Case Competition: Management Consulting

Put your problem-solving to the test with a complex business challenge designed by our consulting partners. Work in teams to build solutions, present to real consultants, and gain insight into life at a top firm – all from inside their downtown Toronto offices.

Legal Moot

Hosted at our partner’s downtown Toronto offices, this challenge lets you step into the shoes of a legal team. Tackle a real-world case file, craft your best arguments, and present to practicing lawyers. A unique chance to showcase your skills – and meet the teams you could one day join.

Case Competition: Marketing

Test your creative and strategic thinking on a live marketing brief straight from our corporate partners. Develop a campaign, pitch your big idea, and get feedback from seasoned marketing pros – all while networking inside their offices in downtown Toronto.

General Registration

Pick up your badge, meet our team, and get ready for a packed day of programming.

Grab & Go Lunch

Fuel up with a quick lunch before our opening sessions kick off.

Opening Remarks and Land Acknowledgement

Start Proud welcomes you to OOBS 2025 - learn what to expect, who you’ll meet, and how to make the most of your conference experience and engage in a meaningful recognition of the land we gather on and the Indigenous communities whose stewardship continues today. A meaningful recognition of the land we gather on and the Indigenous communities whose stewardship continues today.

Land Acknowledgement

A meaningful recognition of the land we gather on and the Indigenous communities whose stewardship continues today.

Opening Keynote

Kick off the conference with insights from a senior executive leader who shares their journey and lessons for the next generation.

Break

Grab a coffee, catch your breath, and get ready for your next session.

Your Career Story: How to Tell It, Own It, and Sell It

A hands-on workshop to help you craft a compelling resume and personal pitch. Learn directly from recruiters and HR pros.

Visions of the Future: Young Queer Leaders

Meet inspiring 2SLGBTQIA+ trailblazers who are reshaping industries and communities with bold ideas and fresh leadership.

Break

Refresh and recharge.

Two-Spirit and Beyond: Reclaiming Identity

An honest, moving conversation centring Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ professionals, cultural reclamation, and identity beyond colonial frameworks.

Break

One last break before the day’s big networking session.

Connecting Industries and Communities

A dynamic networking session to meet 2SLGBTQIA+ professionals from diverse industries. Rotate, ask questions, and make real connections.

Meet our ProudPartners

Wrap up the day with drinks, light bites, and mingling with our Proud Partners, sponsors, and fellow attendees.

General Registration

Pick up your badge, check in, and get ready for another day of connection and learning.

Recruiting and Retaining Queer Talent

A practical session on building workplaces where 2SLGBTQIA+ talent thrives - from inclusive hiring to retention strategies.

Drag Brunch

Mimosas, music, and queens — our signature drag brunch kicks off with a land acknowledgment, then serves up a drag show you won’t forget.

Break

Refill your coffee and get ready for the afternoon ahead.

Career and Networking Fair

Meet recruiters, explore open roles, and connect directly with Canada’s most inclusive employers all under one roof.

Break

Stretch your legs and grab a snack before the next keynote.

What’s the Tea? Acceptance and AI

A candid conversation on where queerness and AI intersect — from algorithmic bias to ethical innovation, our speakers spill the tea on building a tech future that serves us all.

Break

Last quick pause before we wrap up with powerful breakout sessions.

Founders and Startup Stories

Hear directly from queer founders on how they turned bold ideas into thriving businesses and what they learned along the way.

Intrapreneurs: Innovating from the Inside

Stories of people driving change from within big firms — perfect for future leaders ready to shake things up without starting from scratch.

Break

Breaking the Binary: Innovating in Tech, Design, and Beyond

A spotlight on gender-diverse innovators using queerness as a superpower to disrupt rigid industries and spark new ideas.

Out and Ahead: Queer Leadership in the Boardroom

Explore how queer leaders are reshaping boardrooms, leading authentically, and creating pathways for the next generation.

Welcome & Registration

Check in, get your name badge, and settle in for an evening of celebration and connection.

Cocktail Hour

Kick off the night with drinks and mingling — reconnect with old friends and meet new ones before the program begins.

Remarks from the Start Proud Leadership

Start Proud’s leadership welcomes you and sets the tone for an unforgettable Gala.

Remarks from TD’s Jennie Platt (Chief Marketing Officer, TD US)

Hear from Jennie Platt, TD's Chief Marketing Officer in the US, as she shares TD’s commitment to uplifting 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

Gala Keynote & Fireside Chat

A powerful keynote address - with a possible fireside conversation - that will inspire, challenge, and celebrate our community’s progress.

Reception

Keep the celebration going — mix, mingle, and wrap up the Gala with great conversations.