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Share Your Spark
A speaker series to ignite your entrepreneurial spirit.
Join the Centre for Entrepreneurship (CfE) for the "Share Your Spark" speaker series and discover how successful entrepreneurs ignited their passions! This inspiring journey into their minds will help you unlock your own potential, explore new ideas, and build the skills you need to succeed.
Asha Daniere in conversation with Linda Schuyler
Join us for the second event in our "Share Your Spark" speaker series, co-hosted with Innis College, home of U of T's Cinema Studies Institute, which is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. This session is a deep dive into the film industry, exploring the entrepreneurial journeys of those who bring stories to life.
We are thrilled to welcome two celebrated U of T alumnae: Linda Schuyler (BA 1974 Innis), the co-creator and executive producer of the iconic "Degrassi" franchise, and Asha Daniere (BA 1990 Innis), a lawyer, seasoned media executive, and co-founder of Serial Maven Studios.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn from industry experts. Join the conversation, get inspired, and learn how to make your own ideas a reality!
Thursday, November 6, 2025
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REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED - EVENT AT CAPACITY
This event is open to all members of the U of T Arts & Science community (students, staff, faculty, and alumni) and the broader U of T entrepreneurship community.
Linda Schuyler (BA'74), Executive Producer and Co-Creator of the Degrassi television franchise
Dedicated to the art of storytelling, Linda is best known for work that explores the human experience, breaks stereotypes, and encourages communications. Linda is the executive producer and co-creator of over 500 episodes of the internationally recognized, multi-award winning Degrassi television franchise. As a long-time educator, storyteller, and entrepreneur, she is a mentor and guest lecturer at various universities, and maintains an active involvement in a range of community and professional organizations. Linda is a Member of both the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario. Her memoir, The Mother of all Degrassi, published Nov. 2022, won an Axion Silver Medal (‘23). In Dec., 2023, Degrassi was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Asha Daniere (BA'90), Strategic and Legal Advisor, independent board member, and co-founder of Serial Maven Studios
Asha co-founded Serial Maven Studios in 2023 and together with her business partner built the foundation for a successful production and distribution business; she became a passive investor in 2025 when Serial Maven merged with another company. Daniere is a lawyer and an experienced senior executive, serving as general counsel to global media companies for 25 years. Currently, she is the principal of her strategic advisory practice and serves on the board of directors for public companies in multiple sectors.
Som Seif and Stephen Smith kick off our exciting new series on March 3rd - join the conversation!
Our inaugural March 3rd event is being presented as part of the University of Toronto Entrepreneurship Week offerings and is open to the U of T Arts & Science community (students, staff, faculty and alumni) and the U of T entrepreneurship community.
Monday, March 3, 2025
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SOLD OUT!
Som Seif (BASc’99), Founder & CEO of Purpose Unlimited
Som Seif is a Canadian entrepreneur and financial services leader. He is the founder and CEO of Purpose Unlimited, a firm he established after selling his previous company, Claymore Investments, to BlackRock Inc. in 2012. He was also a co-founder of Wealthsimple Technologies Inc., a leading financial platform for Canadians. Before his entrepreneurial ventures, Seif worked as an investment banker with RBC Capital Markets.
Seif has dedicated his time and talents to both the University of Toronto and the broader community. He was a Varsity Blues water polo player and later coached the team to four straight OUAA championships. His commitment to U of T continues today through his volunteer work advising the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. His passion for community engagement extends beyond U of T with his service on the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation Board, a member of the Art Gallery of Toronto Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Advisory Board, and a member of The Next 36. Seif was also honored with the Top 40 Under 40 award by Caldwell Partners International in 2011 for his exceptional vision and leadership.
He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Toronto and is a CFA charterholder.
Stephen Smith, Chairman & CEO at Smith Financial Corporation
Stephen J.R. Smith is a prominent Canadian financial services entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the Co-founder and Executive Chairman of First National Financial Corporation, Canada's largest non-bank mortgage lender, and co-owner of Canada Guaranty Mortgage Insurance. Known for his innovative approach to financial structuring and information technology within the Canadian mortgage industry, he has been a driving force in modernizing mortgage finance in Canada.
A dedicated philanthropist with a deep commitment to advancing education, he made a then historic $50-million donation to Queen's University in 2015, leading to the naming of The Stephen J.R. Smith School of Business. Continuing his extraordinary support, he made a historic $100-million pledge to Queen's Faculty of Engineering in 2023, the largest ever to a Canadian engineering school, leading to its renaming as Smith Engineering. He is also Chair of Historica Canada, the creator of the Heritage Minutes and publisher of The Canadian Encyclopedia.
He contributes his time and expertise to several important organizations. He is a member of the Boards of the Rideau Hall Foundation and the C.D. Howe Institute and is a Honourary Governor of the Royal Ontario Museum. His contributions to Canadian business and society have been widely recognized. He was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame in 2019 and was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
He holds a B.Sc (Hons.) in Electrical Engineering from Queen's University, a M.Sc. in Economics from the London School of Economics, and an honorary LL.D. from Queen's University.
Revisit past Share Your Spark sessions and ignite your entrepreneurial journey at your own pace.
Som Seif and Stephen Smith (March 3, 2025)
PLEASE NOTE:
Photography, audio and video recording may occur throughout this event. Therefore, by attending the Share Your Spark, you hereby authorize the University of Toronto to take your photograph, video and/or record your voice and grant the university all rights to these sounds, still or moving images in any medium for educational, promotional, marketing, advertising or other such purposes that support the mission of the university. If you do not consent to this, please speak with a university representative upon your arrival.