AI Forum

Dr. Hossein Rahnama

Edward Rogers Sr. Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Human Creativity, TMU  Founder and CEO, Flybits; Visiting Professor and Head of the sAIpien Program, MIT Media Lab; Co-Founder Digital Media Zone

Dr. Hossein Rahnama is an internationally recognized computer scientist whose work focuses on artificial intelligence, data governance and the transparent design of data-driven systems. He is a founding faculty member of the Scalable AI Program for the Intelligent Evolution of Networks (sAIpien), an initiative at the MIT Media Lab that develops auditable human-AI systems that provide organizations with the evidence they need to trace, test and explain AI-supported decisions. Dr. Rahnama is also the founder and CEO of Flybits, which helps institutions deliver personalized digital experiences built on responsible data practices. He has authored more than 30 publications and patents, and his research continues to influence how organizations design and govern AI in complex environments.

Dr. Peter Lewis

Canada Research Chair in Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence; Director, Mindful AI Research Institute (MAIRI); Associate Professor, Ontario Tech University.

Dr. Peter Lewis is an interdisciplinary leader whose work sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence and society. As a Canada Research Chair in Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence, he designs and analyzes socially intelligent AI systems that support responsible decision-making in real-world contexts.

Dr. Lewis has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and co-edited the book Self-Aware Computing Systems. He has partnered with more than 75 organizations across Europe and Canada, primarily small and medium-sized enterprises, alongside larger corporations and non-profits, on applied AI adoption projects. Previously, he directed Think Beyond Data, an economic development program that generated more than £4 million for the regional economy. His work addresses trust, justice and accessibility in AI, guiding the alignment of emerging technologies with societal norms and values.

Jennifer Alsop

CEO, EDGE at Ontario Tech University

Jennifer Alsop is Chief Executive Officer of EDGE, an executive training organization that delivers expert-led programs for senior leaders navigating rapid change. EDGE operates as a separate entity from Ontario Tech University.

In this role, Alsop leads EDGE’s strategic direction and program delivery, supporting executives as they build leadership capacity in complex and fast-changing environments.

Previously, Alsop served as Director, External Relations and Partnerships at Ontario Tech. She advanced the university’s engagement strategy, built external partnerships, and supported the university’s positioning as a trusted collaborator across industry, government and community. She also led the Brilliant Energy Institute, drawing on Ontario Tech’s energy expertise to support clean energy innovation and an inclusive transition to net-zero emissions.

Earlier in her career, Alsop was vice-president at a national public relations and communications agency. There, she led multidisciplinary teams delivering integrated campaigns for global companies and organizations, including Google, PayPal, PlayStation, Starbucks, Toshiba and Microsoft, as well as for community organizations, startups and government.

Hugh Mansfield

President, Bizcom

Hugh Mansfield is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance consultant with over 12 years of experience in the design and implementation of AI frameworks and model development. He currently leads an AI governance consulting firm Bizcom assisting organizations in the implementation of regulatory compliance, responsible and ethical AI frameworks and the ongoing monitoring that follows. He is a recognized industry expert in AI Governance, Risk and Compliance.

Hugh holds a LLM in Innovation, Law and Technology from U of T Law, and has achieved his ISO42001 2023 (AI Governance) Senior Implementer accreditation. Hugh has also earned his CIPP-C privacy designation from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP); and is an adjunct faculty member of York Osgoode Law where he teaches Data Privacy and AI Incident Response. Hugh also sits on the Advisory Board of the Digital Governance Standards Institute of Canada on their Ethics and Technical committees and the Marketing committee of the AI Safety Foundation (AISF) of Canada. Hugh was a founding Advisory Board member of the University of Toronto’s (Rotman) master’s in management analytics program (MMA 2018-2022).

Amber Mac

President, AmberMac Media Inc.

Amber Mac is president of an award-winning content development agency, an award-winning podcaster (This Is Mining and The AI Effect), and a bestselling author. She is also the host of The AmberMac Show podcast on SiriusXM with co-host Jeff MacArthur.

