As a first-time judge on this Dragon’s panel, Catherine-Lucie Horber brings an impressive legacy of entrepreneurship, having spent over 20 years supporting and growing her businesses in the Stouffville community. With more than 25 years of experience in the corporate world and business education, Catherine-Lucie is no stranger to hard work, having built two highly successful companies from the ground up. Her story is one of vision, passion, and relentless drive—qualities that she’s excited to bring to the table in this new role.

Catherine-Lucie has an incredible ability to spot opportunities where others see obstacles. Her experience spans high-end investments in real estate and strategic business ventures, all of which have contributed to the personal and professional wealth she’s built over the years. She thrives on challenges, and her resourcefulness has allowed her to consistently rise above adversity and turn ambitious ideas into profitable realities.

As a highly respected figure in the design industry, Catherine-Lucie is known not just for her aesthetic sensibilities, but also for her sharp business acumen. She understands the intricate balance between creativity and financial success, and this has allowed her ventures to thrive in both beauty and profitability. Her expertise goes far beyond design, touching on large-scale investments, operational strategy, and business growth—all areas where her advice and guidance are widely sought after by entrepreneurs and business leaders alike.

As a Dragon, Catherine-Lucie is here to offer not only investment but mentorship. She’s excited to leverage her wealth of experience to help the next generation of entrepreneurs find their footing, overcome challenges, and scale their ideas into successful businesses. Her presence on the panel is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when you combine vision, hard work, and a willingness to take risks—and there’s no doubt she will make a lasting impact on those who seek her guidance.

David Elie, Candidate for Member of Parliament, Conservative Party of Canada (Markham–Stouffville)
David is a seasoned entrepreneur, community advocate, and dedicated champion of small business growth. He has been a resident of Stouffville for 14 years. He holds a degree in Business Administration from York University and an Advanced Project Management Certificate from Seneca College, bringing a wealth of knowledge in strategic leadership, business operations, and project management to every endeavor.

He was a co-founder of Rhyno Equity Group. A mid-size private equity firm specializing in home improvement manufacturing companies, and President and CEO of the Elite Class Group of Companies, David has successfully built and scaled businesses across multiple sectors, including real estate development, construction, trading, and investments. His companies, such as Irpinia Kitchens, Euroline Windows and Doors, Marbel Industries, PermaCorp, Top Notch Cabinets, and All Railings have become premium brands, contributing to economic growth and job creation in the Greater Toronto Area, including Stouffville.

A licensed real estate broker, registered Commissioner for Affidavits for the government of Ontario, and a Tarion-approved builder, David’s entrepreneurial vision is rooted in delivering innovative solutions and high-quality service. He has a proven track record of driving significant growth in both start-ups and established businesses. His bestselling book, Supreme Leadership & 7-Figure Minds, further demonstrates his commitment to empowering others with the tools needed for business success.

Through his leadership of the Developer Academy, David educates real estate professionals across Canada and the U.S., equipping them with the skills and insights to navigate the industry's complexities. His deep ties to the community are evident in his role as Chair of the School Council at Blessed Chiara Badano and as a Board Member of the Stouffville Chamber of Commerce, where he works to strengthen local businesses.

With his strong academic foundation, business expertise, and unwavering dedication to the Stouffville community, David is excited to participate in the Stouffville Small Business Challenge, bringing his unique blend of experience, insight, and innovation to this Dragons’ Den-style event.

Greg Smith has over 35 years of business experience with leading Global companies, including 13 years at Procter & Gamble in progressively senior roles and 4 years at Yum Brands International. He has held Director, Vice President, and Managing Director level positions at Molson Canada, Treasury Wine Estates, Distell Wines & Spirits, Campari International, Royal Unibrew, and TerrAscend Cannabis over a combined 18 years in these highly competitive and crowded consumer focused Industries.

Now transitioning from his corporate career, Greg is involved in various roles, bringing his neurodiverse business approach to small business focused challenges including a fractional General Management position with an Ontario Craft Distillery, strategic consulting with This End Up Consultants, and business leadership coaching with TEC Canada, the country’s premier executive coaching and leadership development organization.  Over the years, Greg has been a part of numerous charitable organizations including The Kids Help Phone, The Atlantic Grocery Industry Foundation…Together, and The Stouffville Legacy Fund.

A graduate of Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Greg is a dedicated high-performance trained hockey coach with over 40 years on the bench. He is currently a coach with the Stouffville Clippers U-14 AA boys team. Greg, his wife Linda, and their three children—twin sons Nick and Ben, and daughter Lauren—have been proud residents of Stouffville for nearly 20 years.

President, Casual Brands & Government Relations, Recipe Unlimited Corporation 

Todd began his career in 1994 in the technology industry with Lexmark International, holding various sales, marketing and operations roles in Canada and the United States, eventually becoming President of Lexmark Canada. 

In 2007, Todd joined Cara Operations (now Recipe Unlimited) as SVP of Sourcing & Menu Development, later moving onto SVP of Restaurant Development and SVP of Swiss Chalet. Todd also has experience in food manufacturing, grocery retail and prior to rejoining Recipe Unlimited in 2022 he was CEO & President of Restaurants Canada.  

Todd holds an undergraduate degree from McMaster University and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. He is responsible for the leadership, growth and development of Recipe’s casual brands; Swiss Chalet, Montana's, East Side Marios, Kelsey’s, The Landing Group, Bier Markt and Pickle Barrel. Todd is currently a Director on the Restaurants Canada Board. 

He has been a resident of Stouffville for 20 years where he lives with his wife Sarah and three children.