.png)
Take a look below at our CILAR community members, featuring some of Canada's brightest minds in the tech and innovation sector!
become a memberOur corporate members create transformational opportunities together. We recognize it’s about more than just expressing support - our established innovators are committed to taking action to create a truly inclusive future.
Claudette McGowan, a global IT leader with 20+ years of experience, has driven digital transformations and enhanced cybersecurity across various organizations. As Protexxa's CEO, she continues to lead in cybersecurity. Claudette is also the Founder of the Black Arts & Innovation Expo and chairs CILAR, combating systemic racism in the innovation sector. Her community commitment extends to key board roles in organizations like SickKids Hospital Foundation and Elevate Technology Festival.
Armughan Ahmad, a catalyst for innovation, leads teams dedicated to driving sustainable progress through exponential technologies like AI, Quantum, Metaverse, and Blockchain. With a people-centric focus, he champions diversity and inclusion, actively supporting organizations like CILAR. Committed to Future Skills, he serves on boards promoting sustainability, mental health, and skills training.
%20.jpg)
Yung Wu, the recently retired CEO of MaRS Discovery District, transformed it into a global innovation hub. During his tenure, the community expanded by 450%, raising over $17B and contributing $23B to Canada’s GDP. Yung is a serial entrepreneur, private equity investor, and co-founder of CILAR, dedicated to fostering inclusion in the innovation economy. Recognized as a top leader and a "Top 40 under 40," he holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science, Economics, and Mathematics from the University of Toronto.
Maya Roy, an executive leader with 22+ years of experience, excels in public policy, health determinants, and community development for social impact. She adeptly employs participatory approaches in equity-deserving communities. Skilled in project management, human resources, finance, grant writing, and strategic communications. Fluent in French, conversational in Bengali. Worked in Thailand, India, Brazil, and the UK.
CIO, Canada, Enterprise Architecture & Digital Solutions, Sun Life
As a business leader with experience in Chief Information Officer and General Manager roles, Monique brings an outcome-focused mindset for delivering value enabled by technology. She leads for success by building high-performing teams, setting a strategic vision, prioritizing excellence in delivery and operations, and driving innovation with a balanced emphasis on resiliency and risk. She is an active speaker, contributor on boards and leadership mentor.
Top
City Librarian, Toronto Public Library
Vickery Bowles is the City Librarian at Toronto Public Library (TPL), which delivers services through a network of 100 branches and online channels. Vickery has worked in a number of leadership positions, spearheading service development to support capacity building, civic engagement, economic development and social cohesion. She is working to advance TPL’s strategic plan and its digital strategies that support new service models, digital literacy, the customer experience, e-learning, staff development and innovation. Vickery is the Board Vice-Chair for the Urban Libraries Council (ULC) based in Washington, D.C., a member of the Canadian Urban Libraries Council (CULC), the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL) and the Toronto Region Board of Trade Smart Cities Working Group.
Top
Executive Director, Future Skills Centre
Pedro Barata, Executive Director of the Future Skills Centre, spearheads innovative solutions for skills development in Canada. With a dedication to inclusion, he advises governments on social and economic policies, impacting poverty reduction, housing, and immigration reform. Pedro's two-decade career spans non-profits, including roles at United Way, Atkinson Foundation, and the City of Toronto. Holder of a BA from York University and an MSW from the University of Toronto.
Top
CEO, Community Foundations of Canada
As CEO of Community Foundations Canada since 2017, Andrew has led the philanthropic sector's transformation and innovation. With 15 years of nonprofit involvement, he serves on boards like WINGS and Art for AIDS International, demonstrating his commitment to community development. Andrew, a chartered accountant, brings extensive expertise, having worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and served on the Board of the Southwest Local Health Integration Network.
Top
Dubie has more than 20 years of experience in financial services and technology. Dubie leads the execution of the company’s strategic plan and ambitious growth goals, including the complete client lifecycle from sales to delivery and partnerships that build on the strength of the platform. She comes to Zafin from ScaleUP Ventures, an early stage technology fund that counts Scotiabank, TD and RBC as key corporate partners. Dubie’s role at ScaleUP focused on supporting the banks’ digital growth plans through connecting and investing in the fintech ecosystem. Prior to joining ScaleUP, she worked in numerous senior leadership roles for Scotiabank, including Head of Innovation and positions in capital markets, technology and digital banking. She has vast experience in corporate development and sales as well, holding positions at HP, Allstream/AT&T and Symcor.
