IN-PERSON

Toronto CIO Executive Summit

June 26, 2024 | Westin Harbour Castle

June 26, 2024
Westin Harbour Castle

Collaborate with your peers

Get together with Toronto's top CIOs 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 CIOs today:

Leveraging Data & Analytics to Advance the Business

Expanding Digital Business with Advanced and Emerging Technologies

Mitigating Risks and Improving Efficiencies with Cybersecurity Strategies

Toronto CIO Governing Body


The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the summit agenda, ensuring that all content is driven by CIOs, for CIOs.

Governing Body Co-Chairs

Dave Aeri

Confidential
Chief Technology Officer & CIO

Mike Baxter

Kijiji
Chief Technology Officer

Cecilia Carbonelli

Haventree Bank
CIO

Roman Coba

Federated Co-op Limited (FCL)
CIO & VP Technology

Melody Wallis

Procter & Gamble Canada
Vice President - Analytics & Insights and Technology - P&G Canada

What to Expect

Interactive Sessions

Hear from CIO practitioners and thought leaders on how they're solving critical challenges impacting your role today in Keynote sessions, and join smaller, interactive discussions with your peers in Breakout and Boardroom sessions.

Community Networking

Make new connections and catch up with old friends in casual conversations during dedicated time for networking designed to better acquaint you with your Toronto CIO community.

Peer-to-Peer Meetings

Connect with like-minded peers in a private, 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.

Agenda


June 25, 2024

June 26, 2024

6:00pm - 8:30pm  Governing Body Welcome Reception

Governing Body Welcome Reception

Governing Body members host this dinner for attendees to launch the event with an evening of peer networking.

7:45am - 8:30am  Registration & Breakfast

7:45am - 8:30am  Networking

Rising Together — Empowering Women in Technology

Debra Christmas headshot

Debra Christmas

Senior Executive Partner

Gartner

Women are vastly underrepresented in the technology field, yet their presence is crucial. Every single one of us has the ability to move this dial, to do our part to have impact in driving change. Together we can empower each other, our communities and create a better future for all of us. Join us for this intimate, informal space for women in leadership roles and their allies to freely discuss best practices, key challenges and mission-critical priorities. Come prepared to share ideas and forge new connections that can help empower each other to make an impact in your organizations and communities. 

This session is open to all genders and identities.

8:30am - 9:15am  Keynote

Remarkable Resilience – Tools for Combating Toxic Stress & Burnout

Sheila Hamilton headshot

Sheila Hamilton

Mental Health Thought Leader and Author of "All the Things We Never Knew"

Guest Speaker

Today’s CIOs face daunting challenges. As the business leader in charge of adding value to the company, finding the right talent and inspiring technology innovation, there’s an incredible amount of pressure. It’s no surprise that CIOs are experiencing burnout at unprecedented rates. While taking care of employees is important, how can CIOs make sure they are taking care of themselves to help make their careers sustainable while maintaining a sense of well-being?

Join this keynote to explore:

  • Evidence-based strategies that can help alleviate burnout
  • How to recognize the signs and symptoms of toxic stress and burnout
  • How to remain engaged, energized, and focused during turbulent times

9:15am - 9:40am  Networking Break

9:40am - 10:25am  Breakout Session

Roadmap for Technology — Keeping Up With an Evolving Enterprise

Erwin Van Hout headshot

Erwin Van Hout

Chief of Technology Transformation

SickKids

With enterprise-wide changes come opportunities for CIOs to not only drive transformation but create value. Erwin Van Hout navigates these opportunities at SickKids through the hospital’s campus redevelopment program, which has allowed him to accelerate innovation through technology and AI.

