The Empire Club of Canada
Hybrid
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
This is a defining moment in Toronto’s history. As Canada undergoes unprecedented change and challenges, Toronto is feeling the pressure— but also must see the possibilities. From the lasting impact of the pandemic on how we live, work, and move through the city, to shifting global dynamics, such as the U.S. trade war that is sparking major domestic investment.
Toronto is having to navigate all these issues and more while keeping the following question and priority in focus:
How do we grow a stronger, more inclusive city while protecting the quality of life for over 3 million Torontonians—and more than 7 million across the GTHA?
On Tuesday, September 16th, join The Empire Club of Canada for a must-attend keynote with Jordan Bitove, Publisher of the Toronto Star, as he presents Toronto’s 2025 City Report Card. The remarks will be followed by a panel moderated by Giles Gherson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Region Board of Trade, featuring Heather McDonald, President & CEO of United Way Greater Toronto.
Get a first look at the Star’s new report—packed with data, insights, and real voices from across the city. From housing, transit, and public safety to sustainability, inequality, and civic engagement, this is a deep dive into what’s working, what’s broken, and how we fix it.
With a municipal election on the horizon, now is the time for all Torontonians to reflect, debate, and act. Ticket sales will be available soon!
Jordan’s distinguished career at the forefront of Canadian business includes ownership of Canada’s leading media brands, and significant investment in businesses related to technology, online gaming, real estate, hospitality, natural resources, and distribution.
As a leader in Canada’s sports industry, Jordan helped launch the Toronto Raptors basketball team, the first NBA franchise awarded outside the United States, and he was part of the ownership consortium that built the SkyDome (now Rogers Centre).
Since 2012, Jordan has been a member of the Board of Trustees for SickKids Foundation. He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Toronto International Film Festival, the Board of Governors of Western University, and the Canadian Advisory Board for Right to Play. In 2012, he was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for his philanthropic work. In November 2023, Jordan was awarded the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest civilian honour for extraordinary contributions.
Jordan is a graduate of Western University and holds the position of Honorary Consul to the Republic of North Macedonia
Giles Gherson serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Region Board of Trade, among North America’s largest and most influential business organizations. In this role, Giles leads the Board’s initiatives to strengthen and sustain business growth and competitiveness across the Toronto region, one of the fastest-growing metropolitan centres in North America.
Giles is dedicated to addressing the region’s most pressing challenges, including the widening productivity gap, the ongoing congestion crisis, and barriers to greater regional investment. At the same time, he champions Toronto’s vibrant growth and its role as a global leader in AI, data hubs and the diversity of its business sector. Under his leadership, the Board established the CEO-led Business Council of Toronto to tackle critical issues, with a strategic focus on Advanced Manufacturing, Climate and Energy Transition, the GTA West Economic Gateway, and the Financial Services sector.
Prior to joining the Board in 2022, Giles spent over 25 years in the private and public sector in progressively senior roles. He spent 15 years with the Province of Ontario, where he held multiple influential Deputy Minister roles – most extensively and recently as Deputy Minister, Economic Development. Previously, Giles has led the government’s economic growth and competitiveness policy, overseen the recent creation of two new agencies, Invest Ontario and IP Ontario, and worked to attract a wave of technology and manufacturing investments, including the retooling of the province’s auto sector for next generation battery electric vehicles. He previously sat on Ontario’s Advanced Manufacturing Council, working to boost the long-term competitiveness and resilience of this sector by attracting key investments and creating opportunities for businesses across the province.
Prior to his role in government, Giles worked as editor-in-chief of the Toronto Star, political editor of the National Post and editor of the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business. Giles is the immediate past President of the Board of Directors at the Institute of Public Administration of Canada, the country’s leading professional organization supporting excellence in the public sector.
Heather McDonald became President and CEO of United Way Greater Toronto in spring 2025, stepping into the role to lead the organization’s 10-year strategy focused on impact, growth, and operational transformation. A respected leader in the social and human services sector for more than 25 years, Heather brings extensive experience in change management, revenue diversification, and forging strategic partnerships that strengthen communities.
Prior to joining United Way Greater Toronto, Heather spent 19 years at LOFT Community Services, serving as CEO from 2017. Under her leadership, LOFT’s operating budget grew from $32 million to over $100 million, and their housing portfolio reached $130 million through strategic real estate acquisitions. She also led the organization through three acquisitions, a major amalgamation and the construction of a large, deeply affordable housing project, while building strong relationships with donors, governments, and community partners to diversify funding.
Heather began her career in frontline service, with roles at the Family Law Centre, AIDS Committee of London, and Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre, followed by program leadership at Breakaway Addiction Services. She holds a Master of Social Work (Wilfrid Laurier University, 1998) and earned ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.
Heather has been recognized with several awards, including Wilfrid Laurier University’s Award for Community Impact (2023), the Globe and Mail’s National Changemakers Award (2022), the North American Heart of Social Work Award (2016), and the National Terry Fox Humanitarian Award (1992).
Grounded in values and driven by impact, she is deeply committed to building a more equitable, inclusive, and connected GTA where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
