Who's speaking

We’ve got a great line of speakers this year!

Ja Rule

Multi-Platinum and Award-Winning Hip-Hop Legend is Headlining the BFUTR After Party Concert.

Dr. Denise Turley Vice President, Corporate Systems U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Dr. Denise Turley Vice President, Corporate Systems U.S. Chamber of Commerce Dr. Denise Turley is the Vice President of Corporate Systems at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where she leads the strategic development and operational oversight of enterprise-wide technology solutions. Her expertise is crucial in driving AI adoption and optimizing the performance of critical systems, ensuring seamless integration and operational efficiency.

Jason Harvey EVP & Head of BET+ BET+

Jason Harvey EVP & Head of BET+ BET+ As a multidisciplinary marketing leader for more than 20 years, Jason Harvey has led strategy for Land Rover, Google, Microsoft, and eBay. His success at building brands, fluency in marketing analytics and passion for entertainment has been leveraged to launch BET+, a multi-platform streaming service owned by Paramount.

Etosha Thurman Chief Marketing Officer SAP

Etosha Thurman Chief Marketing Officer SAP Etosha Thurman, Chief Marketing & Solutions Officer for SAP Intelligent Spend & Business Network, is charged with strengthening the go-to-market approach and driving product marketing across SAP spend solutions and SAP Business Network.

A two-time Silver Stevie Award Winner, Female Executive of the Year, Business Services Etosha ranked #12 in Procurement Magazine’s Top 100 Women in Procurement.

Trevor Kadiata Head of Customer Engineering, Telecommunications, Media and Entertainment Google

Trevor Kadiata Head of Customer Engineering, Telecommunications, Media and Entertainment Google Trevor is an experienced leader who drives high-performance teams and delivers impactful digital transformation projects across key industries. He leads customer engineering for the telecommunications industry at Google, spearheading major initiatives that leverage optimized infrastructure, data, and AI to create unique customer experiences and deliver compelling business value.

Annette Stewart Senior Director RBC

Annette Stewart Senior Director RBC Annette received her undergraduate degree from Texas State University, completed her Juris Doctorate at the University of Iowa College of Law, and obtained her MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. She has close to 20 years of experience working on Wall Street for companies such as Citadel, Goldman Sachs, Markit, and PwC and is currently at Royal Bank of Canada.

Andrea Hodge-Johnson Head of Horizontal Architecture CCB Ops JPMorganChase

Andrea Hodge-Johnson Head of Horizontal Architecture CCB Ops JPMorganChase Andrea's team develops enterprise architecture frameworks that guide technology solutions for multiyear, strategic initiatives worth ~$10M+ in annual investment. Andrea has worked at JPMorgan Chase since 2000, holding various leadership roles throughout the firm. She is a graduate of Wharton's inaugural CTO program, holds her MBA from Wesley College, and is Level 2 TOGAF certified.

Andrew McCaskill Senior Director of Communications & LinkedIn Career Expert LinkedIn

Andrew McCaskill Senior Director of Communications & LinkedIn Career Expert LinkedIn Andrew is a culture analyst, inclusion champion and marketing executive. Before joining LinkedIn, he most recently led diversity & inclusion strategy for the global sales, marketing & public affairs function at Facebook and U.S. consumer marketing and global communications at Nielsen. While at Nielsen, he led communications for Nielsen China, was named one of PR Week's "Top 40 Under 40 PR Executives," and co-authored the award-winning Diverse Intelligence Series on the economic and cultural impact of multicultural consumers. Called a diversity champion by Fortune magazine, he also served as the global executive sponsor for Nielsen's LGBTQ employee business groups all over the world and was part of the team of professionals who worked with queer advocacy groups to bring LGBTQ audience measurement to fruition. Andrew has given consumer and cultural analysis in The New York Times, USA Today, Forbes, Fortune and AdWeek. The staunch consumer advocate also delivers African American focused political, cultural and economic commentary as an on-air contributor to SiriusXM’s 38 million subscribers, is an inclusive marketing expert for BET’s digital series THE GLAM GAP and is an investor and culture consultant with two early stage tech startups. At LinkedIn he is a Career Expert and communications executive.

