As global governments navigate complex challenges, the Research Innovation Council has been meeting regionally over the last six months to uncover emerging trends and transformative strategies.

This session will explore the Council’s key findings, showcasing the critical challenges governments face, the innovations driving progress, and how global collaboration is shaping the future of public service delivery.

• Examine key challenges impacting governments across regions.
• Explore breakthrough innovations and solutions identified by the Council.
• Discover opportunities for governments to adapt and evolve in a rapidly changing world.
• Gain insights into how governments are collaborating with academia, the private sector and other agencies and what it means for the future of governance.

Governments are under increasing pressure to modernize. Citizens expect seamless, proactive, and personalized services, yet many public sector systems remain siloed and outdated. The Future Government Institute (FGI) is launching to drive real change—providing public sector leaders with the tools, insights, and strategies needed to transform government and deliver citizen-first services.

Governments can’t afford to wait. Join this session to learn how FGI will help shape the future of public sector innovation. This session will:

• Explore the key challenges driving the need for Government 3.0 and beyond
• Introduce FGI’s mission to equip leaders with actionable frameworks and real-world case studies
• Highlight strategies to embed trust, harness emerging technologies, and modernize service delivery
• Provide insights on how global collaboration can accelerate transformation

• As leaders, how can we cultivate a leadership style that thrives amidst the complexities of tech team dynamics?
• What leadership initiatives effectively promote diversity and drive inclusion within tech teams?
• How should leaders utilise emotional intelligence to navigate the challenges unique to tech environments?
• What strategies can leaders implement to attract, develop, and retain top tech talent during rapid industry changes?
• In what ways can leaders champion ethical technology use within their teams and decision-making processes?

Paul N. Wagner

Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Digital Service

Barry Lowry

Chief Information Officer, Government of Ireland

Sylvain Bélanger

Chief Information Officer, Information Management and Technology Directorate, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Meagan Collins

Chief, Enterprise Information Management, Corporate Services Sector, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat / Government of Canada

Saeed Kamazany Facilitator

Organizational Change Management Lead, CGI

This session showcases how public sector organizations can leverage data and analytics to cut through uncertainty, anticipate change, and make informed, evidence-based decisions that drive impact.

• How can tech leaders align digital initiatives with governmental policies while leading through bureaucratic complexities?
• In the role of a leader, how do you instill agile thinking to reshape traditional processes within the public sector?
• As regulations evolve, what leadership strategies are key to balancing innovation with compliance?
• From a leader’s perspective, what are the most effective ways to manage resources to maximize impact in tech projects?
• How should leaders approach vendor relationships to cultivate fruitful partnerships that drive technological advancement?

Christiana Cavazzoni

Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Digital Officer, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Jack Hamande

Director General Simplification & Digital Transformation, Belgian Federal Public Service Policy and Support

Mike Stamos

General Manager, Canada and Northeast US, Omnissa

Eli Federman Facilitator

Omnichannel Delivery Leader, CGI

Split into specialized conversation areas and join engaging discussions to dive deeper into your innovation priorities.

Roundtable 1: Productivity and Automation via AI and Agents Facilitated by: Robert Conlin, Managing Director, Canadian Federal Government, IBM Canada

Roundtable 2: Guiding Teams in Times of Challenge and Change Facilitated by: Pam Wilkens, Director of Business Development, 49 Solutions and Fasttrack Staffing

Roundtable 3: Harnessing AI for Public Sector Efficiency Facilitated by: Joy Ardanaz, Digital Health, AI and Innovation Expert, CGI

Roundtable 4: Empower Productive Employees – Agile Strategy for AI and Digitized Government Facilitated by: Mike Stamos, General Manager, Canada and Northeast US, Omnissa

Roundtable 5: Future Trends: Preparing for the Digital Shifts Facilitated by: Soo Nadarajah, Head of Data, AI & Technology, AWS Canada Public Sector

Roundtable 6: The Data Mirage - Drowning in Data but Starving for Insight Facilitated by: Nader Shureih, Senior Vice President, Public Sector - Canada, Environics Analytics

• As a leader in the public sector, how can you ensure new technologies are integrated effectively and with foresight?
• What leadership qualities are essential for staying ahead in cybersecurity amidst a fast-evolving threat landscape?
• How do leaders leverage data analytics to transform public service delivery while maintaining trust and privacy?
• What barriers to technology adoption do leaders face, and how can these be overcome with strategic leadership?
• How can leaders inspire innovation and manage risk in a sector known for its cautious approach to new technologies?

Joel Martin

Chief Digital Research Officer, National Research Council of Canada

Michael Kalin

Director General, Client Experience, Service Canada

Todd Cain

Vice-President, Chief Information and Innovation Officer, Digital Services Branch, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Katherine Kulson Facilitator

Vice President of Consulting, CGI