Meet the MNP Future Leaders aWard WiNNers

MNP Future Leaders Mentorship Program Helps Young Entrepreneurs

above (L-R) Shauna-Kay Jones, Motify, Diana Kraskouskaya, Dalriada Therapeutics Inc., James Yurichuk, Wully Outerwear

advertorial advertorial

by Laurie Wallace-Lynch photography by Valeria Mitsubata, supplied by MNP

This year’s winners include James Yurichuk, CEO of Wully Outerwear, Shauna-Kay Jones,

founder of Motify, and Dr. Diana Kraskouskaya, CEO and co-founder of Dalriada Therapeutics Inc.

Partnering with key local stakeholders, MNP recently created the MNP Future Leaders mentorship program to inspire and guide the next generation of business leaders in our community.

Program partners include Ryerson University, Sheridan College, University of Toronto

Mississauga, City of Brampton, City of Mississauga, Brampton Board of Trade, Mississauga Board of Trade, Oakville Chamber of Commerce and Metroland Media.

Candidates were invited to apply to the program with three winners chosen—one from each partnering post-secondary institution. The winners will each receive professional mentoring, guidance and advice from an MNP partner for a year, a full local board of trade or chamber of commerce membership, and recognition as an MNP Future Leader.

James Yurichuk CEO of Wully Outerwear

James Yurichuk’s love of wildlife and the great outdoors motivated the creation of Wully Outerwear, an ethical company which produces premium Canadian-made vegan jackets.

“The inspiration came from my years of playing professional football,” says James, the company’s CEO. “When I moved back to Ontario after being traded from the BC Lions to the Toronto Argonauts, I was looking for a warm winter

What do the founder of a vegan outerwear company, the creator of an app to aid individuals on the autism spectrum, and the CEO of a drug discovery and development company have in common? They are the winners of the 2018 MNP Future Leaders mentorship program.

jacket that was produced without fur or feathers. I couldn’t find it, so we started Wully Outerwear. I grew up loving animals, and the conservation and respect of animals are always at the forefront of our mission. It was a tough decision to leave football, but this is something I am passionate about.”

James founded Wully Outerwear in 2012 with his best friend of 25 years from Brampton, Anthony DeBartolo. The outerwear combines Premaloft and high-tech fabrics to create fashionable jackets that can keep you warm in frigid temperatures up to -30C. The goods are sold online and available at select retailers. Wanting to grow the company and currently studying at Ryerson University, James jumped at the chance to apply to the MNP Future Leaders mentorship program.

“Having already met our mentor Yohaan Thommy (MNP Partner), I am looking forward to tapping into his knowledge,” states James. “MNP is like a flashlight leading the way through the darkness for our small company, and propelling us forward. Starting a business, you are bound to make a few mistakes and mistakes often cost money. With the guidance of MNP, we hope to avoid making those costly mistakes.”

One of the challenges facing the young entrepreneur is finding ways to finance the company’s growth. “We are independently owned so we need to establish relationships and build trust with the right people to help us, and who believe in what we are doing,” says James. “Our plan for 2018 is to tour North America and Europe to promote our brand. We have a unique business model that takes fashion direct to the consumer and need to

expand our distribution channels. This is where MNP can help show us the way forward.”

For more information visit www.wullyouterwear.ca

shauna-Kay JonesFounder of Motify

Watching her brother Christopher struggle with choosing a college to suit his needs as an individual on the autism spectrum was all the motivation Shauna-Kay Jones needed to develop an app which acts as a virtual assistant for people with neurodevelopmental disorders including autism, ADHD and anxiety disorders.

“Growing up in Brampton, there were plenty of resources and tools available for children and young people with autism, but when these individuals graduate from high school, they are often left without support,” states Shauna-Kay. “As a graduate of the Software Development and Network Engineering Program at Sheridan College I felt a calling to create something to help my brother and others live a more independent life. My brother is my favourite tester—there’s no holding back!”

