IN-PERSON

Toronto CIO Executive Summit

June 1, 2023 | Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel

June 1, 2023
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel

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:

Finding the Right Balance Between Transformative and Pragmatic.

Scaling the Business with Digital Maturity

Growing Talent with the Canadian Technology Landscape in Mind

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

Lactalis Canada
VP & Head of Information Technology

Cecilia Carbonelli

Haventree Bank
Senior Executive Information Technology

Roman Coba

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

Jamshid Rezaei

Mitel
EVP & CIO

Melody Wallis

Procter & Gamble
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


May 31, 2023

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.

11:00am - 11:45am  Breakout Session

Data and AI – Driving Value for Your Organization

Eric Ranta headshot

Eric Ranta

Director, Customer Value & Transformation Advisors

Google Cloud

Even the most successful companies face challenges harnessing the full value of a robust data and AI strategy. Technology leaders must keep abreast of data and AI trends to understand how to realize and prioritize greater potential at scale for optimal business value.

In this session, you’ll learn:

  • Benefits of a unified data and AI platform
  • Customer success insights
  • Five trends for an interconnected data strategy

11:00am - 11:45am  Executive Boardroom

The CIO’s Playbook — Execute Strategy Confidently

Gordon Cooper headshot

Gordon Cooper

Head of Customer Success

Ardoq

John Del Grande headshot

John Del Grande

VP Business Solutions

Ecclesiastical Insurance Office

Medhanie Tekeste headshot

Medhanie Tekeste

Chief Information Officer

Apotex

Today's rapidly evolving enterprise requires CIOs to balance agility and conformance performance. Competing priorities can appear to hinder digital transformation. CIOs can execute transformation by providing greater transparency of resources to successfully execute on strategy to seize opportunity before competition.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Introducing adaptability amongst ongoing market uncertainty
  • Prioritizing risk-adjusted execution flexibility
  • Synchronization of IT and business stakeholder with real-time collaboration

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

11:00am - 11:45am  Executive Boardroom

Redefining Cyber Resilience Strategies

Manav Gupta headshot

Manav Gupta

CTO

IBM Canada

Gini Wong headshot

Gini Wong

Head of Information Technology

MUFG Financial Services

Kin Lee-Yow headshot

Kin Lee-Yow

CIO

CAA Club Group

According to the 2023 IBM X-force Threat Intelligence Report, for the second year in a row, phishing was the leading infection vector, identified in 41% of incidents. The threat of data corruption through a cyberattack presents a new set of protection considerations that require a new level of data resilience. By integrating machine learning, automation, and a modernized storage infrastructure, organizations can turn a breach into a comparatively short-term disturbance.

Join this session to discuss:

  • How to gauge if your current plan is comprehensive and effective enough to help you recover from a crisis-level cyber-attack
  • How to collaborate with your security teams when recovering from a data breach
  • What is the best approach to keeping on top of new attacks that evolve on the threat landscape

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

11:45am - 12:30pm  Lunch Service

12:30pm - 1:05pm  Keynote

Ready or Not – When Machines Become Customers

Don Scheibenreif headshot

Don Scheibenreif

Vice President - Distinguished Analyst, Customer Experience Research

Gartner

For thousands of years, customers have been individual humans, families or organizations. But soon, intelligent software and hardware machines will start to act as customers. CEOs believe that by 2030, up to 20% of their companies’ revenue will come from machine customers.

Join Don Scheibenreif, Distinguished VP Analyst, Gartner and Author of When Machines Become Customers to discuss how:

  • Machine customers will be involved in a wide range of consumer and business purchases
  • Marketing and selling to machines will be very different
  • Machine customers will operate based on rules and logic

1:05pm - 1:30pm  Break

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

8:30am - 9:15am  Keynote

Transformational Leadership in the Digital Age

Dave Aeri headshot

Dave Aeri

VP & Head of Information Technology

Lactalis Canada

The rise of digital technologies to enable the customer journey or operational efficiency has become an important driver for digital transformation across multiple industries. To effectively develop digital capabilities and achieve digital transformation ambitions, organizations need to understand their current state digital maturity. This approach is critical when it comes to successfully executing complex, multifaceted projects that enable the business to create or capture value for and from their customers. Join Dave Aeri as he shares the strategies he is implementing at Lactalis Canada to be a transformational leader and deliver outcome focused digital transformation.

