GC Data Conference 2026: Speakers

Nick's research focused on capsule networks, adversarial examples, and explainability. Based in Toronto, Nick holds a BSc in Computer Science and Cognitive Science from the University of Toronto. He is also the lead vocalist of the indie pop rock band Good Kid.

X: @NickFrosst
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-frosst-19b80463/

With over a decade of experience in data strategy and team leadership and a master's degree in AI management from Queen's University, Kishawna works as both a strategic consultant and fractional AI leader. She helps organizations develop AI strategy and guides companies building responsible AI products while creating pathways for diverse talent to thrive in technical roles. Her work spans startups to established enterprises.

Her expertise and insights have been featured in The Globe and Mail and on Breakfast Television and CP24. She previously served as Toronto Public Library's AI innovator in residence. Through speaking engagements, AI literacy training, and consulting, she combines deep technical knowledge with practical business application, making her a trusted voice on strategic AI implementation and organizational transformation.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kishawnapeck/

Professionally, Sahir was a turnaround and restructuring specialist with New York-based RKG Osnos Partners LLC and with Deloitte Consulting's New York office. In 2004, he was recruited to the Canadian federal public service to manage problem files and emerging fiscal pressures by serving as the director of oversight and expenditure management at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. At the Privy Council Office, he provided the prime minister with analysis and advice on budget, economic, tax and expenditure management issues and then joined the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer as the assistant parliamentary budget officer.

This mix of private and public sector experience has enabled him to gain a strong understanding of decision support in complex environments while running and reforming organizations.

Sahir is a regular commentator with national and regional media on budgetary matters.

Sahir has a BCom (Hons) from Queen's University and an MBA in finance from Columbia University's Graduate School of Business. He also serves on the Board of Governors at Ottawa's Ashbury College.

X: @Sahir_YOW
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khansahir/

His research and teaching focus on civil procedure, torts, privacy law, and the intersection of law and technology. He holds a BA from the University of Toronto, a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, and a Master of Laws from the University of Toronto.

In 2023, he co-authored The Legal Singularity: How Artificial Intelligence Can Make Law Radically Better with Benjamin Alarie, exploring the transformative potential of AI in the legal field. Before entering academia, he practiced litigation and arbitration at Covington & Burling LLP in New York City and served as Vice President of Legal Research at Blue J, where he led the development of machine learning-enabled legal research tools.

Abdi is a leading voice in the evolving relationship between law and emerging technologies. Some of his work examines how artificial intelligence, automation, and predictive analytics are reshaping legal practice and access to justice. He has written and spoken extensively on AI-driven legal decision making, highlighting both its potential and its ethical challenges. Through his research and collaborations, Abdi works to bridge the gap between traditional legal frameworks and cutting-edge technological advancements, advocating for innovation that is both effective and equitable.

In September 2025, Abdi joined the Canada School of Public Service as a visiting scholar through the Ian D. Shugart Visiting Scholar Initiative. He will support the School's efforts to explore the ethical dimensions of emerging technologies, drawing on his expertise in technology, AI, law and ethics. As part of his role, he will also collaborate with departments across the federal public service on topics related to ethical technology use and privacy.

X: @AbdiAidid
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdiaidid/

She aims to develop human-centered privacy technology through the parallel study of technical solutions for private computation (privacy in machine learning and private set intersections) alongside the corresponding user perceptions, concerns, and comprehension of these developments. Prior to joining University of Alberta, she received her PhD in Computer Science and her Masters of Mathematics, both from the University of Waterloo.

X: @BKacsmar
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bailey-kacsmar/

Before joining TBS, he was the Associate Deputy Minister at Transport Canada, following three years as the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of National Security and Cybersecurity at Public Safety Canada. He has also held senior roles in central agencies, including the Privy Council Office and TBS, and with the Communications Security Establishment.

Dominic has extensive experience in strategic policy, planning and communications, as well as in overseeing a range of operational issues within the Government of Canada.

Dominic received his BA (Honours) in Political Science, International Politics from the University of Ottawa. He is married with two children.

