Join us for the
CIO Peer Forum

The CIO Association of Canada annual conference

The flagship technology conference for CIO’s has gone virtual

The CIO Association of Canada’s Annual Conference, the CIO Peer Forum, is a vibrant community event for attendees and the profession. We recognize the essential role of the CIO Peer Forum is now more important than ever. We need to bring our IT community together to share the latest trends, provide opportunities for thought leaders to learn about innovations, and be able to network with colleagues in their areas of expertise.

Connect with CIOCAN members and expert speakers from across the country as we share data, insights and best practices as companies shift and pivot to meet new challenges.

Join us in April 2021 for a Virtual CIO Peer Forum hosted by the Vancouver Chapter of the Association.

Taking Care of Business – Don’t Waste a Crisis!

Business is going through a time of unprecedented economic challenge, disruption, and cybersecurity threats. Only the strongest and most nimble will survive. IT industry professionals will be called on as never before to help organizations re-think and re-tool their business for the future – but potentially with smaller teams, smaller budgets, and larger expectations than ever before. Are you ready to pivot your organization to success?

Whether a crisis is based on a pandemic, flood, forest fire, data breach or unplanned leadership change, any

or all of these can affect the market presence of the firms we represent, their employees, customers, our profitability and ultimately, the future of the enterprise.

The main theme is supported by these 3 sub-themes which will be addressed throughout the conference and breakout sessions.

Fostering Resiliency

Practical insights to help organizations thrive in adversity

IT Security, Privacy and Data Governance

Positioning IT Security as Board priority to mitigate enterprise risk

Career and Team Growth

Leading a remote, hybrid workforce amid changing business outcomes

Don’t miss out!

Virtual thought leadership sessions

Registered technology leaders

Session attendees

Help make it even better

If you’re an expert with a passionate leading edge presentation to share or you’re a company that would like to support the event. Connect with us here:

Call for Speakers

Call for Sponsors

CIOCAN Supporters

Join us for the CIO Peer Forum

The 2021 theme and program will be announced soon.

Guy M. Snodgrass
Speaker

Chief Executive Officer
at Defense Analytics

Guy Snodgrass is an author and strategist exploring the intersection of technology, innovation, and national security. As Chief Executive Officer for Defense Analytics, he oversees a team responsible for guiding corporate strategic development, communications, and advocacy.

Mr. Snodgrass has 25-plus years of experience as a strategist and senior leader in the U.S. Department of Defense, having served as the Pentagon’s Director of Communications and chief speechwriter to Secretary of Defense James Mattis. He is most recently the author of TOPGUN’s TOP 10: Leadership Lessons from the Cockpit, which explores leadership tenets through the lens of the high-performance fighter pilot community. He also hosts Holding the Line, a popular national security and foreign policy podcast. He has appeared as an expert national security and technology commentator on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, NBC, and others, and is a contributor to Forbes.

Guy on LinkedIn

Joe Pucciarelli
Speaker

Group Vice President & IT Executive Advisor at IDC

Joseph Pucciarelli, IDC Group Vice-President, guides business and technology executives leveraging technology to achieve innovative and disruptive business outcomes. He presents at more than 40 CIO executive summits worldwide annually, speaking to senior business leaders and technology executives on technology transformation strategies. He is a research agenda leader and facilitator for 75+ analysts publishing dedicated research for IDC’s CIO and technology buyer clients.

His research enables clients to create preemptive business and technology strategies grounded in sound financial practices and a comprehensive understanding of competitive ecosystems. He empowers IT leaders to deliver strategically-aligned organizational development and talent management plans. A skilled executive coach and change agent, he works with clients to foster executive intrapreneurship in enterprise-class organizations.

Joseph on LinkedIn

Mary Mesaglio
Speaker

Vice President & Distinguished Analyst at Gartner

Mary Mesaglio is a Distinguished Vice President with Gartner’s Digital Futures group on the CIO research team. Ms. Mesaglio’s research has a practical bent and is focused on helping enterprises to transform, innovate and change their culture. Much of her recent work has focused on weathering the pandemic, including actions for leaders during a crisis, acute vs chronic leadership skills, and who you want to be post-crisis.

Her research also focuses on creativity and how to develop a creative culture, and how to harness neuroscience to lead teams and change behaviors. She is a frequent keynote speaker at Gartner events and externally.

She is Canadian and is based in Barcelona, Spain. She has traveled extensively in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. She speaks English, Spanish and French fluently, is working on her Catalan, and would love to learn Japanese one day.
In 2003, Ms. Mesaglio rejoined Gartner as a relationship manager for Gartner Executive Programs, where she was responsible for CIOs and IT directors across Spain and Portugal. In 2007, she joined the Gartner CIO Research team.

Mary on LinkedIn

Todd Kennedy
Speaker

Director of Technology at Golden Hills School Division #75

Todd began his career at the Pembina Hills School Division. After serving for 16 years, he left his role as Director of Technology to take on the new challenge of Director of Technology for Golden Hills School Division. His team manages all the technology and infrastructure for a school population of 8,400 students and 1,000 staff, spread across 47 schools, both traditional and on-line, in South Central Alberta.

