Samsung Canada Reveals Judge Lineup for 2024-2025 Solve for Tomorrow Contest, an Annual Program Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators

Canadian Classrooms Invited to Imagine Solutions to Solve Real-World Problems using STEM Learning, with the Chance to Win up to $125,000 in Samsung Tech

Samsung Canada is excited to announce the panel of judges for the 2024/2025 Solve for Tomorrow Contest[i], a nationwide competition aimed at encouraging Canadian students in grades 6 – 12 to develop innovative solutions to address pressing challenges facing their communities. This year the themes of the contest include environmental sustainability, equity for equity-seeking groups, and health in our communities.

“We are honoured to partner with this talented panel of judges in championing the next generation of Canadian innovators,” said Jihoon Lee, President and CEO of Samsung Canada. “Together with the Solve for Tomorrow judges, we hope to encourage and empower the ingenuity of students to help build a better future.”

In line with this year’s themes, the Solve for Tomorrow judge lineup for 2024/2025 includes community leaders and advocates in the fields of environmental sustainability, equity, and health care, along with members of the Samsung Canada team. The judge lineup is as follows:

• Sachin Doshi, General Surgery Resident, University of Toronto. Sachin is an MBA candidate at Wharton and the University of Pennsylvania, whose focus is on healthcare management and innovation. He is also a General Surgery Resident at the University of Toronto, where he provides comprehensive surgical care across multiple specialties. With a keen interest in research, regulatory approval, and investment in medical innovation, Sachin is dedicated to advancing healthcare through technology.
• Brian Warren, Founder & Executive Director, Start2Finish. Start2Finish is an organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of child poverty in Canada. Through groundbreaking programming and child advocacy, Brian has created a transformative educational model that supports at-risk children from grade one through to post-secondary, empowering them to overcome barriers to success. With over 24 years of leadership, his work has reached communities across Canada and internationally, providing hope and opportunity to children in need.
• Shea Tough, Director of Program Success, The Knowledge Society. With a passion for advancing scientific solutions to real-world challenges, Shea is dedicated to exploring the untapped potential of scientific tools. Shea is focused on the transformative shift happening in the biotech industry, where innovative technologies are poised to reshape the way we live. Through mentorship and leadership, Shea is actively contributing to the future of technology and innovation.
• Stefanie Knights, Director, Talent Management, Samsung Electronics Canada. Stefanie leads organizational development initiatives focused on performance management, diversity, equity, inclusion, and leadership development. With a passion for people development and fostering an inclusive workplace, Stefanie drives programs that promote engagement, continuous learning, and equal opportunity. She excels in creating innovative solutions to address the evolving needs of the business and ensure a dynamic, high-performing workforce.
• Laura Donaldson, Director & Head of Brand Marketing (Mobile), Samsung Electronics Canada. With extensive experience in brand marketing, Laura brings a strong focus on innovation and consumer engagement. Her expertise spans strategic planning and driving impactful mobile campaigns that strengthen brand reputation.
• Christian Di Vincenzo, Director, Corporate Marketing, Samsung Electronics Canada. Christian leads the development of consumer-centric strategies to drive brand growth. With experience across technology and automotive sectors, Christian specializes in integrated marketing, branding, and product management. Passionate about innovation, team building and making an impact, he excels in transforming market insights into actionable growth initiatives.

Following the nationwide call for applications, the judges will have the challenging task of selecting the regional finalists in January 2025. These finalists will have an incredible opportunity to participate in a workshop with the judges as well as receive mentorship from Samsung employees, helping the students to refine and enhance their submissions before the next round of the contest. From there, twelve national finalists will be selected, and ultimately, one will be named the 2025 “School for Tomorrow.”

As part of the contest, a grand total of $125,000 in Samsung technology and vouchers will awarded, supporting eligible finalists and winners as they take their solutions to the next level.

Applications are still being accepted. To learn more, visit samsung.com/ca/solve and submit your application by December 20, 2024.

[i] Terms and Conditions apply. The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest begins on12:00:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (“EST”) on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. EST on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.Open to residents of Canada who are twenty one (21) years of age or older and are currently employed as full-time teachers in a public Middle School, Junior High School, or High School, grades 6-12, including Charter Schools that are 50% or more publicly funded in Canada. All Canadian publicly funded schools are eligible to participate. Schools that are publicly funded but outside of the provincially-run school board/district/division system, such as Charter Schools in Alberta and Federally-funded schools in FNMI communities, are eligible to apply if they meet the grade requirements. A full-time teacher, as defined above, is eligible to enter the Contest as part of a team with at least one (1) or more students up to a maximum of fifty (50) students (the “Participant”). The Contest is divided into three phases. Phase One requires teams to submit a written entry through the registration link on samsung.com/ca/solve between 12:00:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (“EST”) on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 and 11:59:59 p.m. EST on Friday, December 20, 2024. Twelve (12) Regional Finalist teams will be selected on or about Monday, January 20, 2024 by a panel of six (6) qualified judges selected by Samsung based on the selection criteria stated in the full Official Contest Rules. Each eligible Regional Finalist will receive a Samsung Voucher to purchase Samsung technology, and/or select Samsung products, with a total value of $2,500 per selected team. During Phase Two, each Regional Finalist team will be required to submit a video between Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 12:00:01 a.m. EST and Friday, February 28, 2025 at 11:59:59 p.m. EST to be eligible. All eligible submissions received will be judged by a panel of six (6) qualified judges selected by Samsung based on the criteria stated in the full Official Contest Rules, and four (4) National Finalists will be selected. Each eligible National Finalist will receive a Samsung Voucher to purchase Samsung technology, and/or select Samsung products, with a total value of $5,000 per selected team. Phase Three requires each National Finalist team to make a presentation to judges on their Project based on the criteria provided by Sponsor (the “Presentation”). All eligible Presentations will be judged by a panel of six (6) qualified judges selected by Samsung based on the criteria stated in the full Official Contest Rules, and one (1) Grand Prize Winner, and two (2) Runner Up Winners will be selected. The eligible Grand Prize Winner and Runner Up Winners shall receive winning prizes as follows: Grand Prize Winner – Samsung Vouchers to purchase Samsung technology, and/or select Samsung products with a combined total value of $50,000; First Runner Up Winner – Samsung Vouchers to purchase Samsung technology, and/or select Samsung products with a combined total value of $10,000; Second Runner Up Winner – Samsung Vouchers to purchase Samsung technology, and/or select Samsung products with a combined total value of $10,000. The videos of all four (4) National Finalists will exhibited on samsung.com/ca/solve, and eligible members of the general public will be permitted to vote on their favourite National Finalist Entry. Voting will be open from 12:01:01 a.m. EST Tuesday, April 1, 2025 and end at 11:59:59 p.m. EST on, Wednesday, April 16, 2025 (“Public Voting Period”). The eligible National Finalist who receives the most qualifying votes will be awarded Samsung Vouchers to purchase Samsung technology, and/or select Samsung products with a combined total value of $5,000. All prizes will be made payable to the Participant’s school for use by the winning teacher. Odds of winning depend upon the total number of entries received during each phase. Must correctly answer a mathematical skill-testing question to win. For more information and a copy of the full Official Contest Rules, visit samsung.com/ca/solve.