Join this session to learn about:

  • Refreshing digital strategy to keep pace with business advancements
  • Assessing where new technologies can be implemented effectively
  • Mitigating cyber risk amid advancements in technology

9:40am - 10:25am  Breakout Session

Uncovering and Navigating Today’s Top Security Concerns

Andy Piazza headshot

Andy Piazza

Senior Director, Threat Intelligence

Palo Alto Networks

Your mission is to keep your organization resilient against rising threats and build a strong security culture. However, staying ahead of sophisticated threat actors and reducing your organization's risk is a challenge. Understanding the current threat landscape and your attack surface is crucial to preparing for today's most significant risks.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Unit42's first-hand incident response case experience and threat intelligence
  • Ransomware and other prevalent attack trends, methods, and techniques that allow attackers to damage and exploit your organization
  • Communicating risk with leadership, the board, and regulators

9:40am - 10:25am  Executive Boardroom

Driving Innovation and Improving Business Outcomes with Low-Code & AI

Sean Mee headshot

Sean Mee

Regional Vice President, Solutions Architecture - Americas

OutSystems

Ivan Welsh headshot

Ivan Welsh

VP Information Technology

Symcor

Ralph Virdo headshot

Ralph Virdo

Vice President, Architecture & Transformation

Intact Financial Corporation

Enterprises are increasingly embracing digital transformation efforts across industries. They are turning to a powerful combination — low-code solutions infused with Artificial Intelligence for business solutions. But what can you actually build with AI & low code?

Join your peers to discuss:

  • Enabling rapid technology development, allowing businesses to respond swiftly to market demands
  • Integrating AI capabilities to drive continuous improvement
  • Facilitating easy adaptation and expansion of systems

Executive boardrooms are intimate and interactive sessions designed to foster dynamic dialogue around a specific, strategic topic. These private, closed-door discussions encourage attendee participation and are limited to 15 attendees (seating priority is given to CIOs).

To reserve your seat, please contact: Lee Hutchison at Lee.Hutchison@evanta.com

10:25am - 11:05am  Networking Break

10:30am - 10:55am  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.

11:05am - 11:50am  Breakout Session

What’s Your Take? Real-World AI Implementation Strategies

Dave Aeri headshot

Dave Aeri

Chief Technology Officer & CIO

Confidential

As the hype around generative AI continues to build, being a reluctant adopter is no longer an option. Maybe you already dove in headfirst; maybe you’re still testing the waters as your team contemplates governance or ethical concerns. No matter which approach your organization is taking to AI implementation, come to this interactive session ready to share, ask questions, collaborate and get inspired.

Pull up a seat to discuss:

  • Practical AI use cases
  • Strategies for creating governance and managing risk around AI
  • How companies are keeping up with the changing AI landscape

11:05am - 11:50am  Breakout Session

From Familiar to Future — Breaking the Barriers to IT Innovation

Cris Cannon headshot

Cris Cannon

Sr Customer Engineer, ChromeOS

Google

IT leaders are under pressure to innovate their organization’s tech stack to meet the demands of modern business. While web-based apps, AI and other modern solutions offer a better user experience, advanced security and simpler management, many businesses are still critically dependent on legacy apps and systems. How can IT teams innovate their infrastructure without disrupting operations and end users? This session breaks down some common misconceptions about modernization and reveals a direct path for IT leaders towards more efficient, secure, and cost-effective endpoint management.

Join this session and breakout-style conversation with your peers to discuss:

  • What the modern endpoint looks like for enterprises today
  • How modernization unlocks the power of AI and sharpens your competitive edge
  • How to continue using legacy apps while you innovate

11:05am - 11:50am  Executive Boardroom

Optimize Application Rationalization to Reduce Cost

Coy Wright headshot

Coy Wright

Vice President, Energy, Utilities, and Resources Industry Solutions

Rimini Street

Steve Mohammed headshot

Steve Mohammed

CIO

Canadian Tire Bank

Daniel Nickle headshot

Daniel Nickle

VP of IT and head of the Office of the CDIO

Magna International

CIOs are balancing an ever-increasing number of service providers which requires a strong vendor and application rationalization integrated into strategic decision-making. In order to allocate more funds towards innovation and differentiation initiatives, mission-critical systems need to be optimized, cost effective, and flexible.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Incorporate effective contract management
  • Strategies to avoid vendor lock-in
  • Financially optimizing the vendor portfolio

Executive boardrooms are intimate and interactive sessions designed to foster dynamic dialogue around a specific, strategic topic. These private, closed-door discussions encourage attendee participation and are limited to 15 attendees (seating priority is given to CIOs).

