Ted Paris Executive Vice President, Head of Analytics, Intelligence and AI TD Bank AMCB

Ted Paris Executive Vice President, Head of Analytics, Intelligence and AI TD Bank AMCB Ted Paris is Head of AMCB Analytics, Intelligence & AI, leading AI strategy and data-driven insights. He previously led Product and Strategy at TD Direct Investing, with 25+ years of experience at firms like Barclays, Citi, and Essex Lake Group. Ted holds a master’s in Public Policy from Harvard and lives in Massachusetts with his wife and three children.

Ricardo Stanford Vice President, Strategy, Planning and Support - Transformation, Enablement & Customer Experience TD Bank Group

Ricardo Stanford Vice President, Strategy, Planning and Support - Transformation, Enablement & Customer Experience TD Bank Group Ricardo Stanford is VP, Strategy, Planning, and Support at TD Bank Group, leading a top-performing CoE for strategy development. He previously drove Operational Excellence to enhance the Bank's competitive edge. Recognized for building transformational capabilities and promoting diversity, Ricardo also serves on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters Toronto and the Salvation Army of Canada and Bermuda. Passionate about fitness, football, and travel, he leads an active lifestyle.

Kirsti Racine Vice President, AI Platform TD Bank Group

Kirsti Racine Vice President, AI Platform TD Bank Group Kirsti Racine, VP, AI Platform at TD Bank Group, is a technology leader with 25 years of experience in transforming financial services. She focuses on democratizing AI for customers and colleagues, building secure, stable AI, and developing reusable frameworks for AI initiatives. A strong advocate for women in tech, Kirsti actively participates in events to inspire others and share insights on staying technical throughout career progression.

Chuck Kennedy Vice President, Global Security and Defense TD Bank Group

Chuck Kennedy Vice President, Global Security and Defense TD Bank Group Chuck is VP, Information Security Executive at TD, overseeing DaaS, Finance, AI, M&A, and key risk programs. He has led security teams across TD’s major divisions and played leadership roles in M&A, including partnerships with Target, Nordstrom, and Amazon. Former CIO & CTO at MBNA Canada, Chuck holds CRISC and CDPSE certifications, a B.A. from the University of Calgary, and an M.Sc. in Information Security. A mentor and volunteer, he also serves on Ashbury College’s Board of Governors and supports several Ottawa charities.

Fabien Youbissi Managing Director, Global Markets BMO

Fabien Youbissi Managing Director, Global Markets BMO

Ayana Robertson Associate Vice President HR, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion TD Bank Group

Ayana Robertson Associate Vice President HR, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion TD Bank Group Ayana Robertson is Associate VP, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at TD, leading DEI strategy, program delivery, and governance. With 15+ years in HR within financial services, she has expertise in DEI, HR strategy, change management, and talent strategies. Previously, Ayana was Chief of Staff to the Head of People & Culture at a multinational company. She serves on the Board of COSTI and is a member of Cari-on SVG. Ayana holds an MBA from Rotman and a B.Sc. in Biochemistry from Dalhousie University.

Elton John Managing Director and Associate Vice President, DevOps, Automation & Foundational Technology, TD Securities. TD Securities

Elton John Managing Director and Associate Vice President, DevOps, Automation & Foundational Technology, TD Securities. TD Securities Elton John is a technology executive with 20+ years of experience leading transformation in payments, capital markets, and cloud infrastructure at TD Securities. As Managing Director, he oversees a multi-million-dollar portfolio focused on regulatory compliance, real-time payments, and platform optimization. Previously, Elton led TD’s public cloud engineering practice and contributed to key innovations in Data-as-a-Service and cloud adoption. A passionate STEM advocate, Elton mentors youth and creates pathways for early talent in tech.

Anthony Lambie Associate Vice President of Marketing Technology TD Bank Group

Anthony Lambie Associate Vice President of Marketing Technology TD Bank Group Anthony Lambie is Associate VP of Marketing Technology at TD Bank, with 25+ years in technology leadership across financial services. He oversees TD’s North American marketing application assets and offer management solutions. Previously, Anthony was Director of Proactive Engagement at American Express and AVP of CRM & Application Services at Sunlife Financial. He actively mentors future leaders and is supported by his wife and two accomplished children.

Vinayak Nagarajan SVP, Application Management Lead, Markets Technology Citi

Vinayak Nagarajan SVP, Application Management Lead, Markets Technology Citi Vinayak Nagarajan is a Capital Markets IT Specialist with a career spanning the evolution from mainframe architectures to cutting-edge generative AI.  Vinayak worked on the development of transformative Generative AI solutions, leveraging advanced AI models to automate and streamline critical business processes, including project management and compliance-driven educational workflows.

Lee Watt Senior Executive Recruitment Partner - Black Talent Lead, HR TD Bank Group

Lee Watt Senior Executive Recruitment Partner - Black Talent Lead, HR TD Bank Group Lee Watt is the Sr. Executive Talent Partner – Black Talent Lead at TD, driving an inclusive executive talent strategy across Canada. Focused on increasing Black leadership representation, Lee leverages deep networks, stakeholder engagement, and strategic collaboration to close equity gaps and build robust pipelines for complex, high-impact roles.

Melissa Grant Senior Talent Acquisition Leader, Diversity Advocate, Strategic Hiring Partner TD Bank Group

Melissa Grant Senior Talent Acquisition Leader, Diversity Advocate, Strategic Hiring Partner TD Bank Group Senior Talent Acquisition Leader | Diversity Advocate | Strategic Hiring Partner With over 15 years of global recruitment experience, I specialize in building high-performing teams, driving inclusive hiring strategies, and delivering scalable talent solutions. From launching new call centers to leading tech hiring across North America and Europe, I bring energy, innovation, and results to every search. Passionate about candidate experience, stakeholder collaboration, and empowering recruitment teams to thrive.

Sherifat Akinwonmi Senior Information Security Specialist TD Bank Group

Sherifat Akinwonmi Senior Information Security Specialist TD Bank Group Sherifat Akinwonmi is a seasoned Cybersecurity professional with 15+ years of experience across Banking, Fintech, Oil & Energy, and Pharmaceuticals. She is a Business Information Security Officer at TD, driving secure AI adoption. Certified in CRISC, CCSP, CISSP, CISM, and CCISO, she holds a Master’s in Information Security with distinction. Named one of Canada’s Top 20 Women in Cybersecurity, Sherifat is a mentor, career coach, and advisory board member for women in tech.

Karen L Smith Senior Information Security Specialist TD Bank Group

Karen L Smith Senior Information Security Specialist TD Bank Group Karen Smith, Senior Information Security Specialist at TD Bank, has 25+ years of IT governance experience across industries, including Anti-Submarine Warfare, Medical Imaging, and Banking. She champions the Executive Women's Forum and leads the Black Experience Group Mentoring Program. A passionate advocate for diversity in tech, Karen founded BDPA Northern Delaware. She’s also a former YWCA Delaware Board President and adjunct professor. Karen holds a BS in Computer Science and an MS in Organizational Leadership.

Jon Barnett Senior Manager, Colleague Enablement Product Owner, North American Customer Operations TD Bank Group

Jon Barnett Senior Manager, Colleague Enablement Product Owner, North American Customer Operations TD Bank Group Jon Barnett, with 25+ years at TD, has expertise in enhancing customer and colleague satisfaction through leadership and innovation. A recognized inventor with 100+ patents, he established an innovation center for TD’s mortgage business and led the bank's first GenAI implementation. Jon holds a BS in Psychology and a Certificate in Strategic Leadership and Innovation, applying empathy and collaboration in all his work.

Neil Sauve Senior Manager, Practice Lead, Product Owner Practice TD Bank Group

Neil Sauve Senior Manager, Practice Lead, Product Owner Practice TD Bank Group Neil Sauve is a Senior Manager Product Owner Practice Lead at TD Bank, where he champions purposeful innovation and drives collaboration across teams. A natural leader with a bias for action, Neil blends empathy, influence, and positive energy to inspire others and deliver meaningful and measurable outcomes. Known for bringing fun and connection into his work, he helps teams turn big items into real impact - making the journey as rewarding as the result.

Tracy Marshall Director Product Enablement Tangerine

Tracy Marshall Director Product Enablement Tangerine I am a results-driven leader with a proven track record of building high-performing teams. I am a passionate and dedicated coach focused on engaging and empowering my team to deliver excellent customer experiences. I have had the opportunity to gain experience in front line sales and service, business and product development, IT, operations, risk management, (compliance and privacy), communications, transformation projects, crisis management and learning design and development.

Damian Jones VP Payments and Cash Management Scotiabank

Damian Jones VP Payments and Cash Management Scotiabank Damian is currently the Vice President and Head of Global Transaction Banking for Canadian Commercial Banking. In his role he’s responsible for providing strategic direction, leadership and oversight for the Global Transaction banking sales teams nationally. Damian has ~20 years of experience spanning both Canadian and International banking divisions Damian’s experience includes responsibilities in Corporate & Commercial banking, Global Transaction banking, capital markets, credit and enterprise risk management Damian holds a Master of Business Administration from Andrews University and Bachelor of Science from the University of the West Indies

Yinka Adesesan Black Innovation Programs Manager DMZ

Yinka Adesesan Black Innovation Programs Manager DMZ Yinka Adesesan is a purpose-driven innovation leader and ecosystem builder who helps early-stage founders turn bold ideas into real businesses. Currently the Black Innovation Program Manager at DMZ, he designs and runs founder-first programs that help tech entrepreneurs gain traction and scale. With over a decade of experience spanning venture building, program design and corporate innovation, Yinka has worked with corporate clients and startups across continents—supporting founders through accelerators, coaching, and hands-on guidance. With a background in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s in Design Management, Yinka blends creative thinking with operational clarity. He’s Nigerian-born, Toronto-based, and always curious—often reading multiple books at once, building side projects, or talking about sci-fi, the future of work or how to make big ideas actually happen.

Tsahai Irving-Walker Director AML, Retail, Business Banking Scotiabank

Tsahai Irving-Walker Director AML, Retail, Business Banking Scotiabank Tsahai Irving-Walker is a experienced leader in banking, specializing in Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Internal Controls, Group Operations, and Technology. Currently leading AML Risk for Retail, Business Banking and Tangerine, Tsahai has driven enterprise-wide transformation initiatives, including AML and Lean, aligning strategy with regulatory compliance and operational excellence. With a strong foundation in Program Management, Business Process Optimization, and Agile delivery, Tsahai brings a unique blend of technical insight and leadership. Holding a B.Sc. in Counseling and an M.Sc. in Human Resource Development, along with multiple industry certifications, Tsahai is passionate about continuous improvement, mentoring, and building a meaningful legacy.

Denrek Lewis Senior Manager, Inbound Fraud Scotiabank

Denrek Lewis Senior Manager, Inbound Fraud Scotiabank As a Senior Manager in Inbound Fraud, I've seen how fraud has evolved and the importance of having a strong team to educate and assist clients during their most vulnerable moments. Alongside this, automation in early fraud detection is essential. Over the past six years, leading diverse global teams and driving strategic initiatives has been more than just a job for me—it's a passion. As we continue to focus on client primacy, I'm committed to operational excellence, cost-effective solutions, and regulatory compliance. My team’s goal is to innovate and inspire change for a safer financial landscape. I embrace challenges with enthusiasm and am dedicated to fostering inclusive environments. By empowering my team and continuing to learn how to maximize our impact through automation, client education, and efficiencies, I strive to make security and innovation work together for real, actionable results.

Rohan Christie Managing Director, Global Head of Central Compliance Scotiabank

Rohan Christie Managing Director, Global Head of Central Compliance Scotiabank Rohan Christie has been with Scotiabank since August 2021, serving as the Managing Director, Global Head of Central Compliance & Testing for Global Banking and Markets and Group Treasury. In this role, Rohan oversees the strategic and tactical planning and central leadership of the Regulatory Compliance Management Program, and global oversight of the testing of these programs' effectiveness. His mandate includes direct teams in the United States and Canada, as well as dotted reports in the various regions where GBM operates. With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Rohan has held roles in audit, compliance, and regulatory affairs at Commerzbank A.G. in New York, American Express, and CapitalOne Bank. He is also the Global Executive Champion for the Scotiabank Black Employee Network (SBEN), working closely with the global Co-Chairs to drive programs and events supporting the Bank’s ScotiaBond Inclusion strategy and objectives. Rohan graduated from Baruch College, Zicklin School of Business in New York with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy. His personal life revolves around his family, often traveling, hosting backyard barbecues, or DJing the latest Reggae, Soca, or Latin tunes for family and friends.

Delphine Wapoutou Director, Centre of Excellence - Cultural Segments Scotiabank

Delphine Wapoutou Director, Centre of Excellence - Cultural Segments Scotiabank Delphine Wapoutou is the Director of the Centre of Excellence – Cultural Segments at Scotia Wealth Management. With over a decade of experience in financial services, she leads national strategies that deepen connections with diverse communities and elevate client engagement. Her work spans Scotiabank, CI Financial, and Sun Life Financial, where she has built impactful programs that empower teams to meet evolving client needs. Born in France to a French mother and Central African father, Delphine brings a global perspective and a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her biracial identity and international experiences fuel her passion for creating inclusive spaces where people and ideas thrive. Outside of work, Delphine is an avid traveler, reader, and outdoor enthusiast.

Lily Macream Senior Manager, Customer Care Consultants Scotiabank

Lily Macream Senior Manager, Customer Care Consultants Scotiabank Lily Macream is a senior financial services leader with expertise in customer experience, DEI strategy, and operational transformation. Known for championing inclusive leadership and mentoring diverse talent, she is passionate about the role of AI in creating more human-centered organizations. With experience in contact centers, international team leadership, and brand storytelling, Lily brings insightful perspectives to conversations on organizational change. Her dynamic presence inspires audiences to lead with purpose, empathy and innovation.

Melissa Dalmacio Senior Program Manager, Expedition Women in Leadership Program Scotiabank

Melissa Dalmacio Senior Program Manager, Expedition Women in Leadership Program Scotiabank Melissa Dalmacio is the Interim Director and Global Head, Campus Recruitment & Talent Development at Scotiabank. She previously worked at CPP Investments and Deloitte LLP and graduated from Western with a degree in Finance. Melissa enjoys reading and travel and is passionate about helping people reach their full potential.

