James, Leanne, and Aaron Ciancone are the leaders of family-owned Pearle Hospitality, a hospitality and development company rooted in Southern Ontario and inspired by generations of entrepreneurial leadership. Building on a family legacy that dates back to 1936, the Ciancone siblings have transformed Pearle Hospitality into one of the region’s most respected hospitality and destination development companies. 

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Through thoughtful investment, restoration of historic landmarks, and innovative hospitality concepts, the Ciancone family has made a lasting contribution to the economic and cultural vitality of Burlington and the broader region.

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Pearle Hospitality operates a portfolio that includes award-winning restaurants, event venues, hotels, a farm, and golf facilities across Ontario, employing hundreds of people and supporting the regional tourism and hospitality economy. 

Keynote Speaker - Michael Lee-Chin

As founder and chairman of Portland Holdings, Michael Lee-Chin is widely regarded as a visionary entrepreneur whose philosophy of “doing well by doing good” has resulted in notable business success and inspiring philanthropic initiatives.

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Portland Holdings is a Canadian privately held investment management group which invests in public equity and private equity and has an ownership interest in a collection of businesses operating in over 20 countries. The group’s diversified portfolio spans financial services, insurance, tourism, agriculture, consumer goods and services, real estate development, targeted radionuclide therapy, and nuclear and clean energy.

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Portland is committed to building strong indigenous businesses, and equally important, supporting the social well-being of the communities in which these businesses operate.

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Michael Lee-Chin holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. In recognition of his entrepreneurial leadership, he was named the Burlington Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year in 2007. Among his many personal accomplishments, he has received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from a number of distinguished universities in Canada and Jamaica. He has been profiled in Forbes, Fortune, Canadian Business, Black Enterprise and Time magazines. From 2011 to 2016, Michael served as chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier University, and from 2016 to 2024, he chaired the Government of Jamaica’s Economic Growth Council.

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In 2008, he was awarded the Order of Jamaica, one of the nation’s highest honours, for outstanding service in business and philanthropy. In 2017, Michael was appointed to the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honour, recognizing individuals whose contributions have shaped the province, the country, and beyond.

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Emcee - Jeff Paikin

Jeff Paikin is President and Co-Founder of New Horizon Development Group (NHDG), a Burlington-based leader in building new home communities in the GTA West.

After receiving his education at Mount Allison University, Jeff returned to Hamilton to begin his career with his family’s company, Ennis Paikin Steel, where his involvement in major construction projects sparked an interest in real estate development.

Since co-founding NHDG in 1993, Jeff and his team have brought over 5,000 new homes to the GTA West.  Jeff served as President of the West End Home Builders’ Association and was a founding member of the Canadian Home Builders’ Urban Council. His industry contributions have earned several awards, including the National Roof Topper Award, President’s Award of Merit, and Paul Wright Memorial Award.

Beyond business, Paikin has been extensively involved in local community and philanthropic organizations.  In recognition of his contributions to the local business and beyond community, he was awarded the Distinguished Business Person Award by the Burlington Chamber of Commerce in 2021.

Special Announcement: Your Evening Could Take You Anywhere

We are proud to welcome Turkish Airlines as the Official Airline of the 2026 Distinguished Business Person Award presented by RBC.

Guests attending this year’s Distinguished Business Person Dinner will have the chance to win two Business Class tickets to any destination worldwide served by Turkish Airlines.* The prize draw will take place live during the evening.