Accelerated. Canada’s Semiconductor Symposium 2025.
Speakers.
Nancy Andrews
Chief Engagement and Communications Officer
Canada's Ocean Supercluster
A senior leader in communications, marketing and government relations, for more than 20 years Nancy has worked with organizations both in the public and private sectors in Eastern Canada to help tell their stories, build brands, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and manage reputation. Currently the Chief Engagement and Communications Officer at Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, Nancy plays an instrumental role in helping shape and tell Canada’s ocean story to the world. This year Marketing News Canada named Nancy one of Canada’s Top 25 Marketers to Watch on LinkedIn, and she was previously the recipient of the Communicator of the Year Award from IABC-NL and the NATIONAL PR Award for Business Development and Management Achievement.
Nancy is a graduate from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador and from Seneca at York University. She currently serves on the WRDC Board of Directors and lives in St. John’s with her husband Glenn and their sons.
Hamid Arabzadeh
Chairman and CEO
Ranovus
Mr. Hamid Arabzadeh has been the Chairman and CEO of Ranovus, a leading technology provider of photonic interconnect solutions for scaling AI Compute in hyper-scale data centres, since its inception in 2012. Prior to Ranovus, Mr. Arabzadeh was the Chairman and CEO of CoreOptics, based in Nuremberg, Germany, an innovative provider of signal processing-based photonic subsystems for high-capacity networking applications, before being acquired by Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO) in 2010. Formerly, Mr. Arabzadeh held various senior management positions at Nortel Networks in Brazil, Mexico, England, and the USA. Mr. Arabzadeh’s last role at Nortel Networks was VP & GM of Metro Optical business unit, Nortel’s Cambrian acquisition. Since his return to Canada in 2010, Mr. Arabzadeh has co-founded several Canadian scaleups in fields of AI Sovereign Cloud, Security and Healthcare with an eye to benefit Canada in a competitive Data and IP-driven global economy. Mr. Arabzadeh holds a B.A.Sc. from the University of Waterloo in Electrical and Computer Engineering and an MBA from McGill University.
David Asgeirsson
Manager - Partnerships and IP
Xanadu
David enjoys working at the interface of academic research and industrial applications. Currently, he manages IP, partnerships and grant funding for Xanadu, a leading Canadian quantum computing company, based in Toronto.
With a PhD from UBC in physics, David has wide-ranging knowledge and experience in the physical sciences and ICT, and hands-on experience in all aspects of startups.
Prior to Xanadu, he was Chief Operating Officer of Sheba Microsystems, a Toronto startup developing compact actuators for cell phone cameras. Prior to that he was COO of QD Solar, a Toronto startup developing new solar cells using quantum dot materials.
Philippe Babin
General Manager
Aeponyx Enterprises Inc.
As General Manager of AEPONYX Enterprises Inc., a subsidiary of Pasqal SAS, I lead the Photonic Integrated Circuits division, driving innovation in quantum computing technologies. My focus is on operational excellence, implementing strategies that enhance production efficiency, and fostering a collaborative environment for groundbreaking product development. These efforts have strengthened our market position in the rapidly evolving semiconductor sector. Within Pasqal Canada, I drive the Canadian ecosystem toward the adoption of quantum computing and the development of new algorithms and application.
Previously, as CEO of AEPONYX Inc., I co-founded and spearheaded the company for nearly a decade, leading advancements in Photonic Integrated Circuits for telecommunications, data centers, and quantum technologies. I facilitated fundraising efforts exceeding $50M and successfully negotiated the company’s acquisition by Pasqal SAS in 2024. My expertise includes start-ups, fundraising, business development, business operations, multifunctional team working, and process improvement, complemented by a strong commitment to driving innovation in optical and quantum technologies.
Jérôme Bourassa, Ph.D
CEO and Co-Founder
Qubic Technologies
Dr. Bourassa earned his Ph.D in quantum information processing in 2012 under the supervision of Professor Alexandre Blais at the Institut Quantique of the Université de Sherbrooke. He is a renowned expert in quantum sensing technologies with superconducting devices, having published more than a dozen scientific papers and been awarded three patents related to quantum sensing.
In 2018, Dr. Bourassa co-founded Qubic with Professor Christopher Wilson of the University of Waterloo and the Institute for Quantum Computing, a world-leading expert in microwave quantum signals and technology. Together, they created the world’s first quantum-enhanced radar prototype capable of demonstrating a quantum-enhancement in ambient conditions. Today, Qubic a growing startup located in Sherbrooke, Québec and Waterloo, Ontario, partners with two world-leading quantum research institutes and receives strong support from the Canadian defense, the governments of Canada and Quebec, and of major corporations in the aerospace market. It is well on its way to realize its mission: to unlock the quantum nature of microwaves to shape out world.
Jean-François Bousquet
Microelectronics Innovation, Design and Integration (MINDI) Hub
Dalhousie University
Jean-François Bousquet is a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Dalhousie which he joined in July 2013, and is currently the director of the Microelectronics Innovation and Design Integration (MINDI) Hub within this institution. He is a graduate of École Polytechnique de Montréal where he completed his B. Eng. in Electrical Engineering in 2001. He also completed his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Calgary in 2007 and 2011 respectively, where he focused on the implementation of low-power integrated circuits applied to wireless communication. Between 2009 and 2011, he was employed as a high-speed analog IC designer at Ciena in Ottawa for the development of coherent fibre optics communication networks. Since he joined Dalhousie, he has developed a research program on underwater communications and technology. He is particularly interested in enabling underwater networks, using low-power electronics systems. His passion is to use highly-integrated circuits to enable reconfigurable communication systems. Between July 2019 and July 2023, he was Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Between July 2023, and July 2025, he was Associate Scientific Director of the Transforming Climate Action program in the Ocean Frontier Institute.
Daly Brown
Co-Founder and CEO
Metropolitan Technologies
Daly is a Professional Engineer registered with Professional Engineers Ontario.
Julien Caudroit
Chief Communication and Business Development Officer
Strix
Over the past years, Julien has held the position of Vice President and Associate at Innovitech, an innovation consulting firm, and has served in various leadership roles within organizations such as the Consortium for Aerospace Research and Innovation in Quebec (CRIAQ), the Consortium for Aerospace Research and Innovation in Canada (CARIC), the Green Aviation Research and Development Network (GARDN), the IRT Saint Exupéry Canada (Canadian Antenna of the Toulouse Technological Research Institute), as well as in other sectors such as with MEDTEQ+. Julien has also worked in governmental and international contexts, with several experiences within the United Nations and at Investissement Québec. He has also served on several committees and boards of directors.