In 2024, Amber was named as one of DMZ’s Women of the Year for her work driving innovation and progress in the tech industry. In 2021, Amber was named one of the Bay Street Bull Women of the Year for her leadership in the technology sector. In 2016, she co-wrote the Amazon bestseller, Outsmarting Your Kids Online, just a few years after she wrote the Globe & Mail business bestseller, Power Friending.

Amber has keynoted more than 700 events around the world and has moderated sessions with notable leaders. Amber has hosted and co-hosted a variety of podcast series, including The Amber Mac Show, The AI Effect, Marketing Disrupted, The Feed, commandN, This is Mining (presented by the Ontario Mining Association), 15secTech, and more. She is a regular business host and tech expert for Fast Company, CNN, Bloomberg, CBS, BNN, CTV, The Marilyn Denis Show, and SiriusXM. 

Amber started her career in San Francisco and Boston during the dot-com boom. As a strategist for Razorfish and Director of Marketing for an e-procurement software company, she spent four years in the technology start-up trenches. As a child, Amber attended a two-room country schoolhouse and shared a party telephone line with neighboring houses. She is now recognized internationally as an innovation and technology leader.

Dr. Steven Murphy

President and Vice-Chancellor, Ontario Tech University

Dr. Steven Murphy has served as the fourth President and Vice-Chancellor of Ontario Tech University since March 1, 2018. His vision centres on ‘tech with a conscience’: finding ethical solutions to problems in our tech-focused world. This philosophy carries over into reimagining flexible learning in a manner that best serves the needs of both traditional and mature learners.

Dr. Murphy’s bold approach is represented by a youthful and energetic new university brand. He champions student-led initiatives that increase engagement on campus. He actively encourages students to embrace collaboration, with a focus on innovations that improve society and our planet.

Dr. Murphy strongly believes that if we are to unleash our global competitive advantage, we will need to engage Canadians from often-marginalized, equity-deserving groups in meaningful, entrepreneurial pursuits. He advances the university’s mission of increased inclusivity and accessibility through key initiatives that place diversity at the centre of programming. For example, the entrepreneurial incubator Brilliant Catalyst works with federal, provincial and municipal counterparts to ensure that Black and Indigenous youth and students receive access to entrepreneurial networks. Dr. Murphy believes diversity is the key to Canada’s competitive future. At Ontario Tech we are seeing the results of this approach.

As the president of one of Canada’s most dynamic universities, Dr. Murphy recognized Ontario Tech’s broad range of energy-related expertise, which allowed him to drive the creation of the Brilliant Energy Institute, a multidisciplinary facility tasked with building the scientific plan to get us to net zero.

Dr. Murphy reimagines higher education to support the kind of flexible, individual pursuit of learning that will fuel Canada's knowledge economy. As a result, Ontario Tech has become an early leader in developing micro-credentials: short, accredited online programs that represent new learning in a specific study field, topic or competency. 

Renowned for his organizational and human behaviour expertise across business and industry, Dr. Murphy brings this experience to guide his leadership strategy. Beyond the lenses of race and gender, he embraces diversity of thoughts and ideas.

Brian Gallant

CEO, Space Canada

Brian Gallant is the CEO of Space Canada and he was the 33rd Premier of New Brunswick. Brian is a Special Advisor to the President of Ontario Tech University. He also frequently provides business and political analysis as a media commentator for CTV and Radio Canada. Prior to elected office, Brian practiced corporate commercial law. He has university degrees in business and law from the Université de Moncton as well as a Master of Laws from McGill University.

Brian is supportive of many causes and initiatives including the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Olympic Foundation.

Dr. Amanda Cooper

Dean and Professor, Frazer Faculty of Education, Ontario Tech University

Dr. Amanda Cooper champions a human-centred approach to integrating AI into learning environments, ensuring that technological advancement aligns with values of equity, integrity and social responsibility. She explores how to prepare students with the AI skills they need to succeed in evolving labour markets by developing training, curriculum and resources to support responsible use of AI as a teaching tool at every stage of education.