Using machine learning and artificial intelligence, Motify provides clients with the tools they need for school, home or work, right on their phone, tablet or wearable device. Heading a team of five, Shauna-Kay was looking for ways to move the business forward when she heard about the MNP Future Leaders mentorship program and applied.

“I am already working with my mentor Matt MacDonald (MNP Partner) to ensure I am making the right connections at post-secondary institutions and

organizations in the business community to build partnerships,” states Shauna-Kay. “MNP is providing us with the mentorship we need to further develop our business plan and helping us put all the pieces of the puzzle together. I am really looking forward to the next year to learn how to build on something that I am so passionate about as a way to help others.”

One of the biggest challenges is to produce the minimum viable product (MVP) and get it into the hands of end users for September 2018. “This mentorship program couldn’t have come at a better time!” exclaims Shauna-Kay. “By next year we have plans to include a fully responsive and interactive suggestion module which uses facial and tone analysis, allowing users to practice their social skills. This can help create a community by connecting users beyond the classroom.”

For more information visit www.motify.ca

dr. diana KraskouskayaCEO and co-founder of Dalriada Therapeutics Inc.

As CEO and co-founder of Dalriada Therapeutics Inc., Dr. Diana Kraskouskaya is making her mark as head of this Ontario-based drug discovery and development company, specializing in the development of small molecule therapies for rare and aggressive cancers.

The company has a broad vision to contribute toward the expansion of the drug discovery industry in Ontario, more specifically, in Peel Region. Capitalizing on the in-house expertise in drug development, Dalriada

Therapeutics co-founders Dr. Kraskouskaya and Dr. Patrick Gunning work on the development of the drugs owned by Dalriada and provide fully integrated drug discovery support on a fee-for-service basis to external clients.

“Passionate about science, I graduated from University of

Toronto Mississauga with a BSc in molecular biology and further completed my PhD degree in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery,” says Dr. Kraskouskaya. “Half way through my studies, I realized there were limited career opportunities in drug discovery R&D in Canada and saw a need. Our business was founded in 2016 and has a good jump start, providing employment and internships to over 20 local scientists. While we are still a small company, we are fully committed to our mission to drive innovation and create R&D jobs in Ontario. To make a real difference, we need to scale the business which requires more support and guidance, and which is

why we applied to the MNP Future Leaders mentorship program.”

The three to five year business plan includes working to raise capital to grow Dalraida’s drug-discovery R&D operations in Mississauga to 200 to 300 scientists. Dr. Kraskouskaya adds: “This is why I am excited to work with my mentor Sean Crewe (MNP Partner) and MNP, a leading organization with the track record and expertise to help our business scale and grow in a sustainable way. To scale to this level we must also consider the need to invest in infrastructure to retrofit an existing building or build new, and are looking for advice on this as well.”

Dr. Kraskouskaya admits there are challenges to face, both professionally and on a personal level. “From a business perspective, one of the challenges comes from operating in a very expensive industry which requires multi-million dollar investments,” she states. “A personal challenge is ensuring I have a balance between my home and work life as I make the decision every day whether to spend some time with my young family or attend that meeting with a potential investor or client.”

A strong advocate of helping others succeed, Dr. Kraskouskaya is spreading the news of the benefits of the MNP Future Leaders mentorship program. “I already had one PhD student approach me asking about the program and I encouraged him to apply. It’s like a ripple effect as we help others who are trying to make a difference.”

For more information visit www.dalriadatx.com.

For more information about the annual MNP Future Leaders mentorship program, contact Jim Molyneux, Regional Managing Partner, Peel Region at 416.626.6000 or jim.molyneux@mnp.ca or visit www.MNP.ca/futureleaders.

above James Yurichuk, CEO of Wully Outerwear, receives award from Jim Molyneux, Regional Managing Partner, MNP

above Shauna-Kay Jones, founder of Motify, receives award from Jim Molyneux, Regional Managing Partner, MNP

above Dr. Diana Kraskouskaya, CEO and co-founder of Dalriada Therapeutics Inc., receives award from Jim Molyneux, Regional Managing Partner, MNP