Tony Chan Carusone
Chief Technology Officer, Alphawave Semi
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto
Dr. Tony Chan Carusone has taught and researched integrated circuits and systems for high-speed connectivity in industry and academia for over 20 years. He has been the Chief Technology Officer of Alphawave Semi since 2022 and a faculty member at the University of Toronto since completing his Ph.D. there in 2002. He has well over 100 publications, including 11 award-winning best papers at leading conferences for work on chip-to-chip and optical communication, analog-to-digital conversion, and precise clock generation. He also co-authored the latest editions of the classic textbooks “Analog Integrated Circuit Design” and “Microelectronic Circuits,” the best-selling engineering textbook ever. Tony has been a consultant to the semiconductor industry for over 20 years, working with both startups and some of the largest technology companies in the world. He is a Fellow of the IEEE.
Garry Chan
Head of AI Initiatives
ventureLAB
Garry Chan is a technology entrepreneur, investor, and advisor. He is passionate about advising, building, and scaling technology-driven businesses.
He is the Chief AI Officer at ventureLAB, a leading Canadian deep tech incubator that helps semiconductor, medtech and AI founders scale globally competitive ventures.
He graduated from the University of Calgary (BSc), the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto (Executive MBA), and Carnegie Mellon University (MSc).
Calvin Cheng
Director of Applications and Customer Success
Lumotive
Calvin Cheng is Director of Applications & Customer Success at Lumotive, a leading semiconductor company in light-control metasurface technologies for LiDAR applications. He is an accomplished entrepreneur and technology executive with extensive experience in guiding advanced materials and photonics innovations from early research to global commercialization. Previously, as co-founder and former CTO of Edgehog Advanced Technologies, he commercialized nanotextured anti-reflection optics for space, camera, and solar applications.
Dr. Cheng holds a PhD in Materials Chemistry from the University of Toronto and a BASc in Biomedical Engineering. With over a decade of leadership at the intersection of science, engineering, and business, he is committed to advancing deep-technology commercialization and supporting the development of future innovators.
Kyung Soo Choi
Q-Block Computing
COMING SOON
Cornelis (Cees) Draijer
Vice President, Technology
Teledyne Canada
Cornelis (Cees) Draijer is Vice-President of Technology for the Digital Imaging Segment and Chief Technology Officer for the FLIR Solution Business at Teledyne.
Cees began his career as a research scientist at Philips Research Labs in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, continuing as a program manager for the development of Charge Coupled Devices (CCDs) Imagers at Philips Semiconductors.
His career with Teledyine began in 2002 at DALSA, where he Initiated the development of CMOS based Medical X-Ray panels. In 2007, he immigrated to Canada. There, he instigated the development of microbolometers in 2012, in close cooperation with the DALSA MEMS foundry in Bromont, Quebec.
Since 2014, he has led Teledyne’s Uncooled IR business line. In 2024 he became CTO of the Teledyne FLIR Solutions Business unit, mainly operating out of Stockholm, Sweden.
That same year, Draijer added Vice President of Technology for the Teledyne Digital imaging segment to his responsibilities, overseeing the development of its technology and capability, as well as strategy development and scouting merger and acquisition targets. Teledyne’s Digital Imaging segment represents about 55% of its revenue and includes the Teledyne MEMS foundry businesses.
In recent years, Cees has worked closely with Teledyne MEMS management, initiating new technology development and its cross-business Teledyne Construction initiative. That unit applies the breadth of the company’s sensing and decision support technologies into end-use applications: mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, and utilities.
In March 2025, Cees became a board member of the C2MI.
Manon Duclos
CEO
Technum Québec
Manon Duclos has been working in the fields of innovation, quality, and organizational excellence for over 30 years. A chemical engineer by training, she holds a degree from Université Laval and a master’s in engineering management from Université de Sherbrooke. She has held strategic roles in leading companies such as IBM, Mitel Semiconductor, and Teledyne DALSA.
Her diverse career has allowed her to develop a unique expertise in managing complex projects, quality assurance, and organizational development, while also training hundreds of managers on fostering a culture of innovation and the importance of quality as a driver of excellence. She is also recognized for her ability to bring together key stakeholders from various sectors and to build strong partnerships at both local and international levels.
At the Mouvement québécois de la qualité, where she served as Vice President of Innovation and Organizational Excellence, she led innovative strategies, facilitated management networks across Québec, and contributed to helping organizations reach new heights.
A resident of the Bromont region for 30 years, Manon is deeply familiar with the strengths of the area, particularly in terms of quality of life and innovation. As CEO of Technum Québec, one of the first innovation zones in Québec specializing in electronics and semiconductors, she will continue to drive innovative collaborative projects and position this industry as a pillar of the digital transformation in Québec and internationally.
Manon Duclos is also a speaker and author of several guides on innovation and organizational excellence. She remains passionate about self-improvement, creativity, and sustainable development.
Chris Doody
Director, Investment Oversight
DIGITAL
Chris is Director, Investment Oversight at DIGITAL, where through their collaborative innovation model, bring together technology builders and buyers to accelerate the adoption and commercialization of Canadian solutions solving challenges focusing in the areas of mining and energy, health, housing and workforce development. With over ten years of experience in fast-paced financial environments across public and private sectors, he brings a sharp analytical lens and a results-oriented approach to investment strategy, program execution, and portfolio performance, and leads DIGITAL’s mining and energy portfolio.
Chris plays a key role in ensuring DIGITAL’s investments deliver measurable technical, commercial, and ecosystem outcomes, guides program strategy development, is a team mentor and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities that align with national priorities that drive long-term impact. His work spans investment monitoring, risk management, and knowledge mobilization, contributing to DIGITAL’s mission of building world-class digital solutions for Canada’s prosperity.
Chris holds an MSc in Finance. His academic and professional journey reflects a commitment to continuous learning and excellence and is passionate about strengthening Canada’s innovation ecosystem through thoughtful investment and partnership.
Richard Dunda
Senior Advisor, IoT Products
CMC Microsystems
Richard brings over 30 years of technology industry experience (Microsoft and Rogers) focused on product & channel management, strategic partnerships, and business development. In his most recent role as director of the Centre for Integrated Transportation and Mobility (CITM), part of Ontario’s Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN), he was responsible for developing partnerships, recruiting and developing SMEs, and delivering services to support the growth of innovative start-ups in the transportation sector.
Aaron Genest
Senior Applications Engineering Manager & Government Affairs
Siemens
Dr. Aaron Genest is a senior manager at Siemens EDA, managing a technical sales engineering team and representing Siemens to government, education, and industry stakeholders. At Siemens, he leads a key initiative to develop programs and processes to support hiring early career technologists at scale and around the world. He serves as the President of SaskTech, an industry advisory association of more than 150 innovation & technology organizations and businesses with corporate offices in Saskatchewan. He sits on numerous boards, including the University of Saskatchewan Senate and as chair of the advisory board to Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s applied research center, DICE.
