SPEAKERS

KEYNOTE SPEAKER – Professor Hod Lipson

Hod Lipson, a professor of Engineering and Data Science at Columbia University in New York, and a co-author of the award-winning book “Fabricated: The New World of 3D printing” and “Driverless: Intelligent cars and the road ahead”. We are confident that our attendees will benefit from his important insights into the role of such technology in the aftermarket world.

Professor Lipson enjoys widespread media popularity and his work on self-aware and self-replicating robots challenges conventional views of robotics. He has co-authored over 300 publications that received over 38,000 citations to date, and has co-founded four companies, and is frequent keynoter both in industry and academic events. Lipson directs the Creative
Machines Lab, which pioneers new ways to make machines that create, and machines that are creative.

Steve Leal

President & CEO

Fix Network Steve Leal is the president & CEO of Fix Network, the global automotive aftermarket network with more than 2,000 points of service worldwide in more than 20 countries. He is recognized in the industry for his strategic business approach and extensive automotive experience. Steve first joined Fix Network in 2004 as a franchisee and owner of Fix Auto Cambridge (Ontario, Canada).

In 2013, he orchestrated a buyout to become the largest shareholder of Fix Auto Canada and one year later, led the effort to purchase the global rights of the Fix Auto brand. In 2015, he took majority control of both Fix Auto Canada Inc. and the global master franchisor, Mondofix Inc., bringing in the Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec (CDPQ), one of North America’s largest institutional investors, as a minority stakeholder.

Sylvain Séguin

President - Canada

Sylvain joined Fix Network Canada in 2018 as vice-president of operations. In that role, he had oversight of the operations teams for all brands in Canada which include Fix Auto, ProColor Collision, NOVUS Glass and Speedy Auto Service. In 2020, he was promoted to executive vice president before being promoted again to President of Fix Network Canada in September 2022. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Sylvain has shown strong leadership and strategic vision in his roles at Fix Network Canada. Under his guidance, the network has continued to expand and innovate, providing hassle-free vehicle care and services to customers across Canada.

Corinne Gemayel

Director of Project Management, Information Technology

Starting as a Senior Project Manager in 2020, Corinne has ascended to the role of Director of the Project Management Office at Fix Network. Equipped with a bachelor’s degree from Concordia University and a Procurement Degree from LaSalle College, alongside a PMP certification from the Project Management Institute, she demonstrates expertise in project management. Her journey encompasses active participation in IT strategic planning, where she contributes valuable insights for organizational growth. With a background in overseeing IT projects and optimizing supply chain operations, she consistently delivers excellence. Her leadership, marked by strategic foresight and meticulous planning, ensures alignment and success across diverse teams and initiatives. Corinne's objectives include ensuring projects align with corporate goals, driving the organization towards its highest potential.

Alessandro Alunni Bravi

Alessandro Alunni Bravi, the Managing Director and Team Representative of Sauber Group, boasts an impressive career in the motorsport industry, coupled with extensive legal ex-pertise. Born in Umbertide, Italy, and raised in Passignano sul Trasimeno, Alessandro's journey began with an Honors degree in Civil Law from the University of Perugia. His ca-reer trajectory saw him serve in various capacities, including Managing Director and Team Manager at Coloni Motorsport, General Manager at WRC Rally Italia Sardinia, and Team Prin-cipal at Trident Racing. Alessandro's contributions expanded further as he collaborated with renowned organizations like ART Grand Prix, Spark Racing Technology, and Birel ART. In 2017, he joined Sauber Group as a Board Member and General Counsel, eventually assuming the role of Managing Director in 2022.

Antoine Joubert

Since a very young age, Antoine Joubert has been passionate about automobile without having been naturally introduced to them. After completing his studies in Automotive Business/Marketing, and after working in different departments of car dealerships, he began working as an automotive columnist just before the 2000s. However, he became known to the general public through the show RPM which he co-hosted for eight years, before joining the The Car Guide team in 2018. He is today an automotive columnist on the morning show Salut Bonjour, host of the shows The Car Guide et Roulez au suivant, in addition to writing daily columns for the various platforms of the The Car Guide and Quebecor Media.

Jasmin Bergeron

Jasmin Bergeron, Ph.D. is a veteran of 2000 keynote presentations and workshops in 12 countries around the world! Jasmin received the “Certified Speaking Professional” designation, which is the highest international designation that can be earned in the professional speaker industry worldwide. Jasmin is also a full professor at the Business School of the University of Quebec in Montreal. He also authored or co-authored of five books, 40 scientific research papers and over 100 newspaper articles in journals such as The Wall Street Journal.