Paula Allen Global Leader and VP, Research, Insights and Strategic Communications TELUS Health

Paula Allen Global Leader and VP, Research, Insights and Strategic Communications TELUS Health Paula Allen is the Global Leader, Research and Client Insights and a Vice-President at TELUS Health. Her focus is on discovering, defining and communicating industry trends; working with clients to provide analytics, data-driven decision guidance and change management; and supporting TELUS Health with insights to inform our products and client support. Paula is a well-recognized expert in all areas of workplace mental health, total health and wellbeing, learning strategies, disability management and inclusive workplaces. She is a sought-after speaker by media, organizations, and conferences for her knowledge and expertise in current issues and the future direction of health, wellbeing, productivity, and related risk management. Paula completed undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Toronto in psychological research and neuropsychological testing and clinical intervention. She has more than 20 years of experience relating to workplace research, product development and operational leadership that spans the range of EFAP, Workplace Learning, Attendance and Disability Management and Health and Benefits Consulting. She is also a member of the Women’s College Hospital’s Board of Directors, part of the Technical Committee for the update to the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, on the Board of Kerry’s Place Autism Services and several other research and advisory boards.

Michael Younder Senior Manager, Fintech Partnerships & Innovation Scotia Digital Factory

Michael Younder Senior Manager, Fintech Partnerships & Innovation Scotia Digital Factory Michael has been in roles focusing on products and partnerships for over 30 years, with emerging technology as the common denominator, and in positions that have taken him around the world. His career has also included running a technology startup himself. At Scotia Digital, Michael works with fintechs and grows partnerships with important organizations like DMZ – the worlds largest academic-based accelerator. The last decade has seen Michael also commit to volunteering, supporting both WoodGreen.org and the Art Gallery of Ontario, to name a few. Michael was born and raised in Toronto, where he lives with his family.

Long Long Wu SVP Global Regulatory Relations, Enterprise Compliance Programs and Compliance/AML PMO Scotiabank

Long Long Wu SVP Global Regulatory Relations, Enterprise Compliance Programs and Compliance/AML PMO Scotiabank Long-Long Wu is SVP at Scotiabank, where she leads Regulatory Relations, Enterprise Compliance Programs, and Compliance/AML Projects. She joined in 2021 to drive Compliance Transformation and previously spent 18 years at Bank of America in compliance and risk. She holds a BA in International Relations from Brown University.

Colleen Ward SVP Enterprise Delivery Office Scotiabank

Colleen Ward SVP Enterprise Delivery Office Scotiabank Colleen Ward was appointed Senior Vice President, Enterprise Delivery Office at Scotiabank in June 2025. In this role, Colleen leads the Enterprise Delivery Framework, agile enablement, and the Bank’s global portfolio of Technology projects and programs, ensuring strategic alignment, strong governance and efficient delivery across the enterprise. With over 25 years of experience, Colleen has led technology and business transformation teams across Canadian, American and global financial institutions. She was most recently Vice President, Platforms and Technology, Canadian Personal Banking at TD Bank, and previously worked at Chase Cards Canada, American Express and HSBC where she held progressively senior leadership roles. Colleen has a proven track record of driving operational efficiency, strategic value, and competitive advantage through innovation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Math from the University of Toronto. Passionate about Technology leadership development and inclusion, Colleen acts as an advisor to the Black Professionals in Tech Network, The Firehood, Black Hxouse and actively supports Women in Technology initiatives. She has also participated in the BFUTR Tech Summit every year since its inception, serving as the inaugural main stage and side stage host. Colleen is a recipient of the Harry Jerome Award, and the CILAR Aspiring Innovator of the Year Award. Outside of work, she enjoys cycling, hiking and practicing yoga.

Pamela Ramnarain Global Director, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Global Operations & Technology Scotiabank

Pamela Ramnarain Global Director, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Global Operations & Technology Scotiabank Pamela Ramnarain Boodhai is a Global Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Global Operations and Technology. An accomplished CHRL and Inclusion Practitioner with an MBA, she is a strategic leader and change agent with over 15 years of experience in HR, Project Management, Agile Coaching, and Strategy. Pamela is known for aligning strategic mandates to drive sustainable change, growth, and talent retention. She holds an MBA from Queen’s University, a B.Comm from Toronto Metropolitan University, and certifications in Agile Coaching, Change Management, and Project Management. Since joining Scotiabank in 2019, she has held progressive leadership roles and is recognized for fostering inclusive cultures and empowering diverse talent.

KL Wong SVP, Global Head of Resilience and Enterprise Architecture Scotiabank

KL Wong SVP, Global Head of Resilience and Enterprise Architecture Scotiabank KL Wong is the Senior Vice President, Global Head of Resilience & Enterprise Architecture at Scotiabank. Under his mandate, KL is driving the Bank’s Cloud-first innovative approach to Global Engineering and Architecture with a focus on technology modernization to support the transformation of our application portfolios, helping to deliver cutting-edge products and experiences for Scotiabank customers. An experienced startup leader and Technology Advisor at MaRS and NEXT Canada, KL previously held engineering leadership positions at a number of tech companies, including VP Engineering at Algorithmics, Proofpoint, Workbrain as well as Founding CTO at CubeRoute. Throughout his career, KL has maintained a passion for building and scaling software engineering teams. His focus on creating healthy, motivated, and diverse teams has enabled them to achieve strong results together.

Inci Akpinar SVP and CIO Canadian Banking Engineering Scotiabank

Inci Akpinar SVP and CIO Canadian Banking Engineering Scotiabank As SVP and CIO, Inci brings nearly two decades of leadership in managing technology and orchestrating high-performing, cross-functional teams, and systems within the financial services sector. With a proven track record in Canadian Banking (Retail and Business), Global Transaction Banking (GTB) and Wealth Management. Inci specializes in leveraging technology to bridge client and business needs, translating complex challenges into practical solutions. Her expertise lies in the art of aligning innovative technology strategies with real-world problems, delivering secure, scalable platforms that drive both business growth and exceptional client experiences.

Debra Cousins VP International Operations Scotiabank

Debra Cousins VP International Operations Scotiabank Debra has 15+ years’ experience in designing operating models and governance frameworks for Retail, Corporate & Commercial, Trade Finance and Regulatory Programs. Currently, she is Vice President, International Operations, where she leads the model oversight and transformation for Retail and Business Banking Operations in 15 countries within Scotiabank’s International Banking footprint.

Theresa Robb Director and Head, GCEC Regulatory Governance and Internal Controls Scotiabank

Theresa Robb Director and Head, GCEC Regulatory Governance and Internal Controls Scotiabank Theresa Robb is Director & Head of Regulatory Governance and Internal Controls for Scotiabank’s Global Client Experience Centres. A proven leader with 29 years in financial services, she drives regulatory strategy, risk oversight, and operational excellence across global frontline operations, building strong governance through collaboration and influence.

Racquel Haywood Senior Manager, Leadership, Development and Coaching Scotiabank

Racquel Haywood Senior Manager, Leadership, Development and Coaching Scotiabank 17 years of experience in the banking industry, I've had the opportunity to lead, coach, and develop talent across both Canadian and International Banking (IB) sites. As an expert leadership coach, my passion lies in helping leaders unlock performance, navigate change, and build strong, resilient teams. I bring a proven track record of driving results through strategic coaching, frontline insight, and a deep understanding of operational excellence.

Heather Arthur VP, Client Experience Centres Scotiabank

Heather Arthur VP, Client Experience Centres Scotiabank Heather Arthur is a dynamic customer experience and sales industry expert with over two decades of experience. Currently, as the Vice President, Global Client Experience Centre at Scotiabank, Heather leads a team of over 3000 wealth and banking advisors. Heather has been recognized as one of the Top 30 Contact Centre Leaders in CX to follow in 2025. Her leadership has earned her the 2022 Empowered Women Award from the International Association of Top Professionals and recognition as the 2020 Top Vice President of Communications. An award-winning professional and certified Neuro-Linguistics Programing practitioner, Heather is also the host of the Say YES Movement podcast, motivating and inspiring individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. As a sought-after speaker, Heather shares her insights on topics like customer service, employee engagement, corporate culture, and personal growth.

Shonniella Young Director, Learning & Development Design, Continuous Optimization and Digital Enablement Scotiabank

Shonniella Young Director, Learning & Development Design, Continuous Optimization and Digital Enablement Scotiabank Shonniella Young is a trailblazing leader in Financial Services, currently serving as the Director of Continuous Improvement & Digital Enablement at Scotiabank. With over 15 years of experience, she brings a strategic lens to transformation, innovation, and operational excellence across Global Client Experience Centres. In her role, Shonniella leads the C.O.D.E. (Continuous Optimization & Digital Enablement) team, driving initiatives that enhance client experience, employee enablement, and digital adoption. Her portfolio includes enterprise-wide continuous improvement strategies and digital channel optimization. Under her leadership, the team has delivered measurable capacity gains and operational efficiencies across Canadian and international markets. Shonniella is known for building high-performing, cross-functional teams and fostering a culture of innovation and accountability. She has played a key role in revamping agile frameworks, continuous improvement and performance enablement programs, using call study and other methodologies that directly impact NPS, FCR, and hold times. In 2023 her Learning team won the Gold Brandon Hall Excellence Award for Best Learning Measurement Program, Shonniella is also a passionate advocate for inclusivity. As a volunteer with her company’s Black Employee Network, she champions diversity while enjoying biking, poetry, spoken word, and cinema.

Kesi Olafimihan Vice President & Head, Analytics, Personalization and Innovation Scotiabank

Kesi Olafimihan Vice President & Head, Analytics, Personalization and Innovation Scotiabank Kesi Olaf is a self-described digital & data evangelist with over 15 years of experience in product distribution strategy and innovation within the Canadian financial industry. His experience in the financial industry covers: Channel Sales Distribution, Marketing, Risk, Analytics, Innovation & Partnerships, Digital strategy & Business Profitability Kesi serves as Vice President & Head of Digital Channel Growth & performance at Scotiabank and is focused on driving the organization’s multi-year strategy in Digital transformation, sales, revenue & engagement. He holds an undergraduate degree in Computer Systems Engineering, a diploma in Market Research and Business Intelligence and an Executive MBA with a focus in Global Management & Innovation from the Telfer School of business at the University of Ottawa.

Linda Foggie SVP Global Real Estate, Global Operations Scotiabank

Linda Foggie SVP Global Real Estate, Global Operations Scotiabank Linda Foggie is the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Real Estate and Corporate Services at Scotiabank. A licensed architect with deep technical expertise and strategic acumen, Linda brings a distinguished track record of leadership across major financial institutions. Prior to joining Scotiabank, Linda served as the Global Head of Real Estate Operations at Citibank in New York City. She also led the U.S. real estate portfolio for Wells Fargo Bank, where she was instrumental in driving operational excellence and portfolio optimization. Linda’s academic credentials include a Bachelor of Architecture from Thomas Jefferson University, an MBA from Columbia University, and a Real Estate Development designation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Beyond banking, Linda held senior leadership roles at CBRE, where she managed a substantial P&L and led multidisciplinary teams serving clients across diverse sectors of commercial real estate.

Gaurav Singh SVP Client Solutions & Retail Banking Tangerine

Gaurav Singh SVP Client Solutions & Retail Banking Tangerine Gaurav Singh is the SVP, Retail Products at Tangerine and accountable for the Deposits, Lending and Investments businesses. He has served in a variety of leadership capacities at Tangerine including serving as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Officer and has lead groups such as digital channels, operations, marketing and strategic planning. Gaurav serves on the Board of Governors for Ontario Tech University and is the chairperson of the Governance, Nominations and Human Resources committee. He also served on the Board of Directors for The Safehaven Project for Community Living which provides respite and residential care for children and adults with complex care needs. Gaurav obtained his MBA from the Ivey School of Business and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto. He lives with his spouse and children in the Greater Toronto Area and has an avid interest in local arts, culture and sporting activities (Go Raptors!).

Michele Warner Senior Manager, Everyday Banking Tangerine - Engagement Centre

Michele Warner Senior Manager, Everyday Banking Tangerine - Engagement Centre A people leader, she leads the National Level 1 complaints, customer experience and outbound servicing teams to champion problem resolution.

Stephanie Yu VP Digital Product Tangerine

Stephanie Yu VP Digital Product Tangerine Stephanie Yu is VP of Digital Product & Experience at Tangerine leading strategy, design and delivery across digital channels and platforms. With deep experience in business and digital transformation- she is passionate about building inclusive teams and redefining what’s possible at the intersection of technology, product, and CX.

Tracey Marshall Director Product Enablement Tangerine

Tracey Marshall Director Product Enablement Tangerine I am a results-driven leader with a proven track record of building high-performing teams. I am a passionate and dedicated coach focused on engaging and empowering my team to deliver excellent customer experiences. I have had the opportunity to gain experience in front line sales and service, business and product development, IT, operations, risk management, (compliance and privacy), communications, transformation projects, crisis management and learning design and development.

Matt Dowd Senior Director, IT Operations National Bank

Matt Dowd Senior Director, IT Operations National Bank Matt has been in IT for nearly 30 years, having worked in multiple industry verticals and nearly every unit of IT. From App Dev to Infra, Compliance to Operations, Matt has spent his time in the trenches building effective and engaged teams that deliver results every time. As a Sr. Director at National Bank of Canada, Matt leads the IT Operations department, accountable for End User Computing and Support, Application and Infrastructure Operations and Enterprise IT Service Management.

Ejike Udeze Lead Cloud Developer RBC

Ejike Udeze Lead Cloud Developer RBC Ejike Udeze is a Senior Engineering Lead at RBC, driving cloud-native development and quality engineering strategy in Global Payments Technology, with a focus on technical excellence and inclusive leadership.

Andrew C. Alleyne Partner Fasken

Andrew C. Alleyne Partner Fasken Andrew Alleyne is the Vice-Chair of Fasken’s Technology Law group for the Ontario region. Andrew’s practice is focused primarily on corporate and commercial transactions, particularly technology and M&A matters. Serving on the Steering Committee of the firm’s Technology practice group, Andrew is highly experienced in Technology related contracting. He advises a broad array of clients (from blue-chip to emerging technologies) on the challenges and complexities of commercializing, acquiring and implementing technology solutions. Andrew works on complex outsourcings (including bancassurance), cloud and SaaS arrangements, software licensing and all Technology aspects of M&A transactions, including transition services arrangements. His experience also extends to a wide variety of Internet and e-commerce matters, and to the legal and regulatory aspects of online gambling in Canada. Advising Fortune 100 companies, leading-edge software, e-commerce, cloud, media and other technology companies, as well as a variety of financial institutions, mining, health care, transportation and communications companies, Andrew is a trusted counsellor regarding business critical legal matters. In his practice, Andrew leverages his substantial in-house experience. He was seconded as a director in the law department of CTVglobemedia (now Bell Media), one of Canada's largest media companies; and with the procurement department of TELUS, one of Canada’s largest communications companies. Andrew is recognized as a leading Information Technology lawyer by Best Lawyers in Canada, the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and Lexology Index (formerly Who's Who Legal). He was most recently named “Lawyer of the Year” for Technology Law (2026) by Best Lawyers in Canada. Outside of his practice, Andrew is an active member of the legal community, currently serving as President and Director of the Canadian Technology Law Association (CAN-TECH Law, formerly IT.Can), and Chair, Cross-Border Law and Technology Subcommittee of the Cyberspace Law Committee (Business Law section of the American Bar Association). Andrew is also a past Chair of the Toronto Computer Lawyers Group. Andrew is an advocate for the black community, both legal, having been for many years a director and past President of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers (CABL), and otherwise, including as a Vice Chair of the Toronto based charity, For Youth Initiative and as an executive member of the Black Professionals in Technology Network.