He is an advocate for the tech sector in Canada and an advisor to universities, colleges, and government on topics related to technology labour, intellectual property, and workforce training. Prior to his life in technology, he was a professional touring musician for ten years. He lives and works in Saskatoon with his wife, Dr. Emily Jenkins, and three children.
Brian Gerson
Founding Member
PMC-Sierra
Brian Gerson is a seasoned engineering executive and independent consultant based in Vancouver, British Columbia, with over 45 years of experience in silicon design, analog IP, and systems engineering. He served as a Fellow at CMC Microsystems, providing strategic planning for microelectronics, photonics, quantum, AI, nanomaterials, and MEMS technologies and contributing to development of the government-funded FABrIC project. Prior to this, Brian was an Executive in Residence at Foresight Canada, where he mentored cleantech startups on technology roadmapping, intellectual property strategies, and project development. Brian’s career includes leadership roles such as Vice President of Design IP at Cadence Design Systems, where he oversaw global teams developing analog, mixed-signal, and digital IP solutions. At PMC-Sierra, he was a founding member and the company’s first Fellow, eventually serving as Vice President of Central Engineering. In this role, he led the development of high-performance CMOS integrated circuits for communications and storage applications, contributing to PMC’s growth from a startup to a global enterprise. Earlier in his career, Brian worked as a silicon designer at Bell Northern Research and as an acoustic design engineer at Nortel Networks. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering from the University of British Columbia. Brian is also an inventor with several patents in high-speed CMOS design and SONET/ATM systems. His expertise spans engineering management, semiconductors, telecommunications, green tech, photonics, MEMS, full custom analog IC and SoC design, DSP, and RF.
Godard
CEO & Co-founder
Verge Agriculture
Godard is the CEO and co-founder of Verge Ag, leading its mission to accelerate the transition to autonomous farming. Previously serving as VP of PMO at BlackBridge and Planet, he managed large spacecraft constellations and facilitated future space missions. With a PhD in spacecraft dynamics and control and a background in aerospace engineering, he leverages his advanced expertise in geospatial data and analytics to address critical challenges in sustainable agriculture and food production.
Auky Gonzales-Gysin
Founder & CEO
Ácara Climate
As an entrepreneur at the intersection of finance, Artificial Intelligence, and sustainable development, I lead ventures that drive climate resilience, risk intelligence, and regenerative agriculture. My work spans agriculture finance, land restoration, and real estate development across Latin America.
ÁCARA CLIMATE – We help financial institutions (banks, insurers, and asset managers) assess the risks of their agriculture-related policies. Our AI/ML-powered system delivers field-level insights, historical benchmarking, and advanced forecasting, enabling better risk pricing and portfolio management.
Luke Govia
Quantum Technologies Manager
CMC Microsystems
Luke Govia is the Manager for Quantum Technologies at CMC Microsystems. A theoretical physicist by training, he has over 15 years of R&D experience in quantum information science across the academic, government and industrial sectors in Canada, the United States, and Europe. His diverse expertise lies in superconducting devices, open quantum systems, quantum error mitigation and correction, characterization and benchmarking of quantum computers, and neuromorphic computing. He obtained his PhD in Physics from Saarland University in Saarbrücken, Germany and holds a MSc in Quantum Information from the University of Waterloo. He is currently a member of the Unitary Foundation’s Open Quantum Benchmark Committee, and from 2021-2023 he was the Secretary-Treasurer of the Division of Quantum Information of the American Physical Society.
Gordon Harling
President & CEO
CMC Microsystems
Gordon Harling received a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science from the University of Toronto and a Maîtrise en Ingénierie Physique from Polytechnique Montréal. He has worked in Research and Development at large companies such as Mitel, NovAtel, and DALSA. He has been a founder and CEO of several start-up companies including Goal Semiconductor, Elliptic Technologies, and Innotime Technologies.
Kamal Hassin
Business Development Manager
CENGN
Kamal Hassin is a Business Development Manager at CENGN where he is focused on building the CENGN Living Lab Initiative in Western Canada and supporting growth-stage startups through commercialization and scaling. In previous roles at Symend, FISPAN, Silicon Valley Bank, and EveryScape, he has created and managed partnership organizations, developed and executed new go-to-market strategies, and scaled key partner and client relationships. Kamal has also held product management roles at Protecode and IBM Canada and investor roles at BR Venture Fund and the Yope Foundation.
Jean-Luc Hébert
Industrial Technology Advisor
National Research Council of Canada NRC
Industrial Research Assistance Program
Jean-Luc Hébert is an Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA) at the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP). Based at Espace Quantique 1 in Sherbrooke and Espace Konect in Bromont, he supports the development of innovative companies within the DistriQ (quantum) and Technum (microelectronics) Innovation Zones.
As the national co-lead for IRAP’s quantum group and lead for the microelectronics and sensors group, Jean-Luc contributes to the advancement of technologies in these sectors. He is a member of several national committees, including the advisory committee for the Quantum Sensing Challenge Program (QSP) and NRC’s Quantum Sensing Value-Chain initiative.
Throughout his career, Jean-Luc has managed complex technological and business projects, including 16 years at IBM in Bromont, and has worked on developing international markets for Canadian companies.
Erik Henningsmoen
Senior Research & Policy Analyst
ICTC
Erik Henningsmoen is a senior research and policy analyst with the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC), a neutral, not-for-profit national centre of expertise with the mission of strengthening Canada’s digital advantage in the global economy. Erik’s research at ICTC focuses on digital talent and workforce development, AI compute and digital infrastructure, and Canada’s semiconductor industry. He is a co-author of the ICTC report “Mapping Canada’s Semiconductor Industry: Insights on Talent, Workforce Development, and Technological Strengths.”
Erik holds a Master of Public Policy (MPP) from the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. He is based in Calgary, Alberta.
Graeme Herring
VP, Intellectual Property Strategy
Terramera
As VP of Intellectual Property Strategy, Graeme works closely with Terramera’s Research & Development and Commercial teams to lead the development of Terramera’s IP portfolio.
Graeme has over 18 years of experience managing intellectual property portfolios for R&D companies. Prior to joining Terramera, he managed intellectual property portfolios in-house for leading cleantech and enterprise software companies. As a Director and Registered Patent Agent at a specialist IP law firm, he counselled many other small and medium sized technology companies on their IP strategy, and built and prosecuted their global patent portfolios.
