leadership team

Ryan Somer is President of the Scarborough Business Association and a community leader with over 20 years of experience in construction, entrepreneurship, and public service. He serves on the Toronto Police Service 43 Division Community Police Liaison Committee, supporting safety, accountability, and positive community engagement.

Passionate about mentorship and youth development, Ryan focuses on creating pathways in skilled trades, entrepreneurship, and leadership, helping young people translate discipline, skills, and commitment into long-term opportunity and community impact.

Sarah Somer is a socialpreneur, connector, and community-builder with a proven track record in partnerships, event management, and business development. She is the co-founder of Construct T.O., where she helps organizations grow through strategic consulting, networking, and business development, and the founder of Filcanpreneur, Toronto’s first conference celebrating Filipino business, innovation, and culture.

Sarah has led high-impact community and industry events, including the Toronto Business Summit and the Affordable Housing, Supply Chain & Skilled Trades Summit, and has facilitated a number of events and programs at the University of Toronto. 

Elizabeth Javier is the Founder and Principal Consultant of EJ & Associates, a business consulting and management firm supporting entrepreneurs and growing companies through strategic assessments and execution-focused solutions. With over 12 years of corporate experience and firsthand entrepreneurial leadership, Elizabeth brings a rare blend of executive insight and grassroots operational knowledge. She is a passionate advocate for business owners and a firm believer in growth built with integrity.

Bernadine is the founder of B-You-nique Event + Wedding Decor and a certified wedding planner through the Wedding Planners Institute of Canada, with over 10 years of experience in event design, planning, and décor. As part of the SBA’s Events & Operations team, she oversees select events, bringing her passion for creating memorable experiences.

With her extensive experience in event management and business leadership, Bernadine combines operational excellence with innovative design to deliver exceptional experiences for both organizations and clients.

Janice Mendes is an actor, writer, and comedy producer with over two decades of experience working across film, television, and live performance. She’s the founder of Scarborough’s Got Jokes and a creative producer with Scarborough Spots, where she helps spotlight local businesses, artists, and the culture that makes Scarborough thrive.

Through her work, Janice creates comedy shows and creative projects that champion diverse voices, support homegrown talent, and bring people together for a good laugh. Whether she’s producing live events or developing new content, her focus is simple: tell great stories, build community, and make space for joy.

Tina Sharma is the Manager of Partnerships & Events at the Toronto Zoo, where she leads the development of meaningful collaborations and high impact events that connect the Zoo with communities, partners and guests. She brings a strong focus on community engagement and experiences that align with the Zoo’s conservation and education mission. Tina grew up in Scarborough and is deeply connected to the community she serves. She is also a proud parent of two children.