Mitchell Cohen on "Rhythms of Change"

Following the conversation, we invite you to join us for a meet-and-greet with the author, book signing and reception.

Rhythms of Change: Reflections on the Regent Park Revitalization (Page Two Books, November 12, 2024)

Mitchell Cohen, CM President & CEO, The Daniels Corporation

Nouman Ashraf, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream, Rotman School of Management

Thompson Egbo-Egbo, Composer and pianist

In the early 2000s, a remarkable renewal of Toronto's Regent Park neighbourhood began. Designed as a garden city" in the 1940s, the area gained a reputation over the decades as a "no go" zone. In 2005, Toronto's City Council approved a revitalization that would effectively turn Regent Park into one of the city's "go to" neighbourhoods.
Through captivating narrative that transcends urban planning, architecture, community development, and business, Rhythms of Change explores the revitalization journey through the eyes of Mitchell Cohen-a social activist, a musician, and the visionary CEO of The Daniels Corporation.
The Regent Park revitalization is now the gold standard for reimagining and transforming stigmatized neighbourhoods. Cohen's firsthand account unveils key elements underlying an extraordinary metamorphosis into a healthy, resilient, and inclusive community.
Rhythms of Change brings you into the heart of strategic decision-making. It explores possibility, is a testament to the resilience of local residents facing upheaval, and offers a roadmap for those eager for positive changes within their communities.
Regent Park's success is a world-renowned phenomenon. This extraordinary neighbourhood has become home to the World Urban Pavilion-a global Knowledge Exchange Hub established by UN Habitat, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and the Urban Economy Forum, sharing transformative city-building practices internationally.
Rhythms of Change is a must-read for anyone eager to be inspired, enlightened, and engaged in the change they wish to see in our cities.

Mitchell Cohen, CM, is president and CEO of The Daniels Corporation, steering the organization’s strategic and long-term vision since 1984.

Under his leadership, Daniels has become known for building residential offerings for people at all stages of life, and for its commitment to building a healthy social infrastructure within each new community. Over the past four decades the company has also created innovative affordable rental programs as well as programs that help tenants become first-time homeowners.

Cohen has a Masters in Social Psychology from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from McGill University. In 2019, Cohen was appointed to the Order of Canada in recognition of his "contributions to urban development and for his commitment to community building.”

In 2013, he received an Honorary Doctorate from the Faculty of Community Services at Toronto Metropolitan University. In addition, Cohen has received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and an Award of Merit from the St. George’s Society.

A songwriter and musician as well as a socially conscious real estate developer, Cohen seamlessly bridges the intersection of business and the arts.

Nouman Ashraf is an Associate Professor, Teaching Stream within the Organizational Behavior and Human Resources Management area at the Rotman School of Management. He possesses a broad range of professional, academic and research interests, with a specialized focus on enabling innovative and inclusive practices within organization life. For the last decade and a half, he has held progressively senior roles at the University of Toronto. He is a recognized thought leader in governance and has taught thousands of directors in the national Rotman program on Not for Profit Governance in partnership with the Institute for Corporate Directors since its inception in 2007.

An award-winning faculty member, Nouman teaches Emancipatory Leadership within the Executive MBA as well as the OMNIUM Global Executive MBA Program, Leading Social Innovation within the 2- and 3-year MBA programs, and Leading across Differences within the Rotman Commerce Program. He is the Academic Director of various custom leadership programs in partnership with Rotman Executive Program clients. His previous consulting clients include Telus, Cliffs Natural Resources, Bayer, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, United Way Toronto, and numerous post-secondary and healthcare institutions.

Thompson Egbo-Egbo is a celebrated Toronto composer and pianist originally from Nigeria, who began his piano journey at age six. With degrees from Humber College and Berklee College of Music, Thompson is not only a performing artist but also actively supports music education. The Thompson T. Egbo-Egbo Arts Foundation, and Evolving Through the Arts program, supports elementary school students and strives to fill the void in music and arts education found in many communities. He served as a member of the board at Dixon Hall for many years and is currently on the board at Jazz FM 91.

In 2018, Thompson released the album A New Standard followed by The Offering in 2019. His upcoming project, set for release this fall, explores themes of transition and optimism, influenced by the pandemic.

This event is available to attend in-person or virtually via livestream.

Rotman Events is committed to accessibility for all people. If you have any access needs or if there are any ways we can support your full participation in this session, please email Mandi Gosling [[email protected]] no later than 2 weeks in advance of the event and we will be glad to work with you to make the appropriate arrangements.

• The event will be hosted in Desautels Hall at the Rotman School of Management (105 Saint George Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3E6). Your registration fee includes a copy of the book, meet-and-greet with book signing by the author, and light refreshments, as well as access to a video replay of the session for 30 days.

• Rotman Events will email registrants a link to the livestream. Your registration fee includes access to the livestream, video replay for 30 days, a copy of the book and shipping fees. The book will be shipped to registrants after the event. Please allow 3 - 4 weeks for delivery.

• Unable to attend the event due to scheduling conflicts? Not to worry. All registrants (in-person or livestream) can access the full recording on-demand for one month after the live event.

• Refunds will only be issued for cancellations received in writing NO LATER than 24 hours prior to the event. Please email [email protected] for processing.

• In-person registrants who do not pick up their book at the event will have 5 business days to request postal delivery by emailing us at [email protected]. All unclaimed books will be returned to the publisher after that time.

Questions: [email protected], Mandi Gosling

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Rotman School of Management + Livestream, 105 Saint George Street, Toronto, Canada