Diversity Magazine’s Visionary Stars

Anthony Lacavera

Founder, Globalive & Wind Mobile

Anthony “Tony” Lacavera, once known on Campus as “The Emperor”, was born in Welland, Ontario. He has served as Founder, Chairman and CEO of Globalive as well as Wind Mobile, upon graduating from the University of Toronto. After a decision to sell his stake in Wind Mobile to Egyptian telecom giant Orascom, he is set to launch Globalive Capital, an investment firm focused on supporting entrepreneurs in Canada’s technology, media, and telecom industries.

Under his leadership, Wind Mobile expanded in Canada exponentially. Their customer base has exceeded 600,000, even in the face of stiff competition from Rogers, Bell and Telus, “The Big Three”, as well as others. Today, Wind Mobile’s prospects as Canada’s fourth largest wireless telecom firm are bright, while his own future as a serial entrepreneur is even brighter. Having emerged with a grand new vision, he continues to support entrepreneurs through mentorship and public speaking.

Lacavera’s Globalive has been one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies for seven straight years. Founder of the Shamba Foundation and contributor to Galleria Italia at the Art Gallery of Ontario, he got the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity from the government of Italy. He received the 2012 Visionary Award from the Toronto Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; was named one of Canada’s Top 40 under 40 in 1996 and CEO of the Year 2010 by The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business Magazine. An exemplary leader, Anthony Lacavera is named a Visionary Star by Diversity Magazine (DiversityMagazine.ca).

Jhet Van Ruyven

Author, Motivational Speaker

Born in the Philippines, Jhet Van Ruyven was first accustomed to helping her parents take care of her family of twelve, as the second child. Little did she know that her life, which was laden with adversity, was a training ground for transforming other lives. After high school, a priest helped her join a school for girls. In exchange for tuition and other needs, she cleaned offices, did laundry and other work. At eighteen, she finished a course in commerce while believing in her potential.

In 1984, Jhet left the Philippines for Yemen, where she met a Dutch man, who  became her husband. While volunteering for Yemen’s Sisters of Charity, Jhet met Mother Theresa, who deepened her resolve to help others. In 1987, Jhet and her husband immigrated to Canada. While raising two toddlers, she summoned determination and effective goal-setting, becoming a sales executive at Discovery Toys, earning all-expenses-paid trips to San Francisco, the Caribbean and beyond for her performance.

In 1994, Jhet launched Digi-Print Graphics in Surrey, BC. She was nominated Business Woman of the Year. In 2005, she wrote “The Tale Of Juliet: You Have The Power to Change Your Life,” which became a bestseller and launched her speaking career in Canada, the USA and Asia. In 2009, she was diagnosed with cancer and sold her design and printing company. She is now passing on hope and courage to others while recovering. Determination has made Jhet Van Ruyven to be named a 2013 Visionary Star by Diversity Magazine (DiversityMagazine.ca).

Dr. Anthony Sterling

Founder, Sterling Dental

“Let our family treat your family” is the slogan that represents Sterling Dental, a practice founded by dental surgeon, Dr. Anthony Sterling. Dr. Sterling has been practicing dentistry for over 20 years, after graduating from Ohio State University’s College of Dentistry. Sterling Dental prides itself on being client-focused and family-friendly. It has been ingratiating to the residents of Brampton, Ontario, where two Sterling Dental branches are located. While characterized by a disposition of humility and simplicity, he is committed to excellence and positive transformation.   

Dr. Sterling, recipient of the 2011 Planet Africa Nelson Mandela Humanitarian Award, has a broad vision, which spans further than great smiles, braces and veneers. His vision is to collaborate with individuals and organizations that have similar goals in regards to sparking change in the community and giving back in meaningful ways. In 2012, the Black Business and Professional Association honoured Dr. Sterling with a BBPA Harry Jerome Award, recognizing his impact and commitment to progress and development. 

The charitable endeavours of Dr. Anthony Sterling include, but are not limited to, the Sterling Dental United Achievers Scholarship, Brampton’s Best Smile Search and the William Osler Foundation Ski Day. Sterling also partakes in the United Achievers Celebrity Men Who Cook Event, in which proceeds go to the United Achievers Club of Brampton, specifically their scholarship program. Funds also support the Brampton Civic Hospital for Sickle Cell Patients. Due to his transformational impact, Dr. Anthony Sterling is named a 2013 Visionary Star by Diversity Magazine (DiversityMagazine.ca).

Arun Srivastava

President & CEO, Paystation Inc.

Born in Ottawa, Canada, Arun Srivastava is the President and CEO of Paystation Inc. The Son of a renowned National Research Council of Canada scientist with a Ph.D. from Minnesota University in the USA, young Srivastava moved with his parents to India at age three. He obtained Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees from Ahmedabad city. At 22, he was a Management Trainee at Bhilwara Group. Upon getting married, he moved back to Canada. 

Srivastava persevered throughout the tough times of the 1990s, obtaining the professional Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation. His first finance job was at NEC in the position of Inventory Accountant. In 1989, Srivastava joined Paymaster Cheque Writers. With an eagle’s eye, a lion’s mind and a tiger’s spirit, Srivastava rose through the ranks, becoming President of Paystation Inc. (formerly Paymaster Cheque Writers Canada), in nine short years. A confidante to the previous owner & CEO, he accorded the company prestige and influence. 

Within three years as President, Mr. Srivastava turned Paystation Inc., which was bleeding red and weighed down by debt, to profitability with a handsome balance sheet. He grew the Shredder division by over 300% and introduced a proprietary software. In 2011, Srivastava became CEO & the sole owner. Today, Paystation is the only Canadian company providing end-to-end solutions to financial institutions, with a new image-based cheque system. For his great inspiration, Arun Srivastava is named a 2013 Visionary Star by Diversity Magazine (DiversityMagazine.ca).

Kreesha Turner

Pop Music Rising Star

Kreesha Turner is one of Canada’s brightest and fastest rising superstars in entertainment. The 27 year-old Alberta native was born and raised in Edmonton. She did not think that she was a good singer growing up. After her first 15 years in Canada; her mother sent her off to Jamaica for high school, where she was to experience her Caribbean heritage. That experience sparked what adult contemporary music enthusiasts have on their play lists today.

Singing is an everyday practice for Jamaicans, as Turner quickly found out. She attended Wolmer’s girl school in Kingston and after much encouragement, she began to sing at church as part of a choir. Needless to say, Turner realized she loved music. In 2003, she returned to her native land of Canada and began laying the groundwork for her place in the music business. She performed anywhere and everywhere, wrote and recorded her own tracks, all the while building a loyal fan base.

Kreesha Turner won the opportunity to record four songs as part of a talent show grand prize. Her albums include, Passion in 2008, which featured the nationwide #1 Canadian song, “Don’t Call Me Baby” and “Tropic Electric.” Her songs have been on television shows like, “Entourage”, “Ugly Betty”, “Brothers and Sisters”, “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” and “Smash”, to name a few. Tropic Electric is nominated for a 2013 Juno for R&B/Soul recording of the year. For her creative expressions, Kreesha Turner is named Visionary Star by Diversity Magazine