
Toronto CDAO Community
Executive Summit
December 10, 2024 | Chelsea Hotel
December 10, 2024
Chelsea Hotel
Collaborate with your peers
Get together with Toronto's top CDAOs to tackle shared business challenges and critical priorities facing your role today. Participate in this one-day, local program with peer-driven topics and interactive discussions with your true C-level peers.
Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CDAOs today:
Implementing data governance structures to optimize enterprise performance
Transforming D&A strategy in the era of AI
Creating a data-driven culture to enhance data literacy
Toronto CDAO Governing Body
The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the summit agenda, ensuring that all content is driven By CDAOs, For CDAOs™.
Governing Body Co-Chairs

Allie Grassie
Canadian Red Cross
Lead, Digital and Data Transformation Execution

Joe Greenwood
Mastercard
Vice President, Global Data and AI Strategy

Della Shea
CIBC
Head of Operational Risk, Data, AI and Advanced Technologies

Aida Tahiri
Mattamy Homes Limited
VP of Finance, Planning, Data, and Analytics

Alex Tait
BMO
US Chief Data and Analytics Officer

Eugene Wen
Manulife
VP & Global Chief Data Scientist
What to Expect
Agenda
7:45am - 8:30am Registration & Breakfast
8:30am - 9:15am Keynote
From Risk to Return — Strategies for Scaling AI Deployment

Joe Greenwood
Vice President, Global Data and AI Strategy
Mastercard
The need to overcome risks and barriers to AI adoption is delaying results in many organizations, leading to unmet business expectations for AI. Gartner predicts that through 2025, at least 30% of GenAI proof of concept projects will be abandoned due to poor data quality, inadequate risk controls, escalating costs or unclear business value. So how can CDAOs and heads of data succeed in scaling AI initiatives to maximize benefits for the long term?
Join this session to discuss:
- Scaling responsible AI and the extension to Gen AI
- Connecting AI investment to the business value realized
- Aligning organizational capability and capacity to scale AI and Gen AI solutions
9:15am - 9:40am Networking Break
9:40am - 10:25am Breakout Session
Strengthening Your Data Analytics Strategy — The Importance of a Robust Data Foundation

Patrick McCleary
Head of Data Analytics
Canadian Western Bank
Creating a data analytics strategy with well architected data is essential to enabling an organization to successfully use data to differentiate decisions and create a competitive advantage. Ensuring that data is easily accessible, scalable, and well governed allows organizations to break down silos, unify their data and create stronger analytic solutions. This session will touch on many elements to building a successful data analytics strategy, with the initial focus on partnerships with technology and a strong foundation in data.
Join this session to learn more about:
- Decomposing data challenges and building a stronger data foundation
- Connecting the gaps between marketing, product, sales and data
- Quantifying the value of data to drive momentum in data analytics strategies
9:40am - 10:25am Breakout Session
Accelerated Journey to the Cloud – Optimizing Data Management and Analytics

Nitin Mathur
AVP, Data Platform & Cloud Engineering
Definity Financial
As the digital landscape rapidly evolves, CDAOs must adapt data architecture to drive agility, cost efficiency and scalability. Nitin Mathur, AVP of Data Platform & Cloud Engineering, will share how they leverage cloud technology and tools to minimize downtime, mitigate risk and ensure a smooth migration of their on prem data platform to cloud.
Join this session to explore:
- Tracking and achieving cloud objectives
- Scaling cloud to meet evolving business needs
- Enhancing business value and customer experience with a cloud strategy
9:40am - 10:25am Executive Boardroom
Showcasing Value for the D&A Vision

Aida Tahiri
VP of Finance, Planning, Data, and Analytics
Mattamy Homes Limited

Glenn Waine
Chief Data and Analytics Officer
TransUnion Canada

Mohan Kumar Boregowda
Enterprise Data Architect
Apotex
Aligning data strategy to business strategy is a critical imperative for CDAOs. To do this effectively, data leaders must measure and communicate the impact of their data and analytics initiatives — integrating the value into the fabric of the organization.
Join this session to discuss:
- Demonstrating ROI of D&A initiatives to critical stakeholders
- Communicating the value of data practices across the organization
- Storytelling to connect business problems and data solutions
9:40am - 10:25am Executive Boardroom
Enabling a Data-Driven Mindset — Fostering Excellence

Qahir Rajwani
Director Data Science and Analytics Solutions
Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan

Karim Jessani
Principal: Data & AI Practice / CISO
Kainos

Andrew Ricchetti
Head of Analytics
407 ETR
To overcome data context and self-serve technology challenges, D&A leaders must ensure the workforce has the skills and knowledge needed to thrive. While some are establishing data academies, others are weaving data literacy initiatives into their overall D&A strategy.
Join this session to discuss:
- Assessing and evaluating the current skills within the workforce
- Creating buy-in to drive data fluency across the enterprise
- Inspiring a data-driven mindset from the top down
10:25am - 11:10am Networking Break
10:35am - 11:00am Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Evanta’s Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.
11:10am - 11:55am Breakout Session
Transforming Public Safety Through Machine Learning

Viola Dessanti
Data Management & Strategic Analytics Director
TSSA
Leveraging machine-learning algorithms to generate insights from vast amounts of data can be a powerful way to automate and optimize complex tasks, assist front-line decision-making and ultimately improve business outcomes. However, successful implementation of machine learning capabilities requires careful planning, specialized skills and ongoing evaluation and refinements. To fully realize the benefits of AI-based transformation, organizations must invest in quality data, advanced analytics tools and a culture of collaboration.
Join this session as CDAO’s discuss ways to:
- Extract data from unrealized data assets and apply insights to real-world challenges in public safety
- Leverage AI/ML to automate processes and increase efficiency
- Foster a culture of collaboration to drive your transformation goals
11:10am - 11:55am Breakout Session
Innovation and Security — Coexisting for Success

Kevin Northrup
Vice President, Head of Analytics and AI
Onex

Joanne Coles
Managing Director, Enterprise Technology
Onex
Innovation and security often appear at odds, but in today’s landscape they must coexist to ensure a company’s success. By fostering collaboration between AI, analytics and security teams, it’s possible to drive innovation without compromising safety, enabling growth and protection to work in harmony.
Join us to learn about:
- Collaborating between AI, analytics and security for innovation
- Balancing AI advancements with strong data protection
- Leading secure digital transformation efforts
11:10am - 11:55am Executive Boardroom
CDAO Leadership to Drive AI Transformation
Hosted by Kyndryl

Mashal Kara
Partner, Data & AI
Kyndryl

Dr. Shweta Shah
Chief Data Architect - Global
Sun Life

Shobhit Jain
Vice President, Applied AI
Chubb

Fartash Haghani
Director of Enterprise Data & AI
City of Toronto
As Generative AI becomes a focal point, CDAOs must now spearhead AI initiatives, expanding far beyond the traditional scope of the role. This shift demands a new set of skills at the intersection of data management and AI innovation.
Join us to discuss how to:
- Create strong partnerships between AI experts and executives to produce tangible business value
- Elevate data quality to ensure your data fuels, not hinders, advanced AI models
- Implement robust frameworks to tackle bias, promote transparency, and establish accountability
11:10am - 11:55am Executive Boardroom
Data Democratization — Shattering Barriers, Driving Innovation

James Ki
Vice President, Data & Analytics
Canada Life

Sahar Nezami
VP of Enterprise Analytics and Data
Meridian Credit Union
Data democratization empowers individuals in organizations to access, analyze and utilize data for decision-making and innovation. Yet, challenges persist in ensuring data reliability, security and fostering a culture of utilization. CDAOs lead this transformation, navigating governance complexities and championing transparency and collaboration.
Join this roundtable discussion as CDAOs discuss how to:
- Strategically navigation of governance and privacy regulations
- Empowering your workforce to embrace self-service data
- Innovative approaches to overcome data utilization challenges
11:55am - 12:40pm Lunch Service
Apply to Participate
Apply to participate in the Toronto CDAO Community Executive Summit.
Gartner facilitates exclusive, C-level communities by personally qualifying and understanding the priorities, challenges and interests of each member.
Our selective approach maintains the high quality of the network and ensures top-level discussions with peers from the world’s leading organizations.
Each application will be reviewed, and once your participation is confirmed, you will have access to year-round community programs.
Location
Venue & Accommodation
Chelsea HotelParking:
Underground parking garage - Rates below
- $39 per night plus taxes, unlimited in and out privileges
- Non-Guest Overnight Parking: $44 per night plus taxes
- Non-Guest Rate/Hour: $3 per hour plus taxes
- Daily Parking Rate: $15 (6am - 6pm)
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Chelsea Hotel at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling 1-800-243-5732. Please mention Evanta CDAO Executive Summit to ensure the appropriate room rate.
Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $189 CAD (plus tax) is November 18, 2024.
Community Program Manager
For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.
Lawrence Figueroa
Senior Community Program Manager - Territory Specialist
971-222-2374
lawrence.figueroa@evanta.com