Jasmin’s main objective is to deliver practical tips and tools that can be implemented immediately. Delivering well-researched and relevant insights, Jasmin Bergeron is known for his interactive, humorous and value-oriented approach. Jasmin is a fully bilingual speaker who has a unique ability to simplify seemingly complex challenges in a way that will provide your audience with a fresh and useful perspective. You will leave Jasmin’s keynote refreshed, energized and more confident than ever that you are prepared for the road ahead.

Leanne Jefferies

Director, Strategic Accounts & Customer Support, Cerfied Repair Network (CRN North America)

Leanne Jefferies is Director, Strategic Accounts & Customer Support, where she is responsible for North American operations and the teams that manage OEM, shop, and MSO accounts for the OEC Certified Repair Network (CRN) business. OEC’s CRN provides services to OEM Certification programs for 13 OEMs in Canada, and 13 OEMs in the US, and OEC’s EV Handling Program, and is the largest OEM Certification network in North America. Over the past 28 years Leanne has worked with collision industry stakeholders to collaborate and develop solutions to elevate the industry. She introduced the Certified Collision Care program into Canada in 2016, creating the largest Certified network in Canada. She also supports various industry organizations including Skills Canada and was honored in 2014 as a Most Influential Woman in Collision Repair (MIW).

Normand Séguin

Business Success Specilaist, Canadian Operations

Normand Seguin currently holds the position of Business Success Specialist, Canadian Operations (Quebec). With decades of experience in this field, he brings extensive expertise and a sharp understanding of the automotive market, as well as repair trends in Quebec.
As a Business Success Specialist, Canadian Operations (Quebec),Normand Seguin plays a crucial role in promoting and expanding certified workshops in the region. His extensive experience enables him to grasp the specific needs of businesses operating in this sector and provide them with strategic advice to achieve manufacturer certification.

Scott Wideman

Manager, Parts Wholesale and Collision Program, Volkswagen Group Canada Inc.

Scott is the Collision Program Manager for Volkswagen Group Canada. With more than 32 years of experience in the automotive sector, Scott has spent 20 years in various dealer aftersales roles for nine different automotive brands. In his current role, Scott is responsible for the collision program development and implementation for Volkswagen and Audi and is focused on working with all stakeholders to improve the repair process with consumer safety the top priority.
A key area of focus for Scott has been the support of the collision repair sector in the creation of the Canadian Collision Repair Academy in Ontario and also in support of Skills Canada by dedicating time to educate students on body technology advancements and to attract youth to pursue a career in the collision repair trade. He is an avid English football (soccer) fan and resides in Pickering with his wife Joanna and two sons

Brian Chiu

Category Manager, Collision & Wholesale | Nissan Group of the Americas

Brian joined the OEM side of the automotive industry in 2010, with varying roles including Chief Marketing Management, field engineering, fixed operations, and warranty compliance. In 2021, he was promoted to Collision & Wholesale Category Manager at Nissan Canada. In this role, he has oversight of Nissan and Infiniti’s Certified Repair Network, wholesale parts incentive and rebate programs with both dealers and collision centre networks, as well as Nissan Canada’s EV battery recovery program.

With over 23 years working in the vehicle repair industry across multiple functions, Brian has delivered record growth at Nissan Canada through the expansion of Nissan’s Certified Repair Network, Partner incentive programs, and an aggressive stance on price-matching platforms. Under his guidance, Nissan Canada continues to deliver on the promise of safe and proper repairs, with the goal to reduce the total cost of claims without compromising on the safety of the vehicle.

Alex Tagliani

Hometown: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Height: 5'8" Wt: 165lb

Simply known as TAG, there is really nothing simple about Alex Tagliani. Fluent in French, Italian and English, the French Canadian is intensely competitive but very personable, passionate and fun. This combination makes TAG well liked by his competitors and fans alike.

Racing became his passion at the age of 10 years old, when he was introduced to go-karting on a visit to see his paternal Grandfather in Northern Italy. An enthusiastic competitor with racing in his blood, TAG will give 110% on track for is team on any given day.

Paul Huschilt

Paul Huschilt is a remarkable individual, described by many as indescribable and possessing one of the most unique voices in the speaking industry. With over two decades of professional speaking under his belt and a passion for helping people maintain mental health during stressful times, Paul has garnered recognition as an award-winning speaker and storyteller. As an inductee into the Canadian Speaking Hall of Fame, Paul's reputation precedes him.

Paul's educational background is as diverse as his talents. Holding degrees in Management and Acting, along with a diploma in Career Counselling and training in Adult Education, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his presentations. Notably, Paul has even graced the stage with the Canadian Opera Company, showcasing his versatility and artistic flair.

We are thrilled to have the opportunity to experience the humor, insight, and inspiration that Paul will be bringing to the stage!