He is a sought-after speaker for the annual ATLE Convergence Conference, as well as the IT4K12 annual conference in British Columbia, where his sessions are always fully subscribed. His topics focus on leadership in the field of technology. Todd attends the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) annual conference of around 18,000 attendees, where he helps facilitate a day of learning for international affiliates. Todd is also part of the Future of Education Technology STEM awards committee – where schools from all over the world are recognized for their achievements at the annual FETC conference in Florida.

Todd has been part of the Board for the Alberta Technology Leaders in Education since it’s inception in 2006, serving in various roles over the years. In December 2020, he completed his third, two-year term, as President. Currently Todd serves on the Board of CIO Association of Canada – Calgary Chapter.

Todd has a Master of Science degree in Information Technology from the University of Liverpool, where his Dissertation described QoS for Voice, Video, and Data over Alberta Supernet. This project was intended as a “cookbook” of sorts that could be used by school jurisdictions as they implemented QoS.

Todd on LinkedIn

Lisa Inness
Speaker

Executive Director, Client Engagement & Solution Delivery and Innovation at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

Lisa Inness is currently an Executive Director, Client Engagement & Solution Delivery and Innovation at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) of Ontario. In this strategic role, Lisa collaborates with the Injured Persons and Providers lines of business to provide technology solutions supporting return to work services for Ontarians. Lisa is also the Technology Lead for the WSIB’s core services modernization initiative and Innovation program enabling new digital services and improved outcomes for key stakeholders.

Lisa has over 20 years of IT leadership experience in both the public and private sector with extensive experience in organizational design, relationship management, strategic sourcing, portfolio management and Innovation.

Lisa on LinkedIn

Chris Valasek
Conférencier principal

Architecte principal de la sécurité des véhicules autonomes, de l’automatisation des croisières et hacker éthique renommé

Chris Valasek s’inspire de ses recherches et de son exposition à de graves failles de la sécurité automobile qui ont fait les manchettes pour partager des solutions concrètes sur la protection des consommateurs et des entreprises contre les cyber-attaques.

Considéré pour son travail dans le domaine de la sécurité automobile, Chris est architecte principal de la sécurité des véhicules autonomes chez Cruise Automation et a agi comme responsable de la sécurité au centre de technologie avancée d’Uber et président de SummerCon, la plus ancienne conférence américaine sur les pirates informatiques.

Il est surtout connu pour avoir piraté et pris le contrôle à distance d’une Jeep Cherokee 2014 avec son partenaire de recherche, le Dr Charlie Miller. Il a été félicité pour avoir mis en évidence de graves failles de sécurité dans les automobiles. Chris est l’un des premiers chercheurs à discuter en détail des questions de sécurité automobile. Sa publication du code, des données et des outils qui ont permis d’accéder physiquement aux véhicules et de les contrôler par le biais du bus de données a attiré l’attention des médias du monde entier.

Très sollicité pour ses idées sur les problèmesde diverses technologies et dispositifs dont la sécurité peut être compromise avec le monde extérieur, Chris partage des solutions urgentes pour protéger le public contre les cyber-menaces imminentes. Ses réflexions sur le monde de la cybersécurité en général vont changer votre vision des vulnérabilités potentielles auxquelles sont confrontés non seulement l’industrie automobile, mais aussi notre mode de vie et nos activités de plus en plus numériques, sans fil et avec l’internet des objets.

Chris sur LinkedIn

Dan Pontefract
Conférencier principal

Auteur, orateur, penseur,
Stratégiste en matière de leadership

Dan est le fondateur et le PDG de Pontefract Group, une entreprise qui rehausse le leadership et la culture organisationnelle.

Il est l’auteur de quatre livres à succès : LEAD. CARE. WIN. How to Become a Leader Who Matters, OPEN TO THINK, THE PURPOSE EFFECT and FLAT ARMY. Orateur de renom, Dan a fait des présentations lors de quatre conférences TED différentes et écrit également pour Forbes et Harvard Business Review. Dan est professeur adjoint à Gustavson School of Business de l’Université de Victoria, et a reçu plus de 20 prix de l’industrie au cours de sa carrière.

Son troisième livre, OPEN TO THINK, a remporté le prix getAbstract International Book of the Year en 2019.

Auparavant, en tant que chef de la vision et de la formation chez TELUS – une entreprise de télécommunications canadienne dont le chiffre d’affaires dépasse 14 milliards de dollars et qui compte 50 000 employés dans le monde entier – il a inauguré le bureau de la transformation, le MBA de TELUS et le programme sur la philosophie du leadership de TELUS, toutes des initiatives primées qui ont contribué à accroître considérablement l’engagement des employés de l’entreprise pour atteindre des niveaux records de près de 90 %. Avant TELUS, il a occupé des postes de direction chez SAP, Business Objects et BCIT.

