OUR TEAM
Leadership and entrepreneurship development
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mark Adler
Executive Director
Most recently, Mark served Canada as the Member of Parliament for the federal riding of York Centre. During his tenure in Parliament, Mark was an active member of the Finance Committee, Transport Committee and Committee on Government Operations.
As a government member of these committees, Mark had the responsibility of vetting and studying all legislation that came before the committee. On Finance Committee, he worked closely with the Minister of Finance on fiscal and budgetary matters taking a very active role in proposing a number of recommendations that subsequently appeared in the federal government budget documents.
Before entering elected politics, Mark was the founder of the Economic Club of Canada. Based on a business plan that emphasized speed, agility and the finest quality, the Economic Club earned the reputation as Canada’s podium of record surpassing other organizations that existed for close to one hundred years. Although the Economic Club continues to thrive to this very day, Mark has no current affiliation with the organization.
Before starting the Economic Club, Mark served as the Director of Corporate Programmes at the Canadian Institute of International Affairs where he organized briefing missions for business leaders to countries in Europe, Asia, Mexico and the United States. Prior to that, Mark was a trade policy representative for the Government of Ontario in Boston, MA.
Mark attended the University of Toronto where he studied history and the Graduate School of Public Administration at Carleton University. Mark lives with his wife, Alison and their two children in Toronto.
Bernardo Riveros
Chair
Bernardo was born in Bogota, Colombia holds a bachelor degree in Advertising & Marketing from Jorge Tadeo Lozano university. With over 6 years of experience in Colombia in the advertising industry he also holds a certificate in film production from New York University. Came originally to Canada as an international student in 1996 without knowing at moment that Canada will become his home later on. Bernardo is an entrepreneur who has participate in the creation of several business in Canada and Colombia. He is the co-founder of ILAC, International Language Academy of Canada, one of the largest and most prestigious private English schools for international students in the world.
Helping other professional immigrants Bernardo served at the CCPA (Colombian Canadian Professional Association) for 5 years as Director and President. Today he is also the chair of AICP, a non-for-profit faith based organization that helps mainly Hispanic new immigrants. He has been a recipient of recognitions such as New Pioneer Award from Skills for Change, One of the Ten Most Influential Hispanics in Canada from the Hispanic Business Alliance and The Award of Excellence from Colombia en el exterior organization.
Ivan Mendez
Vice Chair
Ivan was born in Bogota, Colombia, and moved to Canada in 2004 along with his family. He has been married for thirty years and is the father of five wonderful children. He is a man with strong family values and with a passion to serve his community and restore families, by working in the development and establishment of family values. He always emphasizes the importance of unity in the family in every work he does.
As a result of his passion, Ivan has dedicated his life to serving others and has been the director of AICP in Canada, for over ten years. AICP is an organization that focuses on regaining moral and ethic values by forming a generation of leaders whom can bring a transformation to society.
Ivan has also promoted various projects that serve the community, such as the New Arising Community Centre and the New Arising Academy; which were created with the objective of raising leaders that have a governing mindset.
Furthermore, Ivan has an extensive experience as a public speaker and has traveled to many countries in South America, giving conferences about tools that enable inner healing and family restoration. As a result of Ivan’s arduous and great work in impacting the community, he was awarded with the Order of York Centre Award in 2015; this award recognizes the individual’s commitment and contribution to improving the lives of others in their community.
Today, Ivan lives in Toronto with his family and continues to invest his life in serving his community.
FACULTY
Giovanny Donoso
Faculty Member
Giovanni is passionate for the development of people and ideas, together with his background in the architectural business and training from the John Maxwell teach as coach and speaker, Giovanni aspires to empower this generation to take charge of who they are and develop a life style that will take them to fulfill their dreams.
Ana Tavera
Faculty Member
Ana is passionate about adding value to others helping them realize how unique and full of potential they are. She works with people on a personal and corporate level using leadership and personal growth principles. Ana has experience in both the education and coaching industry. As a certified coach with the John Maxwell Organization with a bachelors degree in Psychology; she believes each person has the qualities that help them be a catalyst for change.
Jenny Carreno
Faculty Member
Jenny Carreno is a certified coach from The John Maxwell Team who is passionate about bringing transformation to society by working with individuals in their self-discovery and personal growth journey. Jenny believes that a life with purpose is one that adds value to others, and she does so by guiding people into their personal development, as they become aware of their identity, purpose and leadership potential.