Opening remarks
Bessma Momani, Associate Vice-President, International, University of Waterloo
Bessma Momani is the Associate Vice-President, International, leading Waterloo International at the University of Waterloo and a Full Professor in the Department of Political Science. She is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation and a Non-Resident Fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, DC. She is recognized as a Fulbright Scholar and serves as a Governor on the board of the International Development Research Centre. She also serves on the Board of the Canadian International Council.
In 2022-2023, Bessma was the Assistant Vice-President, Research and International and in 2021-22 was the Interim Associate Vice-President Interdisciplinary and Sponsored Research in the Office of the Vice-President, Research and International. She has contributed her expertise through consultancy with the International Monetary Fund and Global Affairs Canada, focusing on international assistance research. As a frequent media and political analyst, she's contributed to editorial pieces in publications like The Globe and Mail, The New York Times, Time, The Economist, Newsweek, and the Washington Post.
Panel 1 - International opportunities in innovation
MODERATOR:
Justin Nankivell, Director of Research Security, University of Waterloo
Dr. Justin Nankivell is the Director of Research Security at the University of Waterloo, Canada. The central objectives of this post involve creating a safeguarding research program that can navigate research risk, protecting researchers and institutes, developing risk-mitigation processes, and strengthening commercialization, IP and international efforts in Waterloo’s key STEM areas and range of innovation institutions.
From 2008-2018, Dr. Nankivell was a professor of International law and International Security, and later Associate Dean of Academics, at the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies, under the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, in the US. He specialized in East Asia security governance, international law, and foreign policy. From 2018-2022, he worked a senior executive in the Government of Canada, under Public Safety Canada, handling a range of national security files related to the Indo-Asia Pacific.
PANELISTS:
Laura Yu, Regional Director, Business Development, Mitacs
Laura began her career as an R&D Engineer at a medical device company after earning her PhD from the University of Toronto. She later became an Engineering Project Manager in the smart building sector. Over 13 years, Laura has built a strong network in the innovation ecosystem, advising technology companies on development, commercialization, and funding. She also assists foreign companies in accessing Canadian expertise and markets. Currently, she is a Regional Director at Mitacs, leading a team of Business Development Advisors in Ontario. Laura has also served on the Board of Directors for OSPE and the Ontario Professional Engineers Foundation for Education.
Paul Thoppil, Canada's Indo-Pacific Trade Representative, Global Affairs Canada
On September 5th, the Prime Minister of Canada announced Paul Thoppil as Canada’s first Indo Pacific Trade Representative, based in Jakarta, Indonesia. This new position, an outcome of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, is focused on enhancement of trade, investment and supply chain resiliency between Canada and countries in the Indo Pacific region.
Prior to this appointment, Paul Thoppil was the Assistant Deputy Minister, Asia-Pacific, at Global Affairs Canada, who led the development of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy launched in November 2022. He received a 2021 Public Sector Award of Excellence for his contribution towards the release of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, two Canadian citizens arbitrarily detained in China. Paul has served abroad as Minister Commercial at the Embassy of Canada to Japan in Tokyo, advancing Canada’s trade, investment, and innovation links with Japan. Paul has an extensive public sector and private sector career including as Senior Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Finances, Results and Delivery Officer at Indigenous Services Canada and Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and positions at the Treasury Board Secretariat, the Department of Finance, the Canadian Commercial Corporation, and Price Waterhouse Coopers.
Paul is a Chartered Professional Accountant. He is married to Naina Thoppil and has two boys at universities in Canada. Paul is an avid cross-country skier and runner.
Panel 2 - Mapping complementarities to Canada innovation
MODERATOR:
Chris Houser, Dean of Science, University of Waterloo
Dr. Chris Houser is the Dean of Science and Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Waterloo. His research examines the response and recovery of coastal barriers to extreme storms and changes in wave activity with a changing climate. He also conducts research on beach safety at the interface of the social sciences and psychology to reduce the number of rescues and drownings. Prior to joining the University of Waterloo he was the Dean of Science and Interim Vice President Research and Innovation at the University of Windsor (2016-2023) and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Faculty Development in the College of Geosciences and Global Faculty Ambassador in the Office of the Provost at Texas A&M University (2007-2016).
PANELISTS:
Dongwoo Kim, Articling student & former Program Manager, Digital Asia, Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Dongwoo Kim recently graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law in June 2024, and is currently an Articling Student at Fasken in Toronto. He is interested in privacy, cybersecurity, and technology (particularly AI). Dongwoo was a Massey College Junior Fellow at the University of Toronto. Before law school, Dongwoo was the founding program manager of the Digital Asia Program at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, which focused on technology policies in Asia and their implications for Canada. He was a graduate student at the University of British Columbia and Peking University, where he was a Yenching Scholar, and a University of Alberta alumnus.
Gitanjali Adlakha-Hutcheon, Scientist, Department of National Defence in Canada
Dr. Gitanjali Adlakha-Hutcheon is a Scientist in the Department of National Defence in Canada. She holds several advances degrees in multiple disciplines: MSc in Biochemistry and Microbiology; and a PhD in Pharmacology & Therapeutics from the University of British Columbia.
Gitanjali held the positions of the A/Chief Scientist of the Centre for Security Science and Central Offices at the Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) and for DRDC's Health Sciences domain until very recently.