Andrew Alleyne Corporate/Commercial Lawyer in Toronto Fasken

Allister Goveas VP Cloud and Infrastructure Intact Insurance

Allister Goveas VP Cloud and Infrastructure Intact Insurance A skilled leader in technology and operations, with a strong passion for utilizing technology to drive change. Known for exceptional leadership skills, ability to motivate and engage team members, and build strong relationships. A self-motivated individual with a consistent ability to learn, adapt, and tackle complex business and technology challenges with a long-term perspective.

Aquarious Workman Head of Cyber Security Planetary Systems AI

Aquarious Workman Head of Cyber Security Planetary Systems AI Aquarious Workman has over 15 years of experience in IT, starting at 13, focusing on executable security. He served in the US Marine Corps (2012-2017) and has held roles from Analyst to VP. He's created cybersecurity programs for major corporations and is the Florida Ambassador for Blacks in Cyber (BIC). A true cybersecurity enthusiast, Aquarious is passionate about his work.

Brandon Gonez Now Canada Host and Media Personality

Brandon Gonez Now Canada Host and Media Personality A titan in the media industry. Continuously breaking barriers and creating opportunities.

Cheryl-Ann Rodriguez Chief Information Officer Government of Ontario (GovTechON)

Cheryl-Ann Rodriguez Chief Information Officer Government of Ontario (GovTechON) Cheryl-Ann Rodriguez is the Chief Information Officer for the Central Agencies I+IT Cluster. Her role encompasses managing digital business and enterprise applications, providing professional services across the Ontario Public Service (OPS), with over 25 years of IT experience, co-leading the implementation and industrialization of AI in the OPS, and exec sponsor for the OPS Women in Tech program.

Cheryl Tjok-A-Tam Vice President, Strategic Initiative & Change Management, CFO Group RBC

Cheryl Tjok-A-Tam Vice President, Strategic Initiative & Change Management, CFO Group RBC Cheryl Tjok-A-Tam is a dynamic leader and team builder with extensive successes in large strategic business transformation inclusive of delivery, technology integration and governance. Known as a change agent who also builds deep cross-functional relationships, she fosters meaningful dialogue of diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging. Her favourite role is being the mother of her teenaged son.

Cher Jones Founder Socially Active Training

Cher Jones Founder Socially Active Training Personal branding expert with 25+ years in communications & marketing. Founder of Socially Active, delivering impactful training on personal branding and employee advocacy. Trusted by Fortune 500 companies. 3X LinkedIn Learning Instructor and Host of #ObsidiTechTalks. Cher's practical approach & infectious energy help professionals to communicate their value, grow their influence & thrive at work.

Daphne McRae Head of US Technology Solutions PMO TD

Daphne McRae Head of US Technology Solutions PMO TD Daphne McRae is the Head of Technology Delivery at America’s Most Convenient Bank, overseeing a $550MM+ portfolio of IT projects with a team of 100+ employees and 7 senior leaders. She also serves as Executive Chair for the Platforms and Technology Black Experiences Pillar, supporting 1,100+ Black technologists across the US and Canada. Daphne co-chairs the BFUTR Summit, one of North America's largest Black tech gatherings, attracting 20K participants in 2023.

With a career spanning leadership roles at J.P. Morgan, Barclaycard, Capital One, and ING Direct, Daphne has driven large-scale initiatives in agile environments. Her passion for advancing marginalized communities has fueled her DEI leadership, including her inaugural DEI Executive Director role at the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME).

Daphne is the founder and CEO of SheThrives Inc., empowering women through coaching and leadership development. A global award recipient of the 2020 Technology All-Star Women of Color in STEM, she holds dual MBAs in IT and Business Administration from the University of Delaware and a Marketing degree from Hampton University. Daphne teaches and coaches in her spare time, and she enjoys travelling, fitness, and family life with her husband and two daughters.

Darva Satcher Director of Engineering GitLab Inc.