Graeme earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Geoenvironmental Engineering from the University of British Columbia, where he graduated top of his class with honours.
Alexander Janta-Polczynski
Executive Manager, Technology Leadership
IBM Semiconductors
COMING SOON
Brian Jin
Founder
Schemon
Brian Jin is a seasoned data and software engineering leader with over 14 years of experience building secure, scalable data systems across enterprise and cloud environments. As the founder of Schemon, he focuses on advancing data sovereignty, governance, and compliance through automation and secure-by-design architecture – enabling organizations to achieve faster analytics, deeper insights, and less engineering overhead. Brian’s mission is to make advanced, compliant data systems accessible to every business team, so they can focus less on the plumbing and more on delivering real impact.
Thomas R. Jones
Founder & CEO
Jones Microwave Inc.
Dr. Thomas R. Jones is the founder and CEO of Jones Microwave Inc., an Alberta-based spinout from the University of Alberta and Purdue University, focused on the commercialization of IP-protected cutting-edge microwave technologies for telecommunications, aerospace, and defence applications.
Dr. Jones received his B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Alberta in 2007 and 2019, respectively. His career spans both industry and academia, including roles as a project engineer at Tracer Industries Canada Ltd., a research assistant in the Microwave to Millimeter-wave (M2M) group at the University of Alberta, and a visiting NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow at Purdue University.
His research interests include microwave, millimeter-wave, and sub-THz design for high-speed and high-power communication systems and radar, reconfigurable RF front ends, tunable filters, and the microfabrication of on-chip millimeter-wave devices. He has an extensive background in the theory, design, manufacturing, and characterization of high-power and high-speed millimeter-wave reconfigurable front-end components including filters, switches, and antennas for 5G/6G wireless communications and radar systems.
Dr. Jones has authored work cited over 500 times, holds four patents, and has raised over three million dollars in funding for his company. His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2023 Douglas R. Colton Medal for Research Excellence by CMC Microsystems, the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship, the Alberta Innovates Technology Futures (AITF) Graduate Student Scholarship, the NSERC Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship, and the NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship. He also won First Place in Nanofabrication at the 2017 CMC TEXPO Student Design Competition.
In addition to his technical and entrepreneurial achievements, Dr. Jones has served in leadership roles within IEEE, including Finance Chair for the 2019 Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering, Vice-Chair for the award-winning IEEE Northern Canada Section AP-S/MTT-S Joint Chapter, and currently as the IEEE MTT-S MGA Regional Coordinator for R7 Canada.
Chris Joyce
Vice President of Business Development and Marketing
CENGN
As Vice President of Business Development and Marketing, Chris Joyce is responsible for developing CENGN’s market strategy, fostering partnerships, and supporting the growth of innovative Canadian startups and scaleups. Chris leads CENGN’s mission to grow Canada’s network technology ecosystem, support business growth, and enable the responsible adoption of transformative technology in the Canadian industry.
Chris has over 20 years of experience driving growth and innovation at Fortune 500 and publicly traded companies. His global experience and strategic acumen empower organizations to navigate complex challenges, accelerate growth, and create impactful products and services.
Lisa Lambert
Chief Executive Officer
Quantum Industry Canada
Lisa Lambert is the inaugural CEO of Quantum Industry Canada (QIC), the country’s industry-led consortium uniting quantum technology companies and strategic partners. She leads QIC’s mission to transform Canada’s quantum capabilities into global business success and national prosperity. A recognized leader in innovation strategy, Lisa champions collaborative, cross-sector approaches to complex technology and policy challenges. Her career spans pioneering work at the intersection of science, technology, and economic strategy, building partnerships worldwide to accelerate innovation and strengthen national and global competitiveness. Lisa holds multiple leadership and advisory roles in science, technology, and innovation organizations globally. She serves on the Executive Committee of the International Council of Quantum Industry Associations (ICQIA), is a Board Director of CMC Microsystems, and holds advisory positions with Japan’s Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI Technology (G-QuAT) and the National Research Council of Canada’s Metrology Research Centre. She is also a member of the Canadian delegations to the NATO Transatlantic Quantum Community (NATO TQC) and the G7 Joint Working Group on Quantum Technologies, and advises on dual-use considerations for quantum and its convergence with other emerging technologies across multiple international forums.
Megan Lee
Managing Director
Quantum City
Megan Lee is Managing Director of Calgary’s “Quantum City,” with nearly 20 years experience across the full spectrum of research, innovation and commercialization. She has a significant depth of experience in various organizations from operational leadership at a publicly traded biotech company, to the world’s top university-affiliated incubator to a large oncology research and care funder. She is a recognized expert in conducting technical and business due diligence, start-up creation, strategy and management consulting, investment portfolio management and organization management of a growth stage biotech company, where she led the development of new pharmaceutical products and recorded multiple consecutive years of record turnover and profit. She has an MBA in entrepreneurship and technology commercialization and a PhD in Biochemistry.
Pawan Litt
Data Engineering Manager
MineSense Technologies
Pawan Litt is a seasoned data engineering leader with extensive experience designing and delivering secure, scalable data platforms across enterprise and cloud environments. At MineSense, Pawan leads initiatives that transform how mining operations leverage data, building systems that enable real-time insights, optimize processes, and drive sustainability. His focus is on automation, robust governance, and secure-by-design architecture, empowering teams to achieve faster analytics, deeper insights, and reduced engineering overhead.
Vanessa Little
Chief Technology Officer
LocalCoin
With over 25 years experience in various technical, governance and R&D roles in the telecoms, retail and IT Infrastructure sectors, Vanessa has developed a diverse toolset. Vanessa spent her early career as a contractor, consulting for nearly every telco as well as major retailers in North America. As she honed her technical and leadership abilities, she left the consulting arena to become a respected technology leader in both fortune 100 and startup organizations. Having done business in the Americas, APJ and EMEA, Vanessa is well versed in the specific concerns and requirements of each of those regions.
Now at LocalCoin (LocalCoin.com) as CTO, Vanessa is focused on spearheading leading innovative solutions and programs that address the current and upcoming markets; leveraging commercial hardware and software as well as Open Source technologies. By bringing together a vast ecosystem of partners Vanessa has been able to focus on solving the problems of tomorrow, today. She is now a frequently sought after keynote speaker at industry events, as well as contributor to technical and thought leadership publications.
A member of Women of Openstack, Women in Comms and IEEE, Vanessa is active in leveraging her position to showcase and champion women in tech fields. As a passionate advocate of Open Source Software, Vanessa has also spent considerable time in various open source communities, as the Chair of the Technical Steering Committee of Open Source Mano, a member of the Layer 123 NFV advisory board, a Linux Foundation Board Member, and founded the VNF Onboarding open source community.