Ore Aminu Senior Product Manager, AI Strategy and Delivery RBC

Ore Aminu Senior Product Manager, AI Strategy and Delivery RBC I am Ore Aminu, a Senior Product Manager on the Gen AI Strategy and Delivery team, dedicated to enhancing developer productivity at the bank. I enjoy creating innovative products that tackle complex business challenges. When I'm not pushing the boundaries of product development, I love taking outdoor walks, hiking or trying new foods!

Keihgan Blackmore Associate Fasken

Keihgan Blackmore Associate Fasken Keihgan Blackmore's practice focuses on a range of coprporate, commercial, and transactional matters, with a particular emphasis on technology, gaming, and technology-related sectors. Keihgan earned his Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Civil Law degrees from McGill University’s Faculty of Law, and summered and articled with the firm. His work in information technology and intellectual property includes drafting and reviewing various agreements, including terms and conditions, licensing and development agreements, and service agreements, as well as supporting with negotiations. Keihgan’s experience also extends to M&A and corporate financing transactions, as well as the evolving sectors of gaming, video games and digital media. He advises on provincial gaming regulations in Canada, and has researched and written on esports contractual disputes, live streaming regulations, and gaming/gambling laws in Canada and the United States. Before entering private practice, Keihgan worked several years in public policy for the Canadian Federal Government. He also served as a President of the Black Law Students’ Association of McGill and as a multi-term executive for the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada. He currently serves as a committee member for the Young Lawyer Division of the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, and remains dedicated to community and student mentorship.

Amber Carroll Manager, Technology Partnerships RBC

Amber Carroll Manager, Technology Partnerships RBC In her role, Amber supports RBC in reaching it's brand, thought leadership, and talent acquisition goals. Her interdisciplinary background in the Arts and Humanities and Health Sciences inform her approach to strategic thinking and inclusive problem-solving, allowing her to make a meaningful impact within RBC and beyond.

Obafunto AyinOluwa Lead Digital Product Owner RBC

Obafunto AyinOluwa Lead Digital Product Owner RBC Obafunto builds digital investment products that connect business goals with user needs.

Christine Diaz Senior Account Executive - Finance & Spend SAP

Christine Diaz Senior Account Executive - Finance & Spend SAP Christine Diaz is a seasoned technology and business professional with an MBA in Business and Entrepreneurship. She currently serves as a Senior Solution Account Executive at SAP Canada, where she collaborates with large enterprise customers to guide digital finance and spend transformation initiatives. As a Sales Executive, Christine showcases how SAP solutions drive business value, enhance automation, and align with organizations' strategic goals to maximize operational efficiency. With over 27 years of experience across industries such as financial services, manufacturing, retail, utilities, mining, and the public sector, Christine brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of delivering impactful solutions. Beyond her professional achievements, Christine is deeply committed to community engagement and mentorship. Christine serves on the Board of Directors at the Science and Technology Awareness Network (STAN). She is also one of the founders of Full Steam Ahead (FSA https://www.fsaorg.ca/). An organization designed to encourage youth in STEM and Art related initiatives. Passionate about fostering growth and diversity, Christine mentors aspiring leaders and regularly speaks at youth-focused events and conferences, inspiring the next generation to achieve their career goals. Through her efforts, she contributes to building an inclusive and equitable future where all students can thrive.

Fouad Fahim Senior Director, Business Transform and AI Adoption SAP

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Eric Sarpong Director, Front End Practice RBC

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Summer Lewis Associate Fasken

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Anton James SAP

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Bukky Aina Director, Insider Risk RBC

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Alison Meyler Chief Operations Officer of Global Real Estate & Corporate Services Scotiabank

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Meredith Greenfield VP, Client Management & Engagement Scotiabank

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Eily Hickson VP & Head, Global Data & AI Strategy, Portfolio & Operations Sanofi

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Annette Stewart Vice President of Financial Services Business Strategy & Development Samsung

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Emmanuel Nasamu Director of Technology Kenvue Inc

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Laura Money Executive Vice-President, Chief Information and Technology Innovation Officer  Sunlife

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Richard Jardim EVP & CTO – Technology, Infrastructure and Innovation CIBC

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Kike Ojo-Thompson Partner, Human Capital – Workforce Transformation Deloitte LLP

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Hesham Fahmy Chief Information Officer Telus

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Teri Green VP Engineering Elevate

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Anne Marie Otanez Chief of Staff Microsoft

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Kay Warren Agility Lead, VP, JPMorgan Chase JPMorgan Chase

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Titi Ogundeji AWS Canada - ISV Solution Architect Leader Amazon

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Taurean Jones Director of Product Design & Research Intuit

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Doug Konare Managing Director - Head of Data and Analytics Engineering BMO

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Upal Hossain Vice President, Data and AI, Intact Lab Intact

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Ify Ajokubi Director, Cyber Intelligence RBC

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TJ Mbakwe Senior Data Scientist Intuit

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Krystle Eastlin Dynamic Senior Sales Leader Intuit

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Matthew Castilla Staff Software QA Analyst Intuit

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Sandra Abdelmaseih Global Staff Program Manager Intuit

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Oluwatobi "Tobi" Olofintuyi Senior Marketing Manager, Lifecicle: Prospect & Early Life Intuit

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Sophie Ademoye Marketing Manager 2 Intuit

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Kishawna Peck Founder and CEO Woven

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Latifa Mlindasse Team Lead, Sales Development - SMB Canada SAP

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Zahi Maalouf Inclusion Lead SAP

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Margot Goodson VP, Head of Inclusion, North America SAP

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Amandeep Kaur Senior Technical Recruiter SAP

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Ambrose Yufanyi Akiim Director of Marketing Automation SAP

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Gladys Simen Director, Solutions Consulting SAP

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Erine Roberts Senior Manager, Technical Distinction Program RBC

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Nicole Charles Director, Facilities & Technology Kingston Frontenac Public Library

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Sean Thompson Co-Founder & CEO Psigryph Corp

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Kimberlee West Director of Product Marketing Maple

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Ellen Baluta Director, Demand Generation Loopio

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Vishal Mysore Director, Markets Business Control Tech Citi

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Denine Das VP, Global Inclusion Scotiabank

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Chukky Ndu Senior Bilingual Marketing Manager SAP

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Maz Ahmed Director, Value Advisory SAP

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Noelle Rendine Program Coordinator, T&O Early Talent Programs RBC

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Adijat Akinsipe Director, Enterprise Technology & Digital Recruitment RBC

Adijat Akinsipe Director, Enterprise Technology & Digital Recruitment RBC Adijat Akinsipe is a Talent Acquisition leader and former technologist, recognized for her ability to design and deliver innovative talent strategies in technology and beyond. Currently a Director of Talent Acquisition she blends data-driven solutions with authentic, people-first leadership. With more than two decades of experience spanning technology and human capital, she has established herself as a trusted advisor to senior executives navigating the complexities of talent strategy in fast-moving industries. Adijat brings perspective on inspiring organizations to think differently about how they attract, grow and retain talent. Her strategic vision, combined with her authentic leadership style, continues to shape the future of inclusive hiring. Outside of work, Adijat is energized by travel, curating group trips that empower women to see the world confidently and safely. She describes herself as a storyteller, a strategist, and a community builder—anchored by authenticity and driven by impact.

Vinh Tran Vice President, Data and AI Platforms, RBC Borealis, Innovation & Technology RBC Borealis, Innovation & Technology

Vinh Tran Vice President, Data and AI Platforms, RBC Borealis, Innovation & Technology RBC Borealis, Innovation & Technology Vinh is a hands-on leader with a passion for software development and infrastructure, and 20 years of experience in startups, consulting and financial services, including six years at RBC. In his current role, Vinh works with RBC Borealis to deliver a scalable, future-proof data and AI platform supporting RBC's AI ambitions. As an RBC Fellow, he provides thought leadership and partnership on key technical platforms, mentors emerging leaders, supports core technology decisions that advance business strategy, and is an advisor on various technology boards. Having led hundreds of software development and infrastructure deployment projects across a wide range of industries, Vinh’s industry expertise is valued in the broader tech community where he regularly speaks at conferences and events and has published numerous articles on hybrid cloud.

Hannah Greenige Senior Manager, Leadership Programs, T&O RBC

Hannah Greenige Senior Manager, Leadership Programs, T&O RBC Hannah is a communicator and strategic partner driving the delivery of leadership programs that strengthen strategic alignment, and leadership capabilities across Technology & Operations at RBC.  Passionate about effecting meaningful change, Hannah is an active member of ERGs - MOSAIC GTD and Beacon, fostering inclusion and empowerment of employees at RBC.  She was also recognized as a top finalist for the 2025 Obsidi Awards - Black Communications Professional of the Year, Tech Industry.

Michael Letsche Vice President of Planning Wealth and Gen AI COE TD Bank Group

Michael Letsche Vice President of Planning Wealth and Gen AI COE TD Bank Group Michael Letsche is VP, Planning Wealth and Gen AI COE at TD Bank Group, where he leads teams pioneering the integration of generative AI into marketing strategies for TD Wealth and Personal Saving & Investing. With a strong background in traditional, digital, and social media marketing, he is known for building top-performing teams and fostering innovation. Michael holds a Master’s from the University of Guelph. Outside work, he is a 10-time Ironman Triathlon finisher and enjoys adventure sports, cycling, backcountry motorcycling, and yoga.

Babala Assih SVP, Chief Data Scientist Citi

Babala Assih SVP, Chief Data Scientist Citi Babala Assih, MBA, FRM, is Chief Data Scientist for Internal Audit Innovation at Citigroup. He architects enterprise AI—agentic, generative, and machine learning—to elevate risk oversight, operational resilience, and customer experience. Formerly with NYSE, ExxonMobil, and UBS, he graduated from St. John's University and holds advanced training from Stanford and New York University (NYU). A bilingual leader (English/French), he transforms complex data into compliant, growth-driving strategy.

Aitor del Coso Vice President, Analytics, Insights and AI, Canadian Personal Banking TD Bank Group

Aitor del Coso Vice President, Analytics, Insights and AI, Canadian Personal Banking TD Bank Group Aitor del Coso, VP at TD, leads a 260+ member AI and analytics team, generating $400M+ in business value for Canadian Personal Banking. With executive roles at Scotiabank and Mutua Madrileña, and consulting experience at McKinsey, Aitor blends technical mastery and leadership. He holds a PhD, is fluent in four languages, and has led teams across North America, Europe, and Latin America.

Akanksha Sharma Director, Head, Analytics and Client Reporting - IDP Data Solutions Citi

Akanksha Sharma Director, Head, Analytics and Client Reporting - IDP Data Solutions Citi Akanksha is the Head of Analytics for the Institutional Data Platform (IDP) and the Site Head for Data Solutions for SMB Business at Citibank Canada. In addition to her primary roles, she also leads the Women's Network in Canada, and a great advocate for diversity and inclusion at the Toronto CSC. With over 18 years of experience across the Finance, Retail, and Manufacturing industries, Akanksha has been a dedicated Data & AI advocate and practitioner at Citi.

Srdjan Vujosevic Vice President of Infrastructure, Public Cloud, AIVM and Crypto Security TD Bank Group

Srdjan Vujosevic Vice President of Infrastructure, Public Cloud, AIVM and Crypto Security TD Bank Group Srdjan Vujosevic is VP of Infrastructure, Public Cloud, AIVM* and Crypto security with TD Bank for last 8 years where he leads strategy and governance for assigned cyber areas. His goal at all times is to protect over 26 million TD customers and 90,000 TD colleagues. Educated as an engineer, he worked in a variety of environments covering retail, business process outsourcing, insurance, telecommunications and financial industries in technology operations, technology and cyber control governance and CISO roles. Srdjan is passionate supporting non-for-profit organizations in their own quest to increase their security posture.

Maureen Di Sebastiano Vice President, Open Banking TD Bank Group

Maureen Di Sebastiano Vice President, Open Banking TD Bank Group Maureen Di Sebastiano is VP of Open Banking for North America at TD Bank, leading strategy, partnerships, and infrastructure for secure, innovative, and customer-centric data sharing. With over 30 years at TD in roles across Retail, Wealth, and Tech, she excels at turning complex challenges into action. Maureen holds a BSc and MBA, has held securities licenses in Canada and the U.S., and supports several community organizations.

Jasmine Roberts Senior Talent Acquisition Partner TD Bank Group

Jasmine Roberts Senior Talent Acquisition Partner TD Bank Group Jasmine Roberts is a Sr. Talent Acquisition Partner at TD Bank, focused on recruiting diverse tech talent. Known for her strong communication and adaptability, she connects talent with opportunity while championing inclusion. Outside of work, she’s active in community service, supports youth innovation, and proudly cheers on her kids as a dedicated swim mom.

Sabrina Bala Communications Manager, Technology and Innovation TD Bank Group

Sabrina Bala Communications Manager, Technology and Innovation TD Bank Group Sabrina Bala is a marketing and communications expert with cross-industry PR, social media, and digital marketing experience. A creative and results-oriented leader, she has elevated brands such as Sobeys and Kensington and founded two food companies of her own. At TD, she manages external communications campaigns for Technology and Innovation. An advocate for empowering minorities in the workplace, she previously served as Head of Social Media for the Canadian Tamil Professionals Association.

