Meet The Speakers

Meet our Keynote Speakers:

Dr. Joel Blit

Associate Professor of Economics, University of Waterloo
Senior Fellow, Centre for International Governance Innovation

  • Dr. Joël Blit is a professor of economics at the University of Waterloo, a Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), a Member of the NRC Council, and the Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Canadian AI Adoption Initiative. Prior to joining UW, Joël was a professor of economics and international affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University, in Washington, DC.

    He is a leading expert on innovation policy and strategy, studying the impact of foreign direct investment, intellectual property, and skilled immigration on innovation. His most recent work on artificial intelligence, automation, and the future of work has featured in numerous national and international media outlets including The Globe and Mail, the CBC and The Economist.

    Joel leverages his expertise to advise industry leaders and policymakers on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. He has advised CEOs, Deputy Ministers, and the G7 representatives, among others. His innovative framework for thinking about technological disruption was adopted by a multi-billion-dollar financial firm as the foundation of its AI strategy.

Alfredo Tan

Chief Digital and Information Officer, Canada Goose,
Board Director, UNICEF and iGaming

  • Alfredo Cunanan Mendoza Tan is a global C‑suite executive with a proven track record of leading enterprise transformation, scaling digital businesses, and delivering measurable commercial impact across luxury retail, technology, media, and travel. He currently serves as Chief Digital & Information Officer (CDO & CIO) at Canada Goose, where he leads enterprise-wide digital, technology, AI and data strategy for a globally recognized luxury brand, with direct accountabilitye serves on the Board of Directors of UNICEF Canada, supporting one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations, and iGaming Ontario, the agency overseeing one of North America’s largest and fastest-growing regulated online gaming markets—balancing innovation, consumer protection, and significant economic impact. He also contributes to leading academic and innovation institutions and has been an appointed Industry Professor at McMaster University since 2018.
    for driving direct-to-consumer (DTC) growth, omni-channel performance, and end-to-end customer experience. His remit spans global e-commerce, digital product, marketing technology, media & digital marketing, cybersecurity, contact center, technology operations, enterprise platforms, data, automation & AI, CRM, loyalty, and consumer insights— all driving towards increasing revenue, EBIT, brand equity, and operational efficiency.

    He serves on the Board of Directors of UNICEF Canada, supporting one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations, and iGaming Ontario, the agency overseeing one of North America’s largest and fastest-growing regulated online gaming markets—balancing innovation, consumer protection, and significant economic impact. He also contributes to leading academic and innovation institutions and has been an appointed Industry Professor at McMaster University since 2018.

    Previously, Alfredo was an early leader at Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), among the first 1,000 employees globally, where he held senior roles with direct commercial accountability for revenue growth across enterprise marketing solutions in high growth markets. He also worked on Yahoo!'s mobile team during the early stages of the mobile internet. Throughout his career, he has held senior executive roles in aviation, retail, sports, telecommunications and media, where he consistently drove growth, margin expansion, product innovation and customer engagement.

    Born in the Philippines and raised in Canada, Alfredo has led teams in North America, Latin America, EMEA and APAC, combining a global perspective with deep operating experience. He holds an HBSc from the University of Toronto, an MBA from McMaster University, an LL.M. from the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto Toronto, a postgraduate diploma in Finance from Oxford University and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School.

Meet our Panelists:

Darion Ducharme

Fouder / CEO,
Teqare

  • Darion Ducharme, a member of Lac Seul First Nation, is the Founder and CEO of Teqare, an Indigenous-owned education and technology training organization based in Winnipeg. Teqare delivers practical workshops in artificial intelligence, cyber safety, scam prevention, financial literacy, and digital skills to schools, organizations, and Indigenous communities across Canada.

    After more than a decade in the technology industry, Darion founded Teqare in 2021 to help close the digital knowledge gap and give people the confidence to use technology safely and effectively. His work makes complex topics accessible and relevant for youth, adults, Elders, and community leaders.

    Darion is the recipient of the CCIB Young Indigenous Entrepreneur Award and the 2024 Mastercard Game Changer Award. As an entrepreneur, educator, and speaker, Darion advocates for digital inclusion and greater Indigenous participation and ownership in technology.

Sean Hogan

Executive Director,
BUILD Inc.