Darva Satcher Director of Engineering GitLab Inc. Darva Satcher, Director of Engineering at GitLab, leverages 25+ years in Software Engineering to lead five teams and two Principal ICs. She excels in AI and DevSecOps, driving impactful tech innovations in code reviews, source code, and IDE features. Her strategic talent management and data-driven decisions foster high-performance teams, delivering transformative solutions in the tech landscape.

Debra Christmas Vice-President, Executive Partner Gartner Canada

Debra Christmas Vice-President, Executive Partner Gartner Canada She is the co-author of Please Stay: How Women in Tech Survive", “We Rise In Power: Amplifying Women of Color and Her voices for Change” and “Please Join: There’s No Place Like Tech” released in May 2024. Her fourth book “Get Smarter Faster” is targeted for release in the Spring of 2025.

Denine Das Vice President, Global Inclusion Scotiabank

Dennis Schultz Customer Success Account Manager Microsoft

Dennis Schultz Customer Success Account Manager Microsoft Dennis Schultz is Executive Director of the Blacks In Technology Foundation, an organization that boasts the largest network for Black technology professionals with over 80 chapters in 20 countries. Dennis has over 25 years of experience in tech serving in a variety of roles including, enterprise sales, business development, customer success, and consulting.

Dr. Diane Gutiw Vice President, Global AI Research Centre Lead CGI

Emile McLean Head of Business Development and Growth Strategy Manulife

Emile McLean Head of Business Development and Growth Strategy Manulife Emile McLean is a strategic leader driving growth through focused execution, delivering record revenue growth with expertise in marketing, business development, sales enablement, and digital transformation. At Manulife, he spearheads disruptive insurance retail initiatives. His journey includes co-founding startups, mentoring over 50 entrepreneurs, and teaching entrepreneurship.

Efosa Obano Founder Black Founders Network

Efosa Obano Founder Black Founders Network Efosa started the Black Founders Network and African Impact Initiative, which have raised close to $10 million to support Black and African founders. For his work, he has been recognized by the UN, the Ontario Minister’s Award of Excellence, and U of T's Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award, amongst others. Efosa desires to help God and Jesus solve problems and serve people throughout his life.

Eily Hickson Vice President & Global Head, Data & AI Strategy Sanofi

Eily Hickson Vice President & Global Head, Data & AI Strategy Sanofi As an AI executive and global leader, Eily has led teams worldwide specializing in Digital Transformation, Emerging Technology, Innovation, and Human-Centered Design across consulting, finance, tech, government, and healthcare industries. Eily is also a serial entrepreneur and mentor for BIPoC, Women, and Queer communities, ensuring the creation of an equitable digital future.

Gayle Campbell CGI Partner | Director, Consulting Services -Banking & Financial Services CGI

Gayle Campbell CGI Partner | Director, Consulting Services -Banking & Financial Services CGI A technology professional with over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, specializing in cloud computing and digital transformation. As Partner and Sr Director of Consulting Services at CGI, Gayle Campbell lead large-scale system integration and cloud initiatives for major financial institutions, driving innovation and business agility.

She has a proven track record of delivering impactful projects, including the modernization of digital banking platforms and cloud-based customer contact centers. Known for her ability to navigate complex organizational environments and manage cross-functional teams, she consistently enhances operational efficiency and customer experience.

An advocate for cloud computing, Gayle empowers organizations to leverage emerging technologies for strategic goals and digital innovation. Join us as she shares insights on the latest trends and opportunities in cloud computing at our tech career conference.

Hesham Fahmy Chief Information Officer Telus

Hesham Fahmy Chief Information Officer Telus As CIO at TELUS, Hesham Fahmy leads the team spearheading TELUS’ transformation to an AI-powered, fully-digital and software-driven tech leader. An agent of transformation with seven granted patents, Hesham has innovated software solutions for 26 years, launching disruptive products and platforms in retail, fintech and development tooling.

Irene Mukasa Director, Research Communications and Engagement Autodesk

Irene Mukasa Director, Research Communications and Engagement Autodesk A self-professed brand and marketing connoisseur, Irene has spent decades helping companies build impactful brands through dynamic storytelling. Having led integrated marketing campaigns for a number of organizations, Irene has mastered the art of merging storytelling with the latest brand marketing trends. She currently leads the Research Communications and Engagement team at Autodesk.