Angelo Di Marino Senior Recruitment Partner, Technology & Operations BMO

Angelo Di Marino Senior Recruitment Partner, Technology & Operations BMO Angelo is an experienced Talent Advisor with a successful history of securing top talent. As a seasoned professional in the recruiting industry has allowed him to grow and handle solutions for his objectives. Being a process driven individual has allowed him to strive from the original initiatives to discover new ways of viewing, understanding, and securing the right fit that are aligned with a company’s culture. The key to success is being able to build and develop strong relationships with all levels of decision makers to ensure an effective outcome for all parties involved. Focused on inclusion and diversity has allowed him to properly brand the companies culture to attract the right fit. Committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion by helping ensure that all people feel valued and respected. Involved in group dedicated to allyship, and commitment to helping with Indigenous Hiring here at BMO. A champion for BPTN the last two years and was the captain for the BMO booth in 2023. When networking it is always important to understand the aspiration and goals that candidates have. I encouraged BPTN members to have open dialogue with me so I could provide them with clarity on expectations and process. Informed and coached them to understand industry dynamics and how important preparation is. When you can successfully bridge and bring people together to achieve a common goal, that is the reward for all the hard work During my time with BMO, I have been privileged to work with amazing leaders, a cohesive team, partnering with some great managers and working with the next generation of BMO employees. I am humbled to have received the Ambition 2025 award in 2022, voted to a final’s nominee for Black tech recruiter of the year 2024 and spotlight awards in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Kakra Winful Senior Recruitment Partner, Corporate Areas BMO

Kakra Winful Senior Recruitment Partner, Corporate Areas BMO Kakra Winful is a Senior Recruitment Partner at Bank of Montreal recruiting for Corporate Areas specifically in Enterprise Risk Management, Marketing/Communications, Social Impact as well as other roles within the Corporate Areas Portfolio. She started her career in HR as a Recruitment Associate where she then rose up to the Team Lead position and now in the Senior Recruitment Partner role. She has been supporting BMO for 14 years. In her spare time, she loves working out, cooking, baking, traveling and spending time with her 5-year-old niece. Kakra has a Bachelor of Arts in Law Honours from Carleton University and a Post Grad Certificate in HR Management from Seneca College.

Temwachi Kamanga Senior Recruitment Partner, Corporate Areas BMO

Temwachi Kamanga Senior Recruitment Partner, Corporate Areas BMO I have over 15 ears of experience helping organizations find, grow and support great talent. I have spent the majority of my career in the public sector with roles at Infrastructure Ontario, LCBO and the City of Toronto supporting leaders on recruitment, equity, diversity and organizational change. In May 2022, I decided to pivot to the private sector and continue this work as a Senior Recruitment Partner within BMO’s Corporate Areas where I provide expert advice and counsel related to talent acquisition by partnering and engaging with leaders to execute and support their talent strategy. My career journey has taken me through a lot of change and I have learned the value of adaptability and visibility. To this end, I am passionate about inclusive talent practices and helping others reach their potential.

Roxana Sarea Senior Recruitment Partner, Technology & Operations BMO

Roxana Sarea Senior Recruitment Partner, Technology & Operations BMO Supporting innovation and large transformational technology initiatives in the past 15+ years at BMO and other banks, with a focus on Data Engineering and Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Cloud native technologies. Roxana has been actively involved in building high-performing teams responsible for the evolution of emerging technology, becoming future-ready, digital-first, intelligent banks.

Andrea Lombardo Senior Recruitment Partner, Commercial Banking BMO

Andrea Lombardo Senior Recruitment Partner, Commercial Banking BMO Andrea Lombardo is a Senior Bilingual Recruiter at BMO, where he leads strategic talent acquisition initiatives across North American Commercial Banking portfolios (US and Canada), including various speciality segments/LOBs and Diversified Industries. Fluent in English, French, and Italian, Andrea brings a dynamic and inclusive approach to recruitment and has a career spanning both corporate and academic sectors, where he previously served as Recruitment Program Manager for the Full-Time MBA program at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. Andrea holds a BA in Communications from York University and completed the MBA Essentials for Managers program at Rotman.

Katie Somerville Early Talent Experience Program BMO

Katie Somerville Early Talent Experience Program BMO Katie Somerville is the Manager of Student & Early Talent Experience Programs at BMO. She holds a BA in Health Studies with a Minor in Business from Queen’s University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resources Management from Humber College. Katie began her career in agency recruitment, specializing in back-office, professional, and wealth management roles for Canada’s top banks. Her passion for supporting early talent led her to BMO, where she has held roles in campus recruitment and program management, including the development of the Technology & Operations First Year Program. In her current role, Katie oversees strategic programs that enhance the student and new graduate experience across BMO, including initiatives in intern experience, Technology & Operations, Quebec, and overall campus engagement. Outside of work, she enjoys baking, hiking, reading, and spending time with family, friends and her black lab.

Nedale Haddad Director & HRBP, T&O BMO

Nedale Haddad Director & HRBP, T&O BMO Nedale is the Director & HRBP for the Technology & Operations Group at BMO. A graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sciences, Nedale later made the pivot to Human Resources where she obtained her CHRP designation. Nedale first joined Moneris Solutions where she held several roles in the business including Contact Centre Manager, Project Management and Quality Assurance. She then made the move to HR where she assumed the role of a Compensation Manager. In 2010, she decided to join BMO, where she once again inserted herself in the business and then made the move to HR as an HR Business Partner. She supported a variety of business groups ranging from the North American Customer Contact Centre, North American Fraud, Digital, and NA Physical Channels. In her current role, she supports a range of North American Technology Teams along with a broad-based Operations team. Outside of work, Nedale enjoys dance, paint by numbers, and spending time with family and friends.

Sladjana Jovanovic Chief Information Officer, Canadian Personal & Business Banking Technology & B2C Data Transformation BMO

Sladjana Jovanovic Chief Information Officer, Canadian Personal & Business Banking Technology & B2C Data Transformation BMO Sladjana is a transformational and collaborative Technology leader and the CIO for Personal and Business Banking, and B2C Data Transformation in BMO Financial Group. She is a University of Toronto, Computer Science graduate with MBA from Rotman School of Management. As a strong proponent of equal career opportunities and supporting underrepresented communities, she is a co-lead for BMO's Women in Tech & Ops and is dedicated to increasing the number of women in tech and in senior management levels. Outside of work, with her two teenage kids she shares passion or skiing, running, and the outdoors. While Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest vertical peak she reached in 2013, she continues to explore new paths and peaks and gain new learnings and outlooks.

Melissa Carvalho Vice President, Global Security – Identity & Access Management (IAM) RBC

Melissa Carvalho Vice President, Global Security – Identity & Access Management (IAM) RBC Melissa Carvalho, RBC Global Security Identity and Access Management Vice President, leads the Global Cyber Security Strategic Services group, providing cyber solutions and services for RBC’s 100,000 employees, RBC’s subsidiaries and 19 million clients. Melissa is a results-driven professional recognized for successfully delivering critical, high-risk initiatives for large organizations. She is known as an adept and innovative leader with extensive experience in managing all aspects of information technology, including business needs impact assessments, software development and infrastructure implementations. Melissa consistently leads and motivates individuals to maximize productivity while managing relationships with diverse stakeholder groups. Throughout her career, Melissa has developed and implemented identity strategies to promote organizational growth and improve operational efficiency, including implementing Identity Programs at Canada’s five major banks and consulting on over 50 IAM programs across North America. Melissa is on the Board of Directors for William Osler Health System and is also the Vice Chair for the Women in Identity (WiD) Global Board of Directors. WiD is a global non-profit organization focused on breaking bias to create a world where “Digital identity solutions built for everyone are built by everyone”. With WiD, Melissa combines her two passions, advancing people and advancing technology. Melissa looks to bring people together and create new opportunities for a future without biases. Melissa is a focal point in Cyber Security and is frequently a keynote speaker/panelist for various security focused events across the globe. Recently she was the winner of siberX Cyber Lifetime Achievement award 2024, Globe and Mail Best Executives 2022, Women In IT awards - IT team of the year award (led by a woman), the IT World Canada Top 20 Women in Cyber Security 2021 and has been featured on TheFutureEconomy.ca and IT Media Group CIO roundtable. She holds various Directorships like the CyberArk Enterprise Customer Advisory Board and the IT Media Group CIO Advisory board to help CIOs across Canada better understand Cyber Security. In her spare time, Melissa loves to travel. She has been over 85 countries across all 7 continents.

Kuruvilla Jacob Head, Wealth Digital Delivery, Wealth Management Technology BMO

Kuruvilla Jacob Head, Wealth Digital Delivery, Wealth Management Technology BMO Kuruvilla Jacob is currently the Head of Technology Delivery for the Wealth Management Technology Transformation program - RISE. In this role, he is responsible for integrating the vendor platform with the rest of the BMO technology ecosystem to provide an end to end solution for Wealth Management. Prior to this, Kuruvilla was the MD & LTO for Wealth DigiTech responsible for the digital platforms for BMO InvestorLine, Nesbitt Burns Gateway and myWealth. Kuruvilla joined BMO in 2000 as a Lead Application Developer and has held progressively senior roles - Sr. Technology Specialist, Solution Architect and as a Development Manager. Kuruvilla graduated with a degree in Computer Science and Engineering and has worked in technology providing solutions to businesses in Manufacturing, Telecom and Healthcare prior to joining BMO.

Geoff Langdon Head of Technology, Canadian Wealth, Digital & Insurance BMO

Geoff Langdon Head of Technology, Canadian Wealth, Digital & Insurance BMO Geoff Langdon is an experienced technology executive with over 25 years experience in technology architecture, platform implementation, and large-scale business transformation. He has advised on and implemented large-scale solutions in the Financial Services industry with a particular focus on Wealth Management & Capital Markets. In his current role for the Bank of Montreal, he is accountable for the technology platforms supporting Canadian Private Wealth, BMO Insurance, and the Wealth digital platforms, including BMO Investorline. In addition, his role includes accountability across Wealth Management Technology for key initiatives advancing data & analytics capabilities and implementing GenAI and Machine Learning solutions. His team launched Rovr AI, BMO’s industry-first external-facing AI digital assistant for Insurance Advisors, and is rolling out Microsoft CoPilot for 3,000 Wealth Advisors and Private Bankers, a personal productivity assistant to free-up time to spend with BMO’s clients.

Rav Bharania Chief Digital Transformation, Insurance BMO

Rav Bharania Chief Digital Transformation, Insurance BMO Rav Bharania leads the digital transformation agenda at BMO Insurance, driving innovation across technology, data analytics, and emerging AI capabilities. Prior to BMO, Rav’s progressive leadership experience at Scotiabank, included spearheading large-scale personalization and product onboarding strategies, in addition to leading international insurance product and distribution teams. His track record includes launching award-winning solutions, building high-performing teams, and delivering data-driven strategies that have made a lasting impact on customer engagement and business growth.

Cedrick Parize Chief Auditor, Citi Canada Citi

Cedrick Parize Chief Auditor, Citi Canada Citi Cedrick is the Chief Auditor for Global Rates, Foreign Exchange, Commodities, Markets Treasury and Markets Operations (RCC). Cedrick has also taken the role of the Head of Audit for Canada after relocating to Toronto from London, UK. Cedrick has a Post-Graduate Degree in Internal Audit and management Control from Toulouse Business School. He also has a master's degree in industrial economy, Strategy and Corporate management (honours) and a Certificate of IT Systems Applied to Management Control and Economy (Honours) from the University of Toulouse (France). Cedrick is a global citizen, having traveled to all corners of the world. A community-minded individual, while at Barclays, Cedrick was one of the leaders for the Internal Audit Diversity and Inclusion group and an active meneber of the Diversity Council EMBRACE (promoting diversity of minority cultural background). In his spare time, Cedrick enjoys playing with his three kids, cooking, reading, socializing with ftriends and European football (Soccer).

Aleta Froemmel Director, Canada Human Resources Citi

Aleta Froemmel Director, Canada Human Resources Citi Aleta Froemmel serves as Citi’s Country Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for Canada, where she is a strategic partner to the Citi Country Officer (CCO), Senior Leadership, and global HR teams, ensuring human resources strategy aligns with business objectives. With over 25 years of Human Resources experience, Aleta provides governance and oversight of regulatory matters and controls for the Citi Canada Franchise. Directly accountable to the CCO and Board of Directors, she drives human capital and career development for the company’s growing business lines in Canada, with a strategic focus on talent attraction, retention, and engagement. Citi, one of Canada’s largest foreign financial institutions, operates with approximately 3,700 professionals across its core interconnected businesses: Banking, Markets, Services, Wealth, and US Personal Banking. The Citi Solutions Centre (CSC) in Toronto, Canada's largest, accounts for over 3,000 of these professionals, playing a critical role in talent alignment across North America. Previously, Aleta served as Senior Human Resources Advisor for core business lines and global support functions for Citi in Canada. She also led the Talent Acquisition function and Early Career Program Management across all businesses in Canada. Aleta is a frequent guest speaker on Human Resources and workplace matters. Aleta holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from the University of Guelph, a Certificate in Human Resource Management from Toronto Metropolitan University, and a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CHRP) designation from the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA). In addition, Aleta has led several successful employee charity and engagement initiatives, including Citi Canada's annual United Way campaign. She was also a founding member of key Citi Canada employee inclusion networks, such as the Women’s Network and the Black Heritage Network.

Ogonna Ihedioha Vice President, CSC Communications Citi

Ogonna Ihedioha Vice President, CSC Communications Citi Ogonna Ihedioha is a Vice President, Business Office & Senior Site Communications Lead for the Toronto Citi Service Centre (CSC), Citi Canada’s largest site. With over 18 years of international experience spanning corporate affairs, internal communications, and stakeholder engagement, Ogonna brings a strategic, results-driven approach to enhancing employee engagement and fostering a high-performing environment. In this role, she develops and executes comprehensive communication strategies for CSC Toronto, aligning messaging with corporate goals and driving measurable increases in employee engagement.   In her previous role at Citi, Ogonna served as PMO - ISG Canada Team Management, where she oversaw the project management office for cross-functional technology teams within ISG Canada, fostering collaboration and effective communication. Using her strategic planning and execution background, Ogonna successfully planned and executed impactful employee events, effectively managing budgets. She also managed internal communications for clarity around priorities and organizational changes, and piloted manager-focused engagement forums to improve communication flow. She further led VOE-aligned People Strategy initiatives, leveraging monthly town halls and rewards/recognition programs to gauge staff satisfaction and drive engagement.   Prior to her impactful roles at Citi, Ogonna spent a significant part of her career at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as a Senior Manager, Consumer Affairs Bureau. There, she led a team in developing national communication strategies for telecom regulation and stakeholder education, organized high-level stakeholder roundtables and townhall meetings, and directed the relaunch of the consumer portal to enhance user engagement. Earlier in her career, Ogonna gained valuable experience as a Human Resource Manager at Galaxy Backbone PLC, leading company-wide restructuring and implementing new HR systems, and as a Financial Analyst at Barclays Bank PLC in the UK, where she developed systems for tracking customer complaints and improved customer satisfaction through negotiation skills.   Ogonna holds an MSc in Human Resource Management with Merit from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, and a BA in Literature-in-English from the University of Abuja, Nigeria. Her expertise in clear and engaging communication, coupled with a strong track record in change management, process improvement, and resource stewardship, underpins her ability to drive significant organizational improvements.

