May 7, 2025

Moonlight Lounge? Yes! Kensington Market? Yup! First Next Step Get Noticed! Along with the pitchers was an AMA panel.

Panelists were

Sanjam Hundal

VP of Client Services FCB Toronto

Linkedin

Trent Thompson

GCD Cossette

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Jill Smith

ACD ZAK

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Taylor Ferri

Senior Strategist Cossette

Menaka Joshi

Hi, I’m Menaka Joshi – communications professional with over 10 years of experience in advertising, social impact, and design. I specialize in leading integrated campaigns, managing client relations and aligning strategies with business goals.

Manpreet Matharu

Hi I’m Manpreet, a designer with 10+ yrs of experience in design. I have worked in different creative setups – from design studios, advertising agencies to social impact spaces. My expertise is in packaging design and branding.

Esmeralda

Recent graduate from Humber ADMC – aspiring strategist and social media user by heart. Love to Create content (sometimes) but always know why It’s being done.

Mojan

A TV host turned strategist who influences people through strategy, creative insight and meaningful solutions. I create work that moves hearts and shapes identities, whether for brands, people or the world.

Abdul

Photographer turned creative strategist

Harini Kannan

Jack of many trades. Master of arts.

Julie Martinson

Creative Director and copywriter with 18 years experience who recently went freelance. Previously Lifelong Crush and The Kitchen.

Shweta

Hybrid Copywriter and Strategist with 4+ years of experience growing 30+ brands, a postgrad in Brand Management and a new found love for cats. Looking forward to returning to my agency roots as a Strategist.

Suo

Thank you and happy to join the first next step again Happy to meet in this amazing night

Aaron

Full stack and game developer. 12 years professional experience. Award winning transmedia and advertising work, 2d web games.

Rishi

I’m a brand strategist and creative producer with over three years of experience in advertising, filmmaking, and digital marketing. I hold a Bachelor’s in Multimedia and Mass Communication—majoring in Advertising and minoring in Filmmaking—and recent

Sameer Nawab

Hybrid Copywriter and Strategist with 4+ years of experience growing 30+ brands, a postgrad in Brand Management and a new found love for cats. Looking forward to returning to my agency roots as a Strategist.

Justin Cristofaro

Art Director

February 20, 2025

Moonlight Lounge in Kensington Market played host, yet again for First Next Step AI Edition! Along with the pitchers was a panel on the use of AI in hiring.

Panelists were

Jennifer Morozowich

Partner Junction Collective

Founder Among Good Company

Gerard Adderley

Partner Bri&Ger

Sylvia Stutz

Global Head of Talent Attraction ZAK

James Coburn

VP, Creative Headhunter Mandrake

Marketing Consultant

Freelance Linkedin

Jeremy Oudit

With a robust track record of over 25 years, my focus has been on steering product design teams towards excellence in digital experiences. My user-centric design approach has pioneered innovative products.

Emily Wiens

QA analyst of 15 years and recently launched a custom machine embroidery company

Wyatt Flett

I’m an Seneca student who currently in Creative Advertising and has completed an post-grad in Marketing in 2023. I also have an Bachelor’s in Arts

Veronika Vasilchenko

I’m a copywriter with 3 years of experience in Toronto. I worked for various clients from telco to automotive to CPG and am currently freelancing at Klick. Looking for a full-time permanent position as an Intermediate writer, ideally agency side.

Jasmina Emmanuel

I’m saving it for the pitch!

Reda Leftah

Me and Siham are an advertising creative duo (Art Director and copywriter) from Morocco, recently moved to Toronto in November, we’re looking to connect with people in the industry and explore collaboration opportunities.

Naomi

I’m a bilingual communications professional with a knack for juggling tight deadlines and managing stakeholder expectations. I’ve edited and written a wide variety of materials, including newsletters, podcasts, television scripts and documentaries.

Wai Leung Tai

Vincent from Hong Kong says hi! I’m graduating in April and looking for internships here in Toronto. I’m proud of my work experience. I was a teacher at school. I have experience at working in noisy environments because children are noisy.

Suo

I’m Suo, a 8+ years creative for well-known clients across Hong Kong and Canada.Recently, I’ve been working as a Freelance AD Hope can have to meet more ppl and chance in the industry.

Dan Yurman

I give you the words you need for the yes you want.

Chinami kajihara

I’m Chinami Kajihara. Student of advertising in Seneca. It is my first time public speaking. I hope don’t panicky.

November 21, 2024


Back at the Moonlight Lounge in Kensington Market! First Next Step hosted another open mic pitch night along with GroundFloor that ran a panel on the value of mentorship and networking.

Trent Thompson

Co-Founder of GroundFloor | CD @ Oliver Agency | Award-winning writer & creative director | Part-time professor at Humber College

Stuart Thursby

Creative Director at Cossette

Atlas Ranjbari

Advertising Creative | Art Director . Designer

Nabila Basher

Art Director/ Designer + D&AD ’23 Pencil Winner

Sean Froese

Data Leader Driving Business Growth

The list of pitchers who took the mic!

Sarah Jackson

I’m a freelance senior/acd art director. I’m known as the freelancer who cares I put time in to both the work and culture.

Juan David

Creative copywriter looking to changing contract roles for a more stable job opportunity, AKA full-time job.

Angel Tavizon

I am Angel Tavizon, born and raised in Mexico City. I am studying advertising and marketing communications at Humber Polytechnic

Jun Nguyen

I’m Jun, a designer who specialize in blending technology and traditional handicrafts with focus on strategic thinking.

Sameer Nawab

As a third-culture kid and a creative professional, I’ve always seen the world through a unique lens, blending diverse cultural experiences with my passion for storytelling.

Rasita Kartarahardja

I am a pixel pusher and make things pretty too.

Levi

Copywriter with 8+ years of experience in digital marketing. Word geek, quip enthusiast, lover of stories. I like turning complex into simple and simple into irresistible.

Martin HP

I’m a former pro wrestling rockstar turned advertising professional! I cut my teeth as a copywriter before finding my way to client services and seeking my next adventure!

Tejas Kolhatkar

A 20-year old Marketing Management student enthusiastic to connect and engage in conversations with like-minded people within the field of Advertising, Public Relations and Marketing.

Tram

I’m a copywriter from Vietnam. I recently finished studying marketing at Seneca college. I’m ready and super excited to enter the Canadian marketing and advertising industry.

Chris Dow

Senior writer back in Toronto having spent Covid in a Nova Scotian fishing village, looking to get back into a physical work space as I miss the daily challenge and buzz of being part of a full-time creative dept.

Sheldon Dsouza

Hi! I’m friendly and I know it. A copywriter with 11+ years. Worked at Ogilvy, Dentsu & Mullen Lowe. New to Canada. Currently waiting to be adopted by an ad agency for a full time role.

Ashley Kim

I am a junior art director. Born in Korea, moved to Japan, and came by myself to Canada when I was 16, I found a great interest in different cultures. Now a graduate from OCAD, I want to get my foot into the door.

Radha Acharya

I am currently pursuing Advertising and Marketing Communications. But I also have a bachelor’s degree in Multimedia and Mass Communications. I am currently looking for Co-op and I want to be in Account Management.


There was a long list of people who didn’t get a chance to take the mic. Next time!