X: @Dominic_Rochon
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-rochon-79122117/

In 2011, Mr. Sarantakis was awarded Canada's Public Service Award of Excellence in Public Policy, and in 2013, he was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Prior to joining the federal government, Mr. Sarantakis was a doctoral candidate at the University of Toronto. He holds a BA and an MA from York University in Toronto, as well as a Public Policy Executive Certificate from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He is a graduate of the Rotman School of Management's Institute of Corporate Directors Education Program, holding the ICD.D designation.

X: @TakiSarantakis
LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/taki-sarantakis-305b57130/

He has previously served in various senior leadership positions in the agency including Assistant Chief Statistician for Economic Statistics and Assistant Chief Statistician for Strategic Data Management, Methods and Analysis. In that capacity, Mr. Loranger was also Statistics Canada's Chief Data Officer responsible for the overall stewardship of the organization's information data holdings.

Mr. Loranger represents Statistics Canada on various international expert groups pertaining to statistics. He is currently the chair of the United Nations Conference of European Statisticians under the umbrella of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the co-chair of the United Nations Network of Economic Statisticians and the former chair of the United Nations Committee of Experts on Environmental-Economic Accounting.

Mr. Loranger holds an M.A. (Economics) degree and a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Economics) from the University of Ottawa.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-loranger-12515731/

His innovative approach to addressing data challenges received international recognition through award-winning program and project implementations in data governance, data quality, business intelligence and data analytics. He advises organizations on how to treat data as an asset, and he shares his practical takeaways on social media and various industry sites and publications.

He creates informative, practical and engaging educational content in the data space, and helps organizations get more visibility on social media. George is the proud founder of LightsOnData.com and its YouTube channel and the host of the Lights On Data Show podcast.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgefirican/

She is the founder of Fireside Analytics Inc., a global data science education company. Her online courses have reached over 500,000 learners worldwide on platforms such as IBM's Cognitive Class AI and Coursera. She developed the first data science course for high schools reviewed by the Ontario Ministry of Education and has established AI education programs for students, policy-makers, professionals, and underserved communities.

Shingai works with governments and organizations on AI policy, governance, and responsible AI adoption. She serves on the board of the startup Theoriq (formerly ChainML), and is a Public Policy Forum Fellow and a member of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Working Group on Public Service Productivity.

She is the author of The Computer and the Cancelled Music Lessons and has been recognized with honours such as DMZ's Women of the Year and the Public Policy Forum's Emerging Leader Award.

X: @Tjido
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shingai-manjengwa-1ba2574/

Over a 26-year career in the data and analytics domain, Ima has driven significant enhancements to the federal evidence base. She has successfully designed and implemented Data Literacy programs, Data Strategies, and enterprise policies, and has led the development of Artificial Intelligence and Data Ethics Frameworks, along with core tools for assessing and managing data-related risks in complex operational environments.

Prior to joining ESDC, Ima served in an executive role at the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), where she led a team responsible for the effective collection, governance, and management of data from federally regulated financial institutions and pension plans.

Her career also includes key leadership roles at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), where she oversaw the development of analytical data tools and research databases critical to performance measurement, policy development, program monitoring, and results reporting. Earlier in her career, Ima held positions at the Canada Revenue Agency and Statistics Canada, further grounding her expertise in data stewardship and analytics excellence.

Ima's academic background spans Physics, Mathematics, Computer Programming, and Public Management, providing a strong interdisciplinary foundation that informs her systems thinking, analytical rigor, and leadership in data and digital transformation.

Her contributions and leadership within the Government of Canada have been widely recognized. She is a recipient of several prestigious awards, including Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100™ by the Women's Executive Network (WXN), the global Insight 250 award for outstanding contributions to data-driven insight and leadership, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal, recognizing her significant and sustained impact in service to Canada.

X: @ImaOkonny
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imaokonny/

In this role, Marc provides strategic leadership in pursuing world-class excellence in digital transformation service delivery, data and information management, and cyber security.

