
Toronto CIO Community
Inner Circle
March 20, 2024 | Blu Ristorante
March 20, 2024
Blu Ristorante
Collaborate with your peers
Join Toronto's top CIOs for an intimate networking dinner and facilitated discussion on key business challenges. Enjoy a relaxed evening of dinner and drinks with your peers to share best practices, make new connections and build professional relationships.
Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CIOs today:
Managing ongoing AI expectations with business stakeholders
Cutting through complexities to define long-term AI ambition
Ensuring responsible AI adoption and journey planning outside of IT
Toronto CIO Governing Body
The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the discussion topics and agenda, ensuring that all content is driven By CIOs, For CIOs®.
Governing Body Co-Chairs

Dave Aeri
Lactalis Canada
VP & Head of Information Technology

Mike Baxter
Kijiji
Chief Technology Officer

Cecilia Carbonelli
Haventree Bank
Senior Executive Information Technology

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

Melody Wallis
Procter & Gamble Canada
Vice President - Analytics & Insights and Technology - P&G Canada
Agenda
March 20, 2024
4:30pm - 5:30pm Executive Networking Reception
5:30pm - 6:45pm Discussion Topics
Managing Business Expectations - How a CIO Controls the Narrative

Glen Renton
Vice President of IT
Ricoh Canada Inc

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

Richard Godsmark
AVP Informaton Technology and Chief Information Officer
Sheridan College

Nastaran Bisheban
Chief Technology Officer
YUM! Brands

Janine Leahey
CTIO
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation

Anita Tjokroatmodjo
Sr. Director, IT at George Weston & Wittington Investments, Limited
Weston Group of Companies
Business leaders have high expectations about AI and other emerging technologies that CIOs must manage. As such, CIOs must have robust strategies in place to not only manage these technologies, but also communicate their benefits and risks. Executives across the organization all have their own thoughts and priorities around what the technology should be used for, but as a CIO, how do you keep control of this narrative and ensure effective deployment to drive digital business success?
As c-level and board expectations continue to rise around emerging technologies, coupled with minimal IT increased budgets and resources, what are the key levers CIOs are using to grow partnerships, better align with the business on these powerful technologies, and mitigate risks?
Join your peers to discuss how CIOs and their messaging are truly resonating with stakeholders on these emerging technologies.
Topic 1: Managing Ongoing AI Expectations with Business Stakeholders
- What’s the current direction your organization is taking on Generative AI? Are other departments inline with IT’s direction or are they taking another route?
- How are you communicating the benefits and risks to the board as the technology continues to iterate? What are the most effective use cases to share?
- As a CIO, how are you ensuring responsible AI adoption and journey planning outside of IT? Do you have a governance plan in place or are you governing as you go?
Topic 2: Deciding your AI Ambition
- How are you cutting through AI complexities to define your long-term AI ambition for the organization? Who is involved in setting this north star?
- What measures are you putting in place to secure data sets and mitigate the risk of sophisticated attacks that exploit these technologies?
- What will the overall implication on the workforce be with your strategy? Do you see AI as an enhancement or a replacement for the workforce?
6:45pm - 7:15pm Networking Break
7:15pm - 8:30pm Summary Discussion & Dinner
8:30pm - 9:30pm Social Hour
Apply to Participate
Apply to participate in the Toronto CIO Community Inner Circle.
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
Blu RistoranteMore Information
Complimentary parking available at SP Parking Garage at 55 Avenue Rd, located below the Yorkville Village Mall. Please provide parking voucher for validation upon event check-in.
Map of parking garage found HERE
Community Program Manager
For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.