Government Innovation Showcase - Federal

Agenda

Ottawa, 26 February 2025

All times in EST

7:30 am

Registration and Networking Breakfast

8:30 am

Welcome from the Public Sector Network

8:40 am

Welcome from the Chair: AI for the rest of us

Phaedra Boinodiris, IBM Consulting’s Global Leader for Trustworthy AI Consulting, IBM Melanie D. Gilbert, Partner - Public Sector Canada Consulting, IBM
Phaedra Boinodiris, IBM Consulting’s Global Leader for Trustworthy AI Consulting, IBM Melanie D. Gilbert, Partner - Public Sector Canada Consulting, IBM

9:00 am

Government Keynote

Delivering Digital Solutions Together for Canada

Raj Thuppal, Executive Vice-President, Shared Services Canada
  • Shared Services Canada’s new strategic direction to accelerate progress in areas of digital services, connectivity, hosting and cyber security
  • Collaborating with partners and clients for a world-class enterprise-wide government IT and digital landscape
  • Improving digital service delivery through Canada’s Digital Ambition

Raj Thuppal, Executive Vice-President, Shared Services Canada

9:20 am

International Keynote: Public Sectors Road to AI Adoption

Mike Hill, Chief Digital Information Officer, UK Cabinet
Mike Hill, Chief Digital Information Officer, UK Cabinet

9:40 am

Platinum Partner

The Power and Potential of Cost Containment: Unlocking Value through Outcome-Oriented Service Deliver

Craig McLellan, Chief Executive Officer, ThinkOn
  • Discover real-world applications of AI transforming government services
  • Explore how AI enhances operational efficiency and anticipates citizen requirements
  • Get insights into the concrete opportunities reshaping the public sector

Craig McLellan, Chief Executive Officer, ThinkOn

10:00 am

Panel Discussion

The Innovation Ecosystem: Nurturing Growth and Collaboration

  • What drives growth and collaboration within the innovation ecosystem?
  • How can organizations effectively collaborate to accelerate innovation and its impact?
  • What are the key challenges and opportunities for nurturing growth within the innovation ecosystem?

Chris Forbes, Deputy Minister, Department of Finance
Kristina Casey, Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Service and Digital Officer, Transport Canada
Gail Mitchell, Assistant Deputy Minister, Departmental Programs and Operations, Women and Gender Equality
Aaron Reich, Chief Technology Officer, Avanade
Moderator: Ian D Gallaway, Partner, Public Sector, IBM Consultin

10:30 am

Refreshment Break

11:00 am

People Track

Welcome from Track Chair: Yesterday’s Technology Won’t Create the Workforce of Tomorrow

Kyle Thomas, Global Industry Leader for Public Sector Regulatory Agencies, Appian
Kyle Thomas, Global Industry Leader for Public Sector Regulatory Agencies, Appian
Digital & CX Track

Welcome from Track Chair: Bridging the Divide Between Digital and Customer Experience

Caroline Abela, Partner, Deloitte Digital
Caroline Abela, Partner, Deloitte Digital
Technology Track

Welcome from Track Chair: Accelerating DevOps with AI: A Roadmap for Success

Asif Sharif, CEO, Modern Requirements
Asif Sharif, CEO, Modern Requirements
Data & Analytics Track

Welcome from Track Chair: How Data is key to creating a Digital-first Citizen Experience

Michael Oas, Vice President of Solutions and Maximus Rehan Qureshi, Vice President, Technology Consulting Services, Maximus
Michael Oas, Vice President of Solutions and Maximus Rehan Qureshi, Vice President, Technology Consulting Services, Maximus

11:20 am

Digital & CX Track

Government Keynote: Advancing Citizen-Centric Digital Services

Jordan Storozuk, Chief of Staff, Service Experience Design and Delivery, Service Canada
  • Leveraging digital technologies to advance strategic goals
  • Exploring new ways to use digital technologies to improve service delivery and customer experience
  • Lessons to learn – getting to grips with the digital tools that citizen really want

Jordan Storozuk, Chief of Staff, Service Experience Design and Delivery, Service Canada
Technology Track

Government Keynote: Artificial Intelligence – Hype or Opportunity?