Before his arrival at PSPC, Marc served as Chief Digital Officer for Fisheries and Oceans Canada. He also held the following roles at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat:

• Chief Technology Officer and acting CIO of Canada
• Deputy departmental CIO and acting departmental CIO

Prior to joining the Government of Canada, Marc was Vice-President of Business Development for a local ecommerce services start-up. He also spent 13 years at MONTAGE IT Services, a division of MTS/Allstream, where he held numerous positions in technology consulting and business development.

Marc holds a Computer Programming Diploma from Algonquin College as well as a CIO Leadership Professional Development Certificate from the CIO Institute of the University of Ottawa.

X: @MarcBrouillard
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbrouillard

In his role, Hayden leads strategy, policy, and oversight for Information Technology (IT), telecommunications, security, and the Information Management (IM) and IT investment portfolio for the Province of British Columbia. He provides strategic direction to advance the secure, efficient, and equitable use of technology to improve service outcomes for people.

Previously, Hayden served as Assistant Deputy Minister for the British Columbia Data Service Division (BCDS), where he led cross-government data initiatives enabling government to make informed, evidence-based decisions to enhance service delivery for the people of British Columbia and played a key role in developing the Anti-Racism Data Act.

Hayden has also held executive roles in international trade, tourism and regulatory policy, as well as eight years in Ottawa leading several regulatory policy and pharmaceutical policy initiatives at both Health Canada and Environment Canada.

He holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in history from the University of Victoria. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and son.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-lansdell-3892b379/

With over 25 years of public service experience, Francis has evolved from core financial analysis to leading enterprise-wide transformation. During his two decades at the Canada Revenue Agency, he consolidated financial management advisors under the CFO to strengthen financial stewardship, and championed a cultural shift that harmonized the Agency’s regulatory mandate with a service-first approach, demonstrating that compliance and client service are mutually supportive.

Francis also served as Deputy CFO at Shared Services Canada, where he navigated complex funding models to support government-wide digital infrastructure and modernization projects.

X: @brisson_francis
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francis-brisson-6bb07a1b4/

He also provides policy leadership across government on integrating information and data governance, enhancing privacy and responsible data practices, including artificial intelligence, modernizing open government and access to information to enhance transparency and trust, and improving data-enabled digital services and programs across government.

Prior to joining the Office of the Chief Information Officer, he was the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Security and Intelligence Secretariat, Privy Council Office (PCO), for three years and was responsible for providing national security policy and operational advice to a variety of clients, facilitating the effective functioning of Cabinet and Cabinet Committees to advance the Government’s agenda, and coordinating various responses to national security incidents.

Before joining PCO, he held several positions at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada over a period of six years and was involved in some of the Government’s large humanitarian efforts such as Operation Syrian Refugees, the Ebola Response and Irregular Migration.

Mr. MacDonald joined the Public Service of Canada in 1997, serving Canadians through his work in a variety of departments such as the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Department of Justice, Solicitor General Canada and Public Safety Canada. He has also represented Canadians abroad in bilateral and multilateral fora as part of his responsibilities as Chair and member of several international committees and working groups. The vast majority of his career has been spent in the area of national security and intelligence, with substantial experience in emergency management and immigration.

Mr. MacDonald holds a Bachelor of Arts degree [Criminology] and a Master of Arts degree [Criminology] from Simon Fraser University and has published articles in youth justice and Indigenous issues.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-macdonald-3631a820/

Scott collaborates across health and digital sectors to advance interoperability, AI, and adoption of digital solutions designed to improve clinician and citizen experience.

Scott came to Nova Scotia Health after 32 years with the federal government. Most recently he was Chief Information Officer for both Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada supporting the Government of Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scott’s contributions were nationally recognized in October 2025 when he was awarded the Canadian CIO of the Year, highlighting his exceptional leadership in advancing interoperability, modernizing digital health infrastructure, and enhancing the citizen and clinician experience across Nova Scotia.

Scott has significant background in transformation, modernization and innovation while leading people and culture through change. His leadership experience ensures digital tools and solutions support the overall business strategy of the organization and its employees.

