Mr. Balsillie is the retired Chairman and co-CEO of Research In Motion (BlackBerry), a technology company he scaled from an idea to $20 billion in sales globally. His private investment office includes global and domestic technology investments including Magnet Forensics and MDA Space, recreational and commercial real estate across North America.

He is the co-founder of the Council of Canadian Innovators based in Toronto, and the Digital Governance Council in Ottawa, as well as founder of the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Waterloo, the Centre for Digital Rights, the Balsillie School of International Affairs, the Arctic Research Foundation and Canadian Shield Institute. He currently chairs the boards of CCI, CIGI, Innovation Asset Collective, Digital Governance Council and Transactix. He is also a member of the Board of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Advisory Board of the Stockholm Resilience Centre; an Honorary Captain of the Royal Canadian Navy and an Advisor to Canada School of Public Service.

Mr. Balsillie was the private sector representative on the UN Secretary General’s High Panel for Sustainability. His awards include: several honorary degrees, Mobile World Congress Lifetime Achievement Award, India’s Priyadarshni Academy Global Award, Canadian Business Hall of Fame, Time Magazine’s World’s 100 Most Influential People and three times Barron’s list of "World’s Top CEOs.

Nick Chan is the Head of Capital Allocation and Management for BMO Capital Markets. He leads capital and balance sheet strategy, driving disciplined resource allocation and optimization in alignment with strategic priorities, client needs and the bank’s overall risk, capital and funding frameworks. With a clear goal of maximizing ROE and shareholder value, Nick oversees capital planning, investment governance, booking strategy and portfolio optimization across Global Markets, Investment and Corporate Banking and infrastructure groups.

Nick has over 20 years of market experience, during which he has played a central role in advancing major Canadian initiatives, including co-chairing the Collateral and Infrastructure and Markets Practices Advisory Group to modernize the Canadian financing markets and representing BMO on the Canadian Fixed Income Forum. Nick also serves on the CanDeal board as BMO’s representative.

Committed to community and inclusion, Nick serves as Executive Sponsor for the Asian Coalition of Employees Canada Enterprise Resource Group.

Nick holds an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Economics with honours from the University of Toronto and is a CFA Charterholder.

Michael is the Head of Asset Allocation, Derivatives, Commodities and Sustainable Investment at the firm and serves as a Portfolio Manager for all fund of fund solutions. He previously gained experience as a Portfolio Manager at an alternative asset management firm responsible for unconstrained fixed income mandates. Michael holds a B.Comm. from the University of British Columbia and an M.A. from Simon Fraser University. He is also a member of the TD Wealth Asset Allocation Committee. 

Hélène has over 25 years of market-leading experience advising many of Canada’s foremost institutions on managing complex legal and business risks related to cybersecurity, privacy, information technology, and artificial intelligence.

Hélène’s clients span sectors including energy, financial services, health care, the public sector, and transportation. Her strategic guidance covers:

• Cyber and AI governance frameworks • Risk assessment and mitigation, including privacy impact assessments • Regulatory compliance and reporting • Breach preparedness and incident response coaching • Responsible AI tool deployment and oversight • Technology-related policies, training, and internal procedures • Drafting and negotiation of technology agreements (e-commerce, outsourcing, R&D,M&A, and financing contexts)

A wealth management industry veteran with almost 25 years of experience, Adam Elliott joined iA Private Wealth as President in April 2023. He is responsible for the firm’s critical growth strategies and is dedicated to ensuring our advisors have the tools, resources and support they need to deliver consistently exceptional client service.

Prior to joining iA Private Wealth, Adam was President & CEO of iA Clarington Investments. In this role, he led the firm to record levels of AUM and net income by focusing the product shelf on differentiated, best-in-class mandates with proven portfolio management teams. Adam joined iA Clarington as National Sales Manager in 2018.

Adam previously spent 18 years in progressively senior roles at Dynamic Funds. Joining the firm as an Inside Sales Representative, he subsequently served as Vice-President, Business Development, Senior Executive, Business Development, and Regional Sales Manager for Ontario.

Adam earned an Honours BA in history from McGill University and is fully bilingual in English and French.

Christopher Enright is a recognized leader in Canada's wealth management industry, known for his longstanding commitment to independent financial advice, advisor empowerment, and innovation. He currently serves as Executive Vice President & Co-Head, CI Wealth Management at CI Financial Corp., while also continuing in his role as Founding Partner and President of Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI). With more than three decades of experience in financial services and an active involvement in the securities industry since 1994, Chris has built a reputation as a visionary leader focused on helping advisors operate more efficiently, serve clients more effectively, and grow sustainable businesses.

In 2012, Chris co-founded ACPI with a vision of creating an innovative, advisor-first wealth management platform. Under his leadership, the firm became one of Canada's fastest-growing independent dealers, leading to CI Financial's majority acquisition of the business in 2020. Following the transaction, Chris joined CI's executive leadership team and assumed responsibility for helping shape the strategic direction of one of Canada's largest wealth management organizations. As Executive Vice President & Co-Head of CI Wealth Management, he works to drive growth, operational excellence, and advisor success across CI's national wealth platform.