As an active entrepreneur, Vanessa continues to sit on various boards as both a director and an advisor. She currently holds a Board of Directors seat for EcoTank Canada (www.ecotankcanada.com) and sits on the board of governors for the Canadian Telecom Summit.
Vanessa attended the University of Toronto where she majored in Computer Science and Astro-Physics. Vanessa currently makes her home in Toronto Canada, where she enjoys spending her free time playing hockey, tennis and fishing.
Dominic Marchand
Founder and COO
Irreversible Inc.
Dominic Marchand is a business leader with a research background in computational condensed matter physics and computer engineering with over ten years of experience working in the quantum computing (QC), artificial intelligence (AI), and deep tech sectors. He is a founder and the COO at Irreversible, a next-generation computing company developing ultra-low-power AI processors for vision, robotics, and IoT in highly constrained environments, even extending to error correction in dilution refrigerators. Dominic has also worked for 12 years at 1QBit, a Canadian leader in QC and AI. 1QBit builds automated computer-aided design and quantum resource estimation tools to support quantum hardware and software development. The company takes a broad approach to building its R&D roadmap by melding expertise in classical AI and optimization with quantum technology. With a focus on special projects and operations, Dominic was involved in establishing new initiatives, strategic collaborations, partnerships and government funding applications.
Stéphane Martel
Project Management Office (PMO) & R&D Director
Teledyne MEMS
Stephane Martel received an M.A.Sc degree in Physical Engineering from Montreal’s Ecole Polytechnique in 1999. Mr. Martel joined Teledyne DALSA Semiconductor (TDS) foundry in 1998 as a Process Integration engineer and led multiple R&D projects for Teledyne. In 2012, Mr. Martel was promoted as the Director of the Project Management Office (PMO), in charge of New Technology and New Product Introduction (NTI & NPI processes) for the MEMS foundry. In 2023, his scope was expanded to Director of R&D, Project Management Office and Strategic Partnerships. In this position, he manages the R&D and business development programs of Teledyne MEMS for both the internal to Teledyne and the external foundry business. Mr. Martel is the author and co-author of several papers and patents.
Meiz Majdoub Jr.
CEO
Mostar Labs
Meiz has 25 years of service as a Naval Engineering Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy. He is the founder of the Navy’s technology management program, investing in Canadian technology startups to satisfy technical requirements. Meiz successfully grew innovation ecosystems, sourcing intra-governmental investments and managing significant change within government and the private sector. Meiz has deep insight into defence technology strategies having authored operational concepts and S&T Program Guidance Mandates.
Meiz is currently CEO of Mostar Labs Inc., a BC-based ocean technology engineering firm specializing in maritime asset electrification and connected deep technologies.
He holds a B. Eng in Computer Engineering, MSc in Guided Weapons Systems and a Masters in Defence Studies.
Craig McLellan
Founder and CEO
ThinkON
Craig McLellan is the Founder and CEO of ThinkOn, a Canadian cloud services provider specializing in secure data management and sovereign cloud infrastructure. With over 25 years of experience in technology innovation across North America, Craig is widely recognized as a pioneer in cloud computing and a leading advocate for data sovereignty in Canada.
Under his leadership, ThinkOn has been recognized as one of Canada’s fastest-growing technology firms, earning recognition from Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50™ and The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business. ThinkOn was also named Broadcom’s Sovereign Cloud Provider for the Americas – reflecting its commitment to protecting Canadian data under Canadian jurisdiction.
Craig plays a vital role in national conversations around data sovereignty, cybersecurity, and public policy. He has been outspoken about the risks posed by foreign legislation like the U.S. CLOUD Act and is an active proponent of procurement policies that prioritize Canadian-controlled infrastructure.
Throughout his career, Craig has served on advisory boards for a number of global technology companies, including VMware, Veeam, and Hitachi. In each case, he provides strategic insight informed by a deep understanding of enterprise and public sector needs.
Through his leadership at ThinkOn, Craig continues to advance a vision for a secure, sovereign digital future for Canada—one where innovation is paired with responsibility, and data remains exclusively under the laws of the country in which it is maintained.
Lynn McNeil
Vice-President, FABrIC
CMC Microsystems
Lynn is a senior leader and independent Board Director with over 35 years of experience in the semiconductor, high tech and medical devices sectors. Lynn has held executive and consulting roles in Operations, Finance, Technology Development, Strategic Supply Chain, Quality, Information Systems, and Manufacturing. She has led advanced technology programs from concept to full production, successful production scale-ups for NPI, major facility/capital design and build projects and several full cycle transformational ERP implementations. She has also managed and optimized global supply chains and has driven operational excellence in manufacturing and service organizations. As a veteran of the industry, she is proud to be leading the delivery of FABrIC, a $220M+ ISED SIF5 program to accelerate the Canadian semiconductor ecosystem.
Udson Cabral Mendes
Director, Technology | Leading Microelectronics, Photonics, MEMS, IoT and Edge AI, and Quantum Innovation
CMC Microsystems
Udson Mendes has a PhD in Physics from the University of Campinas in Brazil. He was a postdoctoral fellow at the Laboratoire Pierre Aigrain at the École Normale Supérieure de Paris, and then at the Institut Quantique at the Université de Sherbrooke. Dr. Mendes’ research has been focusing on the development of quantum technologies ranging from quantum hardware to quantum algorithms. Since joining CMC, he created the world’s first cost-sharing fabrication service for superconducting devices and helped to train over 170 high qualified personnel in CMC’s quantum workshops. Moreover, Dr. Mendes leverages his expertise to lead a team of quantum scientists working on applications ranging from cybersecurity to protein design to cancer diagnosis.
Jen Mielguj
Director, Intellectual Property and Partnerships
DIGITAL
Jen is Director, Intellectual Property and Partnerships, at DIGITAL, where through their collaborative innovation model bring together consortia of innovators, researchers, community and government partners to build made-in-Canada world-class digital solutions solving challenges in areas critical to Canada’s health and prosperity: mining and energy, natural resources, agriculture, health and life sciences, housing and skilling. She is engaged in ecosystem collaboration activities nationally and internationally, supporting Canadian SMEs in leveraging their intellectual property to drive innovation and growth, strengthening IP literacy through a pan-Canadian IP and data strategy thought leadership series and has oversight of a $9M quantum commercialization project co-investment portfolio. Her experience in program design, international partnership development and public-private stakeholder engagement stems from roles in the public and not-for-profit sectors working with innovation actors across North America, Europe and Asia. A community mentor, board member and volunteer, she also holds an MA in Society, Science and Technology from Lund University, Sweden.