Tenzin Zongdho Director, Early Talent, T&O Functions RBC

Tenzin Zongdho Director, Early Talent, T&O Functions RBC As an HR professional with experience in both domestic and international talent acquisition, I currently focus on supporting students as they transition from academia to the largest bank in Canada, RBC, in my role as an Early Talent leader. This position allows me to guide emerging talent in navigating their career paths and contributing to a dynamic workforce

Adedeji Onabule Senior Recruiter, Workforce Intelligence and Talent Acquisition Citi

Adedeji Onabule Senior Recruiter, Workforce Intelligence and Talent Acquisition Citi

Katie Flanagan Manager Campus Recruitment BMO

Katie Flanagan Manager Campus Recruitment BMO Katie is the Manager of Campus and Early Talent Recruitment for Technology & Operations at BMO. A proud graduate of Dalhousie University’s Bachelor of Commerce Co-op program, Katie later blended her foundation in Marketing Management with a passion for Human Resources, earning a postgraduate certificate in Human Resources Management from George Brown College. Katie joined BMO six years ago as part of the Enterprise Campus and Early Talent Recruitment Team. Since then, she has played a key role in elevating BMO’s presence and strategic partnerships on campuses across North America. Her deep knowledge of student recruitment and commitment to building meaningful relationships have helped attract top emerging talent to the Bank. Outside of work, Katie enjoys reading, long walks with her dog, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Tamekia Muhammad Head of U.S. Personal and Business Banking Technology Project Delivery Office BMO

Tamekia Muhammad Head of U.S. Personal and Business Banking Technology Project Delivery Office BMO

Saroya Tinder DEI Manager PWHL

Saroya Tinder DEI Manager PWHL Saroya Tinker, a Yale graduate and former pro hockey player, is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and champion for equity in sport. As Co-Founder of Black Girl Hockey Club Canada and Manager of Culture and Impact for the PWHL, she continues breaking barriers and amplifying diverse voices in hockey.

Devon Jones Founding Director YAAACE

Devon Jones Founding Director YAAACE

Glenn Murray Chief Strategy Officer DreamFi

Glenn Murray Chief Strategy Officer DreamFi Glenn Murray has worked in the payments industry for over 20 years in several capacities. He currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer at DreamFi, a Financial Advocacy Platform launching this fall. Dedicated to helping underserved individuals achieve economic success via banking and other financial products.

Joshua Agboola Staff Cloud Engineer RBC

Joshua Agboola Staff Cloud Engineer RBC I am an experience cloud engineer with professional experience with Azure and AWS, interested in Cloud, Kubernetes, and distributed systems.

Ibiyemi Balogun Career Transition Coach FitdConsulting

Ibiyemi Balogun Career Transition Coach FitdConsulting

Kenrick Bagnall Founder KONCYBER | Toronto Police Service - Cybercrime Unit (Ret.)

Kenrick Bagnall Founder KONCYBER | Toronto Police Service - Cybercrime Unit (Ret.) Kenrick Bagnall has over 17 years of law enforcement experience, the last eight of which were in the Coordinated Cyber Centre (C3) as a Cybercrime Investigator. Prior to law enforcement, he spent two decades working in the Information Technology industry primarily in the financial services sector.

Ryan Aird Senior Technical Recruiter RBC

Ryan Aird Senior Technical Recruiter RBC 10 years' Recruitment experience, currently leading Digitial Recruitment at RBC. I have experience recruting mainly in tech, but also public sector, skilled trades and media.

Obakemi Rotimi-Fadipe Strategic Business Analyst RBC

Obakemi Rotimi-Fadipe Strategic Business Analyst RBC Obakemi Rotimi-Fadipe is a Strategic Business Analyst at RBC, where she has spent the past 5 years working in Agile software development across multiple roles and teams. She is the co-founder of Itoju Mentoring Program, an initiative that supports African international students in Canada through mentorship, community engagement, and financial support. She holds a Master’s in Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Smith School of Business at Queen’s U (2021) and a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science from Ontario Tech University (2017). Leveraging her experience in research, systems thinking, and technology development, she brings an interdisciplinary approach to innovation; bridging people, processes, and technology to build inclusive and impactful solutions.

Navin Sridharan Senior Director, Cloud Customer Engineering RBC

Navin Sridharan Senior Director, Cloud Customer Engineering RBC Navin Sridharan is an accomplished technology professional holding a Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto. Since beginning his journey with RBC in 2018, he has advanced through various leadership roles and has been critical to the success of several key cloud initiatives. Navin currently leads the Cloud Customer Engineering discipline within the RBC Cloud program. Navin has developed significant knowledge in emerging technologies, with particular focus on Kubernetes, Terraform, and Cloud computing solutions. His technical proficiency is recognized through multiple certifications, including Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), Certified Kubernetes Application Developer (CKAD), AWS Solution Architect Associate (SAA), and Git Actions. Outside of work, Navin enjoys golfing, badminton, and participating in auto racing track days, which provide a well-rounded balance to his technology-driven career. His dedication to both professional growth and personal interests highlights his commitment to excellence in every aspect of his life.

Meghana Kaushal Principal Cloud Engineer RBC

Meghana Kaushal Principal Cloud Engineer RBC Meghana is a Principal Engineer at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), leveraging her software engineering background to lead advancements in cloud platform engineering and cloud-native application development. With a strong foundation in building scalable, secure systems, she is passionate about exploring emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to drive impactful solutions while fostering collaboration and engineering excellence across teams.

Neha Basra Senior Data Engineer, Borealis AI RBC

Neha Basra Senior Data Engineer, Borealis AI RBC Neha Basra is a Senior Data Engineer at RBC Borealis, specializing in designing data warehousing and analytics solutions on Snowflake to meet the varied analytical needs of multiple business units. Her RBC journey began with the UofT x RBC Innovation Challenge, where her team won a $25,000 prize for their innovative climate tech solution. Neha also participated in the RBC Amplify program, where she developed a patent-pending AI solution aimed at making renting more accessible for newcomers to Canada

Binaifer Khushrooshahi Head, B2C Platform Strategy and Operations BMO

Binaifer Khushrooshahi Head, B2C Platform Strategy and Operations BMO Binaifer Khushrooshahi is the COO within B2C Platform Strategy & Operations, where she drives multi-year technology planning, and the execution of transformation agendas. Binaifer has a proven track record of disciplined delivery, combined with a strong focus on talent empowerment, engagement, and collaboration. Since joining BMO in 2009, her organizational breadth includes progressive roles in portfolios such as Procurement, Supplier Performance Management, and Risk Governance. Binaifer holds a Master of Business Administration from the Ivey School of Business at Western University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto. She serves on the BMO Alliance for Women national team as the Co-Chair and is a committed advocate for BMO’s purpose to Boldly Grow the Good, actively participating in numerous volunteer efforts.

Taje Mohabir Vice President, Consulting Services CGI

Taje Mohabir Vice President, Consulting Services CGI Taje Mohabir is a seasoned leader in Wealth and Asset Management transformation, combining 25+ years of financial services technology and operations expertise. At CGI, he leads the market development strategy of our Wealth360 IP suite and Business Process Services, enabling clients to modernize operations, reduce costs, and scale for growth. Formerly Senior Vice-President of Operations for a global asset management firm, Taje has deep experience across the investment lifecycle, including fund accounting, transfer agency, portfolio management, and automation-driven process optimization. He partners with clients to design technology-enabled transformations that deliver measurable value, operational excellence, and long-term business success.

Ndeye Rokhaya Dieng Senior Director, Model Risk Management National Bank

Ndeye Rokhaya Dieng Senior Director, Model Risk Management National Bank Ndeye Rokhaya Dieng is Senior Director of Model Risk Management at National Bank of Canada. With nearly a decade of experience in model validation, governance, and regulatory compliance, she focuses on ensuring models are conceptually sound, responsibly developed, and properly deployed and used. Rokhaya is a thought leader on responsible and trustworthy modeling and AI, promoting efficient and effective model governance across the financial sector.

Chris Juryn Vice President, Emerging Technologies CGI

Chris Juryn Vice President, Emerging Technologies CGI Chris Juryn is Vice-President of Business Consulting at CGI, where he leads the Emerging Technologies practice, a multidisciplinary team of AI/ML strategists, cloud architects, data engineers, and data scientists. With a deep focus on the financial services sector, Chris has partnered with leading banks and financial institutions across North America to integrate cutting edge technologies into their operations. His work has helped clients modernize legacy systems, enhance risk modeling, and unlock new value through Generative and Agentic AI driven solutions. Chris is passionate about guiding organizations through complex digital transformations, leveraging his experience to drive innovation, operational efficiency, and strategic growth.

Ty Smith Founder & CEO Optical Diversity

Ty Smith Founder & CEO Optical Diversity Ty Smith is an award-winning Technology Advisor with two decades of experience in the IT and Telecommunications industry. After a successful Channel Sales Management career at Cox, Ty founded Optical Diversity Telecom, a Global Technology Advisory Firm that pairs Casino, Hotel, Airport, Retail, and Industrial facility leaders with IT, Telecom service providers to tackle complex telecom projects and IT infrastructure transformations. Ty also mentors current and aspiring IT entrepreneurs and consultants, by teaching them how to establish referral & resell partnerships with global Fortune 500 technology companies. Ty's overall mission is to boost the awareness of the vast opportunities in the IT Channel Sales ecosystem in order to bring more diverse professionals into the industry.

Obot Egbo-Egbo Senior Relationship Manager BMO

Obot Egbo-Egbo Senior Relationship Manager BMO

Chelsey Eshpeter Senior Recruiter - Vancouver Hub | HR Digital and Technology Talent Acquisition RBC

Chelsey Eshpeter Senior Recruiter - Vancouver Hub | HR Digital and Technology Talent Acquisition RBC Chelsey Eshpeter has over 10 years of experience, with a diverse career spanning from big tech to her current role at RBC leading the Vancouver Technology Hub’s hiring efforts. Passionate about building connections and fostering community, Chelsey is a strong partner with BPTN, helping to drive meaningful relationships. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, basking in the sunshine, spending time with her puppies, and hitting the golf course. Feel free to connect or follow me on LinkedIn.

Sumathi Seetharaman Vice President of AI/ML Practice & CoE TD Bank AMCB

Sumathi Seetharaman Vice President of AI/ML Practice & CoE TD Bank AMCB Sumathi is VP Head of AI/ML Practice & CoE at TD Bank AMCB. In the last 11 years, Sumathi has held various product leadership roles across Digital and Enterprise Innovation, and established Open Banking, Marketplaces, and Digital Identity mandates for the bank. Prior to TD Bank AMCB, Sumathi worked at Microsoft and has shipped enterprise, developer, and customer facing software products. She holds an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the UofT and a Masters in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati.

Ron Cuffy Director, Cloud RBC

Ron Cuffy Director, Cloud RBC Ron is Director within the RBC Cloud Program. In his 28 year tenure with RBC, he has held various positions within Technology. Over the past 5 years, Ron has been leading teams of highly skilled engineers and technology professionals. He enjoys helping colleagues thrive while supporting their career growth. Ron's team manages the technology that connects data across disparate systems supporting many RBC critical banking applications. Beyond work, Ron spends his free time as a volunteer coach for youth and young adults as a member of a non profit organization. He also participates in various sports and physical fitness activities.

Gonzalo Vazquez Director, Cloud RBC

Gonzalo Vazquez Director, Cloud RBC Gonzalo Vazquez is currently working as Director of Engineering at the Royal Bank of Canada. He specializes in Cloud technologies and software development. His career background has been centered around innovation at large scale corporations such as TD Bank, CIBC, Telus and Economical. He has managed several multi-million-dollar projects and has led multi-faceted teams.. As he progressed through his career, he utilized his creativity and communication skills to lead teams through influence and passion. He is currently pursing an MBA at Royal Roads University. Outside of his career, Gonzalo is a member of the Board of Directors at Oakville Improv and is an improviser himself. He is a graduate of the Second city Conservatory and keeps performing in his local community.

Samantha Simunyu Senior Manager, Strategic Capability Design RBC

Samantha Simunyu Senior Manager, Strategic Capability Design RBC Samantha Simunyu is a Senior Manager of Strategic Capabilities Design at RBC Direct Investing. She leads client-centric digital strategies that drive growth and innovation, helping transform how clients discover, adopt, and engage with digital investing products. Previously, she was the Sr. Digital Product Manager for the Mobile Prospecting Portfolio at RBC, accelerating new client acquisition, and has held digital strategy roles across the U.S. and Canada. Samantha holds a Master of Science in Management and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Elon University. She is also passionate about DEI and community engagement, serving on RBC committees, mentoring youth in Toronto, and contributing thought leadership on innovation and entrepreneurship

Tahmeed Khan Director, IT Security Intact

Tahmeed Khan Director, IT Security Intact Tahmeed Khan is Intact’s Director of Cyber Defense, leading a team responsible for threat detection, cyber threat monitoring and incident response. Tahmeed is experienced in cybersecurity operations across regulated industries in Canada.

Trevon Pascall Director, Infrastructure Security and Data Centre Operations Intact

Trevon Pascall Director, Infrastructure Security and Data Centre Operations Intact An enterprise technology and security leader on a mission to help protect our team members and customers from cyber threats. My primary objective is to provide best in class security strategy and governance to help organizations build cyber resiliency.

Mo Attia Managing Director, PM Data & Analytics BMO

Mo Attia Managing Director, PM Data & Analytics BMO

Camy Duff Unit Manager, Ops & Planning Intact

Camy Duff Unit Manager, Ops & Planning Intact Camy Duff joined Intact in 2018 as a unit manager and is leading a team of Business Analysts for both the Commercial and Specialty lines of business, bringing with her over a decade of experience in the insurance industry. She’s built a solid foundation in home and auto insurance before transitioning to management. Camy is deeply committed to supporting others through her leadership, focusing on mentorship and development. She takes pride in empowering her team and helping individuals unlock their potential, fostering both personal and professional growth.

Don Diei Software Developer Intact

Don Diei Software Developer Intact Don Diei is a Software Developer with Intact’s Tech+Lab team. As a graduate of the Obsidi Academy Bootcamp, Don uses his passion for using technology to solve real-world problems and improve processes at Intact.

Errol Stewart Software Developer Intact

Errol Stewart Software Developer Intact Errol Stewart is a Software Developer on Intact’s Production Support team. After nearly a decade in the finance industry, Errol transitioned to a career in software development. In his role, Errol provides code fixes in Java and Angular for our applications that support millions of Canadian customers every day.

Omar Abdi Software Developer Intact

Omar Abdi Software Developer Intact Omar Abdi is a Software Developer with Intact’s Tech+Lab team, working within the Autobots team. Omar’s work on test automation helps ensure the integrity of our apps and tools.

Yan Babagbeto Manager, Software Development Intact

Yan Babagbeto Manager, Software Development Intact Yan Babagbeto is a Director of Software Development at Intact, where he oversees the development and optimization of Intact's web applications, ensuring performance, reliability, and optimal user experience. Yan also has a cross-functional mandate for application security management, rigorous vulnerability monitoring, incident response coordination, and continuous improvement of DevOps practices.