Throughout his career, Chris has been a passionate advocate for the value of independent advice and has played an active role in helping shape Canada's wealth management regulatory framework through the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO)'s National Advisory Council, IIROC Ontario District Council, Board of Directors of the Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC) and IFIC's Dealer Committee.
Known for his entrepreneurial mindset and unwavering focus on advisor and investor outcomes, Chris continues to champion initiatives that improve the advisor experience through technology modernization, operational transformation, practice management support, and regulatory advocacy.

Goshka Folda leads Investor Economics, Canada’s premier provider of data, research, and competitive intelligence for the financial services industry, helping organizations make informed strategic decisions in an increasingly complex marketplace.

With more than 25 years of experience as a financial services research and consulting leader, Goshka oversees a team dedicated to producing rigorous, data-driven analysis of the retail financial services landscape. Her expertise spans household wealth, asset and wealth management, banking, life insurance, and retirement markets.

Throughout her career, Goshka has led a broad range of research and advisory engagements focused on growth strategy, market opportunity assessment, competitive positioning, industry disruption and innovation, product and distribution strategies, client experience, and the evolution of manufacturing and distribution models across the financial services sector.

Goshka holds a Master's degree with distinction from the Warsaw School of Economics and earned her International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma from Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific in Victoria, British Columbia.

Derek Holt is Vice President and Head of Capital Markets Economics at Scotiabank in Toronto. He is responsible for leading the team in the application of economic and financial market forecasts and research to the needs of Scotiabank’s global institutional investor clients and major bank clients. He also regularly advises Scotiabank’s senior management. He joined Scotiabank’s trading floor from a senior role with another Canadian bank and has split his two and a half decade career in both bank and trading floor settings serving a wide variety of capital markets, corporate and retail clients. Derek regularly travels throughout Asia, Europe, Latin America, the US and Canada to meet with clients, and is frequently cited in the press for his views. He holds graduate degrees in both Economics and Finance as well as the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Nazim Kanji is the Executive Vice President, Strategic Regulation at the Ontario Securities Commission. He is responsible for the oversight of regulatory functions of thought leadership, regulatory and economic research including behavioural insights, sustainable finance, investor experience, and economic growth and innovation. The executive oversight of these functions ensures regulatory policy and processes are informed by current and forward-thinking understanding of capital markets, which will enhance the experience of individual investors, promote confidence in Ontario’s capital markets, reduce regulatory burden and facilitate financial innovation. This role is part of an executive team that provides strategic regulatory and organizational governance advice and guidance to the Chief Executive Officer.

Robi joined Manulife in 2013. He is responsible for creating AI-driven solutions that support the firm’s wealth and asset management businesses. His expertise encompasses building complex data warehouses, establishing machine-learning solutions, and creating customized app experiences for users across the firm’s sales, marketing, portfolio management, and product operations.

Prior to his current position, Robi was head of analytics and data management for John Hancock Investment Management, a company of Manulife Investment Management. Before that, he was director of analytics.

Prior to joining the firm, Robi gained management consulting experience by implementing asset liability management solutions across commercial banks, as well as conducting Malcolm Baldrige Award for Performance Excellence assessments in the technology industry. He started his career as a control system engineer modeling thermodynamical behavior at a nuclear power plant.

Robi holds a M.S., Finance, from Bentley University;  and a B.S., Electrical Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland 

Carol is president and CEO at Bridgehouse Asset Managers. She is responsible for the oversight and building of the asset management business and has direct responsibility for all functions within the Bridgehouse operation. Prior to joining the firm, she served as SVP of client relations and operations at one of Canada’s largest investment fund managers. A chartered professional accountant, Carol holds a bachelor of business administration. She is also a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors. 

Mr. Magidson is Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Alberta Securities Commission and possesses extensive experience in corporate governance and securities law and regulation. Before joining the ASC in July 2016, he was President, CEO and director of the Institute of Corporate Directors and Chair of the Global Network of Director Institutes. Prior, Mr. Magidson was a partner for 21 years with a national law firm in the business law group where he advised corporate issuers, investors, financial intermediaries and boards of directors across the country on securities law, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance matters.

Mr. Magidson currently serves as Chair of the Canadian Securities Administrators. The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada’s provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.

Mr. Magidson also currently serves on the international board of the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Advisory Council of Weizmann Canada.

Mr. Magidson holds an LLM in Corporate Law from New York University and an LLB from the University of Ottawa.