Top
CEO, Meridian Credit Union
Jay-Ann Gilfoy, appointed President & CEO of Meridian in January 2022, is leading the transformation of the credit union. With over 20 years of experience, she previously served as CEO of Vancity Community Investment Bank, focusing on impactful initiatives like affordable housing solutions. Jay-Ann's leadership extends to roles in digital solutions, business technology, and transformative positions with Coast Capital Savings. Currently holding volunteer positions with organizations like ParticipACTION and Innovate Cities, she is dedicated to creating positive social impact.
Top
Global Channel Chief, Dell Technologies
Rola Dagher, a proud Lebanese-Canadian, began her 25-year tech career with a focus on customers, people, and leadership. As a servant leader, she emphasizes serving people for customer success. Her philosophy is Learn it, Earn it, Return it, promoting a culture of putting people first and giving back. Dagher believes in technology as the catalyst for economic development and human progress, emphasizing the importance of an empowered, inspired, inclusive, diverse, and adaptable workforce in the digital age.
Top
Executive Coach, The Marshall Goldsmith Group
Nabeela is a seasoned Global Digital, Operations, and HR Executive with notable achievements at retail giants Walmart, IKEA, and Starbucks. Proven success in inspiring and aligning teams across cultures and geographies, particularly with C-suite, Board, and executive stakeholders. Board Director at the Future Skills Centre and Miracle Foundation. Known for launching industry-leading parental leave benefits, initiating the first-ever retail industry diversity and inclusion network, and consistently improving employment standards. Recognized by Fortune and Glassdoor. Instinctively diagnoses and addresses organizational challenges, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and positivity.
Top
Professor, McMaster University
Khaled Hassanein is a Professor of Information Systems, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, and Director of the McMaster Digital Transformation Research Centre at McMaster University's DeGroote School of Business. With over 100 peer-reviewed articles, his research spans digital transformation, e-health, data analytics, human-computer interaction, and decision support systems. He currently leads a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)-funded project on optimizing online shopping for older adults. As the SSHRC leader at McMaster, Khaled supervises students and post-doctoral fellows in the DeGroote School of Business.
Top
Interim CEO and Chief Delivery Officer, MaRS Discovery District
Advisor, CILAR
Krista, the visionary force behind Momentum at MaRS, is dedicated to propelling Canadian companies to $100 million in revenue by 2024. With over 30 years of innovation, she has shaped 200+ organizations, blending strategic, technical, operational, and marketing prowess. Krista, an engineer and mentor, finds joy in diverse collaborations and is a proud mother of three.
Top
President & CEO, Siemens Canada
Faisal Kazi, President and CEO of Siemens Canada, leads the strategic direction and overall management of Siemens activities in Canada. With a career spanning Energy, Industry, and Infrastructure, he has managed projects globally. Faisal is a board member of Siemens affiliates, serves on industry boards, and champions corporate social responsibility. Awarded Executive of the Year in 2023 by Ascend Canada, he holds degrees in Electrical Engineering and Business Administration, along with a Law Diploma. Faisal resides in Oakville, Ontario, where he enjoys family time with his wife and three children.
Top
EVP, Chief Digital & Payments Officer,
TD Bank Group
Rizwan Khalfan, EVP and Chief Digital & Payments Officer at TD Bank Group, shapes the strategic vision for digital and payments, enhancing customer experiences. With a CFA charter and a University of Toronto graduate, Rizwan previously managed Operations and Technology at Citigroup in Europe. He's committed to creating intuitive and personalized solutions for TD customers.
Top
Founder & CEO, BlueDot Inc.
