CEO Panel Series

Join us for an evening of inspiration and networking with leaders from finance, tech, and insurance.

Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026

Timing: 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm

Location: 79 Wellington St W, 33rd Floor, Toronto, ON M5K 1N2

Speakers:

1. Danish Yusuf - CEO and Founder, Zensurance (Harvard Grad and Ex-McKinsey)
2. Aneela Zaib - CEO and Founder, emergiTEL
3. Omar Qureshi - CEO and Co-founder, Neuron
4. Amar Varma - CEO and Co-founder, Mantle (Founder of Autonomic - Acquired by Ford)

Join us for the first 2026 iteration of the MAX CEO Panel Series, where we are featuring distinguished CEOs from our community who have risen to the top of their careers through dedication, perseverance, and exceptional leadership. This event is more than just a panel; it's an opportunity to delve into the journeys of remarkable individuals to uncover the strategies and decisions that propelled them to success.

What to Expect:

Networking Opportunities:
In line with MAX's commitment to nurturing talent and leadership, within our community, across various industries, this event offers an exclusive opportunity to engage with and learn directly from top corporate leaders during our networking sessions. You'll also interact with attendees from a wide array of backgrounds, each bringing unique skill sets and perspectives.

Leadership Insights from the Panel:
Prepare to be immersed in leadership insights that redefine success in the modern business world. This segment of our event will explore the strategies and visionary thinking that have guided our speakers to the heights of their careers. From leveraging technology and sustainable practices to fostering inclusive work environments, you’ll gain firsthand knowledge on leading with impact.

Diverse Perspectives:
Our panel will feature esteemed leaders from tech and insurance. Each leader will share their unique perspectives, shedding light on the distinct pathways they navigated to achieve success. Attendees will gain insights into the varied approaches these professionals took in facing challenges and making strategic decisions that propelled them to the forefront of their respective fields.

About MAX:

Muslim Achieving Excellence (MAX) was founded with the aim to recognize, reward, celebrate and motivate high achievement and encourage positive and productive contributions to society by Muslims in Canada. MAX fosters that through creating connections between senior level, mid level and early career professionals.

THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO KNOW SOME OF CANADA'S TOP LEADERS. DINNER WILL BE SERVED.

For any attendees who may have financial needs and require a sponsored complimentary ticket, or for any questions or comments please contact:

Muneeb Hassan | Lead, CEO Panel Series | [email protected]

Zoya Abbas | Volunteer, CEO Panel Series |[email protected]

Website: onemax.org | LinkedIn: MAX | Twitter: @max_gala | Instagram: @onemax.ca

ALL TICKET SALES ARE FINAL

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Danish Yusuf - CEO and Founder, Zensurance

Danish Yusuf is the visionary Founder and CEO of Zensurance, a disruptor in the commercial insurance market and recognized as one of Canada’s fastest-growing companies. Under his leadership, Zensurance has expanded to 270 employees, aiding over 300,000 small businesses with their insurance needs. His background includes significant roles at McKinsey & Company, where he guided global insurance clients in their digital strategies, and at IBM Canada as a software architect. Danish's academic achievements comprise a bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering from the University of Toronto and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His industry impact was acknowledged when he was listed as a Top 10 Broker Under 40 by Canadian Underwriter in 2018.

Aneela Zaib - Founder & CEO, emergiTEL

Aneela Zaib is the Founder and CEO of emergiTEL, a Canadian recruitment and HR solutions firm specializing in telecommunications and IT. Under her leadership, the company has grown into a nationally recognized organization, supporting leading businesses with talent solutions across high-demand sectors.

Since founding emergiTEL in 2006, Aneela has scaled the company from a startup into a multi-award-winning firm, earning recognition as one of Canada’s fastest-growing companies and a Best Managed Company. Her approach combines deep industry expertise with a focus on leveraging technology to transform how talent is identified, engaged, and retained.

With a background in engineering and telecommunications, Aneela brings a strong technical foundation to her work. Beyond her professional work, Aneela is actively involved in mentorship and community leadership, supporting initiatives that promote diversity and the advancement of women in business and STEM. She is a recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneurial Winning Women Award, recognizing her impact as a business leader in Canada.

Omar Qureshi - CEO and Co-founder, Neuron

Omar Qureshi is a Canadian technology entrepreneur and startup leader. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Neuron, a fast-growing software company focused on building tools that help businesses drive smarter growth and streamline customer engagement.

Under his leadership, Neuron has evolved from an early-stage startup into a high-growth technology platform, serving organizations across North America. Omar has been instrumental in shaping the company’s product vision, go-to-market strategy, and rapid scaling, positioning Neuron within the next generation of Canadian SaaS companies.

Omar’s background spans product development, sales, and entrepreneurship, with a strong focus on building scalable systems and high-performing teams. He studied at the University of Toronto, where he developed the foundation for his work in technology and innovation.

Beyond his role as an operator, Omar is deeply engaged in the startup ecosystem, supporting founders and contributing to conversations around growth, product-market fit, and building enduring technology companies. His work reflects a commitment to helping organizations leverage technology to unlock new opportunities and drive meaningful impact.

Amar Varma - Co-Founder & CEO, Mantle

Amar Varma is the Co-Founder of Mantle, a Toronto-based technology company building next-generation infrastructure for managing private assets. Mantle leverages AI and automation to bring transparency and efficiency to private markets, helping founders, investors, and institutions streamline everything from cap tables to capital calls.

Amar’s career has been defined by leading major shifts across technology platforms and industries. He was previously the Co-Founder of Autonomic, a connected vehicle infrastructure company that was later acquired by Ford Motor Company, where it became a core part of Ford’s software and mobility strategy.

Prior to that, Amar co-founded Xtreme Labs, one of the earliest mobile application development firms, which was acquired by Pivotal in 2013. Following the acquisition, he played a key role in scaling Pivotal’s enterprise software capabilities, contributing to the broader transition toward cloud-native development.

Across his career, Amar has consistently been at the forefront of transformative waves in technology—from mobile, to cloud, to connected mobility, and now to private markets infrastructure. His work reflects a deep focus on building platforms that redefine how industries operate at scale.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Torys Head Office - 79 Wellington St W, 33rd floor, 79 Wellington Street West, Toronto, Canada

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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