Debjani Mukherjee
Chief Executive Officer
Spica Systems
Founder and Director
Green Connect Solutions Inc
Debjani Mukherjee is the CEO and Founder of Spica Systems, a Canada-based engineering and technology firm offering advanced solutions in cybersecurity, 4G/5G integration + testing, and IoT-based environmental monitoring. Spica provides real-time field data and analytics for environmental, groundwater, stormwater, solid and liquid waste monitoring, helping organizations make data-driven and sustainable decisions.
With extensive global experience, Debjani has led supply chain operations and digital transformation initiatives across India, Central Asia (Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan), Mid-East, and West Africa (Angola, Congo, Libreville, Gabon, Cameroon). She also directed logistics operations for the Lower Churchill Hydropower Project, a major Nalcor–Newfoundland & Labrador initiative, managing complex, multi-country project execution.
Masters in physics, Data Science from the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto, and an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School, Debjani combines technical depth with strategic vision. Her multidisciplinary background in digital transformation, connectivity, and data governance positions her to offer unique insights on data sovereignty and security in semiconductor-enabled ecosystems.
Chamirai Charles Nyabeze
EVP of Business Development
Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI)
Network Director
Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA)
Chamirai Charles Nyabeze holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering and an MBA. As the EVP of Business Development for the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) and the Network Director for the Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA) Network, he focuses on creating long-term value for organizations and clients. Chamirai identifies business development opportunities in both the public and private sectors, aiming to generate revenue, leverage funds, foster collaboration, and expand networks. He leads CEMI’s Commercialization Support Services division, helping clients bridge the gap between new mining technologies and commercialization. Additionally, as the MICA Network Director, Chamirai drives the expansion of the national collaborative platform for mining industry innovation, overseeing ecosystem engagement, project support, operations, government relations, and revenue generation for the network.
Sue Paish OBC, KC
CEO
DIGITAL
As CEO of DIGITAL, Sue Paish leads a portfolio of digital innovation and capacity-building initiatives that in its first six years has accelerated the production of over 730 Canadian IP assets and patents, over $1.4 billion in follow-on investment in Canadian companies, created over 15,000 learning and development placements and is on track to drive $4.4 billion in incremental revenue for Canadian companies over the next five years. Through a collaborative innovation model that brings together industry, academic, community and public sector partners DIGITAL accelerates the development and deployment of technologies across the health, natural resources and skilling sectors to solve some of industry’s and society’s biggest challenges while providing growth opportunities for industry partners.
Prior to leading DIGITAL, Sue held leadership roles in major Canadian organizations including as CEO of LifeLabs, CEO of Pharmasave, and Managing Partner of Fasken Vancouver where she spearheaded the merger of three Canadian law firms into a national leading firm across three continents.
Sue has received recognitions for her community and professional contributions including the Order of British Columbia, King’s Counsel, Honorary Doctorate of Technology, Influential Women in Business Lifetime Achievement Award, YWCA Women of Distinction, and the Peter Lougheed Award for Public Policy. Sue’s greatest joy is spending time in Canada’s wilderness with her husband, daughters and granddaughters.
Rakesh Patel
Chief Technology Officer
Evertz Microsystems
Rakesh Patel is Chief Technology Officer of Evertz Microsystems, a Canadian leader in global media delivery and content distribution. Since 1998, he has spearheaded the development of advanced platforms that have redefined live production, media distribution, and IP-based video infrastructure, establishing Evertz as a trusted partner to the world’s leading media and telecommunication organizations.
Evertz is also extending its expertise into sovereignty and defence, applying its leadership in Situational Awareness Technology, communications, data infrastructures, and AI-driven platforms to support government and defence operations. These initiatives reflect a strong commitment to advancing Canadian-built innovation in areas vital to national security and resilience.
Rakesh has broad professional interests across technology and innovation and is recognized for fostering a fully engaged, participatory environment that maximizes the contributions of all team members.
He holds an engineering degree from the University of Waterloo.
Avinash Persaud
VP, Hardware Catalyst Initiative and Semiconductor Initiatives
ventureLAB
Darrell Petras, P. Ag
CEO
Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network Ltd (CAAIN)
Darrell Petras embodies the maxim that, “You can take the boy out of the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the boy.” Growing up in Viking, Alberta, he was surrounded by agriculture, including the Petras family beef operation. Despite that immersion, including joining the family farm and helping take it through a full business exit, he chose then-Red Deer College’s pre-chiropractic program. It didn’t stick, and he soon transferred to the University of Alberta, majoring in Agriculture Sciences with a specialization in Economics—the perfect mix for a young guy with a hankering for ag, an interest in technology, and a penchant for business. His early career set him up for long-term success as he came under the influence of exceptional professionals who mentored him in the world of entrepreneurship and steeped him in the processes and rigour required to build a technology company from the ground up while protecting and benefiting from its core intellectual property. Not satisfied to sit on the sidelines and only watch others benefit from his guidance, Darrell has walked the talk, co-launching or purchasing successful enterprises himself over the years. His experience in, and passion for, business and agriculture make him an ideal CEO for CAAIN with its focus on supporting the development of Canadian agtech and encouraging the growth of SMEs that are the lifeblood of our nation’s economy. Because of his background, Darrell believes he has a responsibility to help fast-track the adoption of the agri-food innovation needed to ensure food security domestically and internationally. Darrell, his wife, and their three children call Sherwood Park home, but they are never far from his rural roots, and when they are not attending basketball games and martial arts tournaments, the family can be found hiking, horseback riding, and taking their quads for a spin.
Rob Putman
Global Manager - Cyber Security Services
ABB Process Automation
Rob Putman serves as Global Manager for cybersecurity products and services for ABB’s Process Automation Business Area. He has held various positions in engineering and product development with companies such as HP Fortify, Sony PlayStation, GE Power, and Yahoo.
Chris Rampersad
VP, Data & Platform
EarthDaily Analytics
Mr. Rampersad has extensive experience in the satellite industry with a unique mix of expertise in both space systems and software engineering. He has a long track record of successfully leading complex engineering projects for both big and small satellites. Prior to his work with EarthDaily Analytics Mr. Rampersad was a technical lead at MDA where he led and developed innovative solutions for world class ground segments including the RapidEye and Worldview constellations. Mr. Rampersad holds a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies and is an IEEE GRSS industry distinguished lecturer in the area of ground segments and mission trades.
Robert Saik
CEO
T1 Technology Corp.
AGvisorPRO
ROBERT SAIK has forty years of experience as a Professional Agrologist, entrepreneur and an international consultant who’s worked with a wide variety of agriculturalists from Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture to Bill Gates. He was one of only 3 private citizens to address the October 2020 FAO_UN High Level Special Event (Rome) organized by the Committee for World Food Security to address agriculture sustainability.
