May 2 & 3, 2026: Regina - REAL District

Chris Skelton has been assisting clients with franchise growth, sales, and operations for the past couple of decades. With a wealth of experience in assisting investors and franchisors, Chris has come to quickly identify what business opportunity aligns best with the right candidate.

Melissa is a partner in the firm’s business group and head of the firm’s franchise practice group.  Melissa practices primarily in the areas of business, corporate and commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, business combinations, owner-operated enterprises, commercial leasing and commercial financing with a specialization in franchise law, ancillary regulatory matters and a focus on carrying on or operating a business in Manitoba.

Terry has been in his current role with TD Bank as National Manager, Franchise Banking for 10 years.  As National Manager, Terry is one of TD's franchise industry experts and is responsible for growing TD's franchise banking portfolio while ensuring that franchisee customers are provided with legendary customer service.  Terry enjoys collaborating with both franchisors and franchisees to assist them with all of their credit and Banking needs. 

Ahsan has been in his current role with as Regional Manager, Franchise Banking for 2 years at TD Bank, and with franchise industry for over 8 years.  As Regional Manager, Ahsan is one of TD's franchise industry experts and is responsible for growing TD's franchise banking portfolio while ensuring that franchisee customers are provided with legendary customer service.  Ahsan also brings to the table over 15 years of lending experience from Commercial and Small Business at TD. He enjoys collaborating with both franchisors and franchisees to assist them with all of their credit and Banking needs.

Ahmed Malik is a Business Law Partner in the Regina office of MLT Aikins, practicing primarily in the areas of Commercial Real Estate, Corporate and Franchising Law. In the area of Franchise Law, Ahmed has worked with franchisors to develop comprehensive franchise systems in various industries, including hospitality, food and professional services. Ahmed has also advised franchisees on understanding franchise agreements and disclosure, compliance with franchise systems, leasing and franchise-based purchase and sale transactions.

When it comes to managing and mitigating the legal risks of technology and data, Matt Barnes has done it all. The Regina based lawyer services a wide range of clients from small businesses and non-profits to large corporations. Matt’s area of focus is technology, intellectual property (IP), and privacy. He is well-equipped to handle any IT issue, from technology contracting, software licensing and intellectual property, to privacy, data protection and records retention. Matt advises on IT transactions like SaaS agreements, software implementation and maintenance, professional IT services and master service agreements, as well as IT outsourcing, procurement, licensing, transfer and development.

Matt also handles privacy issues, including access to information requests, regulatory compliance, and Privacy Impact Assessments. He drafts and negotiates various IT commercial contracts both domestically and internationally. Matt has earned certificates in Negotiating and Drafting IT Agreements (2022) and Intellectual Property Licensing (2023) from Osgoode Hall Law School. Before joining the firm, Matt articled at the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal.

Sandeep Alexander is a global entrepreneur and business strategist with over two decades of international experience across franchising, design, marketing, and management consulting. Throughout his career, he has owned or served as a Director in more than 53 companies worldwide and currently owns eight active businesses across global markets. Having extensive experience managing brands across Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Asia, Sandeep brings a truly global perspective to business development, brand building, and organizational growth.

Throughout his career, Sandeep and his team have had the privilege of serving global brands including Toyota, Honda, Blenz, Acer, KPMG, Papa John’s, Cinnzeo, Dell, Intel, Siemens, ABB, Cummins, 3M, the Star Newspaper Group, HCG Hospital Group among others. Today, Sandeep continues to advise organizations and entrepreneurs on growth strategy, franchising, brand development, and international market expansion