Jammie Jelks Product Leader Black Product Managers Network (BPM)

Jammie Jelks Product Leader Black Product Managers Network (BPM) Jammie Jelks is a proven leader with over a decade of experience managing cross-functional teams and delivering value to businesses and consumers. With experience across multiple industries, Jammie has served as an operations leader, managed well over 30 technical and non-technical projects, and have led the development and enhancement of new and existing B2B and B2C products and features.

Jarryd Boyd Certified Life Coach | Senior Director, Global Comms A Touch of Bold

Jarryd Boyd Certified Life Coach | Senior Director, Global Comms A Touch of Bold Jarryd Boyd is a Certified Life + Relationships Coach and the Senior Director of Global Communications at the global dating app Hinge. With 10+ years of public relations experience, he helps people communicate and connect with themselves and others more effectively. His approach is rooted in encouragement, insights, and candor so that clients can step boldly toward their futures.

Julie Levesque EVP – Technology and Operations. National Bank of Canada

Julie Levesque EVP – Technology and Operations. National Bank of Canada With over 25 years of experience in information technology, Julie Lévesque has in-depth knowledge of corporate IT environments and infrastructure. Her leadership style is based on collaboration, trust, partnership and cross-sector teamwork. Her passion for innovation and emerging technology means she quickly grasps the issues involved and excels at explaining concepts in business terms.

Jérôme Parize Partner, Workday PwC Canada

Jérôme Parize Partner, Workday PwC Canada Jérôme is a Partner at PwC Canada, part of the technology consulting and sponsor BPIN for Québec. He is a father of four, born and raised in Guadeloupe, has lived in France, Australia, and worked in multiple countries. His diverse tech consulting roles leverage his finance expertise, showcasing his global business acumen and multicultural adaptability. He's passionate about impactful innovation.

Jide Adeoye Director, Business Intelligence Goeasy LTD

Jide Adeoye Director, Business Intelligence Goeasy LTD Jide Adeoye has over 15 years of experience in systems design and analysis, project management, systems integration, data architecture and modeling, and decision support processes using various BI platforms. He is also experienced in creating and implementing data governance and management standards. Jide is responsible for overseeing the business intelligence function at Goeasy.

Karima-Catherine Goundiam CEO B2BeeMatch

Karima-Catherine Goundiam CEO B2BeeMatch Karima-Catherine (KC) Goundiam is a Canadian and French entrepreneur and CEO of B2BeeMatch, a global business matchmaking platform, and Red Dot Digital, a digital transformation and management consulting firm. She serves as the regional delegate of the International Chamber of Commerce and holds positions in two federal government committees in the Government of Canada. KC is also a business and technology advisor to decision-makers. She shares her expertise as a speaker internationally and is frequently featured in the media, showcasing her insights on business, digital transformation, and global trade.

Kham Ward Founder/CEO BLK Men in Tech, Incorporated

Kham Ward Founder/CEO BLK Men in Tech, Incorporated Kham Ward is the Founder and CEO of BLK Men in Tech, Incorporated. He is also a diversity executive in the tech space, where he has designed and implemented comprehensive D&I strategies worldwide. Kham believes that “Diversity cannot be achieved without commitment, and inclusion cannot. Creating an inclusive environment requires a step beyond tolerance, vulnerability, and trust.”

Kris Frazier Head of Markets & Transformation Design &UX Citi

Kris Frazier Head of Markets & Transformation Design &UX Citi Experienced Design & Experience Strategy leader with a demonstrated history of work in the Financial Services and Telecom sectors. Skilled in enterprise ecosystems, management at scale, partner platforms, leading-edge tech, multi-channel experience ecosystem design, intellectual property, big data and analytics, connected devices, HCI, and Information Design.

KL Wong Senior Vice President, Global Engineering and Architecture Scotiabank

KL Wong Senior Vice President, Global Engineering and Architecture Scotiabank KL Wong is the Senior Vice President, Global Engineering and 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.

