Our dynamic lineup of thought-provoking presentations, engaging panel discussions, and captivating keynotes:

7:30 a.m. | Breakfast and Networking

8:15 a.m. | Welcome and Opening Remarks

Step into the realm of innovation and knowledge with a warm welcome from Dr. Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo and Richard Jardim, EVP and CTO, Technology, Infrastructure, and Innovation, CIBC.

8:30 a.m. | Framing the Future

Setting the stage

Leaders are navigating an era of rapid technological shifts, global competition, and acting with urgency. This opening conversation frames the opportunities and challenges shaping Canada’s economic future and sets the tone for a day focused on innovation, competitiveness, and purpose-driven leadership.

9 a.m. | From Factory Floor to Future-Proof: Reinventing Canadian Manufacturing

Fireside chat

Canadian manufacturing is at a pivotal crossroads—shaped by shifting global supply chains, tariff implications, disruptive technologies, and pressure to compete on productivity and sustainability. In this fireside conversation, Linda Hasenfratz, CEO of Linamar, shares lessons from leading one of Canada’s most globally competitive industrial companies through decades of transformation. The session offers a masterclass in integrating new technologies, diversifying markets, and developing leaders who thrive amid uncertainty. You'll gain an insider’s view on translating volatility into momentum and positioning your organization to remain resilient and relevant.

9:30 a.m. | Competing to Win: Reclaiming Canada's Competitive Advantage

Panel discussion

Canada produces world-class technologies but too often loses their growth to foreign markets because our largest enterprises and public institutions rarely become the first customers for home-grown innovation. This panel explores how established Canadian companies and the public sector can form a symbiotic relationship with startups—adopting domestic technologies early to help them scale at home rather than sending them south for their first clients. Leaders from across tech, investment, and enterprise will share how culture, procurement practices, and risk capital can shift to strengthen innovation adoption and give Canada a competitive edge on the global stage.

10:15 a.m. | Networking Break

10:45 a.m. | All-In on AI: Intelligent Agents and the Next Wave of Talent for Smarter Enterprises

Panel discussion
Introduction by Jim Garnier, Head of Public Sector, Fujitsu

From intelligent agents to AI-infused humans-in-the-loop, AI is reshaping how organizations think, decide, and deliver value. Leaders from pharma, tech, and research share how they’re deploying intelligent agents to accelerate discovery, streamline operations, and how they’re doubling down on human talent as part of their all-in AI strategy. The discussion explores what these advances mean for the future of work—skills, culture, and responsible adoption—and how enterprises can harness this next wave of AI to drive innovation and growth.

11:30 a.m. | Investing in Change: Technology, Talent, and Global Competitiveness

Fireside chat
Introduction by Nenone Donaldson, Vice-President, Advancement and External Relations, University of Waterloo

As the founder and managing partner of Thoma Bravo, one of the world’s most influential software investment firms, Orlando Bravo has helped scale hundreds of software companies through market cycles and disruption. In this fireside conversation with Jagdeep Singh Bachher, CIO of the University of California’s $150-billion investment portfolio, Bravo shares a global investor’s view on how technology, talent, and strategic capital combine to drive resilience and growth. Executives will gain insights on leading through volatility, seizing AI-driven opportunities, and building enterprises that thrive in a fast-evolving competitive landscape.

12:15 p.m. | Lunch

1:15 p.m. | Trust, Technology, and Leadership in a Digital Age

Fireside chat
Introduction by Sadi Khan, Managing Director, CIBC, IBM Canada

In a world where digital innovation accelerates faster than ever, maintaining trust and integrity is the linchpin of sustainable transformation. At the forefront of CIBC’s digital evolution, Christina Kramer, Senior Executive Vice-President and Chief Administrative Officer, leads efforts to balance innovation with trust—balancing agility, customer expectations, and regulatory demands in a fast-evolving financial landscape. In this conversation, she will share how CIBC is reimagining its core systems and culture to remain resilient and client-centric in an evolving, tech-driven era. Leaders will gain perspectives on how to lead with confidence, embed trust into digital strategies, and align technology, governance, and culture to sustain advantage in the digital age.

1:45 p.m. | AI at Scale: A Blueprint for Enterprise Reinvention

Panel discussion

What does it take to embed AI across every corner of a global enterprise? Technology leaders from CIBC, IBM, and OpenText share how they became their own first customers—transforming operations from help-desk support to product development and HR, building internal AI marketplaces, and cultivating a “sandbox” culture that accelerates adoption. The conversation reveals the structures, skills, and mindsets required to turn experimentation into enterprise-wide execution, while managing large-scale change and sustaining agility in an AI-driven economy.

2:30 p.m. | Building Canada's Future: Innovation, Growth, and Equity

Panel discussion
Introduction by Sandro Perruzza, CEO, Ontario Society of Professional Engineers

What does it mean to build Canada’s future—literally and figuratively? This discussion unites leaders tackling some of the nation’s toughest challenges: housing affordability, equitable growth, and inclusive innovation. Frank Cairo, co-founder of Caivan, shares how data-driven construction and modular design can make homes more affordable while overcoming regulatory and social barriers. Gina Cody, a trailblazing engineer and philanthropist, reflects on her immigrant journey and her advocacy for diversity in STEM and leadership. Together, they explore how technology, design, and policy—rooted in Canadian values of inclusion and opportunity—can reshape cities, strengthen competitiveness, and share prosperity more broadly.

3:15 p.m. | Networking Break

3:40 p.m. | From Startup Roots to Global Impact: Building Canada’s Digital Health Future

Fireside chat

What does it take to turn a family startup launched from their Montreal home into a global medical-technology leader—while staying proudly Canadian? In this candid conversation, entrepreneur, former parliamentarian, and philanthropist Frank Baylis joins University of Waterloo President Vivek Goel to explore the leadership choices that fuelled Baylis Medical’s growth and resilience through disruption. They will discuss the bold opportunities ahead for Canada to lead in AI-enabled digital health, the realities of competing in U.S.-dominated markets, and why data sovereignty and inter-provincial collaboration could define our next competitive edge. Executives will gain insight into scaling innovation with purpose and shaping a more connected, secure, and competitive Canadian health-care future.

4:25 p.m. | Closing remarks

As the event draws to a close, we'll reflect on the illuminating discussions and insights into emerging technologies, and their direct applications to business. 

4:45 p.m. | Closing reception, hosted by CIBC

End the day with networking and refreshments.