His latest book, “FOOD 5.0 How We Feed the Future” is a pragmatic look at the five iterations of agriculture, culminating in an examination of how technology convergence is reshaping the farm and the consumer.
Robert, an outspoken champion of agriculture, is a Distinguished Agrologist, Professional Agriculture Consultant, a veteran entrepreneur and has been hailed as an agriculture futurist with unparalleled insight into where the industry is headed.
He has leveraged these strengths to found over 15 companies in the areas of Farming, Agri-Retail, Distribution, Media and Ag Tech. He was the founder and CEO of The Agri-Trend/Agri-Data Group of Companies which was acquired by Trimble. He also served as CEO of DOT Technology Corp (Autonomous Farming) through the acquisition of DOT by Raven Industries.
Robert is the founder and CEO of award-winning T1 Technology Corp.
Through Saik Management Group Inc he facilitates the PowerFARM peer group for progressive farmers.
His first book, “The Agriculture Manifesto – Ten Key Drivers That Will Shape Agriculture in the Next Decade” was a 2014 Best of Amazon Books and this TEDx Talk “Will Agriculture be Allowed to Feed 9 Billion People?” has been viewed over 170,000 times. Robert is a passionate keynote speaker and is executive producer of the Know Ideas Media a science based multi-media company addressing issues such as GMO’s and their use in food production.
He has financed both the Rob Saik Bar None Scholarship at the University of Alberta that provides support for two rural first year students entering the faculty of agriculture and the Robert Saik Ag Tech Award that supports two urban students entering the Ag Tech program at Olds College.
Rob is a member of the A100 (Alberta Tech Entrepreneur Network), a student of Strategic Coach and Singularity University and a member of Abundance 360. As a partner in Perigro Venture Partners he participates in early-stage technology investments.
He has been recognized for agriculture leadership by the Alberta Institute of Agrologists (Provincial Distinguished Agrologist of the Year 2006) and in 2016 was awarded Canadian Agri-Marketer of the Year by the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association. In 2021 Robert was recognized as one of Canada’s Top 50 Most Influential Agriculture Leaders and was named one of Canada’s Top 10 Ag Mentors.
Mike Sekerka
VP & General Manager, Defence and Government Business Unit
RANOVUS
Mike Sekerka leads RANOVUS® strategic commitment to building Canadian technological sovereignty.
Drawing on his experience as a former Aerospace Engineering Officer in the Canadian Air Force, Mike leverages his deep understanding of defence needs to foster the development of next-generation AI-related solutions for Canada and its allies.
Mike’s core focus is to deliver commercially proven, dual-use technologies that directly support Canada’s national security objectives, including key initiatives like the proposed Sovereign AI Switch. He also leads advanced strategic programs including the company’s engagement with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), to embed Canadian innovation within the broader allied defence ecosystem.
Mike has extensive experience commercializing innovative technologies. Prior to joining RANOVUS®, he was the CEO of Neptec Technologies Corp., where he commercialized 3D LiDAR sensors based on technology developed for NASA’s Space Shuttle. His career also includes senior leadership roles in engineering and product management at DragonWave, Nortel Networks, and Cambrian Systems.
Mike received his Bachelor of Engineering (Engineering Physics) from the Royal Military College of Canada and holds a Master of Engineering in photonics from McGill University and an Executive MBA from the University of Fredericton. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the province of Ontario.
Wei Shi
Canada Research Chair in Silicon Photonics
Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Université Laval
Professor Wei Shi is a faculty member at the Center for Optics, Photonics and Lasers (COPL) and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Université Laval, where he holds the Canada Research Chair in Silicon Photonics. He received his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Before joining Université Laval in 2013, he was an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow conducting research at McGill University. In 2019, he co-founded EHVA Inc., a company specializing in scalable photonic integrated circuit testing solutions, which was acquired by EXFO in 2022. His current research focuses on integrated photonic devices and systems, including silicon photonics, CMOS–photonics co-design, high-speed optical communications, hybrid photonic integration, and optical sensors. Dr. Shi is an Optica Fellow and a Senior Member of IEEE.
May Siksik
Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Innovation Network
Dr. May Siksik is the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Innovation Network and has served previously as the Chief Technology Officer at Deep Tech Canada and the Director of Business Development at the Quantum Algorithms Institute. May has extensive experience working in research and commercialization in several industry sectors and has contributed to the Canadian innovation ecosystem and to the academic community through many successful initiatives and projects.
Andrew Skafel
President & CEO
Edgewater Wireless Systems, Inc.
Andrew Skafel is a recognized leader in wireless and next-generation Wi-Fi, driving innovation as President and CEO of Edgewater Wireless. Under his leadership, the company has pioneered Wi-Fi Spectrum Slicing, revolutionizing high-density wireless performance. With over two decades in telecom and technology, Andrew has led product development, strategy, and key industry partnerships. His customer-focused vision ensures Edgewater’s patented solutions address real-world connectivity challenges. A sought-after expert on Wi-Fi innovation, Andrew continues to shape the future of wireless communications, positioning Edgewater Wireless as a global leader in scalable, high-performance networking solutions. Mr. Skafel holds an MBA from INSEEC (Paris), a graduate diploma from the McRae Institute of International Management (Vancouver) and a BA in Economics & Politics from the University of Western Ontario.
Paul Slaby
Managing Director
Canada's Semiconductor Council
Paul Slaby is a veteran semiconductor industry professional, and Managing Director of Canada’s Semiconductor Council (CSC). His semiconductor career started with a post-doc research position at Carleton University, followed by a decade as a semiconductor R&D manager with Nortel Semiconductor and BNR. Subsequently he founded and/or ran several successful high-tech ventures including ATMOS Corp, MicroSemiX, VoIPshield Systems, Kaben Wireless Silicon, Teslonix and others. Recently, he has been devoting his time in an advisory capacity to several emerging tech startups, as well as tech venture accelerators such as NewChip, Founder Institute and ventureLAB. Currently, Paul is on a mission to elevate Canada’s semiconductor industry to global prominence. He holds a MSc. in Applied Physics and PHD in Microelectronics.
Stuart A. Stein, MD, MBA, MS (IT)
CEO, President, and Founder
ConnSens Technologies Ltd.
