TORONTO — More than 200 young professionals recently networked and socialized with industry leaders at ICRF Next Generation’s Revolving Tables.
Elyte Barzilay, left, and Elyssa Greenbaum [Stephanie Paisley photos]
The April 7 event, held at the Toronto Board of Trade, raised $37,000 for the Israeli Cancer Research Fund (ICRF).
The evening was structured around a three-course meal, at which each participant was assigned to a table hosted by a top Toronto executive. As moderators and mentors, the executives answered questions and told inspiring stories. After each course, guests switched tables for a new networking opportunity.
David Broudie, Allie Mamann and Mike Sellouk.
Participants were asked to prioritize their areas of interest so they could be placed at tables with the appropriate mentors. The categories included law, entertainment, consulting, real estate, sports, media and authors.
Some of the executives involved in the event were Warren Kimel, general manager and vice-president of Fabricland; Cherry Tabb, CEO and co-founder of Herzig Eye Institute; Ken Aber, co-founder and owner of Blueprint Business Architecture; Ellen Schwartz, founder of Project Give Back and Jacob’s Ladder; Warren Bongard, vice-president and co-founder of ZSA Legal Recruitment.
“The executives were chosen because their personal and professional experience is such that the attendees could learn from their successes and be inspired by their journey,” said Joy Wagner, ICRF executive director.
“Their combined experience and prominence in their industry is admirable, and the opportunity for guests to hear their stories and learn from their expertise was a selling feature of the event.”
Kyle Lichtman, event co-chair along with Lianne Vineberg, said the event was “an overwhelming success.” The mentors enjoyed communicating with the young professionals, and the participants appreciated the opportunity to get up close and personal with the business leaders.
Elyte Barzilay, an MBA candidate at the University of Toronto, said she decided to take part in Revolving Tables “not only because it was in support of a great cause but because it presented the opportunity to network with other young professionals in a sophisticated setting.”
Barzilay said the event allowed her to converse with interesting people of diverse backgrounds. “I most enjoyed the time I spent speaking with the CEOs. It is rare to be granted access to such accomplished individuals who want to share their knowledge and successes with you.”
The executives are not only leaders in the business world but also in the Jewish community, said Lichtman. “It is inspirational for the next generation to see how important it is to give back and to be involved.”
Many of the executives are supporters of ICRF, said Wagner. “To be able to utilize their passion for philanthropy… correlates very much to ICRF’s modus operandi of recognizing potential and fostering it in leaders.”
Philanthropy is fundamental to the Jewish community, Wagner said. “This event not only raises money for charity, but is a real-life manifestation of our shared values. Each executive is not only a professional mentor or adviser but rather, they physically prove that involvement in community and ongoing investment in the next generation is just good practice.”
