Jenny Witterick immigrated to Canada from Taiwan at the age of seven. A former Rhodes Scholar nominee, Jenny holds a Honours BA from the University of Western Ontario graduating from the Richard Ivey School of Business. Jenny is a CFA Charterholder and was on the Board of Directors of the Toronto Society of Financial Analysts, serving as President in 1995/1996. She has also been on the Board of Directors of Woodward’s and The Doctor’s Hospital. In 2014, Jenny received the Israeli Cancer Research Fund – Woman of Action Award for leadership in business.

Jenny has been in the investment industry since 1985 and was a partner in the firm Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel. She worked closely with Prem Watsa, whom she considers to be her mentor. With an entrepreneurial drive to create a firm that focuses on being a Centre of Excellence for managing International equities, Jenny founded Sky Investment Counsel in 2004 and is the President and lead Portfolio Manager. Today, Sky is one of the largest international money managers in Canada with $1.8 billion in assets.

Having a passion for writing and moved by stories of human struggle, Jenny decided to base her debut novel on a true story during the Holocaust. Her book, “My Mother’s Secret”, quickly became a Canadian bestseller upon release in 2013 and is being translated into eight languages to be published in several countries around the world. This gripping fictional story is inspired by the true story of Franciszka Halamajowa, who with her daughter risked their lives to save fifteen Jews in Poland while hiding a young German soldier in her attic during the Second World War. Her son died while transporting a wagon full of supplies to Jews hiding in the forest. Penguin Books acquired the international rights to the book and Jenny donated 100 percent of the advance received to various charities. These charities include funding for medical research, for animal rescue and shelters and for providing books to children in impoverished communities. Jenny wrote this story which speaks to how ordinary people can choose to be extraordinary. She is thrilled that the proceeds of this inspirational story can be used towards helping others just as the characters in the story did. Anyone who enjoyed “Anne Frank’s Dairy” or “Schindler’s List” will surely enjoy reading “My Mother’s Secret.” www.mymotherssecret.com.

Jenny is a believer in the unlimited possibilities that resides in all of us. She is grateful to live in Canada, which like the United States, provides the individual with the freedom to be the best that they can. She never thought when she arrived in Canada without a word of English that she would one day write a story that so many would enjoy. It has been and continues to be, an incredible journey for her.

David Tsubouchi was the first Japanese Canadian to be elected to office in Canada and has served as the MPP for Markham for two terms and has held cabinet posts in the Ontario Legislature including Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations, Solicitor General, Chair of Management Board and Minister of Culture.

Prior to serving in the Ontario Legislature, Mr. Tsubouchi served as a Councillor for the Town of Markham for two terms. In his time as Ontario Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations (1996 – 1999), David was directly responsible for the Alcohol and Gaming Commission, Liquor Control Board of Ontario, Ontario Racing Commission and the Ontario Athletic Commission. Agencies that were created under his supervision included the Real Estate Council of Ontario, Travel Industry Council of Ontario, Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council and the Technical Safety Standards Association. To assist the Ontario Wine Industry, David brought forward the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) and allowed Sunday shopping at the LCBO and Beer Stores.

David also supervised the expansion of charity gaming venues in Ontario and opening of the Niagara Casino from a regulatory perspective and spearheaded the introduction of slot machines to horse racing tracks resulting in a revitalization of the industry.

Mr. Tsubouchi currently sits on the Board of Governors for Seneca College and the board of directors for the Markham Stouffville Hospital. He is a partner in the prominent law firm, Fogler, Rubinoff LLP. He was appointed as the Honorary Consul General for Mongolia (Toronto). He has served on many boards of directors. He serves as the Integrity Commissioner for the Town of Richmond Hill. He was also appointed as the Co-Chair of the Canada Vietnam Business Council by the Republic of Vietnam.

Mr. Tsubouchi has received numerous awards and honors including the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, The Bruce Bryden Award (York University), The Award of Merit From the Japanese Canadian Community and the Canadian Horse Racing Industry Award of Recognition. David Tsubouchi has been an international key note speaker in many countries including Dubai, Macau, China, Japan, Canada and the United States on casino development, infrastructure, arts and culture, trade, politics and business development.

Most recently, David has released a memoir; Gambatte: Generations of Perseverance and Politics – a touching autobiography and story revealing that at the heart of David Tsubouchi’s life is the spirit of gambatte, a Japanese word meaning to do one’s best and never give up. The book chronicles his unusual career path from actor and lumber yard worker to dedicated law school student and politician.