X: @ScottRMcKenna
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-mckenna-ab714113/

She is a past personal banking manager with the Royal Bank of Canada and real estate sales in the Ottawa area. With this background, Verna contributed to the empowerment of Indigenous People in Canada by also managing a task force on the issue of access to capital. She has worked with the Public Service and various National Indigenous organizations in areas such as economic development, forestry, and urban issues. She recently published a children’s book about smoking cessation.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verna-mcgregor-20b29320/

Christiana joined Canada's federal government in 2009, after spending several years in the surveillance and telecommunication industry with MacDonald Detwiler and Nortel Networks. As a senior executive with over 20 years of experience and a background in technology and business transformations, her involvement in operations and digital transformation spans both the private and public sectors. Over the course of her career, Christiana has held several senior leadership positions, including Chief Digital, Data and Technology Officer at Supply Ontario, Assistant Deputy Minister and Deputy Chief Information Officer at the Department of National Defence, Chief Transformation and Information Officer at Canadian Heritage, Chief Information Officer at the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and Director General, Major Projects, at the Canada Border Services Agency.

Christiana has worked extensively in operational environments in the defence and public safety domains, and in strong partnership with military and uniformed personnel.

She is recognized as a versatile and inclusive leader with a strong delivery record and committed to the advancement of women in STEM and other underrepresented groups. She is the mom of two amazing and inspirational twin daughters, both STEM graduates, and is married to a scientist.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianacavazzoni/

She has also served as the School's director general of communications and engagement and in other executive positions at the School and at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. In addition, she has worked at the Public Health Agency of Canada, Transport Canada, and Infrastructure Canada in both policy and communications and has over 20 years of experience in the public service.

In her current role, Vanessa actively supports the Government of Canada's digital and data mandate and its digital and data communities and leads efforts to advance, through learning, digital government and public sector innovation, as well as transferable skills for public servants. She is also the first chair of the Digital Governance Standards Institute, Canada's only accredited standards development body focused exclusively on setting and managing digital technology governance standards.

Vanessa holds a Master of Public Health degree from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, and is passionate about equipping public servants with the skills and tools they need to succeed in meeting the needs of Canadians.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-vermette/

She started her career as a business analyst, then manager, in the field of emerging communications technology at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. She also served as a senior advisor in the Deputy Minister's Office, and then as a departmental advisor in the Minister's Office, which gave her a broader perspective and a bird's-eye view of the rich interactions between the public service and the political sphere.

Mélanie spent many years at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), gaining rigour, discipline, and a deep understanding of how government works. At TBS, she exercised the challenge function for all foreign affairs and international assistance programs, and later led the Open Government program and managed the Open Data portal. In this role, she promoted increased trust through transparency, open data, and citizen and stakeholder engagement both in Canada and abroad. Under her leadership, Canada was elected Co-Chair of the Open Government Partnership, a global multilateral organization representing 74 countries and thousands of civil society groups.

More recently, she served as Director General of International Relations, Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade Policy at Transport Canada, leading Canada's international transport strategy and representing the country in multilateral forums and at federal-provincial-territorial tables.

Mélanie is recognized for her leadership in driving change, empowering people, and strengthening institutions, and looks forward to helping new leaders emerge in the public service.

X: @MelRobrt
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-robert-ba10886/

She joined AAFC in 2003, after 12 years working in strategic marketing in the private sector, occupying different roles in the Programs, Strategic Policy, Corporate and Market and Industry Services branches.

In the summer of 2021, she was appointed as AAFC's first Chief Data Officer where she leads an enthusiastic and diverse team of multidisciplinary professionals dedicated to harnessing and unleashing the power of data and information to improve service delivery and to support the sector's sustainable growth.

An inspiring leader, driving transformation by creating vision, bringing people to solve complex problems together and being relentlessly focused on risk smart, agile execution, she consistently delivers tangible results – like the launch of AgPal Chat, the Government of Canada first public facing tool using generative AI in April 2024.

Élise holds a Masters in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University (Vancouver, BC) and a Bachelor's degree in Arts, major in Political Sciences from Laval University (Sainte Foy, QC).

