George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
Canada's premier sports business awards ceremony returned to George Brown's Waterfront Campus to mark its 13th year of celebrating excellence and innovation in the industry. Presented by George Brown in partnership with co-presenting sponsors Canadian Tire and TSN, the 5 to Watch Awards brought together industry leaders, executives, and emerging talent to honour exceptional individuals shaping the future of sports business in Canada.
2025 5 to Watch award recipients
Five outstanding professionals were recognized for demonstrating exceptional leadership and achievement in sports business:
- Kyle Dubas, President, Hockey Operations & GM, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Mitch Thompson, CEO & Co-Founder, PandoPartner
- Chelsea Purcell, Sr. Director, Corporate Partnerships, PWHL (Professional Women's Hockey League)
- Valérie Tétreault, VP, Communications & Professional Events, Tennis Canada & Tournament Director, National Bank Open Montreal
- Jeff Harris, Partner, Sport Business Advisory & Live Entertainment, Deloitte Canada
Special Recognition Awards
Three additional industry leaders received honours for their lasting impact:
- Leanne Bernardo, President & General Manager of Sait XC, received the Alumni Achievement Award
- Tanya Mruck, VP of Community Engagement & Social Impact at MLSE, received the Nathalie Cook Canadian Women & Sport Disruptor Award
- Keith Pelley, President & CEO of MLSE, received the Chris Lang Lifetime Impact Award
Education at the heart of the mission
The awards ceremony serves a dual purpose—celebrating current leaders while investing in future ones. Ana Rita Morais, Dean of the Faculty of Business, Creative Industries and Culinary Arts at George Brown, highlighted this link. "At George Brown, we're proud to celebrate Canada's brightest sports business leaders while supporting the next generation of changemakers. The 5 to Watch Awards recognize innovation today and provide vital support for the students shaping tomorrow."
"TSN is a founding partner of the 5 To Watch Awards, and it's a true honour for us to celebrate and recognize these future leaders each year,” said Shawn Redmond, Vice President and General Manager of Bell Media Sports. “We're also particularly proud to sponsor the Nathalie Cook Canadian Women & Sport Disruptor Award, which recognizes courageous gender equity agents of change in the sports business."
Since its launch in 2012, the program has raised more than $730,000 in support of George Brown students, providing over $175,000 in bursaries to the next generation of sports business industry leaders.
