Les Haut-Parleurs

Jeanne Beker is a Canadian journalist, media personality, and global fashion icon. Her memoir, Heart on My Sleeve (2024), was released through Simon & Schuster Canada to critical acclaim. With a touching forward by Linda Evangelista, Beker delivers uplifting reflections that walk us through a wardrobe of memory, one article of clothing at a time. Born in Toronto to Holocaust survivors who instilled fearlessness, hard work, and tenacity in her from a young age, she began her professional show biz career at 16. After studying acting in New York and mime in Paris, she moved to Newfoundland where she made her journalistic debut as an arts reporter for CBC Radio. A few years later, Beker returned to Toronto to land a job at CHUM Radio and in 1979, she co-hosted the ground-breaking series The NewMusic. A founding member of MuchMusic, Beker launched the legendary Fashion Television in 1985 which was presented in over 130 countries for 27 years. A seasoned newspaper columnist for several publications, Beker was editor-in-chief of FQ and SIR magazines (2003 – 2008) and has previously authored five books. She is a frequent keynote speaker and guest on myriad lifestyle shows and has been at the creative helm of numerous fashion lines under her own eponymous label. Since 2015, she has acted as Style Editor for The Shopping Channel where she currently hosts the series Style Matters with Jeanne Beker. Beker has received honorary doctorates from St. Mary’s University and OCAD University. Active with several charitable organizations, she has been named to the Order of Canada (2014), inducted into the American Marketing Association’s Hall of Legends (2015), recognized with the Banff World Media Festival’s Canadian Award of Distinction (2012), honoured with a Canadian Screen Achievement Award (2013), and received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame (2016). 

Doug Stephens has been called “the futurist that futurists follow”. As one of the world’s foremost business futurists and retail industry experts, he decodes the forces reshaping commerce and translates them into strategic advantage. As the founder and CEO of Retail Prophet, Stephen’s the go-to authority for global brands like IKEA, Nike, Coca Cola, and Louis Vuitton. His dynamic keynotes don’t just explore business transformation; they reveal the surprising competitive advantages waiting for organizations bold enough to reimagine their future in this era of unprecedented disruption. Stephens is an internationally bestselling author of three books on the future of consumerism including his most recent, Resurrecting Retail: The Future of Business in a Post-Pandemic World. His insights provide a roadmap for businesses seeking to thrive amid radical shifts in technology, consumer behaviour, and competitive landscapes. As a nationally syndicated retail columnist for CBC Radio, Stephens’ thought leadership reaches audiences across the country. His unique perspectives on trends in economics, technology, and consumer behaviour have made him a sought-after voice in leading global publications and media outlets, with features in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Fast Company, and on the BBC. Stephens also sits on multiple corporate and academic advisory boards, including the David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retail at St. Mary’s University. As one of the world’s most sought-after business speakers, Stephens offers an ever-evolving array of cutting edge and compelling topics, suitable for any business audience.

Luc Dumont, a Montreal native, has been working and living in Toronto since 2009 and currently holds the position of Senior Vice-President of Consumer Insights at Leger. He first joined the Leger team in 2010, bringing with him over 25 years of extensive experience in both quantitative and qualitative market research. His areas of expertise include customer experience, usability, product development, and innovation studies. Luc is particularly skilled as a focus group moderator and has conducted qualitative research in various countries throughout his career. 

In his role, Luc is committed to assisting Leger’s clients in creating and adapting experiential strategies that enhance customer loyalty and strengthen brand attachment. He is also a frequent media spokesperson for Leger on a wide range of topics such as customer journeys, new product research, market studies, brand image and positioning, and qualitative research. 

As a senior member of the consulting team at Leger, Luc serves as a strategic advisor to the firm’s clients. His background covers a spectrum of research areas including new product development, market evaluation, brand image and health, strategic marketing, ad testing and tracking, customer satisfaction and experience, advertising, concept testing, segmentation, personification, and usability testing. Luc not only leads the retail and financial services research teams but also oversees the development of discussion guides and questionnaires, manages deadlines, and handles analysis and strategic insights. His contributions are vital in the presentation of results and in his advisory role in all projects. 

Laurence Painell is the Chief Product & Technology Officer at Quinyx, overseeing the integration of product and technology strategies to empower frontline workforces. With over 25 years in software, he has held leadership roles at The Access Group, Microsoft, PatSnap, Quantrix, and IDBS, driving product innovation and developing successful go-to-market strategies across various industries and business models. 

Duncan Fulton has been Chief Corporate Officer at Restaurant Brands International since 2018.
This includes leadership for the company’s North American franchising approach,
communications, government relations, issues and crisis management, sustainability and
employee engagement.
Duncan currently serves on the leadership teams for RBI, Tim Hortons and Burger King, as well
as on the Board of Directors for Popeyes’ supply chain co-op, and as the Chairman of the Tim
Horton’s Foundation that helps ~20,000 youth every year develop into confident, successful
adults.
Duncan previously spent 9 years with Canada’s largest and most iconic retailer, Canadian Tire
Corporation, as President of its sports division (Sport Chek, Sports Experts, Atmosphere,
National Sports and Pro Hockey Life), following a number of years as the company’s Senior
Vice-President of Corporate Affairs. Duncan also served as Chief Marketing Officer at Sport
Chek and Mark’s, where he was recognized for his leadership in the company’s brand and digital
transformation, including helping establish e-commerce channels and globally-recognized digital
marketing.
Before joining Canadian Tire Corporation, Duncan spent 6 years at international
communications company Fleishman-Hillard, including as General Manager and Senior Partner
of the Toronto flagship office.
Prior to his agency experience, Duncan spent 9 years working for Canadian political leaders in
provincial and federal governments, including as Press Secretary to Canadian Prime Minister
Jean Chretien.
Duncan has been widely recognized for his executive leadership, including being named
Canada’s Marketer of the Year in 2016 by the Canadian Marketing Association and one of Canada’s 50 Best Executives in 2020 by the Globe and Mail.

Ian Rosen is the President & Chief Operating Officer at Harry Rosen, where he is responsible for driving profitable growth across each of the company’s three banners: Harry Rosen, FinalCut and The Outlet by Harry Rosen. Ian sits on the Harry Rosen Board of Directors.

In his role, Ian works with Executives across Sales Management, Merchandising, Marketing, Digital and IT functions to ensure operations are aligned towards delivering on the Harry Rosen brand promise to provide exceptional service to clients throughout every touchpoint. Since joining Harry Rosen in 2018, Ian has led the company’s transformation to extend relationships with customers onto digital channels and enhance the shopping experience with technology (both online and in-store).

Ian marks the third generation of Rosen’s to enter the company founded by his grandfather. Prior to joining Harry Rosen, Ian was a Management Consultant at Bain & Company in Chicago where he focused on Strategy, Retail and Digital projects. Ian holds both an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and an HBA from Ivey Business School.