trade and over 25 years of experience. She has guided businesses through global expansion complexities, including more than a decade as Trade Advisor with ProChile – The Trade Commission of Chile in Toronto. As a Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) and ICC-certified Incoterms® 2020 Trainer for Canada, she has expertise in the application of the terms of trade for the sale of goods into international markets.

​Currently, she is the Partnerships and Community Lead at the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT) with a decade of experience as an adjunct professor delivering FITT’s globally renowned international trade training.

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Salima jirvaj
Nourish Food Marketing​

Salima is a Halal Industry Specialist and Client Services Director at Nourish Food Marketing. She works with leading food and beverage clients on national strategies and omnichannel marketing campaigns. She also oversees the Halal Shopper Study, which tracks the attitudes and behaviours of Muslim consumers across Canada. With previous experience at Loblaw Companies Limited and a strong entrepreneurial background as the founder of Halal Foodie and Halal Food Festival Toronto, Salima brings deep expertise in culturally relevant marketing and a passion for elevating the Halal consumer experience in Canada.​

Dr. Safiyyah Ally
Founder of Muslim Media Hub

Dr. Safiyyah Ally is the founder of Muslim Media Hub, where she leads efforts to elevate Muslim voices and grow a vibrant ecosystem of Muslim-led media. She’s the longtime producer and co-host of Let the Quran Speak, a nationally broadcast TV show airing on VisionTV, YES-TV, FaithTV, and Joytv in Canada. Safiyyah holds a PhD in political science from the University of Toronto and is passionate about challenging stereotypes, fostering creativity, and creating space for stories that reflect the depth and diversity of Muslim life.

Fathi Abu Farah
Chartered Professional Accountant from CPA Ontario, Canada 

Fathi Abu Farah is a Chartered Professional Accountant from CPA Ontario, Canada with Public License, and also a Certified Public Accountant from Montana State, United States of America, with over 35 years of post-qualification professional experience. 

Fathi was associated with Ernst & Young for over 10 years in Kuwait & Jordan before setting up the Jordan branch of RSM in 2003.  He has wide ranging experience in handling audits and multi-disciplined consulting assignments that include business plans, business modeling, due diligence, business analysis, cost control techniques, project financing, accounting & financing structuring. He is also experienced in conducting training programs and in implementation of professional standards. 

Fathi has considerable audit, consulting and taxation experience and is abreast of the latest international and local accounting practices.  He is in a good position to ensure that the accounting & audit is conducted in accordance with the related International Standards.

Fathi held a number of successes managerial positions reaching a CFO level, during his career journey in the Middle East, USA, and Canada.

Currently, Fathi is the Founder & Executive Director of International Professional Group Inc., Chartered Accountants located in Mississauga and serving the GTA of Canada.

Currently, Fathi is the President (Board of Directors Chair) of the Arab Community Centre of Toronto (ACCT).

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Iman Ali
Consultant, DinarStandard

Iman Ali supports research and analysis across all aspects of DinarStandard’s Islamic economy advisory work. Her special areas of focus are the fourth industrial technologies of Blockchain and IoT. She has delivered for DinarStandard clients research and analysis work covering regional Halal economy and trade, Islamic social finance, and various innovation research engagements.

Her work often consists of conducting research and interviews for reports published by DinarStandard. Iman has served as a Research Analyst for the State of the Global Islamic Economy 2023/24 Report, where she lead the halal food sector writeup and supported trade data analysis. She also was a research analyst on several food related reports including, the “Global Food Industry – 15 Signals of a Post-COVID-19 New Normal” Insight Brief produced by DinarStandard, May 2020, developing the Business Plan for the establishment of an Islamic Food Processing Association for the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), the State of the Global Islamic Economy 2020/21 Report, and for the Halal Food Fund for MENA-based Sovereign Wealth Fund.

Jenn JUby
Managing Director at StartupCAN

​Jenn Juby is the Managing Director of Startup Canada, a national nonprofit that champions and supports Canada’s early stage entrepreneurs. With a deep commitment to service and impact, Jenn leads a passionate team that connects founders to the tools, community, and support they need to launch and grow resilient businesses—at home and around the globe.
Through one of Startup Canada's flagship programs, Startup Global, Jenn and her team empowers Canadian entrepreneurs to explore international markets by demystifying the export journey and making global growth more accessible. Startup Global has expanded its reach as a trusted platform offering export education, partner connections, global pitch competitions, and government resources for entrepreneurs preparing to go global.
A founder herself, Jenn brings decades of leadership and executive operations experience across the private sector, global organizations, and the startup ecosystem. She successfully scaled and exited her own retail business during the pandemic, growing it from the ground up to over $10 million in revenue in just sixteen months.