Dates
London Economic Development Corporation in partnership with London Region Manufacturing Council are pleased to present Manufacturing Matters 2025
Date and time:
Thursday, October 2, 2025
7:30 AM - 12:30 PM
RBC Place London,
300 York St, London, ON N6B 1P8
Agenda:
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Registration and Networking Breakfast
7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Exhibitor Fair - Main Room
8:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Keynote Presentation: TBA
9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Special Presentation: TBA
9:45 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Networking Break and Exhibitor Fair
10:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions, featuring: TBA
Introducing our Keynote Speaker:
LINDA HASENFRATZ - Executive Chair of the Board - LINAMAR CORPORTION
Linamar Corporation is a Canadian advanced manufacturing company, based in Southern ON, where the intersection of leading-edge technology and deep manufacturing expertise is creating solutions that power vehicles, motion, work and lives for the future. Linamar has 26,550 employees in 65 manufacturing locations, 14 R&D centres and 28 sales offices in 17 countries in North and South America, Europe and Asia, which generated sales of over $6.5 billion.
Hasenfratz has sat on the Board of Advisors for Catalyst Canada since 2003. In February 2017 Hasenfratz was announced as the Canadian Chair of the Canada-United States Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders. Hasenfratz’ desire to see women progress in business to the top level of industry prompted her to participate in these two key initiatives.
Strengthening her position as a Canadian and Global Manufacturing leader, Ms. Hasenfratz was appointed to the CIBC Board of Directors in 2004 and retired from the board in April 2020. She was Canadian Chair of the North American Competitiveness Council in 2008, a trilateral group of executives from Canada, the US and Mexico convened by the countries’ Leaders to debate and advise on key recommendations regarding enhancement of the NAFTA region. Hasenfratz became a member of the Board of the Business Council of Canada (formerly the Canadian Council of Chief Executives) in 2010 and was Chair from 2016 to 2018. Her contribution to this important policy and advisory group has assisted her in developing relationships and advancing ideas to key business and government leaders. In December 2018, Ms. Hasenfratz was appointed to the board of the Association of Equipment Manufactures (AEM). The California Mobility Center appointed Ms. Hasenfratz to their board in November 2021.
Ms. Hasenfratz was named the Canadian Outstanding CEO in November 2018 and was also made a member of the Order of Canada in December of the same year.
Hasenfratz has been named one of the Automotive News 100 Leading Women in each year of its publication in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020.
Hasenfratz was recognized for her contributions to Canadian business through an Honourary Degree from Ryerson University in Toronto in 2003, an Honourary Degree from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo in 2011 as well as the Outstanding Leader Award from the same institution in 2007. She also holds an Honourary Degree from Fanshawe College in 2016. In the spring of 2014, The Asper School of Business at the University of Winnipeg honoured Hasenfratz with the International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award (IDEA) which is to honour a business leader who has achieved outstanding entrepreneurial success and has made an exemplary contribution to economic life. In the fall of 2014, Linda Hasenfratz was awarded the Ontario Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award – Manufacturing and the overall Ontario Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Hasenfratz was also extremely honoured to be awarded the National Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Canada at a gala in late November and to represent Canada at the World Entrepreneur of the World Conference in Monaco in June 2015. In May of 2016 Linda Hasenfratz, along with her father Frank Hasenfratz, was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame. Hasenfratz was awarded the Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the University of Victoria in September 2016. In October of 2016 Linda Hasenfratz was awarded the Fraser Institute Founders Award along with Linamar’s President & COO Jim Jarrell. In September 2016 Linda Hasenfratz was named to Fortunes 50 Most Powerful Women International list. The Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario honoured Hasenfratz in October 2017 with their Ivey Business Leader Award. In 2018 Hasenfratz was named Canada’s Outstanding CEO of the Year and was named to the Order of Canada. In October 2019 she was installed as University of Western Ontario’s 23rd Chancellor.
