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This wasn’t simply about panels and plenaries; it was about people, about pride, about purpose. The global conclave of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC) held in Toronto from April 29 to May 3, 2025 was not just a gathering, but a powerful movement. For the 150 plus conclave delegates and over 250 who attended the gala on the last night, it was a kaleidoscope of tradition and innovation, of business acumen and community warmth. There was 30% participation of Zoroastrians from the Greater Toronto Area, 30% from other parts of North America and 40% from India, UK and Australia. 

From the opening prayer at the Zoroastrian Society of Ontario (ZSO) Darb-e-Mehr, the conclave established itself as more than just a business meet. It was an immersive experience, an emotional, intellectual and cultural journey where ideas flourished, friendships blossomed and every conversation felt like a step toward something bigger. 

The theme, "The Other Side of Business,” was not a just a tagline, it was a call to action. And the speakers? They answered it in style. The co-chair of the conclave Cyrus Patel lit the divo and WZCC global president Capt Percy Master outlined the key goals for the Chamber which is in its silver jubilee year.  

Dignity and determination

In his keynote address on "A Quest to Spread Dignity,” media innovator Firdaus Kharas enumerated his bold yet profoundly simple message: Compassion is not soft, it’s strategic. He wove stories from his worldwide campaigns, showing how dignity can lead not only social change but also measurable success in boardrooms. His talk was a reset button for many attendees, urging them to think beyond numbers and lead with humanity.

In one of the liveliest sessions of the conclave, social activists Zerbanoo Gifford and Mahabanoo Mody Kotwal took the stage for "Turning Points and Triumphs.” It was supposed to be a "fireside chat,” but it felt more like fireworks. These two trailblazing women brought the house down with humor, candor and unapologetic honesty. They spoke of reinvention, resilience and the courage to break barriers, from the fight for women’s rights to the battles within their own communities. As women who’ve set the world ablaze and still have stories left to tell, they shared personal turning points and succeeded in evoking laughter that lingered the longest. 

Cyrus J. Mistry’s session on "Artificial intelligence (AI) and exponential thinking” was a master-class into the future. He lucidly guided the audience through a fast, evolving world where AI is a reality, not a distant threat or opportunity. Thinking outside the box isn’t enough anymore. We need to build arenas instead of boxes, thinking bigger than big is the only way forward. He challenged delegates to not just adapt but to anticipate, to build resilient systems, and to lead boldly in an age where technology is rewriting the rules faster than we can follow.

  2nd row: Phil Sidhwa, Varun Balsara, Shernaz Engineer, Hormuz Vazifdar

Embracing failure and fulfilment

Youth being the focus of WZCC in its silver jubilee year, nearly one-fourth of the conclave participants comprised youngsters. It was heartwarming to hear panelists Arnavaz Dhabhar, Delna Patel and Arashasp Shroff, led by the dynamic Zenia Wadia, share their bold journeys into unconventional careers. In the session on "Young Zarathushtis on Alternate Paths,” they referred to their careers in creative arts, entrepreneurship, social impact ventures — paths that were once seen as risky, now recognized as revolutionary. They talked openly about stepping away from traditional expectations, embracing failure, and choosing fulfilment over predictability.

The audience, especially the younger delegates, hung onto every word. At different times, there was laughter, there were tears and there was pin drop silence as these young panelists captivated the audience.

The next panel was fascinating with Shernaz Engineer of Verity, UK expertly moderating a panel of entrepreneurs from various countries and at different stages of their entrepreneurial journeys: Phil Sidhwa from Canada, in a long-established business, Hormuz Vazifdar from Australia who has an established company but who is looking to expand into new frontiers and Varun Balsara from UK whose start-up is looking for funding. From a security tech firm, to a learning portal to recycling and garbage, the companies were as diverse as the entrepreneurs.

 

Health and happiness 

In his "Musical Notes,” Mervon Mehta explored the power and benefits of music. He explained the healing power of music, especially in autism, generating lots of questions from the audience.

Advertising icon Sam Balsara’s cross generational panel on "Happiness, purpose and business success” reminded that more important than formulae was finding joy in the journey, for success without soul is just noise. In a warm, generous exchange between generations, Dr Adil Bhesania, a dentist and former president of the Ontario Zoroastrian Community Foundation (OZCF), Jivahn Moradian, an educationist and coach from New York, Behnaz Nanavatti, WZCC global youth director from Poona, and Meherwan Wadia, project management professional with Tata Consultancy Services in Toronto wove through work-life balance, meaning in modern careers, and how happiness has become a key performance indicator in today’s world. The panel’s easy camaraderie and deeply personal stories left the audience with more than strategies; it left them with a perspective.