To reserve your seat, please contact: Lee Hutchison at Lee.Hutchison@evanta.com

11:50am - 12:35pm  Lunch Service

12:35pm - 1:10pm  Keynote

Optimizing for Agility – Network and Security Convergence

Shamla Naidoo headshot

Shamla Naidoo

Head of Cloud Security & Innovation

Netskope

Integrating a complex ecosystem across all security areas can optimize defenses without simplifying adversaries’ challenges. This approach balances robust security with efficiency, crucial for navigating generative AI and tech advancements. Achieving this requires strategic selection and consolidation of platforms to enhance agility, reduce risk, and maintain cost-effectiveness.

In this session, you’ll learn:

  • The composition of an effective security architecture
  • Value you can derive from a converged networking and security platform
  • Common consolidation mistakes people make and how to avoid them

1:10pm - 1:35pm  Break

1:35pm - 2:20pm  Breakout Session

Mastering Change Management

Bindhu Alvar Thiruvenkadathan headshot

Bindhu Alvar Thiruvenkadathan

CIO, Wealth Management Technology

BMO

Innovative IT and a winning culture are critical components of change management, particularly when it comes to mergers and acquisitions. Technology leaders have the power to turn change into positive, permanent growth for an organization. How can you prepare to thoughtfully deliver your next technology integration in a way that unlocks new opportunities? Bindhu Alvar Thiruvenkadathan shares her strategies for thriving through change at BMO.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Building and successfully executing roadmaps during times of change
  • Empowering your people through knowledge sharing
  • Excelling in change management leadership

1:35pm - 2:20pm  Breakout Session

Preparing for Battle — Getting Ahead of Security Challenges of Tomorrow

David Porter headshot

David Porter

Head of Customer Value & Transformation Advisory

Google Cloud

When it comes to GenAI and nascent technologies being rapidly adopted, CIOs must be proactive and thorough in their planning efforts and essentially attempt to predict the future. Today, we know data, access control, and IP must be protected while delighting users amid a changing threat landscape. But what does tomorrow bring?

Join this session to explore:

  • How to take advantage of the AI opportunity while also developing a foundationally secure enterprise
  • Ways to ensure your data, policies, and practices are clean and secure to minimize the risk of AI usage
  • Developing guidelines and policies for enabling business leaders, employees, and customers to realize the AI opportunity

1:35pm - 2:20pm  Executive Boardroom

Paving the Way for AI Success Through Automation

Xavier Lecauchois headshot

Xavier Lecauchois

Senior Director, Ansible Cloud Services & Lightspeed

Red Hat

Bart Kwasniewski headshot

Bart Kwasniewski

Chief Enterprise Architect

Equifax

Sam Ishak headshot

Sam Ishak

CIO

FCT

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way enterprises streamline operations. However, AI cannot magically fix broken IT ops. CIOs must establish a more reliable, consistent, and compliant IT ops foundation for sustainable success with AI.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Utilizing automation to help prepare the enterprise for successful AI adoption
  • Identifying where your tech stack needs to be modified
  • Creating dependable IT ops foundations through mission-critical automation

Executive boardrooms are intimate and interactive sessions designed to foster dynamic dialogue around a specific, strategic topic. These private, closed-door discussions encourage attendee participation and are limited to 15 attendees (seating priority is given to CIOs).

To reserve your seat, please contact: Lee Hutchison at Lee.Hutchison@evanta.com

2:20pm - 3:00pm  Networking Break

2:25pm - 2:50pm  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.