  • Sean Hogan is the Executive Director of the BUILD group of Social Enterprises - BUILD, Skoden Flex Staffing, the Social Enterprise Centre, and Community Ownership Solutions. BUILD is Manitoba’s keystone trades-based Social Enterprise. BUILD trains and employs individuals facing multiple employment barriers, preparing them for long-term, meaningful careers in the trades. Having cut his teeth in both rapid business growth environments and high volume management positions, Sean was well prepared to take BUILD from a small three crew construction endeavor to a sustainable, ever growing Social Enterprise that currently runs as many as eighteen teams, as well as a healthy support staff, consistently putting more than a million dollars of payroll into the pockets of those who need it most. Sean is a co-founder of the We Want to Work coalition that successfully worked with the City of Winnipeg to implement a Social Procurement Policy, Social Enterprise Manitoba, the National Association of Social Enterprise Contractors (NASEC), and is a board member of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.

    Sean is a father, a husband, dog owner, lives adjacent to a cat, and wishes he had a little more time to work on his boat.

Tracy Gromniski - Moderator

Chief Product Officer, Partner,
mode40

  • Tracy Gromniski is the Chief Product Officer and co-owner of mode40, a Canadian technology company that helps organizations turn operational data into measurable business results. With more than 23 years of experience in technology and business transformation, Tracy works at the intersection of operations, leadership, digital strategy, and the development and implementation of applied AI solutions.

Dr. Mina Nouredanesh

Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair in AI
for Complex Health Data,
University of Manitoba

  • Dr. Mina Nouredanesh is an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba and a Canada Research Chair in AI for Complex Health Data. She is also the Statistical Learning and AI Lead at the George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation and a Research Scientist at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy. She completed her PhD in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo and postdoctoral training in rehabilitation science at McMaster University.

    Her research focuses on harnessing AI and digital health technologies to help shift health care from reactive to proactive—identifying risks earlier, enabling more personalized and patient-centred care, and supporting better clinical and health-system decision-making. Using electronic health records, medical imaging, wearable sensor data, and other complex health data, her team develops AI-enabled technologies aimed at improving health-care delivery and translating innovation into real-world impact. Her work also explores how AI can support better resource allocation, reduce pressure on health-care systems, and be implemented in ways that are trustworthy, clinically meaningful, and responsive to the needs of patients and communities.

Meet our Plenary Host:

Marwa Abdou

Senior Research Director,
Canadian Chamber of Commerce

  • Marwa Abdou is an economist, policy leader and international development practitioner with more than 15 years of experience spanning economic research, public policy, international trade and private-sector development. She is Senior Research Director at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab (BDL), where she leads the Research Centre of Excellence and a national research agenda examining the forces reshaping Canada’s economy, from trade and competitiveness to technology, entrepreneurship and inclusive growth. She is also the Host and Executive Producer of Canada’s Economy, Explained, bringing leading economists, policymakers and business voices into conversation on the choices shaping Canada’s economic future.

    Marwa’s career spans North America, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific, working at the intersection of government, business and multilateral institutions. She has led and advised technical assistance, policy reform and capacity-building initiatives with organizations including the World Bank, OECD, APEC, Commonwealth Secretariat and Asian Development Bank. Earlier in her career, she served as Advisor to Egypt’s Minister of International Cooperation, supporting economic diplomacy, private-sector engagement and international development partnerships. Her expertise spans international trade and trade facilitation, regulatory and institutional reform, competitiveness, private-sector development, financial and digital inclusion, and economic empowerment.

    A published author and frequent public speaker, Marwa’s research has examined some of the defining economic challenges facing businesses and policymakers, including productivity, trade integration, entrepreneurship, business ownership and succession, technology adoption, and the economic participation of underrepresented groups. She is co-author of Borders Without Barriers, published by the Asian Development Bank, which examines regional trade integration in South and Southeast Asia.

    Marwa holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and International Economics from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Economics from Queen’s University.

Meet our Breakout Room Speakers:

Cody Chomiak

Vice President, Marketing
Travel Manitoba

  • Cody Chomiak is a seasoned leader with over 20 years experience in destination marketing, branding and strategy. As Vice-President of Marketing at Travel Manitoba, Cody and his team create inspired, award-winning campaigns showcasing Manitoba as a four-season destination that you will want to add to your bucket list. Overseeing advertising, digital marketing, travel trade and travel media, Cody embraces technology and its potential for the tourism industry.

    Cody keeps his fingers on the pulse of emerging trends and is a sought-after speaker on topics like the transformative role of AI in tourism. His forward-thinking approach to technology drives data-driven marketing results like increased room nights and bookings with significant returns on investment.

    Previously, Cody was Director of Marketing for Economic Development Winnipeg where he led initiatives to attract business and visitors. With expertise spanning branding, social media strategy and project management, he’s a passionate advocate for globally elevating Manitoba’s tourism brand.

    A Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME), Cody serves on the board of Destinations International and has held key roles advancing tourism standards through their Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP). As a member of Destination Canada’s 10X group, he collaborates with AI thought leaders to explore cutting-edge advancements and ethical considerations within the industry.photography, and the spectrum of creative tech—from LiDAR to code.

