February 8-9, 2025: Winnipeg - RBC Convention Centre

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.

Andrew carries on a civil, corporate and commercial litigation practice and has significant experience in general corporate litigation involving contested corporate transactions, shareholder and stakeholder disputes involving private corporations, as well as directors’ and officers’ liability. Andrew’s commercial litigation practice includes contract, franchise and lease disputes. His civil litigation practice involves professional malpractice defence.

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.

Michael White, Chief Development Officer and Director of Sales for United Franchise Group (UFG), began his relationship with the company immediately after earning his bachelor’s degree from Furman University, working for a Signarama store in North Carolina in marketing and sales. Within a few years, he accepted a role with the Signarama corporate office to manage franchise development and support across the Southeastern United States.

With an education in Spanish language studies and political science, Michael pursued leadership opportunities on a global scale by representing additional concepts within the UFG affiliated family of brands over 10 years as the company’s Executive Vice President of Sales. In that role, he managed a global sales team, identifying and implementing strategies around the world that propelled UFG’s international expansion to over eighty countries and led to his appointment as Chief Development Officer in 2021.

Today, Michael oversees worldwide development for each of UFG’s 11 brands, including management of over 50 Development team members across four continents. Over the last 5 years, United Franchise Group has averaged over five hundred unique franchise sales per year under his leadership.

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.