Her conference presentations examine the fast-changing role of AI in education, addressing the opportunities and challenges it introduces across all levels of learning. She highlights:

• The need for AI literacy among educators and students.
• The importance of safeguarding academic integrity.
• The potential of generative AI to enhance learning.
• The lack of AI-specific policy guidelines in Ontario school districts.
• The need to move beyond isolated efforts in individual classrooms or schools to a co-ordinated, strategic approach that prepares the entire education system to engage with AI in a thoughtful, ethical and effective way.

Jennifer Flanagan

Co-founder and CEO, Actua

Jennifer Flanagan, is a visionary leader dedicated to preparing Canada's youth for the demands of the future workforce through impactful STEM engagement. Recognizing the importance of equipping young Canadians with critical future skills, such as AI-readiness, Jennifer has been instrumental in Actua's growth, enabling the organization to annually engage 500,000 youth in transformative STEM experiences. Actua's impact is amplified through programs that train educators and engage parents and caregivers, fostering a supportive ecosystem for STEM learning. Under her leadership, Actua's network of over 40 university and college members across Canada prioritizes ensuring equitable access to these vital skills for all youth, particularly those often underrepresented in STEM, including Indigenous youth, girls, Black youth, and those in underserved communities. Jennifer is a respected advocate for STEM education and future skills development, sharing her insights through various national platforms and media, and contributing to boards like the University of New Brunswick. Her impactful contributions have been recognized through numerous accolades, including Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women Hall of Fame, the RBC Women Entrepreneur of the Year, Top Forty Under 40 by the City of Ottawa, Bold Woman Award by Veuve Clicquot, Top 25 Women of Influence award, and an Honorary Doctorate of Science from Concordia University.

Dr. Qusay Mahmoud

Assistant Dean, Engineering Outreach and Professor, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Ontario Tech University

Qusay H. Mahmoud, Ph.D., P.Eng. (Dr. Q) is a Professor of Software Engineering and Assistant Dean for Engineering Outreach. His work focuses on intelligent software systems, AI integration, and preparing engineers for an AI-driven world, including how AI is reshaping software development, research workflows, and learning.

Dr. Mahmoud co-led the Thriving in the Age of Artificial Intelligence project, a free online course for high school students and educators that provides an introduction to AI, covering its foundational concepts, generative AI applications, societal impacts and how to succeed in the age of AI. He also contributes to public understanding of AI and its impact through his blog, DrQwrites.com, where he shares insights how AI is transforming engineering, education, and the way we build and interact with technology.

Sheri Williams

Managing Director, Accenture Industry X, Canada

Sheri Williams is a Managing Director at Accenture and a senior Industry X and Supply Chain executive with more than 30 years of experience leading large-scale transformation across manufacturing, engineering, and operations. Her career spans the full lifecycle of industrial innovation — from hands-on engineering and manufacturing systems delivery to executive leadership roles shaping global digital and AI-driven strategies for complex, asset-intensive industries.

At Accenture, Sheri leads digital engineering, smart manufacturing, and supply chain initiatives for clients across consumer goods, energy, and nuclear sectors. She has been at the forefront of deploying advanced analytics and agentic AI into real-world manufacturing environments, helping organizations modernize operations, improve resilience, and prepare their workforce for rapidly evolving technologies. Previously, she held executive roles at Callisto Integration, where she led global delivery, P&L, and capability development for manufacturing technology programs worldwide.

A Professional Engineer with a degree in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo, Sheri brings a practitioner’s perspective to the intersection of AI, industry, and education. She is particularly focused on how education systems must evolve — from engineering curricula to skilled trades and lifelong learning — to ensure the next generation is equipped for AI-enabled manufacturing, digital engineering, and sustainable industrial growth. Sheri is a frequent speaker and moderator on the future of manufacturing, digital transformation, and workforce readiness, and is deeply committed to mentoring emerging leaders and bridging the gap between academia and industry.

