The Toronto Region Board of Trade’s Annual Dinner is back for its 135th year. The evening promises to be an inspiring celebration of daring leadership as the Board brings back our Toronto Talks speaker series. Throughout the evening we’ll shine a spotlight on trailblazers, innovators and inspirational leaders who are reshaping industries, challenging conventions, and building up our region.
During the evening, presented for 21 years by Odgers Berndtson, our 1000+ business, political and community leader guests will hear from:
Greta Cutulenco: A Trailblazer in Precision Manufacturing
Acerta Analytics’ CEO and co-founder, Greta Cutulenco is an extraordinary example of leadership, innovation and resilience in the manufacturing sector. Her vision? To connect manufacturing data across the production lifecycle—from shop floor to the field—empowering manufacturers with robust, data-driven insights that elevate product quality and improve customer satisfaction.
Greta got started in manufacturing through the engineering labs of the University of Waterloo, where she and her co-founders developed Acerta LinePulse, a transformative software solution for precision manufacturing. Since its inception in 2017, Acerta has partnered with major automotive OEMs and Tier-1 manufacturers, leveraging advanced analytics to streamline operations, accelerate root cause analysis, and improve first-time-through yields.
Her accomplishments have earned her several accolades including Forbes 30-Under-30, an Industry All-Star, and a Canadian to Watch by Automotive News Canada. Beyond the awards, Greta is a board member of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association (since 2020), driving industry-wide innovation and collaboration.
Greta exemplifies the courage to embrace change and push boundaries in a highly competitive landscape. Her story is a testament to what’s possible when leaders dare to innovate with purpose and vision.
Teresa Resch: Building a Legacy in Sports and Culture
Professional basketball in Canada is about to change forever and Teresa Resch, President of the WNBA Toronto franchise is leading the charge. At the helm of Canada’s first women’s professional basketball team—and the WNBA’s inaugural international franchise—Teresa embodies inclusive leadership as she transforms the Toronto region’s sporting landscape.
During her decade+ with the Toronto Raptors, she was instrumental to the success of key sporting expansion projects like designing the Raptors’ OVO Athletic Centre, launching the Raptors 905 (the NBA G-League affiliate), and successfully relocating the Raptors to Tampa during the COVID affected 2020-21 season. Her efforts helped elevate basketball in Canadian sports culture and expand Toronto’s influence on the sport across North America.
She also broke barriers in the NBA League Office, by organizing the Basketball Without Borders camp on four different continents and opening the door for women participants.
Now, as she builds the WNBA Toronto franchise ahead of its 2026 debut, Teresa is crafting not just a team but a legacy— a bold statement about the power of sport to inspire change and foster community.
Blake Hutcheson: Driving Vision in Global Investments
As the President and CEO of OMERS, Blake Hutcheson is redefining what it means to lead with vision. At the helm of one of Canada’s largest pension funds, Blake oversees strategy, technology, and pension operations with an eye toward innovation and impact.
Since joining OMERS in 2018, Blake has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives like OMERS Platform Investments, positioning the organization as a global leader in pension management. His leadership builds on a distinguished career that includes roles as CEO of CBRE Canada and Latin America, CEO of Oxford Properties Group, and Chair of both the Canada Real Estate Forum and Build Toronto.
Blake’s dedication to excellence is reflected in his numerous accolades, from being named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 to receiving the prestigious Order of Ontario.
With the goal of ensuring the Toronto region remains a thriving and competitive place to do business for decades to come, Blake is a Founding Member of the Toronto Region Board of Trade’s productivity-focused Business Council of Toronto.
With his focus on authenticity and long-term impact, Blake inspires a culture of leadership that dares to reimagine what’s possible in the ever-evolving world of global investments.
Dare to Lead: A Night of Visionary Leadership and Bold Actions
The Board's 2024 Annual Dinner was an event for the ages, featuring influencers, innovators and leaders celebrating the region's impact.
The Annual Dinner isn’t just the business networking event of the year, it’s a tribute to the leaders who dare to innovate, inspire, and shape the future. This year, in keeping with our theme, our speakers will remind us that leadership is not about maintaining the status quo—it’s about forging new paths, embracing challenges, and leaving a legacy of change.
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we celebrate these exceptional leaders and explore what it means to dare to lead in innovation, culture, and vision.
Annual Dinner 2025
5 – 10 PM