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%C3%A9lise-legendre-83645810/

In addition, in close collaboration with the National Supply Chain Office, she is leading efforts to improve the use of data and digitalization to strengthen the transportation and logistics aspects of Canada's supply chain.

Erika has extensive experience in policy, communications, service and data with the private sector and the federal public service, including 12 years as an executive in government. Throughout her public service career, Erika has been focused on implementing data-driven and user-centric decision-making, and managing change.

Erika started out at the Public Policy Forum, a national, non-partisan policy think tank. She then embarked on a career in the federal public service, where she has led public opinion research, consultations, and strategic risk and crisis communications at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Over the years, she has also been in the role of Director General of Communications at PHAC, the Canada Border Services Agency, Shared Services Canada (SSC), and Health Canada, as well as Director General of Strategic Policy at SSC.

Erika has a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in Political Science with a minor in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Ottawa. She is a proud Franco-Ontarian from Northern Ontario. She lives in Ottawa with her husband and their three kids.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-kirsten-easton-1449063/

In his current role, Delroy oversees key departmental functions including enterprise architecture, cloud operations, enterprise geospatial services, enterprise solutions for science, enterprise data management, and mission critical weather services. He also steers ECCC’s flagship modernization initiative—Regulatory Services Modernization—along with advancing the department’s exploration and responsible adoption of AI technologies.

Delroy is recognized for his leadership in driving adaptable, user-centered digital ecosystems and for fostering a strong culture of innovation, collaboration, and data-driven decision making across the organization. His work strengthens digital foundations and accelerates modernization for both internal operations and the public good.

He holds a degree in Computer Science from Toronto Metropolitan University. Outside of his professional life, Delroy is passionate about the outdoors—whether hiking, sailing, or motorcycling scenic routes.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/delroy-barrett-6a665134

Over her four years at NRCan, she has helped modernize data systems and policy to better support the department's expanding mandate, programs, and science, especially as expectations for technology and data access continue to grow in the face of AI adoption.

With more than 30 years of IM/IT experience across the public and private sectors, Diane has led IM/IT services in several federal departments. She is an active member of the GC Data Community and is committed to learning, sharing, and advancing the digital narrative. Diane believes that information and data are at the heart of NRCan's work and must be leveraged to the greatest extent. She values community forums such as the GC Data Conference as key opportunities for colleagues to share expertise, build partnerships, and tackle today's data and AI challenges.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diane-spencer-ba009048/

He also leads the GeoBase Steering Committee of the Canadian Council on Geomatics. His expertise lies in extensive information technology management, data science, and everything related to geospatial and national mapping agencies.

His career at NRCan began in 2004 as a Postdoctoral fellow in a program dedicated to completing mapping in Canada, with a strong focus on mapping the vast territories of the North, culminating in the successful completion of a century-long effort to provide a complete topographical series for Canada in 2012.

Following this, he contributed leadership and expertise to many ongoing national mapping projects including but not limited to advancing Land Cover, the National Elevation Data Strategy, and more. He was part of the team that drafted the Treasury Board Submission and launched the Federal Geospatial Platform (FGP) Initiative in 2014 and then became the lead data coordinator for the FGP project (2014–2018). In 2018, he became the Director of the GeoBase division. Notably among many accomplishments in this role, he led the charge to establish FHIMP in 2021 ($63.8M/3 years) and its successful renewal under the National Adaptation Strategy in 2023 ($164.3M/5 years).

GeoBase is leading the way nationally and internationally by revolutionizing the way mapping is done in CCMEO, developing novel and effective approaches in artificial intelligence, computer vision, and deep learning, and successfully implementing the GeoAI data pipeline for mapping on demand, when and where it matters most.

As a leader in the public service, he knows that motivated employees can get you far. He practices active listening and continually prioritizes those that work with him. He believes that communication is the key to success, and that changing direction or making mistakes can be an important part of growing and improving our work. Innovation, respect, and transparency are important values for him and the GeoBase Division.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandre-beaulieu-09193818/

Prior to this, he served as senior advisor at the Privy Council Office, where he supported the prime minister, Cabinet and the clerk of the Privy Council in navigating transition, setting priorities, making policy and tracking implementation. Christopher began his public service career at the Office of the Auditor General of Canada over 20 years ago. He then progressively held senior positions at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and Natural Resources Canada. His work has focused on improving economic competitiveness, environmental performance, social outcomes and the efficiency of government.