Yvan Gauthier, Head, Artificial Intelligence Accelerator Data Analytics Centre, NRC Digital Technologies, National Research Council
  • Exploring new forms of AI andits practical applications in government
  • Making the best use of AI: deciding when to automate and when to augment – what factors should drive your decisions?
  • Ethical considerations and risk mitigation: what can your department do to avoid unintended consequences of AI implementation

Yvan Gauthier, Head, Artificial Intelligence Accelerator Data Analytics Centre, NRC Digital Technologies, National Research Council
Data & Analytics Track

Gold Partner Session: Ethical Considerations in Data Analytics: Balancing Privacy, Bias, and Innovation

Ima Okonny, Chief Data Officer, Assistant Deputy Minister, Employment and Social Development
  • Using data analytics to improve public service delivery
  • Establishing trust and transparency in data-sharing with citizens
  • Implementing data-driven policies for better outcomes

Ima Okonny, Chief Data Officer, Assistant Deputy Minister, Employment and Social Development

11:30 am

People Track

Government Keynote: Adapting and Thriving: Navigating Digital Transformation for a Future Ready Workforce

Daphnée Nostrome, Director, Channel Strategy, Office of Chief Client Officer, Canadian Digital Service
  • Impact of digital transformation on workforce dynamics and the importance of adaptability
  • Strategies for enhancing resilience and fostering a culture of continuous learning
  • Align team efforts with innovative initiatives to drive sustainable progress and success

Daphnée Nostrome, Director, Channel Strategy, Office of Chief Client Officer, Canadian Digital Service

11:40 am

Digital & CX Track

Gold Partner Session: Unleashing the Potential of AI in Transforming Digital Customer Experience (CX) for Public Services

Michael Anderson, Chief Public Sector Strategist, Informatica
  • Explore the latest advancements in AI and its role in revolutionizing CX strategies for public sector organizations
  • Discover real-world use cases where AI-driven applications have significantly improved citizen interactions and service delivery

Michael Anderson, Chief Public Sector Strategist, Informatica
Technology Track

Gold Partner Session: Kubernetes and AI Made Simple with R2i

Paul Saucier, Business Development, Director, R2i
James Allanson, Solutions, Architect, R2i
John Encizo, Field Chief Technology Officer, Lenovo
Tracy Walker, Sr Solution Engineer, / Security Specialist, SUSE

Data & Analytics Track

Gold Partner Session: Leveraging Data to Detect Fraud: A case study of how a cyber security firm uses data to identify fraud

Trey Guinn, Field Chief Technology Officer, Cloudflare
  • From simple statistics to A.I., lessons learned from making decisions with data at scale.
  • Learn what strategies worked, which didn’t, and how privacy is managed at the same time.
  • Understand the principals a modern tech company uses when leveraging data

Trey Guinn, Field Chief Technology Officer, Cloudflare

11:50 am

People Track

Gold Partner Session: Building a Resilient Workforce. HR Strategies for employee well-being and engagement

Andrea Jaffray, Lead Workforce Solutions Consultant, UKG and Andrew Brisco, Lead Solution Consultant, UKG
  • Uncover cutting-edge HR technologies to attract and retain top talent
  • Explore data-driven approaches to optimize HR processes and workforce management

Andrea Jaffray, Lead Workforce Solutions Consultant, UKG and Andrew Brisco, Lead Solution Consultant, UKG

12:00 pm

Digital & CX Track

Government Keynote: Digital Disruptors: Clearing the Path to Seamless Transformation

Erica Vezeau, Director General, Digital Academy, Canada School of Public Service
  • Uncover the common hurdles that hinder digital transformation and explore effective approaches to overcome them
  • Fostering a culture of innovation and agility, enabling organizations to adapt swiftly to emerging technologies
  • Discover proactive strategies to anticipate and address potential challenges, ensuring a smooth and successful digital transformation journey

Erica Vezeau, Director General, Digital Academy, Canada School of Public Service
Technology Track