With his signature mix of philosophy, fitness, and playfulness, Mickey Mehta had the entire hall stretching and laughing. With lines like "Get Mickeyfied!” echoing through the hall, and his flair for motivation, he had everyone on their feet. It was a reminder that business brilliance definitely needs a healthy body and an uncluttered mind.

In his talk on "Cutting the Mustard,” Elliot Penner, founder of The Good Food Foundation, spoke about giving back via his not-for-profit organization and how it had helped feed millions of underprivileged Canadians.

Pitching for prospects

The Tiger’s Den (the Zoroastrian version of Shark Tank) was more than just a business pitch competition to prospective investors willing to offer venture capital. It was a high voltage celebration of Zoroastrian entrepreneurship. Young and seasoned entrepreneurs alike stepped onto the stage with big dreams and bold plans, and the community showed up to support them. The pitches spanned everything from sustainable fashion, to security, wellness brands to social enterprises to resorts.

Entrepreneurs in the competition were Parendi Birdie of Carnea Meat Company that crafts elevated meat products like Truffle Mushroom Meatballs, Hormuz Vazifdar of Verify Chain based in Melbourne using cutting edge technology to ensure one’s confidential information is used only by the person when required; Xenia Byramji whose woman-led Canadian fashion brand Xenia showcases stylish yet affordable womenswear and menswear that blend western style with Zoroastrian heritage; Ardeshir Zohrabi and Arash Khosraviani of Investocost, a blockchain-powered platform enabling small businesses to raise funds directly from loyal customers through a shared economy model; Armaana Arethna of Sandy Lane Resort that fills the gap for affordable and sustainable vacation/retirement co-housing projects in rural markets; Daraius Balsara of Lumos Capital LLC that targets absentee-owned restaurants that lack modern technology and have clean financials; Navroz Havewala of Ameya Transmissions LLC who has invented a disruptive technology for the automotive industry; Shawn Shahgoshtasbi whose global platform ZoroConnect bridges generations and geographies, creating a digital and marketing home for Zoroastrians worldwide; Bahar Abadi of Baziigram whose game store Phoenix allows web developers to promote their games and earn revenue.

The ‘tiger’ investors included Sam Balsara, chairman of Madison World, India’s largest independent communications group; Mistry, chief executive officer of Mudita Venture Studios that creates and provides funds to start-ups; Penner, founder of The For Good Foundation that sources and distributes food to food banks across Canada; Phiroze (Daru) Darukhanavala who retired as chief technical officer and vice president of British Petroleum and is known for his extensive global background expertise in the oil and gas industry. 

The room crackled with excitement. Investors took notes. Ideas sparked collaborations. Some ventures walked away with potential funding; others left with something just as valuable: validation, mentorship and community cheerleaders, reaffirming the Zoroastrian entrepreneurial spirit as not only alive but thriving.

  2nd row: Firdaus Kharas, Cyrus J. Mistry, Mickey Mehta, Arzan Wadia 

Retrospective and reunion

WZCC global director Arzan Wadia wrapped up the formal part of the conclave with his retrospective. He put his own spin on our community and on our youth who would be the next torchbearers in leading our community forward. In conclusion he thanked the organizing team members, volunteers, caterers and delegates who contributed to the success of this event.  

What is a community event without its bhonu? Every meal at the conclave was curated by a Zoroastrian owned business. Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks and even the excursion lunch boxes were handcrafted by community members: Naz’s Kitchen, Fi La Soul, Bamboat Catering, M5 Catering, Parsi Food Toronto and Prochi Gazdar. All home-grown caterer-entrepreneurs from Toronto were given a chance to showcase their culinary talents. Some of them were debuting at an event of this scale, taking center stage and serving with pride to make the chai (tea) breaks mini reunions, and the meals, memories.

The trip to Niagara Falls wasn’t just a sightseeing tour, it was a chance to bond, reflect and marvel at nature’s sheer power with delegates swapping stories on the bus rides and posing for photos in the mist. Dinner at the CN Tower made the delegates feel they were eating among the clouds and reinforced the popular phrase, "the heights we can reach, together.”