Christopher earned his BA (Honours) in international development from the University of Guelph, and his MA in public policy and administration from Concordia University.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valiquet/ss

In this role, Patrick also provides leadership internal to the Agency for its artificial intelligence, data and science strategies. His previous experience across the public sector includes working in operations as a Border Services Officer and advising Cabinet on policy, program and expenditure management issues at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

X: @P_Lagioia
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lagioia/

Having graduated with a degree in translation from the University of Ottawa in 2001, Julie Poirier was recruited by the Translation Bureau that same year. Starting in 2006, she transitioned into management and held increasingly important positions in language services delivery, becoming manager of Parliamentary Interpretation in 2015. In November 2017, Julie was appointed as the Translation Bureau’s first ever chief quality officer.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-poirier-37aa52343/

Mr. Lymburner oversees the translation, interpretation and terminology services that the Translation Bureau provides to Canada's government, Parliament and courts in English, French, Indigenous languages and foreign languages, as well as sign languages. He is also responsible for the Language Portal of Canada, which provides Canadians with free tools to improve their knowledge of English and French.

Mr. Lymburner ensures that the Translation Bureau has a strong and highly qualified workforce, leverages the latest technological advances—including artificial intelligence—and works closely with partners and clients to effectively deliver quality linguistic services now and in the future.

Before joining the Translation Bureau, Mr. Lymburner held a number of executive positions within the Government of Canada. Most recently, he was Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of Real Property Services at Public Services and Procurement Canada. With a focus on client satisfaction, organizational effectiveness, the future of work and employee well-being, he uses his extensive experience to ensure that the Translation Bureau remains a leader in linguistic services in Canada and internationally.

Mr. Lymburner holds a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from École Polytechnique de Montréal, and has completed the Certificate Program in Public Sector Leadership and Governance at the University of Ottawa.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-francois-lymburner-134b4388/?originalSubdomain=ca

Mr. Henin serves as a Science Policy Advisor on the Innovation and IT team within the GeoBase Division at the Canada Centre for Mapping and Earth Observations, Natural Resources Canada.

In this role, he supports initiatives related to Geospatial Artificial Intelligence and provides strategic support to the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management Regional Committee Geospatial AI Community of Practice.

Beyond his policy work, Mr. Henin is an educator at Concordia University, where he teaches in the Department of Political Science, and the Department of Geography, Planning, and Environment. His diverse career bridges cutting-edge innovation and actionable insights for decision-makers.

X: @ThibaudHenin
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thibaudhenin/

As Chief Service and Digital Officer, Mackenzie leads the implementation of ECCC’s Digital, Data and Service Strategies, and leads a team of digital professionals from across the country delivering digital services that enable the delivery of ECCC programs and services.

Mackenzie is passionate about influencing a culture of creativity, collaboration, and enterprise mindset with a people's centric approach to digital. Mackenzie has been leading virtually for over a decade in the public service and believes fiercely in maximizing talent across Canada and leading out front as digital leaders to demonstrate the value of working differently. Mackenzie is a proud mother of four and enjoys coaching basketball within her community.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackenzie-lambe-3196b5164/

With her multidisciplinary background, she has held roles across government and international organizations, including at Natural Resources Canada, Quebec’s immigration ministry, the Quebec delegation office in Munich, and the International Civil Aviation Organization, where she contributed to policy analysis, project management, communications, and strategic reporting. She holds a master's degree in applied international law and policy and has published research in the Quebec Journal of International Law.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-caussinus/

She also contributes to the federal team leading the Collaborative Geospatial Strategy for Canada, strengthening the innovation, accessibility, and interoperability of geospatial information across jurisdictions.