Feena Naqvi Analyst, Tech Development Program Intact

Feena Naqvi Analyst, Tech Development Program Intact Feena Naqvi is a Cybersecurity Analyst at Intact, where she focuses on vulnerability management and security risk reduction. She earned her degree in Business Technology Management from Toronto Metropolitan University and previously gained experience at with leading financial institutions in cybersecurity and software development. As a visible Muslim woman in tech, she is passionate about empowering diversity and women’s representation in cybersecurity.

Luke Shannon Director, Development Platform, IT Intact

Luke Shannon Director, Development Platform, IT Intact Luke Shannon is Director, Development Platform at Intact. With over two decades of experience in IT, including multiple startups and founding his own company, Luke’s role at Intact now focuses on developer portals and their use in large enterprises to streamline efficiencies and effectiveness.

Annel Ludovic Ketcha External Consultant, Development Platform Adoption Intact

Annel Ludovic Ketcha External Consultant, Development Platform Adoption Intact Annel Ludovic Ketcha is a consultant with Intact’s Tech+Lab team, where he empowers developers and shapes platforms to help foster efficiency, creativity and meaningful outcomes. Originally from Cameroon and now based at IFC’s Toronto office, Annel has always been inspired technology’s potential to transform ideas into impacts and now brings that vision to life every day.

Cherish Liles Human Resources Business Partner Intuit

Cherish Liles Human Resources Business Partner Intuit Cherish joined Intuit Credit Karma in 2021. She is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of others and continuance improvement. Cherish obtained her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Fayetteville State University and her Master’s in Management from Wake Forest University. She is not afraid to ask the tough questions but approaches all matters with care and empathy.

Sheridan Labbe Creative Strategy Manager Intuit

Sheridan Labbe Creative Strategy Manager Intuit Sheridan Labbé is a Creative Strategy Manager at Intuit Credit Karma, where she leads creative strategy across growth marketing campaigns that connect millions of members to the financial tools they need. Her work spans national TV campaigns, lifecycle marketing initiatives, and audience strategies that deepen trust and engagement with diverse communities. Sheridan also champions the use of AI and innovative tools to streamline workflows and help teams reduce burnout, making space for more creative and people-first solutions. Beyond her work at Credit Karma, she is an active community leader through the Junior League of Charlotte and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, reflecting her commitment to service, belonging, and empowerment.

Shadrack Msuya Analyst, Tech Development Program Intact

Shadrack Msuya Analyst, Tech Development Program Intact Shadrack Msuya is a member of Intact’s New Grad Tech Development Program. With a specialization in the Software, Security and Cloud stream, he’s supporting Intact’s Tech+Lab team as a Software Developer. Originally from Tanzania, Shadrack is based out of Intact’s Toronto office.

Andre Bent Director, Program Innovation Delivery RBC

Andre Bent Director, Program Innovation Delivery RBC Andre Bent is Director, Innovation Programs Delivery at RBC’s Technology Strategy and Innovation team, leading enterprise adoption of emerging technology and delivery of state of the art proof-of-concept applications.  Andre joined RBC in 2014 as a technical systems implementation specialist, since then he has held roles in, systems solutions design, business process design and re-engineering, process governance, and solutions delivery.  Andre has been in the Innovation space since 2018 and has contributed to RBC’s experimentation and adoption of several emerging technologies.  Today, he remains focused on driving business transformation through emerging technologies including Generative and Agentic AI.

May Fuh Director, B2C Digital First Enablement BMO

May Fuh Director, B2C Digital First Enablement BMO

Victor Li CEO & Founder Onova BMO

Victor Li CEO & Founder Onova BMO

Ivana Palianyca Director, Canadian Digital Platforms BMO

Ivana Palianyca Director, Canadian Digital Platforms BMO

Chris Engelking BMO

Chris Engelking BMO Chris is the Director of Digital Investing Growth and Analytics at BMO. He oversees InvestorLine’s business strategy, AI strategy and roadmap, client experience, and cross-bank growth initiatives. He is passionate about how technology and innovation can be used empower clients and partners. Chris has a 15 year track record of delivering growth strategies, digital transformations, and innovative products in Canadian Financial Services. He holds an MBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University and is a proud father of two.

Emma Johnston Senior Manager, Digital Strategy CIBC

Emma Johnston Senior Manager, Digital Strategy CIBC Emma works at the intersection of strategy and product, focused on building the next generation of digital banking experiences at CIBC Digital.

Glenn Singh Senior Consultant, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Intact

Glenn Singh Senior Consultant, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Intact

Kareem Abdur-Rashid Co-Founder of Kare Chemical Technologies Inc Kare Chemical Technologies Inc

Kareem Abdur-Rashid Co-Founder of Kare Chemical Technologies Inc Kare Chemical Technologies Inc Kareem Abdur-Rashid is a graduate of the University of Toronto where he completed a B.Sc. (Chemistry) in 2020, and a M.Sc. (Chemistry) in 2022. In 2018 he started working as a research scientist with Kamal Pharmachem Inc. This work included the development of catalysts and processes for the conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol, and the manufacture of pharmaceutical products. In 2020 he co-founded Kare Chemical Technologies Inc. which specializes in the catalytic manufacture of pharmaceutical grade cannabinoids. He has several issued patents. His patented technologies are licensed to companies in North America, Europe and Asia to produce pharmaceuticals and high purity, single-component, pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoids. His on-going research includes the development of new cannabinoid medicines to address the opioid crisis in addition to diabetes.

Shakila Alvarez-Benjamin Senior Product Manager, Digital Product Delivery CIBC

Shakila Alvarez-Benjamin Senior Product Manager, Digital Product Delivery CIBC Shakila leads the delivery of CIBC’s digital sales platform initiatives and drives transformative product launches, increasing sales acquisition growth and deepening client experiences. Shakila blends leadership skills and strategic vision to build new standards in digital excellence to propel CIBC’s digital growth.

David Morehouse Director Engineering Excellence - NAM Citi

David Morehouse Director Engineering Excellence - NAM Citi Dave is the Director of Engineering Excellence for North America. Dave graduated Summa Cum Laude from Michigan Technological University with a degree in software engineering. Dave brings 20 years of leadership experience, from Fortune 500 companies to pre-seed startups across multiple industries. His background as a software engineer and hands on leader is why he's so focused on improving the developer experience. He has led multiple organizations through strategic transformations including cloud migrations, agile delivery, driving automation, continuous delivery, and AI adoption. Outside of work, Dave is a dedicated father of two teenage daughters, who keep him busy with soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, theatre, and academics. He also has two dogs, a Westie and a Caryn terrier (think Toto from the Wizard of Oz). Dave also enjoys biking, guitar, cooking, and is always up for deep technology discussions.

Akilah Jenkins HR Recruiter Citi

Akilah Jenkins HR Recruiter Citi

Ravi Lunia Fixed Income Technology (Markets)Site Head Canada & DevOps/QE Global Head Citi

Ravi Lunia Fixed Income Technology (Markets)Site Head Canada & DevOps/QE Global Head Citi Ravi Lunia is the Canada Lead for Fixed Income Technology at Citi, where he holds global delivery responsibility for DevOps, Infrastructure, and Quality Engineering. With over two decades of experience spanning IT services and Broker Dealer firms across Asia and North America, Ravi is an accomplished leader in engineering enterprise-scale solutions and managing diverse global teams within the Markets business. His expertise encompasses critical areas such as pricing, eTrading, trade capture, short-term funding, and derivatives. Prior to joining Citi, Ravi held senior Java consultant capacities at prominent institutions including UBS, Metlife, and StateFarm. He is a passionate advocate for DevOps methodologies, consistently seeking opportunities to drive automation and enhance development team productivity. Outside the professional sphere, Ravi enjoys cooking and traveling with his wife and two children. He is also an adrenaline enthusiast who actively pursues extreme sports such as sky diving, para sailing, and enjoys the thrills of roller coasters in theme parks.

Adarsh Kochhar Investment & Corporate Banking Technology Head, Citi Canada Citi

Adarsh Kochhar Investment & Corporate Banking Technology Head, Citi Canada Citi Adarsh Kochhar is the Canada Lead for Banking Technology with delivery responsibility of Debt and Equity Capital Markets Origination technology globally. He has over 25 years of experience working with IT services and Broker Dealer firms across Asia and North America. He has extensive background in engineering enterprise scale solutions and leading global teams in Markets business, especially cash securities post-trade, position keeping and collateral management areas, prior to joining Banking Tech. He has a keen interest in Blockchain Technology, it’s applicability across Capital Markets use-cases and its integration with traditional systems. He led the Blockchain technology space for Markets from 2018-2020 before moving to Banking tech. Adarsh holds a B.E in Computer Science, MSc in Economics from Birla Institute of Technology & Science, India. He also holds professional diploma in Global Finance from Chinese University of Hong Kong. Adarsh loves to travel and go on long drives to nowhere with his wife, 2 kids and Rico (a beagle). He is a yoga enthusiast and enjoys music and gardening as great de-stressors.

Christopher Lemoine Director, Solution Management Lead, Fixed Income Technology Citi

Christopher Lemoine Director, Solution Management Lead, Fixed Income Technology Citi Christopher Lemoine a Director in the Fixed Income Technology (FIT) organization. FIT is part of Citi’s broader Markets Technology division. Chris plays multiple roles in the FIT organization. From a business delivery perspective, Chris operates as the tech strategy lead for the Sales function across Fixed Income. He also operates as a tech lead for the Emerging Markets and Money Markets Trading businesses. As the technology lead, he is accountable for delivering forward thinking technical solutions and driving the technology strategy for these businesses. From a functional perspective, Chris oversees the Project Management Office for FIT. In this role, Chris is accountable for defining the team strategy, optimizing collaboration with key stakeholders, driving tooling and best practices, and providing growth opportunity for the PMO team within the organization. Outside of his day-to-day responsibilities, Chris is also actively involved in the Technology Talent Engagement Council. He operates as the Co-Lead for the council’s Talent Attraction and External Partnerships workstream. He also serves as the FIT Tech representative for the Technology Analyst Program. Chris joined Citi in 2010 through the Technology Analyst Program after graduating from SUNY Binghamton with a B.S. in Computer Science. Prior to his current role, he spent years as both an application developer and developement lead focusing on fixed income trade processing. He later joined the Credit Markets Technology organization in 2015 as the technology lead supporting the structured credit trading business. In 2019, Chris was a appointed as the Global BA/PM lead for the Spread Products Technology organization, leading that organization until 2023 and growing the team from ~40 to over 100 BA/PMs globally. On a personal note, Christopher was born and raised in NYC, is an avid basketball fan and enjoys spending time with close family and friends.

Letitia Moye-Moore Head of Strategic Partnerships - Talent Attraction Citi

Letitia Moye-Moore Head of Strategic Partnerships - Talent Attraction Citi

Brian Neckles Director, Digital Product CIBC

Brian Neckles Director, Digital Product CIBC Brian Neckles is a Director of Product at CIBC Digital. His goals are to inspire, lead and empower teams to create and deliver innovative solutions that empower the lives of the people who use them.

Ranya Elfil Citi

Ranya Elfil Citi

Melissa Fachada National Bank

Melissa Fachada National Bank Melissa Fachada is a seasoned IT and operations leader with over 20 years of experience across banking, customer service, and public sector roles. Currently an Application Portfolio Manager at the National Bank of Canada, she specializes in agile delivery, IT strategy, and service management. Melissa holds certifications in AWS Cloud, ITIL, SAFe, Six Sigma, and more, and is known for her multidisciplinary approach and passion for continuous learning.

Chris Patterson Head of Enterprise AI Platforms & Solutions CIBC

Chris Patterson Head of Enterprise AI Platforms & Solutions CIBC Chris is CIBC’s Head of Enterprise AI Platforms & Solutions, leading the bank’s proprietary CIBC AI Platform and custom AI initiatives. A ten-year veteran, he advises EXCO on GenAI strategy and partners with business leaders to launch AI use cases that drive revenue growth and operational efficiency.

Stephanie Boubacar Senior Consultant, Talent Acquisition IT Intact

Stephanie Boubacar Senior Consultant, Talent Acquisition IT Intact

Marie-Josee Marcotte Manager, Talent Acquisition IT Intact

Marie-Josee Marcotte Manager, Talent Acquisition IT Intact

Nicolas Fortin Director, Talent Acquisition Intact

Nicolas Fortin Director, Talent Acquisition Intact

Carly Suter Manager, Talent Acquisition, Future Talent & Events Intact

Carly Suter Manager, Talent Acquisition, Future Talent & Events Intact

Wazeeda Rahman Consultant, Talent Acquisition, Future Talent Intact

Wazeeda Rahman Consultant, Talent Acquisition, Future Talent Intact

Marie-Anne Michaud Consultant, Talent Acquisition & Events Intact

Marie-Anne Michaud Consultant, Talent Acquisition & Events Intact

Zafira Quraishi Consultant, Talent Acquisition, Future Talent Intact

Zafira Quraishi Consultant, Talent Acquisition, Future Talent Intact

Sophia Doulaghsingh Director Social Impact, Community Investments Canada Scotiabank

Sophia Doulaghsingh Director Social Impact, Community Investments Canada Scotiabank Sophia Doulaghsingh is Director, Community Investments at Scotiabank, leading the bank’s $500MM ScotiaRISE initiative. She previously headed Corporate Access in Global Banking and Markets pioneering Canada’s first formal Corporate Access banking platform. Sophia also co-chairs the Scotiabank Black Employee Network, which won Black ERG of the Year at the OBSIDI Awards.

Alex Olowookere Sofware Developer (Co-Op) Intuit

Alex Olowookere Sofware Developer (Co-Op) Intuit Alex Olowookere is a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Toronto, pursuing a minor in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. He’s passionate about building thoughtful, user-centered products at the intersection of design and technology. Alex has previously interned at Notion and Intuit, where he honed his skills in crafting intuitive digital experiences and scalable front-end systems. He currently works on the Canada Assisted Tax team at Intuit, helping develop tools that make financial tasks simpler and more accessible for millions of users. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring how technology can be used to improve productivity, learning, and everyday life.