Government Keynote: Experimenting for Empathy

Ryan Hum, Chief Client Experience Officer and Associate Assistant Deputy Minister – Citizen Service Branch, Service Canada
Ryan Hum, Chief Client Experience Officer and Associate Assistant Deputy Minister – Citizen Service Branch, Service Canada
Data & Analytics Track

Government Keynote: Data-Driven Policy: Unleashing the Power of Evidence

Elise Legendre, Chief Data Officer & Director General, Data Policy and Transformation, Agriculture and Agri-Food
  • Data-Forward Governance: Embrace the data revolution and discover how it can drive informed and effective policy-making
  • Create impactful, evidence-based policies.
  • Explore tools and methodologies that empower policymakers to leverage data for transformative outcomes

Elise Legendre, Chief Data Officer & Director General, Data Policy and Transformation, Agriculture and Agri-Food

12:10 pm

People Track

Government Keynote: EmpowerED: Embracing Diversity for a Thriving Public Sector Workforce

Raman Srivastava, Vice President, Human Resources Branch, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  • Fostering Inclusive Culture
  • Strategies to unlock the full potential of your diverse workforce, harnessing unique perspectives and talents for greater success
  • Embracing Change: Exploring how embracing diversity and inclusion can lead to adaptability and resilience in the ever-evolving public sector landscape

Raman Srivastava, Vice President, Human Resources Branch, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

12:20 pm

Digital & CX Track

Gold Partner Session: Driving citizen’s engagement: a State of Arizona case study

Brian Shell, Senior Partner, State of Arizona and DMV Industry, Kyndryl
  • Discover how the Arizona MVD rethought their field offices and digital platforms to unify a better citizen experience.
  • Explore ways to leverage partners to create win-win-win contracts.
  • Learn about new trends on digital identity, best practices and vision for the future

Brian Shell, Senior Partner, State of Arizona and DMV Industry, Kyndryl
Technology Track

Gold Partner Session: Government Private Cloud

Danny Vitale, Solutions Architect, VMware

Building a Government Private Cloud to drive innovation


Danny Vitale, Solutions Architect, VMware
Data & Analytics Track

Gold Partner Session: How to Modernize Data Analytics with AI-driven Logical Data Architecture

Etienne Pelletier, Sales Engineer, Denodo

Globally government agencies are modernizing their legacy data analytics systems with cloud-equivalents. Join this presentation to learn how agencies can mobilize their data to quickly adapt and reduce risk. We’ll discuss: Data modernization using a logical data architecture, Decoupling sources of data and consumers of data to facilitate low risk transformation and Agency use cases


Etienne Pelletier, Sales Engineer, Denodo

12:30 pm

People Track

Panel Discussion: Human-Centric Public Sector: Empowering the Workforce for the Future

  • In the era of remote work and digital workplaces, how can the public sector attract and retain top talent to build a skilled and diverse workforce?
  • Strategies for upskilling and reskilling public sector employees to stay relevant in an ever-changing technological landscape
  • How can HR leaders in the public sector foster a culture of innovation, employee well-being, and work-life balance?

Sonia Cote, Chief Human Resources Officer, Canada Revenue Agency
Kiran Hanspal, Assistant Deputy Minister, Human Resources Branch, Public Services and Procurement
Dominique Dallaire, Chief Human Resources Officer, Human Resources, Standards Council of Canada
Josh Gosliner, VP HXM Product Strategy, SAP
Moderator: Kyle Thomas, Global Industry Leader for Public Sector Regulatory Agencies, Appian

12:40 pm

Digital & CX Track

Panel Discussion: Building a Digital-First Government: Challenges and Opportunities

  • What are the key challenges faced by the public sector in transitioning to a digital-first approach, and how can they be overcome?
  • How can emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain, and IoT be leveraged to enhance citizen services and government operations?
  • How can government agencies collaborate with the private sector to drive innovation and implement cutting-edge technologies?

