Founder of Inspire By Example, Chris Cull's inspiring achievements in health sciences are rooted in his personal transformation from addiction to recovery and advocacy. In 2014, Chris overcame a near decade-long addiction to opioids and cycled across Canada to raise awareness for mental health, addiction, and the opioid crisis. He documented his journey and the impacts of the crisis in his first film, Inspire. 

Chris worked collaboratively with Durham College’s Social Impact Hub, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation and the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine to create his 2023-2024 docuseries, Surviving Addiction, highlighting the humanity behind addiction and how it affects individuals and those surrounding them. 

A motivational speaker, filmmaker, and policy consultant, Chris uses his experience to advocate for mental health and addictions. He has shared his expertise and advised numerous institutions, including the Ontario Health Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence, CAMH, the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, the Government of Canada, and the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs. In addition, he is a member of the World Health Organization's Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Mental Health, Neurological and Substance Use Conditions. 

Founder and President of RISE Integrated Sports + Entertainment, Shawn Small has built an agency that champions diversity, inclusion, and innovation in sports partnerships. Throughout his career, he has spearheaded major sponsorship initiatives for organizations, including Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Northern Super League, and the Canadian Elite Basketball League. An industry leader, Shawn regularly shares his insights on corporate partnerships, revenue generation, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in sports as an event speaker, panellist, and awards judge.

Beyond driving measurable success for sports organizations, Shawn is dedicated to mentorship, helping to guide the next generation of sports leaders through the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada (SMCC) Activate! Mentorship Program, the Canadian Olympic Committee Emerging Leaders Development Program, and the Black in Sport Business Mentorship Program. He has also made an impact on Durham College students, previously teaching in the very program that shaped his own professional journey and serving as a member of the Sports Administration Program Advisory Committee.

Shawn’s efforts have contributed to a more inclusive and dynamic sports industry. He volunteers on the SMCC DEI Committee and is a Co-Founder of Black Lives Rising Media, an initiative fostering opportunities, driving systemic change, and celebrating Black excellence.

At the age of 18, Paula Sojo was diagnosed with a severe case of Crohn’s disease, resulting in 17 surgeries and a permanent ostomy. Determined to help others, she teamed up with her brother to found Ostome Fashion, a thriving business that provides fashionable and empowering options to all ostomy users. With help from family, friends, and mentors, she has not only changed her life but also promoted representation and acceptance and empowered her community. 

A Durham College (DC) Video Production and Photography grad, she has applied her programs’ lessons to the promotion of her business, while utilizing her college’s entrepreneurial supports. In 2024, she won DC’s Pitch Competition hosted by FastStart. With a large online following, Paula uses her lived experience to inspire and instill confidence in others. In 2023 she participated in Toronto Fashion Week, walking the catwalk wearing Ostome Fashion designs. Her story has been shared and celebrated in a variety of notable outlets including BNN Bloomberg, Vogue, and Univision News.