Dan et sa femme, Denise, ont trois enfants (alias chèvres) et vivent à Victoria, au Canada.

Dan sur LinkedIn

Chris Valasek
Keynote Speaker

Principal Autonomous Vehicle Security Architect, Cruise Automation & Renowned ‘White Hat’ Hacker

Chris Valasek draws from his research and headline-making exposure of serious automotive security flaws as he shares real-world solutions for protecting consumers and companies against cyber-attacks.

Regarded for his work in the automotive security arena, Chris is a Principal Autonomous Vehicle Security Architect at Cruise Automation and served as a security lead at Uber’s Advanced Technology Center and chairman of SummerCon, America’s longest running hacker conference.

Best known for engineering the remote compromise of a 2014 Jeep Cherokee with his research partner, Dr. Charlie Miller, he has been praised for exposing serious security flaws in automobiles. Chris is one of the first researchers to discuss automotive security issues in detail – his release of code, data and tools that allowed vehicles to be physically accessed and controlled through the vehicle’s CAN bus garnered worldwide media attention.

Highly sought for his sobering insights on security problems in various technologies and devices that can lead to compromises from the outside world, Chris shares urgent solutions for protecting the public from imminent cyber-threats. His thoughts on the world of cybersecurity in general will change your entire view of potential vulnerabilities faced by not only the auto industry, but our increasingly digital, wireless and Internet of Things way of life and business.

Chris on LinkedIn

Dan Pontefract
Keynote Speaker

Author, Speaker, Thinker,
Leadership Strategist

Dan is the founder and CEO of The Pontefract Group, a firm that improves the state of leadership and organizational culture.

He is the best-selling author of four books: LEAD. CARE. WIN. How to Become a Leader Who Matters, OPEN TO THINK, THE PURPOSE EFFECT and FLAT ARMY. A renowned speaker, Dan has presented at four different TED events and also writes for Forbes and Harvard Business Review. Dan is an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria, Gustavson School of Business and has garnered more than 20 industry awards over his career.

His third book, OPEN TO THINK won the 2019 getAbstract International Book of the Year.

Previously as Chief Envisioner and Chief Learning Officer at TELUS—a Canadian telecommunications company with revenues of over $14 billion and 50,000 global employees—he launched the Transformation Office, the TELUS MBA, and the TELUS Leadership Philosophy, all award winning initiatives that dramatically helped to increase the company’s employee engagement to record levels of nearly 90%. Prior to TELUS he held senior roles at SAP, Business Objects and BCIT.

Dan and his wife, Denise, have three children (aka goats) and live in Victoria, Canada.

Dan on LinkedIn

Le programme CIO en Transition

Le programme CIO en Transition est ouvert aux membres en règle de l’association Canadienne des CIO qui ne répondent plus aux critères d’adhésion en raison d’une perte d’emploi, d’un congé ou de circonstances similaires, de sorte que le membre n’est pas employé à temps plein. Le conseil d’administration de la section locale du membre examinera chaque demande de ce programme afin de déterminer si la situation répond aux critères.

Pendant la durée de l’adhésion au CET, les membres sont tenus de fournir 20 heures de travail bénévole sur des projets pour l’association, soit par l’intermédiaire de leur section locale, soit par le biais du bureau national. La durée du mandat d’un CET est limitée à un an maximum, après quoi les membres devront payer une cotisation régulière. Des dispositions peuvent être prises pour que les CET effectuent des paiements échelonnés sur leurs cotisations. Lorsqu’un CET est employé (à plein temps ou sous contrat), il bénéficie d’un délai de grâce de trois mois, puis reçoit une facture pour son adhésion. Les cotisations doivent être payées dans les 30 jours suivant la facturation afin de conserver le statut et les privilèges de membre.

“A great deal of my career success is because of my participation in the CIO Association of Canada. It’s important to surround yourself with those who are smarter and have more experience, and the Association has given me access to those such people. Being an active member and gaining knowledge from those peers has not only grown me personally but also has had a direct impact on my results at the office. Lastly, the CIO Association of Canada has given me an opportunity to give back to the Technology Community by being part of the local Chapter Board as President and now at the National Board as National Director of Membership. “

Shaun Guthrie

Senior Director, Information Technology, Alberta Urban Municipalities Association

CIO in Transition program

The CIO in Transition program is open to existing CIO Association members in good standing whose annual membership has expired and who no longer meet the criteria for membership due to loss of employment, leave of absence or similar circumstances such that the member is not employed full-time. The member’s local Chapter Board will review each request for this program to determine whether the situation meets the criteria.

During the term of a CIT membership, members are expected to provide 20 hours of volunteer project work for the Association, either through their local chapter or national office. The term of a CIT is limited to a maximum of one year only, after which time members will be expected to pay a regular membership fee. Arrangements can be made for CITs to make installment payments on their membership dues. When a CIT becomes employed (either full time or on contract) they will be given a grace period of 3 months, and then will be invoiced for their membership. Membership dues must be paid within 30 days of invoicing in order to retain member status and privileges.