Joel Martin, Chief Digital Research Officer, National Research Council of Canada
Scott Taylor, Director General, Digital Enablement, Shared Services Canada
Marc Brouillard, Chief Information Officer, Department of Public Services and Procurement
Erica Vezeau, Director General, Digital Academy, Canada School of Public Service
Thomas Rice, Strategic Partner, Manager, Nintex
Moderator: Caroline Abela, Partner, Deloitte Digital

Technology Track

Panel Discussion: Innovation in the Government: Paving the Way for a Tech-Savvy Future

  • What are the major roadblocks to implementing innovation in the public sector, and how can they be turned into opportunities?
  • How can government agencies foster a culture of experimentation and risk-taking to drive innovation at all levels?
  • Importance of public-private partnerships in scaling innovative solutions and their role in building a tech-savvy government

Samantha Rahim, Chief Information Officer, Deputy Chief Security Officer, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
Alyssa Daku, Director General, Innovator’s Experience Branch, Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Robert Falzon, Head of Engineering Office of the CTO, Check Point
Moderator: Shihan Fernando, Senior VP-Global Sales, Modern Requirements

Data & Analytics Track

Panel Discussion: Data-Driven Governance: Harnessing Insights for Informed Decision-Making

  • How can the public sector overcome challenges related to data privacy and security while harnessing data for informed decision-making?
  • Role of data analytics and predictive modeling in addressing societal challenges and enhancing public services
  • How can government agencies ensure transparency and open data sharing with citizens to build trust and accountability?

Michael Lam, Chief Data Officer, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Gabrielle FitzGerald, Executive Director, Chief Data and Risk Officer, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Arnold Toporowski, Sr. Solutions Architect, SAS Institute
Corey Steiro, Deputy DG DAIM / Digital Transformation Office, Canadian Armed Forces, Government of Canada
Moderator: Rehan Qureshi, Vice President, Technology Consulting Services, Maximus

1:10 pm

Networking Lunch Break

2:10 pm

Roundtables

Interactive Roundtable Discussions

Roundtable 1-13 (Plenary Room) | Roundtables 14-21 (Room 106 FG) | Roundtables 22-25 (106 H)

1. Smart Governance: Integrating AI in Public Sector Decision-Making for Improved Service Delivery
Facilitated by: Tim Wilshaw, Technology Sale Leader – Federal Government of Canada Global Sales, IBM

2. Harnessing Generative AI as a “Digital Knowledge Worker
Facilitated by: Matt Thomas, Partner, Deloitte Digital

3. Risks, Threats and Opportunities of AI in DevOps
Facilitated by: Shihan Fernando, Senior VP-Sales, Modern Requirements

4. Enhancing Citizen Experience: Strategies for Seamless Digital Service Delivery
Facilitated by: Kyle Thomas, Global Industry Leader for Public Sector Regulatory Agencies, Appian

5. Digital Transformation Roadmaps: Key Steps to Transform Traditional Government Services
Facilitated by: Andrew Bailey, Director, Data and Analytics, Maximus

6. Cybersecurity in the Digital Era: Protecting Sensitive Government Data and Systems
Facilitated by: Paul West, Director, Global Public Sector, ThinkOn

7. Controlling your cloud costing: A How-To Guide
Facilitated by: André Leduc, Senior Business Development Manager, AWS Canada

8. AI and integrity: Creating an Ethical Framework in the Public Sector
Facilitated by: Aaron Reich, Chief Technology Officer, Accenture/Avanade

9. Data Sovereignty, Residency and Security: Embracing Public Cloud Innovation in the Government Policy and Risk Framework
Facilitated by: John Hewie, National Security Officer, Microsoft & Scott Levac, Director, Modern Technologies, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

10. Data-Driven Decision Making: Leveraging Analytics for Evidence-Based Policy Formulation
Facilitated by: Michael Anderson, Chief Public Sector Strategist, Informatica

11. Remote Work and Hybrid Models: Embracing Flexible Work Arrangements in the Public Sector
Facilitated by: Brent Gorman, Partner, Kyndryl

12. Kubernetes and AI Made Simple
Facilitated by: John Encizo, Field Chief Technology Officer, Lenovo & Tracy Walker, Sr Solution Engineer / Security Specialist, SUSE & James Allanson, Solutions Architect, R2i

13. Understanding the Differences Between Public and Private Cloud
Facilitated by: Danny Vitale, Solutions Architect, VMware

