Dany Assaf was born in Edmonton, where he played hockey and dreamed of the NHL — a life familiar to many Canadians. Yet suddenly, despite generations of family history in Alberta, he and his family were branded Muslim terrorists: the “other” to be feared and shunned.
Dany, now a top Bay Street competition and foreign investment lawyer, now travels the globe representing Canadian interests. From idolizing Hockey Hall of Famer Darryl Sittler as a boy to dealing with the threats of white supremacists to experiencing the joy of his son Mohamad carrying the Canadian flag at the 100th Anniversary of the Grey Cup, Dany is a man who focuses on what unites Canada and looks to a hopeful future.
Dany’s is an untold Canadian story of four generations of a Muslim family. It’s also a blueprint for hope that seeks to reclaim the soul and spirit of what makes Canada unique.
In his book, Say Please and Thank You & Stand in Line: One Man’s Story of What Makes Canada Special, and How to Keep it That Way, Dany says,
“No matter the challenges we face, technology, connectivity, and the opportunity for shared prosperity remain and have never been greater in human history. Let’s connect and seize the agenda to grasp the future we are all worthy of. Why should we settle for less?”
Chatter That Matters is hosted by the Marketing Hall of Legends and the Canadian Marketing and PR Hall of Fame Inductee Tony Chapman. Tony wants to counter the storm of negativity and a growing sense of impossibility by sharing true stories of possibility and positivity. Stories of people who make things happen, despite today’s challenging circumstances. In doing so, he hopes their life lessons inspire others to do more and to be more. RBC is the presenting sponsor.
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