Licenia Rojas Senior Vice President, Chief Architect and US Customer Platforms Delivery Head TD Bank Group

Licenia Rojas Senior Vice President, Chief Architect and US Customer Platforms Delivery Head TD Bank Group Licenia Rojas, Senior Vice President, Chief Engineer and Chief Architect, TD Bank Group, is a passionate and solutions-driven senior tech leader with 30 years of experience modernizing and transforming the financial services industry to create the best customer and colleague experiences. She is responsible for the Architecture and Engineering Strategy and Technology Modernization Strategy at TD.

Liz Lorenzoni Head of Talent Solutions Canada LinkedIn

Marc Starks Managing Director, Strategic Initiatives for BMO Commercial Bank BMO

Marc Starks Managing Director, Strategic Initiatives for BMO Commercial Bank BMO An accomplished 25-year IT executive is skilled at leading the technology product development, delivery, and support of business technology solutions. Offers a unique combination of business acumen, strategic technology vision, and tactical leadership, consistently unlocking new value for the organization through technology solutions.

Marc Mondesir Managing Director, Canada Equinix

Marc Mondesir Managing Director, Canada Equinix Marc is a seasoned tech professional with 28+ years of experience at Xerox, Microsoft, and Dell Technologies. He is currently the Managing Director and Corporate VP at Equinix Canada. Marc excels in identifying market opportunities and is committed to equitable leadership, D&I initiatives, and community involvement. He holds an MBA from Queens University.

Mousumi Saxena Vice President of Global Technology Strategy Manulife

Mousumi Saxena Vice President of Global Technology Strategy Manulife Currently lead Global Technology Strategy with Manulife. Prior experience includes global M&A in commercial real estate with Altus Group and strategy, wealth management and investment banking in Finance with TD and Scotiabank. Passionate about future potential, innovation and diversity of thought and action!

Mo'Shai Gibbs Senior Global Lead, Strategic Partner Marketing Manager Microsoft

Mo'Shai Gibbs Senior Global Lead, Strategic Partner Marketing Manager Microsoft Mo'Shai Gibbs is a Senior Global Lead and Strategic Partner Marketing Manager at Microsoft, leading transformational marketing efforts with top strategic global ISV partners. With 15 years of industry experience, Mo' has introduced new strategies, built partner capabilities, and maximized initiatives with ABM, events, and thought leadership.

Mos' Okediji Marketing Director, Craft Development and Capabilities Intuit

Mos' Okediji Marketing Director, Craft Development and Capabilities Intuit Mos' Okediji, a strategic marketing expert, began her career at Ogilvy Africa working with brands like Coca-Cola and Unilever. Named a 'Marketer to Watch', she's passionate about innovation in marketing, especially using GenAI. As Director at Intuit, she leads a team accelerating commercial capabilities transformation.

Meloni Boatswain Southeast Regional Director Black in Technology

Meloni Boatswain Southeast Regional Director Black in Technology Meloni Boatswain is a highly accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in the Construction and Technology Industries. Her vast achievements can be witnessed nationwide, as she has managed large-scale projects in various sectors such as hospitality, data centers, commercial, industrial, and aviation. These projects have involved working with the federal government, Fortune 500 companies, and private company holdings.

Nkechi Nwafor-Robinson Vice President, Technology Operations & Services and Cloud Export Development Canada

Nkechi Nwafor-Robinson Vice President, Technology Operations & Services and Cloud Export Development Canada Nkechi Nwafor-Robinson is a Technology Executive with 25+ years of experience. As VP of Technology Operations & Services and Cloud Transformation at EDC, she oversees infrastructure, service desk, platforms, and data centers. She holds a B.Sc. in Applied Mathematics from Concordia. CEO of Empowered in My Skin Inc., she is a WXN Top 100 winner and an inspirational speaker, empowering 1 billion people to live boldly!

Nicole Wallace Ardiet N. American Strategic Accounts Leader LinkedIn

Nosa Ero-Brown Deputy Minister of Citizenship & Multiculturalism Ontario Government

Nosa Ero-Brown Deputy Minister of Citizenship & Multiculturalism Ontario Government Nosa inspires a person-centred approach to developing talent, leadership, and an inclusive organizational culture. She is currently leading the delivery of an ambitious People Plan to attract, develop, and retain the best talent in the Ontario Public Service.