Andy Mitchell joined SIMA in January 2023 as President and CEO. He has worked in the financial services sector for more than 30 years and has broad investment industry and leadership experience. Before joining SIMA, Andy was Managing Director and Head of Asset Management Distribution for SEI Investments Canada. Prior to joining SEI, he was President and COO of Worldsource Financial Management, a leading independent advisor network. As the president of Performa Financial Group, a division of Standard Life Canada, he played a principal role in the development of their advisor distribution network. He has also held senior leadership roles at Guardian Capital Group Limited and Bank of America Canada.

Andy has an MBA from Dalhousie University, is a Fellow of the Institute of Canadian Bankers, and holds his Responsible Investment Specialist designation.

Bill is president & CEO at Aviso Wealth Inc. He is the former CEO of Qtrade Financial Group and executive managing director, wealth management and life and health insurance, Desjardins Group. He was president, CEO, chair and/or director of Rockwater Capital, Merrill Lynch Canada, Midland Walwyn Capital, Blackmont Capital and Financial Concept Group. Bill was a director at The Canadian Securities Institute, Canadian Investment Protection Fund, The Investment Industry Association of Canada, and Investment Dealers Association of Canada (now CIRO). A chartered accountant, he has a math degree from the University of Waterloo.

Stacey leads Aviso’s online brokerage and automated (robo) advice businesses, driving the strategy and execution of innovative solutions that empower Canadians to achieve their financial goals. With extensive experience in all aspects of financial services, she has demonstrated leadership and acumen in digital transformation, operational excellence, and client-focused strategies.

Before joining Aviso, Stacey held progressively senior roles at RBC, implementing innovative strategies that delivered measurable results across major infrastructure enhancements, client experience improvements, and digital delivery initiatives.

Stacey holds a Global Executive MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Science from Bishop’s University. She completed the Partners, Directors and Senior Officers Course from the Canadian Securities Institute, and earned a Personal Financial Planning diploma. A committed community advocate, Stacey serves on the Board of Trustees for the Bill 7 Award, supporting 2SLGBTQI+ students pursuing post-secondary education.

Thomas “Tom” Quaadman is the Chief Government Affairs and Public Policy Officer at the Investment Company Institute.

Quaadman joined ICI after nearly 17 years at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce developing and executing legislative, regulatory, and judicial strategies to reform the financial regulatory system and support policies for efficient capital markets.

While at the Chamber, Tom served as Senior Vice President (SVP) for Economic Policy and oversaw the Chamber’s Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness (CCMC). The  CCMC was formed in 2007 to promote financial regulatory policies advancing investor protection, capital formation, and a pre-eminent U.S. position among the worlds’ financial markets. In addition, Tom led the Chamber’s Technology Engagement Center (C_TEC) and the Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC).

Silvio Stroescu leads BMO InvestorLine as its President, driving the modernization of BMO's digital advice platforms for Canadian investors. He has spent more than 30 years in financial services, including as President & CEO of Tangerine Investments (formerly ING Direct Canada), helping build digital banking in Canada from its early days. He speaks regularly on digital transformation in wealth management.

He argues that with AI, as with every wave before it, the hardest part is rarely the technology — it is the leadership fortitude to move beyond pilots and rebuild the operating model around the capability rather than bolt it on. The work that matters is encoding how an organization's best people decide, so the technology multiplies human judgment and levels up the whole team rather than replacing it.

Away from the office, Silvio is a dedicated youth soccer coach.

Dr. Daniel Wigdor is the Co-Founder and CEO of AXL, a Canadian venture studio dedicated to building scalable, high-impact companies based on world-leading AI research.

A professor at the University of Toronto and one of the world’s foremost experts in human-computer interaction, Daniel has spent his career at the intersection of research, product development, and entrepreneurship. He has founded several companies that have collectively raised $100 million in funding and revenue, including Chatham Labs, which was acquired by Meta in 2020. At Meta, he became the founding director of Reality Labs in Toronto, leading frontier research in emerging technologies. Daniel’s innovations are found in more than a billion devices globally, and he holds over 60 patents and more than 130 peer-reviewed publications.

Through AXL, Daniel is now focused on ensuring Canada doesn’t just invent the future of AI, but owns it, economically, strategically, and at scale. Backed by leading researchers, investors, and industry partners, AXL is on a mission to launch 50 AI companies in the next 5 years, transforming Canadian research into enduring global businesses.

Nora is a technology journalist, broadcaster, author, and speaker. Her work focuses on the social impacts of new technologies. Nora just concluded a two year stint as Senior Technology Reporter with CBC National News, where she focused on the latest developments in artificial intelligence.

She created and hosted Spark, an award-winning technology show, which ran for 17 seasons across the country on CBC Radio, and internationally as a podcast.

Nora’s book, The Virtual Self, explores the explosion of our personal data, and the link between Big Data and technological change. She is a speaker and interviewer on issues related to AI, data ethics, and technological trends.

An active volunteer, she is currently on the Board of Directors of Farm Radio International, which supports rural broadcasters in many countries in Africa, through interactive digital tech, and good ol’ radio. FRI works towards communication for development and justice. 

Her favourite technology is her bicycle.