3:00pm - 3:45pm  Breakout Session

How to Upskill Talent to Realize Generative AI Benefits

Graham Waller headshot

Graham Waller

Distinguished VP Analyst, KI Leader

Gartner

GenAI promises to boost productivity, enhance employee experience, create new capabilities and much more! But the benefits won’t be realized, nor the risks mitigated, without upskilling employees.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Leading learning practices to harness the benefits of generative AI across the enterprise
  • Case study examples of closing AI skills gaps to meet objectives and mitigate risks
  • How CIOs and IT leaders can play an enterprise leadership role in generative AI skills development

3:00pm - 3:45pm  Breakout Session

AI-Powered Automation to Simplify and Optimize Technology Operations

Bill Lobig headshot

Bill Lobig

VP, Automation Product Management

IBM

Steve Mohammed headshot

Steve Mohammed

CIO

Canadian Tire Bank

Today, the average enterprise uses 1,000 applications, multiple clouds and thousands of physical assets. As generative AI adoption accelerates, that number will only grow. Increasing complexity leads to inefficiencies, risk and waste, while limited visibility across disparate systems means we don’t always know whether the right issue is being addressed at the right time.

Join this session to learn about:

  • Creating visibility across disparate systems to resolve the right issues at the right time
  • Discovering gaps and prioritizing insights for high-performing operations
  • Simplifying and optimizing all your business technology for maximum impact

3:00pm - 3:45pm  Executive Boardroom

Business, Process and Technology Best Practices for Generative AI

David Jones headshot

David Jones

Regional Vice President, Solution Engineering

Dynatrace

Karl Martineau headshot

Karl Martineau

CIO

Legal Aid Ontario

John Del Grande headshot

John Del Grande

VP Business Solutions

Ecclesiastical

Generative AI has created an unprecedented wave of investment, and any organization who moves too slowly, or not at all, stands to be left behind as the AI boom is under way. Early adopters formulated strategies and prioritized investments for their Gen AI initiatives and demonstrated value in key areas.

Join this boardroom to discuss:

  • Establishing centers of excellence for responsible Gen AI programs and oversight
  • Prioritizing technology investment areas targeted at fast early results
  • Making Gen AI a foundation for business planning and maximizing productivity

Executive boardrooms are intimate and interactive sessions designed to foster dynamic dialogue around a specific, strategic topic. These private, closed-door discussions encourage attendee participation and are limited to 15 attendees (seating priority is given to CIOs).

To reserve your seat, please contact: Lee Hutchison at Lee.Hutchison@evanta.com

3:45pm - 4:10pm  Break

4:10pm - 4:45pm  Keynote

AI Strategy — From Hype to Hyperdrive

Sarah Willock headshot

Sarah Willock

VP of Technology

Coca-Cola Canada

CIOs are tasked with implementing AI to advance the business, but the fear of failing may hold you back. Coca-Cola jumped headfirst into the world of AI as a competitive, early adopter. Sarah Willock shares where they have found successes while learning from failures.

Join this keynote to discuss:

  • Adapting AI to remain competitive
  • Generating an effective AI strategy to innovate securely
  • Dealing with failure to continuously improve

4:45pm - 5:00pm  Closing Comments and Prize Drawing

June 25, 2024

June 26, 2024

We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming in-person gathering


Evanta cares about the health and safety of our community. Please review the following recommendations prior to attending the gathering.

Location


Venue & Accommodation

Westin Harbour Castle
MORE INFORMATION

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Westin Harbour Castle at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling 888-627-8559. Please mention EC5 to ensure the appropriate room rate.

Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $469 CAD (plus tax) is June 3, 2024.

Your Community Partners


Global Thought Leader
CIO Thought Leaders
Key Partners
Program Partners
HOST PARTNER

Community Program Manager


For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.

Lee Hutchison

Community Program Manager

682.808.3866

lee.hutchison@evanta.com