COO, SVP, and Co-Founder
Hyde Park West Telecommunications
CEO, President, and Founder
Blast Resolve
Dr. Stein and Jeff Stein, MBA [CEO, CTO, and Founder, Hyde Park West Telecommunications (HPWT)] have developed ConnSens Technologies Ltd. and HPWT. These companies’ solutions deliver continuous, secure, quality, real-time, reliable, redundant, resilient, multi-patented (7), extensively validated, and high connectivity communications for routine, real time and continuous activities and secure data sharing to rural, remote, bandwidith-comprised urban, and “Last Mile” Mining/Oil and Gas/Geothermal/Aerospace/Military sites; this is regardless of weather, terrain, or speed. These solutions are integrated with IoT/OT and workforce assets including devices, drones, drilling, safety/emergency activities and secure AI; the solutions dynamically switch between cell and satellite and are also interfaced with optical fiber. All are enhanced by technical development by Jeff Stein, a network engineer, computer scientist, entrepreneur, and sleep lab developer and a multidisciplinary expert collaborative group, including but not limited to data science, cybersecurity, secure AI, multiple engineering specialties, geophysics, and drone geoscience. Website: HOO-nah.com; HOO-nah.com/mining; HOO-nah.com/oil-and-gas. Stuart and Jeff have also developed full connectivity mission critical, audio/video telemedicine connecting rural patients with expert physicians in moving ambulances with Blast Resolve for acute stroke, heart attack, and other disorders for real time data sharing and action. Their systems include multiple real time medical devices/equipment with remote edge processing and data transmission.
Dr. Stein has built and managed comprehensive Departments of Neurology, including regional departments and research institutes in academic medicine and privately, as well as multi-disciplinary international research and company collaborative groups. Dr. Stein is a molecular biologist, translational informatician, neurogeneticist, stroke neurologist, specializing in emergent medical care and very complex patients, adult and child neurologist, bench scientist, clinical researcher, former professor, and a recognized thought leader in these disciplines. He was a National Institute of Health Principal Investigator for 25 years for peer-reviewed grants/contracts for basic and clinical research. Dr. Stein’s research was focused on a critical mineral of international importance for normal pregnancy and fetal brain and other organ development, throughout the life cycle. Deficiency leads to childhood mental retardation, learning disability, cerebral and other motor disorders, and pregnancy loss. This element and its deficiency still affect 1 billion people worldwide and supply issues remain, requiring continued monitoring and treatment.
Dr. Stein is a graduate of the University of Michigan [BS, Botany, Plant Physiology, and Zoology] and Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine (MD), and has a MBA from the University of Miami School of Business Administration and a MS in Biomedical and Translational Informatics from Arizona State University. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-stein/). He had residencies and fellowships at the Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto), Johns Hopkins University/Hospital (Neurology), and the US National Institutes of Health (molecular biology and neurogenetics). ConnSens Technologies Ltd. Is a member of MICA and CIM and Hyde Park West Telecommunications is an Industry Advisor Board Member, 47G (47g.org) and PDAC.
Marie-Josée Turgeon
CEO
C2MI
Marie-Josée Turgeon joined C2MI in 2016 as Vice President, Business Development. She was promoted to Vice President of Operations and Deputy General Manager in 2018 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer in 2022.
For nearly 30 years, Marie-Josée has worked in the field of microelectronics and semiconductors, having previously held several positions over nearly two decades at IBM Bromont. She continued her career as Plant Manager at Varitron in Granby, where she was responsible for the overall management of that site. Since the beginning of her career, Marie-Josée has contributed to the promotion of women in science through various initiatives, including the Chair for Women in Science and Engineering at Université de Sherbrooke. She was also awarded the Engineer Women Award by the Femworx organization at the prestigious Hanover Messe in April 2025.
Marie-Josée serves on several boards of directors, including the Canada Semiconductor Council as Secretary and Technum Québec as Secretary. She has been Chair of the Advisory Committee of the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Center in Ottawa since 2025, a member of FabrIC’s Advisory Committee, and Chair of the Ethics Committee of the Cégep de Granby since 2018.
Marie-Josée holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Université Laval, an MBA from Université de Sherbrooke, and is a Certified Corporate Director (ASC) from Université Laval.
Velko Tzolov
Director General
Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre
National Research Council Canada
Dr. Velko Tzolov joined the NRC in 2010, and is currently the director general of the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre. He was the director general of the Advanced Electronics and Photonics Research Centre from March 2021 to December 2022. Prior to this, Dr. Tzolov was Ottawa’s regional director of the NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), managing a significant portfolio of small and medium-sized enterprises developing innovative technologies, and key IRAP innovation ecosystem initiatives. He was also an industrial technology advisor with IRAP, and a business development officer with the Energy, Mining and Environment portfolio, which focussed on clean energy, and on-grid energy storage solutions in Vancouver.
Between 1995 and 2010, Dr. Tzolov was the founder and senior-level executive of several Canadian technology firms such as: Optiwave Systems, Peleton Photonics Systems and Palladium 7 Corporation. During these years, he was involved in managing industrial technology development and commercialization. He was also very instrumental in major business transactions such as: securing venture capital / debt financing, mergers and acquisitions, and IP asset transactions. Dr. Tzolov also managed sizeable technology deals and partnerships via multinational business development teams to over 50 countries worldwide.
In 1993, Dr. Tzolov was awarded a two-year postdoctoral fellowship by the Université du Québec en Outaouais in the field of fiber optics.
Dr. Tzolov has a PhD in Physics, and a Master’s degree in Engineering Physics from Sofia University in Bulgaria. He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Ottawa’s Telfer School of Business. Dr. Tzolov is an adjunct professor at the Innovation Technology Management program at Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business.
Laura William
Disruptor
With a background in economics, technology, international relations, book publishing and branding, Laura is skilled at identifying and analyzing the social, cultural, and political influences impacting industry. Applying these insights has enabled her to help both established and emerging organizations dealing with accelerated technological, social and market change develop effective competitive and commercial strategies. She has a particular talent for identifying existing but overlooked strengths, defining unique opportunities and operationalizing them. Laura’s multi-disciplinary experience across diverse industries has given her the opportunity to work broadly across the innovation portfolio. She has worked nationally with private sector, academic, government and non-profit organizations in a wide variety of innovation-related roles.
Tim Warland
Senior Advisor, IoT Products
CMC Microsystems
Tim Warland brings over 30 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, spanning design, testing, applications and sales engineering, and product management. His career includes roles at large enterprises as well as early- and mid-stage startups, gaining a deep understanding of the full product lifecycle from concept to commercialization. Over the past decade, Tim has dedicated his efforts to supporting entrepreneurs and startups, connecting them with test facilities, mentors, and advisors. He remains a strong advocate for strengthening Canada’s semiconductor capabilities and actively contributes his expertise to the regional innovation ecosystem.
Where
Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre
1000 Burrard St
Vancouver, BC V6Z 2R9
(604) 331-1000
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