Dr. Kamran Khan is the Founder and CEO of BlueDot, an epidemic intelligence company that uses big data, machine learning, and digital technologies to help governments and global enterprises get ahead of the growing number of disruptive outbreaks appearing in the world today. Dr. Khan is a leading expert in outbreaks as an infectious disease physician, a public health physician, and a Professor at the University of Toronto. His work during this pandemic has been lauded by the Prime Minister and has been covered worldwide, including a feature segment on CBS' 60 Minutes. He recently received a Governor General's Award for his work transcending clinical medicine, public health, and artificial intelligence, and was listed among the Top 50 Most Influential Torontonians in 2020 by Toronto Life Magazine.
Top
President & Vice Chancellor, Toronto Metropolitan University
Dr. Mohamed Lachemi, President and Vice-Chancellor of Toronto Metropolitan University, spearheads transformative growth with a global focus on innovation and inclusivity. Renowned for creating groundbreaking schools in law and medicine, he champions technology, equity, and outreach. As a leading researcher in high-performance materials, his work addresses structural safety, inspired by surviving a childhood earthquake. Committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, President Lachemi's efforts include renaming the university, reconciliation with Indigenous communities, and combating racism.
TopDirector and Chief Executive Officer,
Financial Transactions and Reports
Analysis Centre of Canada
Sarah Paquet, Director and CEO of FINTRAC, is a seasoned legal professional with a rich background in civil, commercial, and family law. In various leadership roles, she drove procurement modernization and spearheaded IT-enabled solutions for over 100 government departments. As EVP at Shared Services Canada, she led digital service delivery.
Top
Head of Marketing, Google Canada
Laura Pearce, is the Head of Marketing at Google Canada. With experience at Twitter, Blue Ant Media, Twitter Canada, and AOL Canada, she's a seasoned professional in digital marketing. Holding a Master of Arts in French Language, and Literature from McMaster University (1991-1996), Laura excels in email marketing, web analytics, digital strategy, and advertising.
Top
Co-Founder & Head, MT>Ventures
Aliya Ramji is a partner of McCarthy Tétrault and co-founder of MT>Ventures, a wholly-owned division of the firm. Based in Toronto, Aliya is focused exclusively on startups, scale-ups and other fast-growth businesses. In addition to delivering tailored legal advice and other strategic value to high-potential businesses in the startup or scale-up phase, Aliya regularly advises venture capital, angel and strategic investors, as well as parties looking to create strategic alliances or partnerships with founders or start-ups.
Top
CEO, JPMorgan Chase & Co Canada
David Rawlings is President & CEO at JPMorgan Securities Canada, Inc. With a background in leading financial institutions like JP Morgan Securities New York, Bear Stearns, Credit Suisse, and Royal Bank of Canada, he brings extensive expertise. A graduate of the University of Western Ontario-Richard Ivey School of Business, Mr. Rawlings is also a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Top
President, Canada School of Public Service
Taki Sarantakis, President of the Canada School of Public Service, has spearheaded the modernization of public servant learning, particularly in adapting to digital and data-driven delivery methods. With prior roles as Associate Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and Assistant Deputy Minister at Infrastructure Canada, Taki is a recipient of Canada's Public Service Award of Excellence and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Top
VP, Google Cloud
Sam Sebastian is an accomplished Chief Executive Officer with a proven track record in the internet industry. His expertise lies in digital strategy, integrated marketing, and strategic partnerships. With a robust background in business development, Sam excels in shaping and executing effective marketing strategies.
Top
Founder & CEO, League
Michael Serbinis is the founder and CEO of League. With more than $1B of exits, he is known as a visionary leader and entrepreneur who has built transformative technology and platforms across several industries. Serbinis worked alongside Elon Musk at Zip2 and founded and helped build Kobo, Critical Path, DocSpace, and now League. Founded in 2014, League is a platform technology company powering next-generation healthcare consumer experiences. Payers, providers, consumer health partners and employers build on League’s Health OS™ platform to deliver high-engagement, personalized healthcare experiences consumers love. Millions of people use solutions powered by League to access, navigate and pay for care.
Top
Executive Director, The DMZ
Abdullah Snobar is the Executive Director of the DMZ and the CEO of DMZ Ventures, the DMZ’s for-profit investment arm. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, the DMZ is a startup incubator that provides founders with access to the coaching, capital, customers, and community needed to build world-class companies and has helped 500+ startups raise over $1 billion. Under Abdullah’s leadership, the DMZ was ranked #1 incubator in the world by UBI Global and named one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures.