She has extensive experience working with the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO, and other international fora on assessing disruptions, horizon scanning, technology watch, emerging and disruptive technologies, operational research, wargaming, and strategic foresight. She has conducted research on disruptions for close to two decades, within, and for Canada at international fora including NATO. Her research focuses on disruptions, how to identify them, assess and plan for them to enhance resiliency. A highlight of Gitanjali’s contributions to the field is the book Disruption, Ideation and Innovation for Defence and Security that she co-edited. Her second book – ‘(In)security: identifying invisible disruptors of security’ is days away from coming into print (October 2024). She also has hands on experience in developing policies in areas as diverse as Biotechnology and Greening government operations. Gitanjali is an internationally recognized speaker with over 150 presentations at various conferences in the field of foresight and disruptions. Dr. G Adlakha-Hutcheon is the Chair of the Five eyes Technology Foresight Network for research and development on security.
Jordan Zed, Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Artificial Intelligence Secretariat, Privy Council Office, Government of Canada
Jordan Zed is currently serving as the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet in Artificial Intelligence at the Privy Council Office (PCO) of the Government of Canada. He previously served as Assistant Secretary in the Foreign and Defence Policy Secretariat where he supported two Cabinet Committees.
Prior to joining PCO, he was Director General of the External and Trade Policy Branch at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada where he focused on international AI collaboration. A lawyer by training, Jordan has held various positions at the Treasury Board Secretariat, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (now GAC). He also co-founded thePANEL, a foreign policy think tank based in Ottawa, and the Global Forum on Peace and Security which monitored and analyzed the activities of the UN Security Council while at New York University’s School of Law.
Jordan completed a Bachelor of Laws at Osgoode Hall Law School in 2005 and Dual Master of Laws Degrees at New York University School of Law in Law and the Global Economy and International Comparative Law at the National University of Singapore in 2008.
Panel 3 - Developing a talent pipeline
MODERATOR:
Sanjeev Gill, Associate Vice-President, Innovation & Executive Director, WatSPEED
As Associate Vice-President, Innovation at the University of Waterloo, Sanjeev enables pan-campus strategies and initiatives that bring together the full innovation capacity of the university to maximize Waterloo’s impact on businesses, governments, and society. As Executive Director of WatSPEED, Sanjeev leads Waterloo’s professional education programs at the intersection of technology and business for professionals, corporations, and executives.
Prior to joining the University of Waterloo, Sanjeev spent 25 years in industry, including 20 years with IBM Canada. At IBM, Sanjeev held leadership roles in innovation, supply chain management, and microelectronics, and led IBM’s research partnerships with Canadian universities and colleges.
Sanjeev holds a degree in Mathematics and a diploma in Engineering from Dalhousie University and professional certifications from Harvard Business School and Boston University. Sanjeev serves as a founding member on the US Consul General’s US-Canada Innovation Partnership, a member of the Global Advisory Board for the Future Talent Council, a member of the Dean’s Circle advisory for the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto, and as a member of the University of Waterloo’s Executive Council.
He has also served on the President’s Advisory Board at OCAD University, AGE-Well Industry Advisory Board (Canada NCE), Board Chair for iCity (University of Toronto Transportation Research Institute), and Scientific Advisory Committees at SOSCIP (Southern Ontario Smart Computing Innovation Consortium), and DeepSense (Oceans Research) at Dalhousie University.
PANELISTS:
Agustian Sutrisno, Visiting Scholar, Bishop's University
Dr Agustian Sutrisno is a Visiting Scholar at Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, while on a sabbatical leave from Atma Jaya Catholic University in Jakarta. He did his PhD in higher education at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Dr Sutrisno won the 2014 QUT Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Award and the 2015 Outstanding Post-Graduate Thesis Award from the International Education Association of Australia. He has widely published in various internationally peer reviewed journals and edited books on the topics of international higher education. Dr Sutrisno has been a consultant for various international organisations, including Cowater International, ADB, UNICEF, USAID, and the Australian Government.
Amanda Green, Senior Advisor, Waterloo Region, Mitacs
Amanda Green is a Senior Advisor at Mitacs in the Waterloo region. She has previously held roles at Communitech, McMaster, and the University of Waterloo. Her expertise spans various sectors, as she connects academic researchers with industry, not-for-profit, and government organizations. Amanda is passionate about bridging the gap between academic research and real-world challenges by fostering collaborative partnerships. With a proven track record connecting academic experts, startup partners, and international collaborators, Amanda leverages her network to drive innovation and knowledge exchange. She holds a PhD in Neuroscience from Dalhousie University and a Master of Science from UBC.
David Lederhendler, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Yeji Data Lab
David Lederhendler is the Founder and CEO of Yeji Data Lab, a Montréal-based company that delivers scalable AI solutions across diverse industries, including energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation. As a seasoned Canadian technology executive with over 15 years of experience in innovation, strategy, and AI product management, David also serves on the board of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.
David’s leadership at Yeji Data Lab focuses on advancing industry-specific AI innovations through a team of experts affiliated with top universities. His work spans sectors such as transportation and infrastructure, with a global reach across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. With a background that includes roles at Bombardier, PwC, and IVADO Labs, David brings deep expertise in the tech landscape and the development of impactful AI-driven solutions. He holds degrees from École Polytechnique in Montreal and ESSEC Business School in Paris.
Mark Manantan, Director of Cybersecurity and Critical Technologies, Pacific Forum
Mark Bryan Manantan is Director of Cybersecurity and Critical Technologies at the Pacific Forum. At the Forum, he currently leads the Cyber ASEAN Capacity-Building Project, and the US Technology and Security Partnerships with Japan, Australia, Taiwan, and South Korea. Mr. Manantan is also a non-resident fellow at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, National Cheng-chi University, Taiwan, and formerly a research consultant at the Asia Society Policy Institute, Washington DC. He has held research fellowships at the Japan Foundation, the Center for Rule-Making Strategies at Tama University in Tokyo, Japan, and the East-West Center in Washington DC. Before that, he was a media, public relations, and advertising executive for Procter & Gamble, Wells Fargo, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, and UNICEF.