Aurora Economic Development Corporation Board

Now in his second term, Mayor Tom Mrakas continues to lead Aurora with energy and vision. First elected as Councilor in 2014 and Mayor in 2018, he proudly represents the town at York Regional Council, championing community-driven progress every step of the way.

Harold is a 25-year veteran in financial services at the large banks and investment firms, serving in various capacities from product development/ management, investment fund research/due diligence, business development/relationship management and operations.

Nima Khadem Mohtaram is an entrepreneur, current Chair of the  AEDC board, and a member of the Philanthropy Cabinet at the Southlake Health Foundation. He previously served as a board member at the Aurora Chamber of Commerce and as a faculty member at the University of Waterloo. Nima leads MedTech initiatives at ventureLAB, driving innovation and economic growth in Canada’s healthcare sector. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering by training.

Sep Assadian is an entrepreneur, investor, and community builder with over 15 years of experience in global innovation ecosystems across the Middle East, South Asia, and North America. He is the Vice President of Founder Success at ventureLAB, a leading globally recognized accelerator focused on hardtech innovation. Sep has pioneered entrepreneurship initiatives, co-founded investment networks, and mentored founders in commercialization, investment, and scaling deep-tech ventures across Canada and beyond.

Tracy Smith is the owner of Kitchen Table CEOs, a boutique marketing agency that helps women entrepreneurs show up and stand out online and in-person so that they can grow amazing businesses. She is the founder of the ‘Oh Yes We Can!’ event series, an offering of high-energy, impactful events that engage & equip female business owners to grow, learn & connect in and out of the office.

With over 25 years of business experience, Owen has held leadership roles across automotive, material handling, and construction industries. As current President of Ramudden Services Canada, he leads national operations and growth. He previously served as President of The Powell Services Group and held executive roles at Powell Contracting. He also contributes to several industry and community boards.

With nearly 30 years in financial services, Anita brings a diverse perspective with expertise in consulting, strategy, and governance. She is a strong advocate for collaboration and is dedicated to positively impacting the community. Anita is also an avid cyclist and combines her passion for the sport with a commitment to supporting charitable causes.

Matthew Johnson is an accomplished strategy and business development executive with over 20 years of experience driving innovation and growth for mission-driven life science organizations. Currently Senior Director, Digital Strategy with GE HealthCare Canada, Matt leads commercialization of digital/AI solutions addressing key challenges in Canadian healthcare.

Matthew Johnson is an accomplished strategy and business development executive with over 20 years of experience driving innovation and growth for mission-driven life science organizations. Currently Senior Director, Digital Strategy with GE HealthCare Canada, Matt leads commercialization of digital/AI solutions addressing key challenges in Canadian healthcare.

Leslie Stuart Learmont, CPA CA, is a retired financial executive known for his expertise in team leadership, financial management and auditing. With over 40 years of experience, he has served various public and private industries, providing financial guidance, business expertise and board governance. Stuart's recent work is focused on giving back to the community through serving on nonprofit boards.

Sreyas Dasika brings 9+ years of expertise as Business Manager at Megalab Group Inc., specializing in technical sales, digital marketing, and strategic service management. His diverse industry experience spans automotive, aerospace, military, medical, and consumer electronics sectors, positioning him to contribute valuable insights to Aurora's economic development initiatives.