14. Building a Resilient Workforce: HR Strategies for Employee Well-being and Engagement
Facilitated by: Andrea Jaffray, Lead Workforce Solutions Consultant, UKG & Andrew Brisco, Lead Solution Consultant, UKG

15.Cloud Adoption Strategies: Streamlining Government Operations through Cloud Solutions
Facilitated by: Trey Guinn, Field Chief Technology Officer, Cloudflare

16. How Public Sector can Securely Manage Distributed Data
Facilitated by: Derek Pollitt, Sales Director, Denodo

17. Unlocking Innovation with Ease: The Revolutionary Impact of No-Code/Low-Code Technologies
Facilitated by: Evan Roth, Public Sector Account Executive, Nintex

18. Emerging Technologies for Government: Exploring the Potential of AI, IoT, and Blockchain
Facilitated by: Robert Falzon, Head of Engineering, Office of the CTO, Checkpoint

19. Upskilling and Reskilling: Nurturing a Future-Ready Public Sector Workforce
Facilitated by: Josh Gosliner, VP HXM Product Strategy, SAP

20. AI-Driven Insights: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Data Analytics in the Public Sector
Facilitated by: Tara Holland, Government Data and Analytics, Industry Principal, SAS

21. Legacy Transformation in the Public Sector
Facilitated by: Gurinder J Singh, Canadian Services Leader, Cúram by Merative

22. The Seven Sins of Public Sector Innovation – and what to do about it!
Facilitated by: Shaun Illingworth, Principal, DFFRNT

23. Guiding Governments to Zero Trust
Facilitated by: Mike Berthold, Sr. Solutions Architect, Okta & Jonathan Ha-Tran, Sr. Sales Engineer, Zscaler


Roundtable 1-13 (Plenary Room) | Roundtables 14-21 (Room 106 FG) | Roundtables 22-25 (106 H)

3:15 pm

Welcome back from the Chair

Steve Harding, Partner - IBM Services Consulting, IBM
Steve Harding, Partner - IBM Services Consulting, IBM

3:30 pm

Government Keynote

Dawn of a Digital Frontier: Paving the Way for a Dynamic Public Service in 2024

Vidya ShankarNarayan, Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Information Officer, Agriculture and Agri-Foo
  • Addressing the Digital Divide and Ensuring Equal Access to Government Services
  • Discover the latest trends shaping digital innovation in the public sector
  • Explore transformative strategies to enhance citizen-centric services

Vidya ShankarNarayan, Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Information Officer, Agriculture and Agri-Foo

3:50 pm

Platinum Partner

Why Cloud? Why Now? FinOps, DevOps, and Sustainability Essentials for 2024

André Leduc, Senior Business Development Manager, AWS Canada and Greg Bukowski, Field CTO, BMC
  • Uncover financial management strategies that drive cloud cost optimization
  • Explore how connected DigitalOps can optimize costs across teams
  • Learn how to decrease carbon footprints through renewable cloud energy sources

André Leduc, Senior Business Development Manager, AWS Canada and Greg Bukowski, Field CTO, BMC

4:10 pm

Panel Discussion

Visionaries in Government: Leaders Unleashing Innovation for a Digital Future

  • What strategies do successful government organizations employ to overcome challenges during digital transformation?
  • How can emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and blockchain revolutionize public service delivery?
  • In an ever-changing technological landscape, how do CIOs ensure continuous learning and development for workforce to stay at the forefront of innovation?

Philippe Johnston, Vice-President and Chief Technology Officer, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority
Melissa Kittmer, Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Data Division, Privacy, Archives, Digital, and Data, Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery, Government of Ontario
Pauline Martin, Director of Government Strategy for Microsoft Worldwide Public Sector, Microsoft
Moderator: Robert Conlin, Canadian Federal Managing Director Global Sales, IBM

4:30 pm

Ministerial Address: Transforming Service Delivery for Candians

Minister Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens' Services
Minister Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens' Services

4:50 pm

Closing Remarks from the Chair, followed by networking reception

Steve Harding, Partner - IBM Services Consulting, IBM
Steve Harding, Partner - IBM Services Consulting, IBM

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