Sam Aspro Managing Director, Data & AI Architecture BMO

Sam Aspro Managing Director, Data & AI Architecture BMO Sam Aspro is the Managing Director of Data & AI Architecture at BMO, where he co-leads the Data & AI Technology delivery organization. He is responsible for shaping the architectural vision and engineering design of intelligent, modular solutions that support both emerging business needs and the modernization of legacy data curation pipelines. Sam’s current focus includes enabling scalable insight across cloud-native and hybrid ecosystems, championing AI-readiness, and accelerating delivery through reusable automation patterns. His leadership was instrumental in launching BMO’s Data & AI Solutions Studio, where he partners with platform leaders and line-of-business CIOs to deliver adaptive, business-aligned architectures. Over the course of his career—spanning TD and BMO—Sam has led enterprise-wide transformations in data integration, cloud strategy, and AI enablement. At TD, he advanced operational customer information management and integrated analytics systems across the enterprise. He launched the Canadian Retail Banking Data Architecture practice, established standardized schemas to enable API interoperability, and led the creation and execution of the customer and account links hub that enabled the TD/Canada Trust data migration initiative—one of the largest integration efforts in Canadian banking. His work laid the foundation for scalable data sharing, governance, and analytics enablement across business units. His contributions to intelligent automation and architecture design are reflected in multiple patents. At BMO, Sam established the enterprise-wide Data & Analytics Cloud Blueprint and played a key role in integrating data and analytics assets following BMO’s acquisition of Bank of the West—ensuring architectural alignment, platform interoperability, and rapid onboarding of new business capabilities. He has also served as a judge for grassroots innovation challenges and hosted hands-on AI learning events like the AWS DeepRacer Challenge, blending technical depth with a culture of experimentation. Sam maintains a strong interest in the broader data and AI industry and actively seeks opportunities to stay connected through forums, summits, and peer collaboration. His work has been featured in venues such as the Teradata Data & AI Analytics Summit, where he shared insights on intelligent automation and deep learning in enterprise architecture. Outside of work, Sam is a proud father of two and passionate about staying active—whether through bootcamps, running, or hiking.

Priya Shan Director, Wealth Technology BMO

Priya Shan Director, Wealth Technology BMO

Hosna Kadary National Market Leader for Zero Barriers to Business at BMO BMO

Hosna Kadary National Market Leader for Zero Barriers to Business at BMO BMO

Tricia McCool Executive Leader, CBCC Board Member BMO

Tricia McCool Executive Leader, CBCC Board Member BMO Tricia is a visionary leader and culture cultivator with over 25 years of experience driving growth and transformation across marketing, operations, and people development in the technology sector. A trailblazer for change, she co-founded the Rogers Black Leadership Council and has shaped inclusive leadership through her work with the Microsoft Global Partner Women’s Solutions Council, Technology Council and Black Professionals in Tech platinum corporate partnership. As a Board Member of the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC), Tricia plays a pivotal role in advancing economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and generational wealth across Black communities in Canada. She is also an accomplished speaker and host, regularly taking the stage at major conferences and mainstream events to spark dialogue, inspire action, and spotlight diverse leadership.

Calvin Pascall Chief Revenue Officer at Nobellum. Strategic Advisor & Coahc BMO

Calvin Pascall Chief Revenue Officer at Nobellum. Strategic Advisor & Coahc BMO

Matson Kitamisi Consultant, People & Change Management KPMG

Matson Kitamisi Consultant, People & Change Management KPMG Matson is a consultant within the People & Change Management Consulting Practice at KPMG’s Toronto office. Matson’s past work spans across various industries such as grocery retail, financial services, Healthcare, philanthropy, and students’ politics. His experience and aspiration encompass social sustainability, change management, talent management, business strategy, and philanthropic initiatives. Matson aims to help organizations build and transform their workforces to drive meaningful and impactful business value.

Arun Kumar Director & Senior Tecchnology Officer, BMO Private Wealth Technology BMO

Arun Kumar Director & Senior Tecchnology Officer, BMO Private Wealth Technology BMO Arun Kumar leads the Canadian Wealth Digital & Insurance Technology team at BMO, where he is responsible for delivering scalable, cost-effective technology solutions that support the Private Wealth business. As a trusted advisor, Arun partners closely with business leaders to shape strategic decisions and drive long-term value through technology.  With over 15 years of experience at BMO, Arun has held progressive leadership roles since beginning his career as a database developer. He brings deep expertise in strategic planning, technology ownership, and project delivery, and is known for fostering a culture of innovation and experimentation within his team.  Arun actively engages with industry peers to stay ahead of emerging trends and best practices, ensuring BMO remains competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. He holds a Master’s degree in Engineering and is passionate about leveraging technology to enhance client experiences and business outcomes. 

Cassandra Pennant Senior Product Owner BMO

Cassandra Pennant Senior Product Owner BMO Cassandra Pennant is a Senior Product Owner at the Bank of Montreal. Her career has amassed experience across Biotechnology, Oil & Gas and Finance where she has demonstrated a passion for innovation and modernization of Payments. She is currently completing her Executive MBA at the University of Fredericton with a specialization in Artificial Intelligence Leadership.

Gary Kennedy Senior Director, Talent Acquisition RBC

Gary Kennedy Senior Director, Talent Acquisition RBC Gary Kennedy is a Sr Director, Talent Acquisition at RBC, where he plays a key role in attracting and hiring high-impact talent across the Technology & Functions platforms. With a background in strategic talent acquisition and a passion for creating inclusive hiring experiences, Gary helps shape RBC’s future workforce through collaboration, insight, and a focus on long-term talent growth.

Joëlle Mulombo Director, One Client, Wealth BMO

Joëlle Mulombo Director, One Client, Wealth BMO Joëlle Mulombo is Director, One Client, Wealth Management at BMO. Joëlle helps lead enterprise-wide initiatives to drive growth and client loyalty by promoting the Best of BMO to support clients in achieving their financial goals. With over 15 years in the financial services, Joëlle has held progressive leadership roles at BMO, including in Sales Leadership within Private Wealth, where she focused on sales enablement strategies and client experience. She holds an MSc in International Finance as well as an MA in Management and Business Administration. As co-founder and chair of the BMO Black Professionals Network in Canada, she has created a platform that fosters connection, advancement, and representation within BMO. Joëlle leads with purpose— empowering others to rise and thrive. Her leadership and impact were recognized with the 2021 Women in Capital Markets Champion of Change award. 

Subramanian Sankaran Citi

Subramanian Sankaran Citi TBD

Lucian Agapi Fixed Income DevOps & Tooling Lead Citi

Lucian Agapi Fixed Income DevOps & Tooling Lead Citi Lucian Agapi is a DevOps & Tools Lead and VP at Citi Bank Canada, enhancing CI/CD pipelines for the Fixed Income - Markets department. With over 20 years of full-stack experience at firms like Amazon and Endava, he delivers tools that improve developer efficiency and reduce risk. Lucian is known for turning ideas into production-ready products, embodying his motto: "give me an idea and I'll give you a product.

Chris Thompson Executive Director Federation of Black Canadians

Chris Thompson Executive Director Federation of Black Canadians

Alieu Jallow Entrepreneurship & Innovation Specialist, City of Mississauga (IDEA Mississauga) Idea Mississauga

Alieu Jallow Entrepreneurship & Innovation Specialist, City of Mississauga (IDEA Mississauga) Idea Mississauga Alieu is a dynamic and innovation leader, adjunct professor, renowned entrepreneur, and seasoned executive with over a decade experience building and scaling ventures across Africa, Europe, and North America. Currently serves as the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Specialist, at City of Mississauga supporting scaling companies in life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and technology Founder of Startup Incubator Gambia, which has supported 1,500+ startups and created over 1,000 jobs. Former Director of Sector Innovation at Foresight Canada, driving cleantech growth through sector-specific initiatives. Passionate about ecosystem development, sustainable business strategy, and startup consulting. Holds a master’s in management Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Queen’s University, & Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.

Kuma Sordzi Partner, HR Due Diligence and Value Creation Deloitte Canada

Kuma Sordzi Partner, HR Due Diligence and Value Creation Deloitte Canada Kuma Sordzi is a Partner in Deloitte’s Strategy, Risk & Transactions practice, where she leads Human Capital Due Diligence and Value Creation mandates for private equity clients worldwide. Over her 17-year career, she has advised deal teams and executives globally, having lived and worked in New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and now Montreal. She brings a rare blend of analytical precision, cultural fluency, and deal intuition to every engagement. A mathematician by training turned dealmaker, Kuma built Deloitte Canada’s HR Due Diligence practice from the ground up and has become a recognized voice on how leadership and culture shape financial performance. She is the author of Beyond the Term Sheet: The Human Levers That Drive Returns and the upcoming CEO-sponsored white paper Permission to Lead, a bold exploration of how capital markets recognize, and often overlook, leadership potential. Her work, featured in Private Equity International and across Deloitte’s global network, continues to influence how investors think about value creation, sponsorship, and representation at the top. Her story reflects discipline, grace, and conviction, and a belief that when talent is truly seen, markets change.

IG Ajagunna Founder of CompCrafter CompCrafter

IG Ajagunna Founder of CompCrafter CompCrafter IG Ajagunna is the founder of CompCrafter, a platform that simplifies total rewards and helps employees get the most out of their benefits. Inspired by her experience leading compensation, HRIS, and engagement initiatives at Nelson Education and First Capital REIT, she recognized how often employees overlook or misunderstand their benefits and set out to solve that problem.

Tosin Akinwekomi Director, Optimization & Process Engineering CIBC

Tosin Akinwekomi Director, Optimization & Process Engineering CIBC

Francois Noel de Tilly Vice President, IT Capital Markets National Bank

Francois Noel de Tilly Vice President, IT Capital Markets National Bank Francois Noel de Tilly is Vice-President - IT Capital Markets at National Bank of Canada, where he leads the teams responsible for strategic technology initiatives that drive innovation and operational excellence. Based in Montreal, Francois brings deep business and finance expertise in aligning IT solutions across complex financial ecosystems. He is a trusted technology partner to the senior business leadership and a champion of transformative delivery in capital markets.

Yves-Gérard François Vice President, Transformation and Client Inclusion National Bank

Yves-Gérard François Vice President, Transformation and Client Inclusion National Bank With more than 25 years of experience in information technology, Yves-Gérard François began his career in non-profit management in Montreal before specializing in IT. He then held positions as an independent consultant where he led major transformation initiatives in various sectors, including aeronautics, healthcare, retail and financial services, and as an executive at National Bank. For the past three years, he has focused his leadership on business transformation and client inclusion. Recognized for his pragmatism, integrity and accessibility, he stands out for his ability to place the customer experience at the heart of priorities and to establish a culture of innovation, simplicity and diversity, promoting collaboration and synergy within teams.

Ricardo Peters Head of Support, Canada Public Sector & USA Non-Profit, AWS Amazon

Ricardo Peters Head of Support, Canada Public Sector & USA Non-Profit, AWS Amazon A seasoned technology leader, Ricardo Peters currently serves as the Head of Support for AWS Canada Public Sector and USA Non-Profit organizations. With a comprehensive background spanning software development and technical leadership, he brings over 20 years of hands-on experience in the technology industry. At AWS, Ricardo leads teams dedicated to providing enterprise-level support and technical guidance to government, education, healthcare, and non-profit institutions across North America, helping these organizations innovate and transform through cloud computing.

Joegina Philip Managing Director, FX Solutions (Risk Management Solutions Group) National Bank

Joegina Philip Managing Director, FX Solutions (Risk Management Solutions Group) National Bank Joegina Philip is a Managing Director in National Bank Capital Markets Risk Management Solutions Group where she leads the Toronto Corporate FX sales team. Joegina works closely with NBCM’s corporate and investment banking team as well as partners in Debt Capital Markets, Equity Capital Markets and Fixed Income solutions to support and generate transactions with National Bank’s corporate client base. Joegina has been with NBCM for 13 years.

Rochelle Etwaroo Lead Data and Analytics Engineer RBC

Rochelle Etwaroo Lead Data and Analytics Engineer RBC Rochelle Etwaroo is a Lead Data and Analytics Engineer at RBC, where she designs and delivers data-driven solutions to enhance security, compliance, and real-time risk visibility across the organization. She’s known for bridging the gap between complex technology and meaningful business insights, turning data into action. Passionate about empowering others, Rochelle is dedicated to mentoring emerging professionals and creating spaces where people can grow, lead and bring their full potential to the work they do.

Rogelio Cuevas Security Insights & AI team RBC

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Alethia O'Hara Director, Business Continuity & Third Party Disaster Readiness RBC

Alethia O'Hara Director, Business Continuity & Third Party Disaster Readiness RBC Alethia is an experienced leader with over 20 years at RBC. As the director of Business Continuity and Third Party Resilience, she leads initiatives to enhance organizational resilience. Additionally, Alethia is an active community leader, speaker and non-profit founder. She is the recipient of multiple awards including being recognized as 1 of 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women and a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal.

Huda Idrees Founder and CEO Dot Health

Huda Idrees Founder and CEO Dot Health Huda is the Founder and CEO of Dot Health, a real-time personal health data platform. With a background in engineering from the University of Toronto and a prolific career at some of Toronto's best known startups including Wattpad, Wave, and Wealthsimple. Her latest venture is transforming the way people access and control their own health information for good. Huda's work has been featured in a number of media outlets including Vogue, The Globe and Mail, CBC, Toronto Life, Toronto Star, Metro Morning, The Current, and The Walrus. She has won numerous awards including Excellence Canada's Board of Governors’ Special Recognition of Achievement Award in 2019, YWCA Toronto's Young Woman of Distinction in 2019, Bay Street Bull's 30x30 in 2018, University of Toronto Engineering Early Career Award in 2018, amongst others. Huda has helped advise the Canadian Federal and Provincial Health Ministries on strategy, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for TechGirls Canada and the Sinai Health System.

Akshayne Ramasamy Senior Cloud Engineer RBC

Akshayne Ramasamy Senior Cloud Engineer RBC Hi, I’m Akshayne! I’m a Senior Cloud Engineer at RBC, where I design and maintain cloud systems to ensure everything runs smoothly and securely. I’m passionate about technology and love tackling challenges to make systems better and more efficient. Originally from the island of Mauritius, I came to Canada to broaden my horizons and gain new experiences. Outside of work, I’m a car enthusiast who enjoys exploring the latest in automotive tech. I also love playing badminton and hitting nature trails—though I could definitely do without the spiders!

Tony Lee Senior Machine Learning Engineer RBC

Tony Lee Senior Machine Learning Engineer RBC Tony Lee is a Sr. Machine Learning Engineer. He is an Alumni of University of Toronto, with a background in Computer Science and Actuarial Science. He is currently at RBC's T&O Innovation department. Part of the Generative AI team, he has been working with LLMs since before the ChatGPT explosion and has played a pivotal role in producing close to 20 Generative AI POCs for other departments since that time, some of which have gone to production. He has a passion for technology and loves working at the bleeding edge.

Sagar Dadheech RBC

Sagar Dadheech RBC

Damilola Fadiya Software Engineer 2 Intuit

Damilola Fadiya Software Engineer 2 Intuit Damilola Fadiya is a Software Engineer II at Intuit, where she works on the Virtual Eexpert Platform team as a full-stack engineer helping to build Intuit’s Expert Portal. She studied Software and Biomedical Engineering at McMaster University and has been working full-time for a year. Damilola is passionate about creating impactful, user-focused solutions and loves collaborating with others to bring innovative ideas to life.

