Welcome MBOT’S 2025 Board Chair

JONATHAN N. BORRELLI

2025 MBOT Chair Partner, KMB Law

I am honoured to take over the Chair position of the Mississauga Board of Trade. I take over the reins from a long list of Mississauga leaders and I intend to carry the torch to highlight Mississauga business and trade.

As a management-side employment lawyer at KMB Law in Mississauga, I am more than happy to contribute my time and expertise to help lead the 20-person Board of Directors that guides the Mississauga Board of Trade and the community we call home. I have the privilege of sitting alongside talented leaders from across Mississauga on our Board. I would encourage all members to become engaged with MBOT committees, events, and our Board itself.

I must take the time to recognize our outgoing Chair and Past Chair: Sameer Sharma from Crown Group of Hotels, and Steve Rhone, President & CEO Weston Forest. They should be commended for their leadership and efforts, especially through the challenging times. It has been a pleasure working with and learning from them, and we wish them well in the future.

Mississauga is a thriving city. I recall more than a few of our mayors saying we “punch above our weight”. As I commute to the office, I am constantly reminded of a comment from a former mayor at our Mayor’s Address: Mississauga is a net importer of jobs. I say that is a testament to the strength of our businesses and industries.

Mississauga has innovation, diversity, and resilience. Our businesses are the heart of communities, and they fuel our economic growth. MBOT members not only create meaningful jobs and careers for their team, but our members make Mississauga a destination… a place where people live, create, work, celebrate, and build futures.

MBOT has stood by our members every step of the way, serving as the advocate, resource, and voice for Mississauga businesses.

There is no doubt our businesses will face challenges in the future. Technological changes, artificial intelligence, sustainability, global competition, and external pressures are all reshaping the way our businesses operate – sometimes even on a daily basis. At the same time, we know that Mississauga is already positioned at the forefront of Canada’s growth as a centre for commerce and trade.

Our President and CEO, Trevor McPherson, and his mighty team are once again planning some amazing and timely initiatives to bring together the Mississauga business community. I truly am looking forward to 2025 (and not just because I am trying to get the Hole-In-One at our annual sold-out Golf Tournament).

I know MBOT will continue to be the strongest advocate for Mississauga’s business interests. From small enterprises to large institutions, MBOT is here to be a direct voice to our local, provincial, and federal leaders. I remind every MBOT member of this, and they should take advantage of that.

MBOT of course will continue to offer a variety of programs, events, and networking – because we all know that collaboration happens best when we are together.

It is essential that MBOT reflects and embraces the diversity of Mississauga. I encourage every MBOT member to be involved.

MBOT has a long history of bringing businesses together to collaborate, celebrate, and work together to strengthen our community and industries. I will continue the legacy of Mississauga businesses working together to prioritize business in and around our city.

At our events, do find me and stop me, or email me – I am always happy to chat about employment law, but I am even happier to talk about how MBOT is working for our members and how we can improve. It is a privilege to serve you all and I am optimistic about what 2025 has in store for us all.