Meet the MNP Future Leaders aWard WiNNers

MNP Future Leaders Mentorship Program Helps Young Entrepreneurs

above (L-R) Shauna-Kay Jones, Motify, Diana Kraskouskaya, Dalriada Therapeutics Inc., James Yurichuk, Wully Outerwear

advertorial advertorial

by Laurie Wallace-Lynch photography by Valeria Mitsubata, supplied by MNP

This year’s winners include James Yurichuk, CEO of Wully Outerwear, Shauna-Kay Jones,

founder of Motify, and Dr. Diana Kraskouskaya, CEO and co-founder of Dalriada Therapeutics Inc.

Partnering with key local stakeholders, MNP recently created the MNP Future Leaders mentorship program to inspire and guide the next generation of business leaders in our community.

Program partners include Ryerson University, Sheridan College, University of Toronto

Mississauga, City of Brampton, City of Mississauga, Brampton Board of Trade, Mississauga Board of Trade, Oakville Chamber of Commerce and Metroland Media.

Candidates were invited to apply to the program with three winners chosen—one from each partnering post-secondary institution. The winners will each receive professional mentoring, guidance and advice from an MNP partner for a year, a full local board of trade or chamber of commerce membership, and recognition as an MNP Future Leader.

James Yurichuk CEO of Wully Outerwear

James Yurichuk’s love of wildlife and the great outdoors motivated the creation of Wully Outerwear, an ethical company which produces premium Canadian-made vegan jackets.

“The inspiration came from my years of playing professional football,” says James, the company’s CEO. “When I moved back to Ontario after being traded from the BC Lions to the Toronto Argonauts, I was looking for a warm winter

What do the founder of a vegan outerwear company, the creator of an app to aid individuals on the autism spectrum, and the CEO of a drug discovery and development company have in common? They are the winners of the 2018 MNP Future Leaders mentorship program.

jacket that was produced without fur or feathers. I couldn’t find it, so we started Wully Outerwear. I grew up loving animals, and the conservation and respect of animals are always at the forefront of our mission. It was a tough decision to leave football, but this is something I am passionate about.”

James founded Wully Outerwear in 2012 with his best friend of 25 years from Brampton, Anthony DeBartolo. The outerwear combines Premaloft and high-tech fabrics to create fashionable jackets that can keep you warm in frigid temperatures up to -30C. The goods are sold online and available at select retailers. Wanting to grow the company and currently studying at Ryerson University, James jumped at the chance to apply to the MNP Future Leaders mentorship program.

“Having already met our mentor Yohaan Thommy (MNP Partner), I am looking forward to tapping into his knowledge,” states James. “MNP is like a flashlight leading the way through the darkness for our small company, and propelling us forward. Starting a business, you are bound to make a few mistakes and mistakes often cost money. With the guidance of MNP, we hope to avoid making those costly mistakes.”

One of the challenges facing the young entrepreneur is finding ways to finance the company’s growth. “We are independently owned so we need to establish relationships and build trust with the right people to help us, and who believe in what we are doing,” says James. “Our plan for 2018 is to tour North America and Europe to promote our brand. We have a unique business model that takes fashion direct to the consumer and need to

expand our distribution channels. This is where MNP can help show us the way forward.”

For more information visit www.wullyouterwear.ca

shauna-Kay JonesFounder of Motify

Watching her brother Christopher struggle with choosing a college to suit his needs as an individual on the autism spectrum was all the motivation Shauna-Kay Jones needed to develop an app which acts as a virtual assistant for people with neurodevelopmental disorders including autism, ADHD and anxiety disorders.

“Growing up in Brampton, there were plenty of resources and tools available for children and young people with autism, but when these individuals graduate from high school, they are often left without support,” states Shauna-Kay. “As a graduate of the Software Development and Network Engineering Program at Sheridan College I felt a calling to create something to help my brother and others live a more independent life. My brother is my favourite tester—there’s no holding back!”

