Eight local professionals were recognized recently for their work in attracting several new international conferences to the Toronto area.  

The group of professionals were honored by the Leaders Circle, a network of industry experts, at its annual Leaders Circle Recognition Gala.z

Award recipients include Dr. Maurice Bitran, CEO and chief financial officer at Ontario Science Centre; Catherine Paisley, vice president of science education and education experience at Ontario Science Centre; Principal Jacqueline Bart of Bartlaw Canadian Immigration; Dr. Dimitri Androutsos, Ryerson University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering chair and professor; Dr. Kostas Plataniotis, Bell Canada chair in multimedia and professor at University of Toronto’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Dr. Xiao Ping Zhang, professor at Ryerson University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Dr. Sheldon Williamson, associate computer and software engineering professor at University of Ontario; and Corinne Eisenbraun, director of education policy and programs at Dietitians of Canada.

“High-profile international meetings in Ontario provide a spotlight for our leading researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators to shine,” Reza Moridi, Ontario’s minister of research, innovation and science, said.

The international conferences that were initiated by the award winners will take place between 2017 and 2024 and include worldwide leaders in immigration, law, industrial technology and public health.