Appointee Biographies

WILLIAM LAIDLAW

Bill graduated from the University of Guelph obtaining an Honours BA in History. He went on to study at Queen's for an MA in History and a BEd in education. He then became a teacher at Ridley College obtaining an M.Ed from the University of Toronto. After teaching, Bill held senior HR positions with the Bay, Scintrex, Royal Trust, Rogers, Paul Revere Life Insurance, and Glaxo Canada before becoming Director of Government Relations at Glaxo. During his 11 years there, he was instrumental in the changes made to Canada's intellectual property protection. He was also President of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Toronto Lung Association in this period. In 2002, he became Chief Executive Officer of St. John Ambulance and President of the Empire Club of Canada. He then assumed Executive Director roles at Ontario Community Newspapers, Life Sciences Ontario, the Chicken Farmers of Ontario, Feed Ontario, and the Canadian Assistive Devices Association. He volunteers with Hamilton Health Sciences and the University of Guelph.

MARIANO GUIRGUIS

started professional career in 1997 as a pharmacist. Mariano had a very successful career in the pharmaceutical industry. Mariano had a good sales, marketing, and strategic planning experience. Mariano has been a pharmacist in Ontario since 2010. Mariano enjoys volunteering in different community and charitable events. Mariano has a special interest in getting people together for a unified higher goal.

OBARO AKPOMENA

Obaro Akpomena is an entrepreneur and real estate agent for about 20 years. Studied Estate Management and lives in Oakville with his wife and 3 children. Aside family life, and his business/real estate practice, he volunteers in his local church and other local organizations in Oakville. Obaro Akpomena is currently with iPro Realty Ltd., Brokerage.

SARBJEET SAINI

Sarbjeet Saini is an Insurance Broker/Financial Adviser for Aaxel Insurance Brokers Ltd., and a former Insurance Broker/Financial Adviser for York Alliance Insurance Brokers Ltd. Sarbjeet’s community involvement includes serving as a member for Brampton Transit Advisory Committee, City of Brampton.

TARAN CHAHAL

Taran Chahal serves as a member (part-time) for the Grant Review Team, Halton-Peel, Ontario Trillium Foundation, and a Finance Manager for BMO Financial Group.

WILLIAM LAIDLAW

William Laidlaw, of Burlington, is a Principal at Parkelaw Inc. and is a former Executive Director at the Ontario Association of Food Banks. William’s community involvement includes serving as a board member at Hamilton Health Sciences.

MANAN GUPTA

Manan Gupta is the founder of Road Today Media Group proudly serving Canada’s transportation and supply chain industry through events, digital, social, and electronic media platforms since 2004. He is also a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant. Manan appears regularly as a media commentator covering issues impacting the industry and community on various mainstream and ethnic media platforms on matters related to public interest and current affairs. His efforts and contribution towards safer communities has been recognized through prestigious industry and government awards including the Ontario Ministry of Transportation Road Safety Media Excellence Award, Ontario Volunteer Service Award, Peel Police Media Excellence, Brampton Safe City Volunteer of the Year Award, CN Rail Safety Award, Brampton Citizens Award, Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award, etc.