With experience coordinating federal-provincial-territorial governance bodies, negotiating national agreements, and advancing geospatial policy, Sarah brings a strong record of strategic analysis, collaboration, and program leadership. She holds an MBA in Global Leadership from the University of Fredericton and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from Carleton University.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-stimpson2026

Currently serving as manager of Data and Analytics at Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, he leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for advancing innovative methodologies, overseeing complex interdepartmental initiatives, and delivering high-impact data products that inform infrastructure investment decisions and program performance evaluation.

With a unique ability to bridge data science and public policy, Yanick has spearheaded numerous partnerships with Statistics Canada, including the development of economic satellite accounts, national surveys, and geospatial tools. His work has contributed directly to the creation of analytical frameworks that assess the environmental, social, and economic impacts of public transit and other infrastructure projects.

Prior to this role, Yanick occupied several leadership positions across key federal departments, including at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and Natural Resources Canada.

A recognized leader in data strategy and intergovernmental collaboration, he has contributed to the design of cross-sectoral strategies, performance measurement frameworks, and forward-looking policy instruments addressing Canada's most pressing infrastructure and housing data challenges.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanick-cl%C3%A9ment-godbout-bb998170/

Her team, based mainly at the Northern Forestry Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, is responsible for the development and operation of the Canadian Wildfire Information System, which delivers wildfire intelligence and predictive services during Canada’s fire seasons. She also leads a team of researchers with expertise in fire ecology, fire risk, fire weather, and Indigenous fire stewardship.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julienne-morissette-30a95a7a/

With over 12 years of experience in artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge transfer, Gaétan has led numerous collaborative applied research projects. With degrees in engineering from Polytechnique Montréal and ENSTA Paris (École nationale supérieure de techniques avancées), a master's degree in research from Sorbonne Universités, and a PhD from Université Paris-Saclay, he has dual expertise: detailed analysis of industrial systems combined with the creation of innovative AI solutions that address today's complex societal challenges.

Over the past nine years at Mila, he has served as a scientific consultant on more than 25 major industrial projects. A recognized expert in his ability to convey complex concepts, he has also trained the next generation of AI professionals during six editions of the Deep Learning School, co-organized with IVADO. He has been leading Mila's AMLRT team for four years.

X: @GaetanMC
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ga%C3%A9tan-marceau-caron-22b23b28/

With over twenty years of experience in data and analytics, Naseem has worked on many projects across multiple technology platforms including SAP, SAS, Oracle, and Microsoft. The cloud platform at the Department of National Defence is a multi‑year, multi‑technology project designed to provide Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces clients with access to trusted enterprise data sets, strengthening decision‑making capabilities across multiple business domains.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naseem-butt-9896b88/

With extensive hands-on experience in Azure cloud services, Raj has architected modern data lakehouse environments using Azure Data Factory, Azure Databricks, PySpark, Delta Lake, and Azure DevOps, supporting the secure ingestion, transformation, orchestration, and governance of both structured and unstructured data.

In his role, Raj provides technical leadership and strategic guidance on cloud infrastructure design, data architecture, and platform optimization. He has developed standardized ingestion frameworks, metadata-driven pipelines, and automation tools that significantly reduce development overhead while improving scalability and reliability. Raj has also designed enterprise data-sharing solutions using Databricks Delta Sharing and led the implementation of unstructured data storage architectures to support use cases such as generative AI, sentiment analysis, and advanced analytics.

Raj has contributed to Transport Canada’s generative AI initiatives from concept to enterprise architecture and implementation, defining technical strategies, designing secure and scalable cloud-based frameworks, and delivering AI-powered solutions such as departmental chatbots and unstructured data analytics platforms. He has presented standardized generative AI architectures to senior executives and interdepartmental partners across the Government of Canada, helping establish a consistent and responsible approach to AI adoption while expanding data accessibility and analytical capabilities.

Raj holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Software Engineering from Carleton University. Passionate about cloud innovation and modern data platforms, he is dedicated to helping public sector organizations harness the full potential of data engineering and cloud infrastructure to drive smarter decision-making, operational efficiency, and responsible AI adoption.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raj-sandhu-166b17189/