The visit to the OZCF center was a celebration of heritage and hospitality. To serve the community that is spread out in Toronto are two organizations, ZSO and OZCF, mutually arranging events to ensure maximum attendance. The Toronto Chapter of WZCC supports both the organizations and in return enjoys all facilities from them.  

The core team of the WZCC Toronto conclave comprised global directors Dilnavaz Shroff and Cyrus Patel as co-chairs ably supported by Meherwan Wadia as director of operations, Mahyar Hansotia as director of finance, Khushru Chothia as director of logistics, Arnavaz Dhabhar as director of hospitality with young team leads like Mehrzaad Mogrelia, Fravash and Araash Chothia, Zenai Wadia, Delna Printer, Delna Patel, Shayaan Nazir and Karan Sethna.

The glittering gala 

The gala night at Marriott was loud and proud. It started with a red-carpet welcome and quickly melted into yet another joyful event. Founder and chief executive officer of Oklahama based RKI Energy Resources, LLC, Ronnie Irani’s conversation with erstwhile WZCC global president Edul Daver was sharp, funny and rich with life lessons. From cricket fields to corporate corridors, Irani proved that charisma and authenticity are timeless assets.

Two remarkable individuals to be bestowed WZCC’s prestigious honorary membership this year were Irani and Gifford at the scintillating gala awards night. For the five WZCC Awards for 2024 announced this year, two recipients had come to Toronto to collect them in person:  25-year-old Varun Balsara and 84-yearold Rusi Bhumgara (see "WZCC winners.”) 

Adding to the night’s star power were the young Zarathushti performers: Ardavan Taraporewala, Tara Jamshidian, Behram Hathi, Zane Commissariat and Meher Pavri. They lit up the stage with music, poetry and stories, bringing the audience to their feet, stomping and gyrating, and smiles to every face.

Co-chair of the conclave Shroff brought the event to a close recognizing the contribution of every speaker, vendor, volunteer and delegate, as also boards of the Zoroastrian organizations in Toronto that   contributed in creating a sense of unity and harmony; a sense of community. The décor for all the events was organized by Shay Designs and capturing the highlights of the five days on camera through photographs that were shared with Parsiana were Nari and Media_by_mdw.

This wasn’t the end of a conference; it was the beginning of a new collective journey where tradition and innovation dance together; where youth are not just welcomed, but celebrated; where success is shared, and giving back is the greatest return.

WZCC winners

Co-founder of Let’s Level Up, a London headquartered AI-based platform helping coaches and experts build online learning businesses, Balsara was named Outstanding Young Entrepreneur. While at Warwick Business School he founded ConnectUs to combat student isolation on campus. It was later acquired by Warwick University. He also launched The Human Entrepreneur podcast which became an Apple Top 20 podcast within two years. Past president of the World Zoroastrian Organisation (India), Bhumgara was conferred the Outstanding Zarathushti Social Entrepreneur award. Among the community institutions that he continues to serve are the All Parsees Sports Foundation and the Bombay Parsee Association where he is vice president, the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations for Welfare and Culture where he is general secretary, the Dadar Parsi Welfare Centre and Jehangir Meherwanji Jussawala Trust where he is trustee and the Mancherji Edulji Joshi Education Trust where he is on the managing committee.

The other award winners who could not attend and had shared their acceptance speech as a video recording were Cyrus Katgara, fourth generation partner of Jeena and Company who was conferred the Outstanding Entrepreneur award. One of the founder members of Air Cargo Forum India, he was instrumental in Jeena and Company diversifying from the traditional freight forwarding business to aviation general sales agent business, and domestic healthcare/critical logistics. Architect Hafeez Contractor was conferred the Outstanding Professional award. His architectural firm that employs over 530 employees has been associated with a range of projects including modernizing the two busiest Indian airports in Bombay and Delhi, designing the tallest buildings in the subcontinent like the Imperial Towers in Bombay and 23 Marina in Dubai, and working with housing boards in the states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.  Indian national car racing champion Diana Pundole was conferred the Outstanding Young Professional award. Out of 13 championship races she won seven, finished second in three and third in one to win the MRF FMSCI Indian National Championship 2024 in the saloon car category, the first woman car racer to earn this distinction.