Theo Moss Manager, KPMG Lighthouse KPMG

Theo Moss Manager, KPMG Lighthouse KPMG Theo Moss is a Manager in KPMG’s Lighthouse practice with 9 years of experience in technology. He specializes in advisory services with a focus on IT strategy, digital transformation, and generative AI.

Ian Mmbando USA Corporate Tax Consultant KPMG

Ian Mmbando USA Corporate Tax Consultant KPMG Ian Mmbando is a dedicated and innovative professional serving as a USA Corporate Tax Consultant at KPMG Canada, where he has been instrumental for nearly three years. Based in Toronto, Ontario, Ian's role extends beyond his primary duties, as he is also the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) Green Champion and the Co-Chair of the GTA Sustainability Committee. In his capacity as the GTA Green Champion, a position he has held since February 2024, Ian represents the GTA at a national level. He plays a critical role in KPMG's National Impact team, collaborating with representatives from across, Canada to drive the firm’s sustainability agenda. His leadership in this role is, pivotal to advancing green initiatives and fostering a culture of environmental, responsibilities within the organization. Throughout his career, Ian has demonstrated a commitment to professional. excellence and environmental stewardship. His dual focus on corporate tax consultancy and sustainability initiatives highlights his versatile skill set and his passion for making a positive impact both within and outside the corporate sphere. Ian Mmbando continues to be a driving force at KPMG Canada, leveraging his expertise and leadership to promote sustainability initiatives for the firm.

Nikhil Aggarwal Vice President of Product Management - Cloud ERP SAP

Nikhil Aggarwal Vice President of Product Management - Cloud ERP SAP Nikhil Aggarwal, CPA, is Vice President of Product Management for SAP Cloud ERP – Finance. He leads global product strategy across accounting, group reporting, and AI-powered finance within SAP’s Office of the CFO, shaping the next generation of intelligent, cloud-native finance solutions for modern enterprises.

Carolyn Halinda HR Recruiter Citi

Carolyn Halinda HR Recruiter Citi

Benjamin Kantanka Director of Project Management, OPL Intact

Benjamin Kantanka Director of Project Management, OPL Intact Benjamin Kantanka is a Director of Project Management in Intact’s Personal Lines Operations and Planning team, which helps to connect business ideas with IT solutions to grow IFC’s personal lines business. Ben has been with Intact for 15 years, holding various roles within the technology space including system integrations for acquisitions, creation of a Policy Admin System, and more.

Kate Song Consultant, Talent Acquisition Intact

Kate Song Consultant, Talent Acquisition Intact

Emily Monroe Consultant, Talent Acquisition Intact

Emily Monroe Consultant, Talent Acquisition Intact

Ibtissem Rateni Director, Artificial Intelligence Intact

Ibtissem Rateni Director, Artificial Intelligence Intact Ibtissem Rateni is a Senior Director of AI and Data Engineering within Intact’s Tech+Lab team. Ibtissem has seven years experience with Intact, building on her expertise in MIOps, DevOps and governance. Her team focuses on building smart data and AI solutions across several initiatives that impact diverse areas of Intact’s business.

Afshan Waseem Director, Software Development Intact

Afshan Waseem Director, Software Development Intact Afshan Waseem is Director of Software Development within Intact’s Tech+Lab team. She has over two decades experience working with Intact and has grown her career internally throughout those 23 years. Afshan specializes in Data Engineering, AI, and Data Governance and Protection.

Iphigénie Ndiaye Program Manager Intact

Iphigénie Ndiaye Program Manager Intact Iphigenie Ndiaye is a Program Manager with Intact’s Tech+Lab team, leading the Data Retention program to ensure Intact’s compliance with privacy laws. Iphigenie has significant experience in corporate governance and strategic planning. As a team leader and program manager, she drives the achievement of benefits for large-scale national projects while aligning with the defined vision.

Marwa Gharbi Director, Software Development Intact

Marwa Gharbi Director, Software Development Intact

Kareem Williams Sales Recruiter

Kareem Williams Sales Recruiter Kareem Williams is a seasoned talent acquisition and sales professional with over 13 years of experience spanning technology, finance, accounting, insurance, sales, and marketing. A proud Howard University graduate, Kareem has built a career around connecting people, purpose, and opportunity. Kareem is currently at LinkedIn as a SaaS Sales Recruiter, where he has been for nearly five years. He plays a key role in advancing inclusive hiring practices and driving strategic talent initiatives across multiple business verticals. Beyond his professional work, Kareem is a former Division I soccer player and is passionate about giving back — regularly volunteering to speak with inner-city youth, inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in business and technology. With a unique blend of recruitment expertise, industry versatility, and a commitment to community impact, Kareem brings both insight and authenticity to every conversation about the future of work and technology.

Nicole Antoine Sales Recruiter LinkedIn

Nicole Antoine Sales Recruiter LinkedIn Nicole believes in the power of people, their stories, their potential, and the magic that happens when opportunity meets authenticity. With more than a decade of experience in recruitment for some of the world’s most recognized brands, including Scotiabank and now LinkedIn, Nicole has built a career around helping exceptional talent find where they truly belong. In her current role, she leads hiring for LinkedIn’s Sales Solutions team, partnering with leaders to bring in the best Account Directors across North America. Nicole’s impact extends well beyond hiring. As the Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Chair for LinkedIn’s Global Business Organization Talent Acquisition team, she is redefining what inclusive recruiting looks like. It is not a buzzword, but a standard. She works closely with inclusion recruiting partners and LinkedIn’s Employee Resource Groups to design programs that strengthen representation, belonging, and community across the company.

Justin Torabi Sales Leader, Mid-Market Account Directors LinkedIn

Justin Torabi Sales Leader, Mid-Market Account Directors LinkedIn Justin is a sales leader at LinkedIn with a proven track record of developing and empowering high-performing teams. Since stepping into people leadership in 2018, he has hired and guided more than 25 team members and contributed to over 100 hiring decisions across the organization. Passionate about coaching and talent development, Justin focuses on building strong, collaborative teams that consistently exceed goals and drive customer success.

Anastasia Kedrova Senior Learning Experience Designer LinkedIn

Anastasia Kedrova Senior Learning Experience Designer LinkedIn Anastasia Kedrova is a Senior Learning Experience Designer at LinkedIn, where she combines her expertise in learning design with a decade of customer-facing experience in tech to create impactful enablement programs for LinkedIn's go-to-market teams. Deeply committed to belonging and equitable access to opportunity, she leads and supports community initiatives that help others grow and thrive. She empowers professionals to build their skills, visibility, and confidence using LinkedIn as a tool for career growth.

Krista Mcisaac Quan-Vie Account Executive LinkedIn

Krista Mcisaac Quan-Vie Account Executive LinkedIn Krista is an experienced marketing professional with over a decade in the industry, spanning radio, television, programmatic, and digital media with a strong focus on paid social. She has developed strategic marketing plans for global brands including Unilever, Mars, Pfizer, IBM, Prime Video, and Air Canada, driving results across both B2B and B2C sectors. In her role at LinkedIn Marketing Solutions, Krista partners with businesses to optimize campaigns, leverage advanced tools, and deliver data-driven strategies that maximize ROI and accelerate growth in an evolving digital landscape.

Stone De Souza North American Vice President, LinkedIn Talent Solutions

Stone De Souza North American Vice President, LinkedIn Talent Solutions Stone de Souza is the Vice President of the North America region of LinkedIn's Talent Solutions business, LinkedIn's largest line of business. Previously, Stone led the LTS Global Small Business & Acquisition organization and was responsible for driving growth by delivering exceptional experiences to small business customers. In that leadership role, he led the acquisition strategy for Learning & Hiring solutions targeting small businesses, mid-market enterprises, large enterprises, and vertical markets worldwide. Prior to joining LinkedIn, Stone served as the Chief Operating Officer of EverCommerce (Nasdaq), an integrated business management, payment acceptance, marketing technology, and customer engagement platform that services more than 600,000 service-based businesses across the globe. Mr. de Souza has also served as Vice President and General Manager of the Small Business Segment of Sage Group plc, a multinational accounting and financial software company, from October 2019 to April 2021, where he was responsible for defining and implementing growth strategy and leading a team of product, marketing, sales and customer success professionals. From November 2017 to October 2019, Mr. de Souza served as the Vice President of Accountant Solutions of Sage Group plc. Prior to this, from July 2014 to August 2017, Mr. de Souza served at the General Manager and Business Unit Leader of Marketing, Sales and Strategic Partnerships for the Accounting Division for Inuit Inc. in France. Stone received his B.A. in Business Administration, a post-graduate degree in Business Administration, and an M.S. in Marketing from IDRAC Business School in France. He also holds a B.A. in International Relations from ILERI in Paris, France, and a post-graduate degree in Management from HEC Montreal.

Kory Kantenga Head of Economics, Americas LinkedIn

Kory Kantenga Head of Economics, Americas LinkedIn Dr. Kory Kantenga is the Head of Economics, Americas, at LinkedIn’s Economic Graph Research Institute. Kory leads the Economic Graph Research Institutes’ Macroeconomics Research Program. His work focuses on surfacing insights on labor markets and the macroeconomy at large. His areas of expertise include employment and wages, skills and technology, job search and matching, and competition and innovation. His insights and commentary have been featured in Bloomberg, The Financial Times, Fortune, The Global and Mail, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. He has appeared on CNBC and Bloomberg. Prior to joining LinkedIn, Kory worked in economic consulting, focusing on antitrust and intellectual property matters, and served as a postdoctoral fellow at the European University Institute. He holds an MSc. in economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania

Alex Kenny Account Director LinkedIn

Alex Kenny Account Director LinkedIn Alex Kenny is an Account Director at LinkedIn, where he supports clients across North America achieve their business goals and objectives by integrating strategic sales solutions. Alex immigrated from Dublin, Ireland in 2019, bringing his strong background in Banking and Financial Services to North American markets. Prior to joining LinkedIn, he held a number of positions in the tech sales sector, including at both Indeed and Salesforce. Alex combines his Irish warmth and natural ability to connect with clients to create meaningful relationships and achieve a mutual roadmap to success.

Sorit Seid Senior Customer Success Manager LinkedIn

Sorit Seid Senior Customer Success Manager LinkedIn Sorit is a Sr. Customer Success Manager at LinkedIn and an active member of LinkedIn’s Black Inclusion Group (BIG) in Canada. A proud advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Sorit brings her passion to her community to support spaces where underrepresented voices are heard and empowered. With over nine years of experience in client-facing roles, she leverages her professional expertise to uplift communities through mentorship, career development, and entrepreneurship initiatives.

Blake Bell Head of Global Change Enablement Manulife

Blake Bell Head of Global Change Enablement Manulife Blake Bell is the Head of Global Change Enablement at Manulife. He and his team have just launched Manulife’s Change Enablement Centre of Excellence with a mandate to accelerate Change-Adaptive Characteristics into the organization’s DNA. His team is doing this by empowering all colleagues with curated learning, practical tools, and a supportive community, so they can better adapt to change that happens every day, and effectively rollout and sustain impactful transformation to drive better business outcomes. Blake has employed similar strategies during his time at RBC and Rogers in technology and customer service roles. He is also the author of 12 books. He’s seen every movie and more baseball games than should be humanly consumable.

Jerome Morgan Associate Director Innovate Calgary

Jerome Morgan Associate Director Innovate Calgary Jerome is an Associate Director for the Social Innovation Hub. Jerome supports Innovate Calgary’s social innovation portfolio focused on social innovation who helps community organizations use digital tools, data, and startup methodology to scale civic projects. He builds bridges between grassroots initiatives and the tech ecosystem and can speak to impact measurement, ethical product design for communities, and partnership strategies.He champions commercialization and knowledge translation of the numerous research-derived innovations by students, researchers, and entrepreneurs. This includes conducting innovation presentations, capacity building with new business start-ups, and contributing to Innovate Calgary’s EDI goals and strategies.

Saba Mushtaq Obsidi® Academy

Saba Mushtaq Obsidi® Academy

Mathew Fiumara Obsidi® Talent Augmentation

Mathew Fiumara Obsidi® Talent Augmentation

Matt Douglas Global Head of Partnerships and Revenue Obsidi® Recruit

Matt Douglas Global Head of Partnerships and Revenue Obsidi® Recruit

Iryna Krutiy Associate Vice President, Product Group Technology Lead, TD Wealth, TD Bank Group TD Bank Group

Iryna Krutiy Associate Vice President, Product Group Technology Lead, TD Wealth, TD Bank Group TD Bank Group Iryna is an Associate Vice President, Product Group Technology Lead at TD Wealth Management. She is a visionary and purpose-driven technology leader who drives transformation, innovation, and operational excellence. She blends a deep expertise in technology, data, and business strategy to deliver impactful, enterprise-scale solutions aligned with strategic goals. Known for her clarity, empathy, and outcome-oriented mindset, Iryna empowers high-performing, diverse teams to excel, grow and innovate with purpose. A strong advocate for inclusion and equitable leadership, she fosters environments where every voice is valued and collaboration sparks creativity. Passionate about continuous improvement and people development, Iryna helps turn bold ideas into measurable business outcomes.

Cordella Smalling Director of the High Risk Client Management RBC

Cordella Smalling Director of the High Risk Client Management RBC I am a seasoned financial professional with over 25 years of experience, with expertise spanning portfolio management, compliance, and risk management. My career at RBC began 10 years ago, where I have held various leadership roles, including Manager and Senior Manager within the Financial Crimes division of RBC’s Group Risk Management unit. Currently, I serve as Director of the High Risk Client Management team, where I provide strategic direction to ensure effective risk management practices. In this capacity, I oversee the identification, review, and management of high-risk clients, with the goal of minimizing exposure to financial, regulatory, reputational, and legal risks.

Omar Bunsie Director, Anti-Money laundering Financial Intelligence Unit, RBC RBC

Omar Bunsie Director, Anti-Money laundering Financial Intelligence Unit, RBC RBC Omar K. Bunsie is a Director of RBC’s Anti-Money Laundering Financial Intelligence Unit, bringing over 25 years of experience in retail banking and anti-financial crimes. In his current role, he oversees investigations across Correspondent Banking, Canadian Wealth Management, and Caribbean Retail portfolios within RBC’s Financial Crimes division. Omar holds an MBA from Nova Southeastern University and is both a Fellow of the International Compliance Association (FICA) and a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (ACAMS). Guided by his belief that excellence is a continuous journey, he is dedicated to advancing integrity in financial services, community engagement, and mentorship.