In this keynote, you’ll learn about:

  • What the 6 dimensions of digital maturity are to support your enterprise’s overall digital transformation strategy and vision
  • How to apply and measure digital maturity in a meaningful way to support your transformation
  • How to take a holistic approach to digital maturity across your strategic vision vs. tactical project implementation

9:15am - 9:40am  Networking Break

9:40am - 10:25am  Breakout Session

Balancing Innovation and Risk

Neeraj Grotra headshot

Neeraj Grotra

CIO

Kinectrics

Innovation is critical for economic growth but can be challenging without a strong risk management strategy. Fostering a culture of innovation that encourages experimentation and learning from failure can help organizations develop a tolerance for risk. Taking calculated risks while avoiding unnecessary ones is key to driving growth and competitiveness in today's business environment.

Join this session to discuss:

  • Managing risk while building a culture of innovation
  • Building an innovation process in a highly regulated environment
  • Incorporating AI into the innovation process

9:40am - 10:25am  Executive Boardroom

Achieving Growth and Profitability Through Optimization in Complex Times

Eric Helmer headshot

Eric Helmer

Senior VP and Chief Technology Officer

Rimini Street

Jean-Louis Marin headshot

Jean-Louis Marin

VP of IT

Napoleon Group of Companies

Celso Mello headshot

Celso Mello

Chief Information Officer

Reliance Home Comfort

Faced with growing economic uncertainty and budget concerns, CIOs are under more pressure than ever to keep costs under control while still supporting the company’s growth opportunities. With the right application strategies in place, they can make ROI-based decisions more confidently during these complex times.

Join this boardroom session to discuss ways to:

  • Maximize the value of applications while remaining agile
  • Optimize through service unification
  • Improve efficiencies through architectures to support company growth

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

9:40am - 10:25am  Executive Boardroom

CIOs Connecting Business, Data, and Technology

Fariba Rawhani headshot

Fariba Rawhani

CIO

Teranet

Chris Ward headshot

Chris Ward

Chief Information Officer

Heart and Stroke Foundation

Adele Pugliese headshot

Adele Pugliese

VP Data Strategy, Innovation and Analytics

BentallGreenOak BGO

According to Gartner, the challenge for many IT and business leaders today is to instill a culture of data-driven decision making across the organization. Those who want to exploit the potential of new data and advanced analytics capabilities at scale typically face numerous challenges. 

In this session, CIOs will:

  • Discuss best practices for designing data and analytics programs

  • Identify and define quick-win opportunities supporting the business data strategy

  • Brainstorm technology and resource alignment 

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 - 11:00am  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.

1:30pm - 2:15pm  Breakout Session

Emerging Technology — Collaboration Across the Enterprise

Michael Lin headshot

Michael Lin

CIO, Canada

The Travelers Companies Inc

To lead resilient and innovative organizations, CIOs must stay up to date with emerging technology. How are you communicating opportunities and concerns across the enterprise when news of new trends hits the headlines?

Join this interactive session to discuss:

  • How new technology movements will impact key stakeholders
  • The importance of communicating emerging trends with the board
  • Strategies for collaboration across the organization

1:30pm - 2:15pm  Executive Boardroom

Avoiding Software Paralysis Through Strategic Change Management

Mary Adams headshot

Mary Adams

Digital Transformation Officer

WalkMe

Sandeep Grover headshot

Sandeep Grover

SVP, IT

Empire Communities

Doria Manico-Daka headshot

Doria Manico-Daka

Head of IT (interim) - Manager IT

Professional Engineers Ontario

Organizations are balancing more technology than ever before. As digital transformation projects continue to rise, employees are experiencing fatigue in using changing software tools and adapting to new technologies. How can CIOs avoid spending more to achieve goals, mitigate organizational risk, and keep their competitive advantage?

