Marketing Connected LIVE with Mehdi Rahman and Nardia Ali

Our new Talent Council has a mandate to develop thought leadership, tools and best practices to foster exceptional talent, inspire creativity, ensure diversity, and elevate the ability of marketing to transform business.

Join CMA President and CEO John Wiltshire in conversation with the Co-Chairs of the Talent Council, Nardia Ali, Director Talent Acquisition and Engagement at Ogilvy, and Mehdi Rahman, Director Global Learning and Development at Spin Master, as they discuss the Council’s plans and priorities.

John Wiltshire
President and CEO
CMA

A highly accomplished senior executive with experience in marketing and product strategies, John is currently in the position of President & CEO for the Canadian Marketing Association (CMA). In this role, John provides the overall strategy and execution of the CMA mandate and champions the fundraising and product development of a new Chartered Marketer designation. Prior to this role, John spent over 20 years as a senior executive in the financial industry. His core strengths include product design, branding, promotions and communication. John is renowned for using a combination of diplomacy, tenacious leadership, strong core values and objective decision making to deliver results. His strong leadership and operational expertise as well as his people-first approach has left a significant impact on the companies he has worked for and the people he has worked with.

Mehdi Rahman
Director, Global Learning and Development
SPIN MASTER

With over two decades of global HR experience Mehdi Rahman is a seasoned business person with the privilege of serving employee centric organizations like Best Buy Canada Ltd (BBY), McDonald’s Corporation (MCD), Publicis Groupe S.A. (PUB.PA), and Luxottica Retail & Manufacturing Groupe. His most recent mission is to build the learning function for Canadian business success story; Spin Master Toy & Entertainment (TOY.TO). Over his career, Mehdi is known for developing people and delivering on business results. He has also been passionate about making a difference in the community by most recently leading Spin Masters philanthropic efforts, strategic partnerships and making time for young business professionals and new Canadians as they set out into the business world.

Nardia Ali
Director, Talent Acquisition and Engagement 
OGILVY

Nardia has built her entire career at Ogilvy, spanning a broad range of roles, including Director, Creative Resources, where she managed a diverse group of Creative Talent, triaging, directing and continually optimizing teams, projects and client needs to ensure best in class program delivery. Nardia has always had a passion and now a track record for coaching and mentoring young professionals which naturally led her to her current role as Director, Talent Acquisition & Engagement, where she leads the Talent Acquisition and Learning & Development initiatives for Ogilvy.