Top
Country Leader, Salesforce Canada
As Country Manager for Salesforce Canada, Margaret Stuart is responsible for leading the growth strategy and business operations to deliver customer success and digital transformations.Margaret was previously the Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations at Blackberry where she was responsible for BlackBerry’s enterprise software go-to-market, global Inside Sales and the BlackBerry Workspaces solution. Prior to this, Margaret was Vice President, North American Business Development at SAP.Margaret has more than 20 years of experience in sales, go-to-market and product management with technology companies including Longview Solutions and Siemens Healthcare (now Cerner). She’s a board member at the MacKenzie Innovation Institute and has a B.A. in Computer Science from Trinity College Dublin. She is also a graduate of The Judy Project, a Rotman School leadership forum.
Top
CEO, Hammond Power Solutions
Adrian Thomas is an accomplished executive with a background in the electrical and automation industry. As a strategic and curious thinker, he leverages digital technologies to solve complex problems. Currently leading diverse teams of Business Developers, Marketers, Engineers, and Sellers, Adrian is a proud Mac alum with a passion for driving innovation.
Top
Chief Technology & Digital Officer, MLSE
With over two decades of expertise in technology and business strategy, Humza Teherany serves as the Chief Technology and Digital Officer at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE). Leading a team of 100 professionals, he drives digital innovation, technology, IT, mobile apps, data science, and innovation across MLSE's diverse sports and entertainment portfolio. Passionate about leveraging technology for industry transformation, Humza builds impactful partnerships globally, enhances digital capabilities, optimizes operations, and generates new revenue streams. Committed to community support, he sits on the board of directors for Canada Basketball and The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, embodying a vision of excellence and impact.
Top
VP Global Business Group, Meta
Garrick Tiplady, a seasoned global business leader, serves as Meta’s Vice President, Global Business Group for North America and Canada Country Director. With two decades of experience at innovative, mission-driven companies, he empowers businesses in the United States and Canada to unlock growth opportunities while ensuring Meta's positive contribution to the region's economic, social, and cultural fabric. Leading a dedicated team, Garrick fosters transformative growth and inspires innovation with a strong sense of purpose, impacting Canada's innovation ecosystem, collaborating across industries and borders, and building global communities through technology.
Top
President, IT & Cyber Solutions, Calian IT & Cyber Solutions
Mike Tremblay brings 38 years of experience in the Communications and Information Technology sector, primarily in executive roles with large multinational corporations across the Americas. With a track record of leading diverse teams, Mike is a seasoned, compassionate leader known for strategic thinking and achieving bottom-line results.
Top
Chief People Officer, ApplyBoard
Rajesh Uttamchandani is a seasoned global COO/CPO and business leader, consulting with Boards and CEOs to enhance business performance and value. As a professor, advisor, and board member, he has a notable track record in designing and executing global organizational transformations for large public companies. Rajesh is recognized for elevating HR education standards in Canada. Specializing in corporate strategy, HR strategy, talent strategy, transformation, talent value proposition, board governance, executive leadership, integration, global HR, CHRO, SVP Human Resources, and VP Human Resources.
Top
Dean, Faculty of Engineering, University of Waterloo
Mary Wells is an experienced Dean with a proven leadership history in higher education. A skilled engineering professional with expertise in numerical simulation, metallurgy, and research, she excels in areas such as public speaking and heat treatment.
Top
President & CEO, HP Canada
Mary Ann Yule is the President & CEO of HP Canada Co., with over 20 years of leadership experience in the technology industry. A trailblazer in personal systems and printing technologies, she specializes in 3D printing, digital manufacturing, and related services and solutions.
Top
Chief Culture and People Officer, Deloitte Canada
Van Zorbas, as the Global Chief Purpose Officer at Deloitte, leads the company's first Global Purpose Office. With a focus on sustainability, social impact, and responsible business practices, he strives to make a positive impact for people, clients, societies, and the planet. His extensive leadership experience includes roles such as Chief Culture and People Officer and Managing Partner for Risk Advisory in Deloitte's Canadian firm.
Top.png)