Using machine learning and artificial intelligence, Motify provides clients with the tools they need for school, home or work, right on their phone, tablet or wearable device. Heading a team of five, Shauna-Kay was looking for ways to move the business forward when she heard about the MNP Future Leaders mentorship program and applied.

“I am already working with my mentor Matt MacDonald (MNP Partner) to ensure I am making the right connections at post-secondary institutions and

organizations in the business community to build partnerships,” states Shauna-Kay. “MNP is providing us with the mentorship we need to further develop our business plan and helping us put all the pieces of the puzzle together. I am really looking forward to the next year to learn how to build on something that I am so passionate about as a way to help others.”

One of the biggest challenges is to produce the minimum viable product (MVP) and get it into the hands of end users for September 2018. “This mentorship program couldn’t have come at a better time!” exclaims Shauna-Kay. “By next year we have plans to include a fully responsive and interactive suggestion module which uses facial and tone analysis, allowing users to practice their social skills. This can help create a community by connecting users beyond the classroom.”

For more information visit www.motify.ca

dr. diana KraskouskayaCEO and co-founder of Dalriada Therapeutics Inc.

As CEO and co-founder of Dalriada Therapeutics Inc., Dr. Diana Kraskouskaya is making her mark as head of this Ontario-based drug discovery and development company, specializing in the development of small molecule therapies for rare and aggressive cancers.

The company has a broad vision to contribute toward the expansion of the drug discovery industry in Ontario, more specifically, in Peel Region. Capitalizing on the in-house expertise in drug development, Dalriada

Therapeutics co-founders Dr. Kraskouskaya and Dr. Patrick Gunning work on the development of the drugs owned by Dalriada and provide fully integrated drug discovery support on a fee-for-service basis to external clients.

“Passionate about science, I graduated from University of

Toronto Mississauga with a BSc in molecular biology and further completed my PhD degree in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery,” says Dr. Kraskouskaya. “Half way through my studies, I realized there were limited career opportunities in drug discovery R&D in Canada and saw a need. Our business was founded in 2016 and has a good jump start, providing employment and internships to over 20 local scientists. While we are still a small company, we are fully committed to our mission to drive innovation and create R&D jobs in Ontario. To make a real difference, we need to scale the business which requires more support and guidance, and which is

why we applied to the MNP Future Leaders mentorship program.”

The three to five year business plan includes working to raise capital to grow Dalraida’s drug-discovery R&D operations in Mississauga to 200 to 300 scientists. Dr. Kraskouskaya adds: “This is why I am excited to work with my mentor Sean Crewe (MNP Partner) and MNP, a leading organization with the track record and expertise to help our business scale and grow in a sustainable way. To scale to this level we must also consider the need to invest in infrastructure to retrofit an existing building or build new, and are looking for advice on this as well.”

Dr. Kraskouskaya admits there are challenges to face, both professionally and on a personal level. “From a business perspective, one of the challenges comes from operating in a very expensive industry which requires multi-million dollar investments,” she states. “A personal challenge is ensuring I have a balance between my home and work life as I make the decision every day whether to spend some time with my young family or attend that meeting with a potential investor or client.”

A strong advocate of helping others succeed, Dr. Kraskouskaya is spreading the news of the benefits of the MNP Future Leaders mentorship program. “I already had one PhD student approach me asking about the program and I encouraged him to apply. It’s like a ripple effect as we help others who are trying to make a difference.”

For more information visit www.dalriadatx.com.

For more information about the annual MNP Future Leaders mentorship program, contact Jim Molyneux, Regional Managing Partner, Peel Region at 416.626.6000 or jim.molyneux@mnp.ca or visit www.MNP.ca/futureleaders.

above James Yurichuk, CEO of Wully Outerwear, receives award from Jim Molyneux, Regional Managing Partner, MNP

above Shauna-Kay Jones, founder of Motify, receives award from Jim Molyneux, Regional Managing Partner, MNP

above Dr. Diana Kraskouskaya, CEO and co-founder of Dalriada Therapeutics Inc., receives award from Jim Molyneux, Regional Managing Partner, MNP