// ABOUT MARK HIGGINS

Toronto resident Mark Higgins has enjoyed a prosperous career as a musician, restaurateur, concert promoter, and serial entrepreneur. For over thirty years, Mark has focused on a successful niche market, bringing festivals that feature Canadian and international headliners to communities across Canada.

In 2011, he orchestrated Bobcaygeon, a phenomenon where an unprecedented throng of 27,000 fans from all parts of Canada and the US converged on the city of Bobcaygeon for local heroes The Tragically Hip. Universal filmed the concert and behind the scenes resulting in the JUNO Award winning movie Bobcaygeonstill on regular rotation for HBO and the Movie Network.

In 2014, Big Music Fest — one of the largest and most successful independent promotion companies in Canada — presented superstars Aerosmith, to a measurable $7 million economic impact on the Waterloo Region. Combined with the success of 2015 this increased to 13 million over two years. Excited to unite the most innovative visionaries and influential leaders from the multi-billion technology and music industries in a shared space, Mark was also the creator and integrity driven visionary behind FUZEnation Tech + Music Summit in 2016. Before a sold-out crowd, Steve Wozniak and other icons from the tech and music world shared their stories about taking risks, and failing spectacularly on their journey to success. FUZEnation culminated with a concert headlined by one of the most hyped electronic artists on the planet Norwegian DJ prodigy KYGO. In 2017, Mark’s newest initiative, Youth and Stars Success Walk was created to speak to the need to empower and engage youth, including those who are looking for career advice to those who have fallen off the grid and could use the support of great helping agencies. Young people joined with professionals, including first responders, lawyers, teachers, doctors, all trades and sports and music celebrities and together will Walk For Success, Walk For Higher Education, and Walk to Empower Their Lives.

// ABOUT THE GORD DOWNIE FUND FOR BRAIN CANCER RESEARCH

The Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research was established at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in 2016. With an outpouring of support from Canadians across the country, $1.8 million has been raised. The Fund will support the Gord Downie Fellowship in Brain Oncology and construction of the G. Hurvitz Brain Sciences Centre, including clinical and research space for neurologists who care for patients with brain cancer.