Speakers

Sagar Podilapu is a Hamilton-based business owner and systems-focused consultant who studies how system breakdowns affect both organizations and communities.

He is the founder of Standard Marketing and previously spent over a decade working as a software engineer building complex systems.

Through his work, Sagar became interested in how many modern challenges, including stress, addiction, and homelessness, are often connected to larger system gaps rather than isolated individual issues.

He is also an active Toastmaster and recently placed first at his club speech contest and third at the area level. "

 

About Presentation:
“Why Homelessness Keeps Growing: Exploring the Social and Economic Factors Affecting Our Communities,” looks beyond the visible symptoms of homelessness to examine some of the interconnected pressures behind it, including rising housing costs, mental health, addiction, economic instability, and gaps between support systems. Rather than focusing on blame or proposing a single solution, Sagar explores why homelessness can keep growing despite significant efforts by governments, nonprofits, and communities, and how prevention, earlier intervention, stronger coordination, and community-level action may lead to better outcomes.

Uche Okugo serves as District Governor for 2026-2027 of Rotary International District 7080, Ontario, Canada. A Rotarian since 2006, he began his Rotary journey in Nigeria with the Rotary Club of Asaba and later the Rotary Club of Ota, serving in numerous leadership roles before relocating to Canada in 2018 and joining the Rotary Club of Brampton, where he also served as Club President.

Professionally, Uche is an Economic Development leader with the City of Brampton, advancing innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship initiatives. He holds a degree in Civil Engineering, an MBA, and an Advanced Certificate in Economic Development from the University of Waterloo, along with leadership and financial trading certifications.

 Uche is also a Founding Member of the Rotary Fellowship of Public Speakers, a member of the Rotarian Action Group for Community Economic Development (RAGCED), a WASHRAG Ambassador, and a Peace Ambassador with the Institute for Economics and Peace.