Join this boardroom to explore:

  • Implementing digital adoption platforms to prevent software paralysis
  • Increasing time-to-value and productivity
  • Avoiding employee fatigue due to ever-changing software operating models

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

1:30pm - 2:15pm  Breakout Session

Striving for Human Excellence Regardless of Work Location

Gary Sorrentino headshot

Gary Sorrentino

Global CIO

Zoom Video Communications

Now that the pandemic is behind us, how do we make people better moving forward? Regardless of whether they are working remotely, in office or hybrid, we need to continue to create a culture of collaboration and innovation. Please join Zoom’s Global CIO, Gary Sorrentino for an in-depth discussion on unleashing human excellence.

Topics of conversation will include:

  • How to upskill our employees to be the best that they can be - striving for human excellence
  • Trends to shape UCaaS and CCaaS
  • Predictions for the future of work

2:15pm - 2:50pm  Networking Break

2:20pm - 2:45pm  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.

2:50pm - 3:35pm  Breakout Session

Buzzers Over Buzzwords — An Interactive Benchmarking

Medhanie Tekeste headshot

Medhanie Tekeste

Chief Information Officer

Apotex

What's your community's top priority? What do your C-Level peers consider the largest hurdle to accomplishing their goals? What percentage of your peers are experiencing the same struggles as you? In this fun, highly interactive, game-show-style session, we'll put your knowledge to the test and provide insight into your community.

Come on down to:

  • Compete in a data-driven, community-specific, gamified quiz
  • Learn more about the struggles and opportunities reported by members of your community
  • Share and expand on these reported goals and challenges

2:50pm - 3:35pm  Executive Boardroom

Leveraging FinOps to Meet Sustainability Goals and Business Outcomes

Jaisson Mailloux headshot

Jaisson Mailloux

Director, Global Alliance Technical Evangelist - Microsoft

Kyndryl

Steve Wong headshot

Steve Wong

Chief Information Officer

CPA Ontario

Decreasing the environmental footprint is not only beneficial for the planet but also for businesses as research suggests that those who prioritize sustainability tend to have better long-term success. Both customers and employees have indicated they would rather purchase from and work for sustainable firms. In addition, the government of Canada has released the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 sustainability development goals. Yet, many companies still haven’t implemented their own sustainability goals or published their sustainability statements.

Join this session with thought leadership from the Kyndryl and Microsoft alliance to discuss:

  • The synergy of FinOps and GreenOps to reduce carbon emissions and minimize environmental impact
  • Practical tips for clear communication, data-driven insights, and leveraging technology to streamline processes and reduce waste
  • Aligned KPIs and collaboration between internal teams to drive positive environmental outcomes and financial success

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

2:50pm - 3:35pm  Executive Boardroom

The Reality of the Cloud Journey — Comparing Lessons Learned

Sherry Fahim headshot

Sherry Fahim

CIO & Director, Digital Technology and Creation

City of Hamilton

Nenad Begovic headshot

Nenad Begovic

Executive Director, Head of IT Operations

MUFG Investor Services

Frans Amelink headshot

Frans Amelink

Vice President, Technology Strategy and Innovation

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation

As cloud infrastructure strategies become more complex, a game plan is more important than ever to execute the blueprints. CIOs must lead the charge to improve efficiencies, buy smartly and improve resiliency.  As the journey progresses, what are the lessons learned that will make for smoother transitions in the future?

Join this session to discuss:

  • Improving processes and efficiencies to create speed of accessibility

  • Recalibrating when necessary for scale and price

  • Navigating risk by embedding a strong cybersecurity strategy

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

3:35pm - 4:00pm  Break

4:00pm - 4:35pm  Keynote

Words That Work — Executive Power Language

Val Wright headshot

Val Wright

Global Leadership & Innovation Expert, Author of three books including Words That Work

Guest Speaker

For CIOs, the stakes are extraordinary in every conversation. Revenue of millions or billions is in jeopardy during board meetings, investor calls, media interviews, customer interactions, and employee conversations. The most successful executives realize this and prepare what to say and when to say it with precision. Val Wright shares new ways to approach common business conversations.

Join this keynote to learn:

  • The power of the written word to boost productivity and customer focus
  • How to cultivate a dynamic relationship with your board and get positioned for board roles
  • Powerful retorts and feedback that overcome resistance every time and consistently delivers results

4:35pm - 5:00pm  Closing Reception & Prize Drawing

May 31, 2023

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

Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
MORE INFORMATION

Your Community Partners


Global Thought Leader
Key Partners
Program Partners

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