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Agenda

Digital Leadership Day Ontario

 Tuesday, 15 Sep 2026

Sessions

8:30AM

Registration and Networking

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM (60 mins)

Pre-function B

9:30AM

Opening from Public Sector Network

9:30 AM - 9:40 AM (10 mins)

200ABC

Ross Ashman
Co-Founder & CEO, Public Sector Network
9:40AM
Industry Insights

Welcome from the Event Chair and Introduction to Session One: People

9:40 AM - 9:50 AM (10 mins)

200ABC

Anu Dawson
Public Sector and Digital Partner, MNP
9:50AM
Keynote

From Leadership Vision to Public Value: Building a First-of-Its-Kind Digital Service Model In-House

9:50 AM - 10:10 AM (20 mins)

200ABC

Marco Palermo
Director, Human Services Integration & Transformation Social Development, Finance & Administration, City of Toronto
10:10AM
Panel Discussion

Leading Through Complexity: People Strategy in Tech

10:10 AM - 11:00 AM (50 mins)

200ABC

Senior Vice President, Data and Knowledge Management, Infrastructure Ontario
CISO & VP, Cyber and IT Security, Ontario Power Generation
Jamie Bruno
Vice President, People and Transformation, Ontario Tech University
Anu Dawson Moderator
Public Sector and Digital Partner, MNP

As digital transformation accelerates, government leaders must rethink how they attract, develop, and retain top talent. This session explores how public sector leaders are adapting workforce strategies to keep pace with rapid change, while centering culture, capability, and care.

This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can lead people through uncertainty, build resilient teams, and embed agility into your workforce model.

  • Build a people-first talent strategy that adapts to change
  • Strengthen digital capability through learning and mobility
  • Align leadership development with transformation goals
  • Foster a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready workforce
11:00AM

Morning Networking Break

11:00 AM - 11:35 AM (35 mins)

Lounge A

11:35AM
Industry Insights

Thought Leadership from the Chair: Summary of Session One and Introduction to Session Two - Process

11:35 AM - 11:45 AM (10 mins)

200ABC

Anu Dawson
Public Sector and Digital Partner, MNP
11:45AM
Panel Discussion

Strategic Leadership: Streamlining Processes for Digital Excellence

11:45 AM - 12:35 PM (50 mins)

200ABC

Assistant Deputy Minister, Early Years and Child Care Division, Ministry of Education, Ontario Public Service
Chief Information Officer, City of Markham
Chief Executive Officer, Code for Canada
Janet Ihm
Vice President, Channel Strategy & Digital Experience, Ontario Cannabis Store
Meghan Swinkels
Head of Strategy, Provincial Government, AWS Canada
Anu Dawson Moderator
Public Sector and Digital Partner, MNP

Digital excellence isn't just about adopting new tools—it’s about rethinking processes, governance, and leadership models to deliver impact. This session explores how public sector leaders are simplifying complexity, eliminating duplication, and driving smarter, faster service outcomes.

This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can lead transformation by aligning systems, strategy, and service delivery.

  • Streamline legacy processes to accelerate modernization
  • Strengthen alignment between digital strategy and business goals
  • Break down barriers to collaboration and data sharing
  • Scale what works through agile governance and delivery models
12:35PM

Networking Lunch

12:35 PM - 1:35 PM (60 mins)

Lounge A

1:35PM
Roundtables

Interactive Roundtable Sessions

1:35 PM - 2:35 PM (60 mins)

200ABC

Roundtable 1:

From Legacy Systems to Digital Agility: Helping Public Sector Leaders Deliver Faster, More Resilient Services

Facilitated by Navneet Vallat, Migrations and Modernization Manager, AWS


Roundtable 2:

AI Cost of Visibility to Value Realization

Facilitated by Rahul Purohit, CYBER, Director & Rhett Nussey, Director, RSM and Rhett Nussey, Director, Government and Public Sector, RSM Canada


Roundtable 3:

What's Governing Your AI Agent Rollout: Trust, Transparency, or Accountability?

Facilitated by Craig Sisson, Technology Solutions Director, BMC Helix


Roundtable 4:

From Fragmented Tools to Connected Government: Improving Service Delivery Through Smarter Workflows

Facilitated by Zoho Canada Corporation

2:35PM

Short Break

2:35 PM - 2:45 PM (10 mins)

Lounge A

2:45PM
Industry Insights

Thought Leadership from the Chair: Summary of Session Two and Introduction to Session Three - Technology

2:45 PM - 2:55 PM (10 mins)

200ABC

Anu Dawson
Public Sector and Digital Partner, MNP
2:55PM
Panel Discussion

Visionary Leadership: Navigating the Technological Landscape

2:55 PM - 3:45 PM (50 mins)

200ABC

Olga Bakonyi
Head, Digital Technology Services, Government Services Integration Cluster, Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery& Procurement, Ontario Public Service
Samir Wissa
Chief Information Security Officer, MGH & Sinai Health
Cybersecurity Executive, CISO
Director, Information Technology, iGaming Ontario
Anu Dawson Moderator
Public Sector and Digital Partner, MNP

Technology is evolving faster than ever—but true transformation begins with leadership. This session explores how forward-thinking public sector leaders are anticipating disruption, embracing emerging tools, and staying focused on long-term public value.

This session will help you apply new approaches on how you can lead confidently in uncertainty, future-proof your organization, and align innovation with purpose.

  • Navigate emerging technologies with strategic foresight
  • Align digital priorities with citizen and policy outcomes
  • Lead cultural change alongside technology adoption
  • Build capacity for continuous transformation across teams
3:45PM

Closing Remarks

3:45 PM - 3:55 PM (10 mins)

200ABC

Anu Dawson
Public Sector and Digital Partner, MNP
3:55PM

Networking Reception

3:55 PM - 4:55 PM (60 mins)

Lounge A

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