Danielle Graff

Partner,
MLT Aikins LLP

  • Danielle Graff advises organizations on complex initiatives where innovation, technology, and regulation intersect, helping them achieve strategic goals while managing risk. Her practice spans agribusiness and food companies, technology and IP matters, and large-scale IT projects, creating a unique perspective at the intersection of industry, technology, and governance.

    She also has a growing practice in artificial intelligence and advanced data use, advising both private and public sector clients on AI-related contracting risks, governance frameworks, and responsible deployment of AI systems. She helps organizations assess and manage risks associated with AI adoption, including data use, accountability, regulatory compliance, and integration into existing operational and legal frameworks.

Antonio Cianflone

President,
Pizza Hotline & InterrexAI

  • Antonio Cianflone is the President of Pizza Hotline, Manitoba's favourite pizza for 40 years running. He is also the founder of InterrexAI, an AI & software development consultancy. Drawing on his experiences in leadership and business management, he focuses on practical applications of AI. From improving operations and customer experiences to building new digital products that actually move the needle, Antonio brings a hands-on, owner-operator's perspective to technology adoption. His focus is on moving beyond the hype to identify where AI can create meaningful value for businesses and the people who run them.

Dr. Archana Krishnan

Founder,
Theta Intelligence Analytics Solutions Inc.

  • Archana Krishnan is a speaker, strategist and founder of Theta Intelligence Analytics Solutions, a human-centred AI consulting company that helps professionals, entrepreneurs and growing businesses navigate the AI era with clarity and confidence. A certified facilitator with the Manitoba AI Pathways Program, she has delivered AI literacy programs in communities including Brandon, The Pas and Flin Flon.

    She also partners with Westman Immigrant Services to help new-to-Canada business owners adopt AI mindfully. Her work is informed by her own experience as a first-generation immigrant. Seven years in Manitoba's financial sector, including time chairing the Credit Union Young Leaders of Manitoba earned her the Youth Leadership Award and shaped the community-driven approach she now brings to her own business. Her ABC Intelligence Framework connects Artificial Intelligence, Business Intelligence, and Cognitive Intelligence to keep AI adoption in rural areas and small-business communities human-centered, responsible, and ethical.

    At the heart of Archana’s work is a simple conviction: the future will belong not to those who use AI the most, but to those who learn to think better with it.

Lesley Klassen

Senior Manager of AI Services & Initiatives,
New Media Manitoba

  • Lesley brings a wealth of experience from the intersection of AI, XR, and motion capture. Before joining New Media Manitoba, Lesley was the Product Lead and Head of Strategy at Masterpiece X, a Canadian agentic AI company focused on optimizing 3D workflows.

    Previously, he co-founded and served as CEO of Flipside XR, a venture-backed virtual reality startup. There, he also served as Chief Innovation Officer and directed motion capture and real-time animations, securing publishing contracts with Meta, leading R&D projects for Fox's Bento Box Entertainment (the studio behind Bob’s Burgers), and developing partnerships with industry giants like Google, HTC and Bytedance.

    With a recognized voice in the field, Lesley has shared his insights at major global conferences, including Meta Connect, the NAB Show, and the Augmented World Expo. When he’s not immersed in the future of AI, he explores his passion for synthesizers, photography, and the spectrum of creative tech—from LiDAR to code.

Cameron Bergen

CEO,
mode40

  • Cameron Bergen is the Founder and CEO of mode40, a Canadian data intelligence and AI company serving manufacturing, aerospace and defence, healthcare, education, and the public sector.

    Prior to founding mode40, Cameron led a multi-year global digital transformation across hundreds of operations and facilities, generating more than $300 million in documented annual value. His work has spanned advanced manufacturing, enterprise data architecture, digital twins, automation, AI, and large-scale operational transformation.

    Today, Cameron leads mode40’s development of Singularity, an enterprise intelligence platform that combines practitioner-led semantic architecture, workflow automation, and agentic AI to help organizations improve productivity, quality, decision-making, and operational performance.

Meet our Emcee:

Margaux Miller

Global Tech Event MC and Moderator
MAM Media

  • Margaux Miller is an internationally-recognized Tech and Innovation Event MC and Moderator - hosting startup, AI, and quantum events across four continents. She spent over a decade inside the tech industry before stepping into the host role full-time - from managing a startup acquisition, to leading major tech communities across 140 countries.

    Margaux is passionate about human connection in the digital era. Her TEDx Talk “6 Ways To Make Better Connections Online” was TED Editor's Pick. And she brings all this expertise and energy with her to the stage as an international professional emcee and moderator.

    More at www.speakwithmargaux.com.