Nouhaila Chelkhaoui Founder & CEO Scale Without Borders

Nouhaila Chelkhaoui Founder & CEO Scale Without Borders Nouhaila Chelkhaoui is the Founder & CEO of Scale Without Borders, a startup that helps newcomers succeed in tech. As an immigrant herself from Morocco, Nouhaila decided to launch a network for immigrants after leading a successful career in tech.

Patrice Njoh Partner Deloitte

Patrice Njoh Partner Deloitte Patrice is a Partner in Deloitte. She has 15 years of strategic consulting, change management & transformation experience and has led major, large-scale change efforts that have helped her clients meet their aggressive business improvement objectives. Patrice is very visible; she is a passionate advocate for belonging, diversity, and inclusion and acts as an advisor on key client DEI programs.

Richard Jardim EVP and CIO | Technology, Infrastructure & Innovation CIBC

Richard Jardim EVP and CIO | Technology, Infrastructure & Innovation CIBC Richard leads the global Technology team in his role as Chief Information Officer (CIO) for CIBC. In this role Richard is responsible for delivering strategic, high-quality, innovative, and operationally resilient technology solutions that contribute to building a relationship-oriented bank for a modern world.

Rorisang Hlahatsi-Baloyi Senior Consultant, Canada Western Business Unit Innovation Leader CGI

Sabaa Quao Chief Creative and Innovation Officer Cossette

Sabaa Quao Chief Creative and Innovation Officer Cossette Sabaa brings a unique and forward-thinking perspective to the business of creativity — as a career entrepreneur and as a Chief Creative and Innovation Officer. He has spent the last 30 years building and growing platforms and companies across the marketing, design, tech, content, and culture space. Sabaa has led and collaborated with marketing and technology teams in over a dozen countries.

Sharon Auma-Ebanyat Research Director-Healthcare Industry Info-Tech Research Group

Sharon Auma-Ebanyat Research Director-Healthcare Industry Info-Tech Research Group Sharon is the Research & Advisory Director for the Healthcare Industry at Info-Tech Research Group with 10+ years of healthcare operations and management, digital health and healthcare IT. She has previously worked at leading consultancies in Canada, such as Deloitte and Mercer, and large US academic hospitals like the Cleveland Clinic and MedStar Health. Sharon holds a Master of Science in Health Administration (MHA) from the University of Maryland, College Park School of Public Health, and an Honors Bachelor of Arts in Health Administration and Policy, with a minor in Sociology, from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Temi Odesanya Director of Responsible AI Automation Thomson Reuters

Temi Odesanya Director of Responsible AI Automation Thomson Reuters Temi Odesanya, Director of Responsible AI Automation at Thomson Reuters, leads platform innovation and automation initiatives, ensuring compliance with global regulations and ethical standards. She drives AI, automation, and metaverse projects, promoting data literacy and ML integration across sectors. An educator, she shares her insight at corporate and academic institutions.

Trevon Pascall Director, Infrastructure Security Intact Insurance

Trevon Pascall Director, Infrastructure Security Intact Insurance An enterprise technology and security leader on a mission to help protect our team members and customers from cyber threats.

Wunmi Adekanmbi Founder and Executive Director Immigrant Techies Network

Wunmi Adekanmbi Founder and Executive Director Immigrant Techies Network Wunmi is the Founder and Executive Director of Immigrant Techies Network and the Founder and Principal Consultant at ReSkill Calgary. She is a pivot-to-tech coach, digital transformation consultant, and innovation ecosystem builder dedicated to activating immigrant talent for economic development across Canada. With over 15 years of experience in education, oil and gas, technology, and innovation, she is a self-starter and experienced designer. She has designed several future-of-work courses, training programs, webinars, workshops, and events. Wunmi is an active player in the Alberta tech ecosystem, where she has delivered several keynote speeches and spoken on and moderated several panel discussions.

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Who's speaking

We’ve got a great line of speakers this year!

Ja Rule

Multi-Platinum and Award-Winning Hip-Hop Legend is Headlining the BFUTR After Party Concert.

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