Chris Benedetti

Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer with Sussex Strategy Group

With experience in both federal and provincial governments, Mr. Benedetti provides an in-depth insight and expertise into various policy development and political processes and has an extensive background in strategic communications, advisory services, and public affairs. 

For over 25 years he has helped clients to better understand policy and political imperatives and has worked with governments at all levels to support results-based decision-making. He is an expert in energy-related matters, infrastructure, trade and the environment, as well as in public administration and political affairs. He has also spoken at numerous conferences and has been published in several leading journals. 

While managing the interests of several high-profile public and private sector clients, Mr. Benedetti serves as an elected Board Director of the Ontario Energy Association, the Association of Power Producers of Ontario, the Empire Club of Canada, and Outward Bound Canada. He is a member of the Advisory Board of Red Jar Capital. He also previously served as Chair of the Recycling Council of Ontario, Director of the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy, President of the Public Affairs Association of Canada, Board Director of the Toronto ZooShare Biogas Cooperative, and Senior Advisor to the Canada-Europe Roundtable for Business. He has also been a member of the Energy Policy Council of the C.D. Howe Institute.

In March 2025, Mr. Benedetti received the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his exceptional contribution to Canada in the fields of environmental stewardship and youth education. He was also selected in 2024 as the Hedley Palmer award winner from the Association of Power Producers of Ontario. The Hedley Palmer Award recognizes individuals who have contributed exceptional contributions to Ontario’s power generation industry. 

Prior to joining Sussex, Mr. Benedetti was Vice President and Government Relations Practice Leader for a global public affairs and communications company. He has held several positions in the federal government with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and as a political advisor within the House of Commons and the Senate of Canada.  

Mr. Benedetti holds a BA in law and a BA (High Hons.) in political science from Carleton University, and an MA in political science (International Relations) from McMaster University and the University of Bath, England.  Active in his local community, Mr. Benedetti has served as President of Horizons for Youth, a United Way agency and one of Toronto’s largest youth shelters, and is a former Director for Common Ground Co-Operative, providing business training opportunities for individuals with development disabilities.

Kshitij Ahuja

Director of Digital Transformation, Nuclear Promise X

Kshitij Ahuja is the Director of Digital Transformation at NPX, where he leads strategy and execution at the intersection of technology, AI, and the energy sector. A graduate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, he brings over a decade of experience in the nuclear industry, driving complex transformation initiatives and building high-performing teams.

Driven by turning ideas from 0→1, Kshitij focuses on solving complex business problems and believes strongly in the “Who Not How” mindset - bringing the right people together to deliver meaningful results.

Outside of work, he enjoys reading at coffee shops, spending time with his pug, and balancing his love of pizza with spin classes and marathon training.

Lisa McBride

Country Leader, GE Vernova Hitachi’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Canada business

Lisa McBride is the Country Leader of GE Vernova Hitachi’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Canada business. She is responsible for the vision and strategy to lead the deployment and implementation of the BWRX-300 Small Modular Reactor in Canada. She leads and oversees business operations across Canada, as well as collaboration with customers, government, industry and partners. 

She has more than 22 years of experience in the nuclear industry, beginning her career with Ontario Power Generation. Her drive and commitment have propelled her into several key leadership roles in nuclear and corporate functions. Her diverse experiences have positioned her to engage in several critical initiatives, where her cross-functional experience has enabled her to lead multi-disciplinary teams. 

She is the past President of Women in Nuclear (WiN) Canada, a not-for-profit organization with more than 6,700 members. She holds several board positions, including:

• Director of the Canadian Nuclear Association Board
• Vice-Chair of the Board for the Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries
• Executive Director of the WiN Global Board
• Vice-Chair of the Strategy & Planning Committee for Ontario Tech University

She holds a Master of Arts degree in Leadership from the University of Guelph.

Marlene Ramphal

Nuclear Engineer in Residence, Ontario Tech University

Marlene Ramphal, P.Eng, is a senior nuclear engineering leader with over 30 years of experience across engineering, operations, refurbishment, training, security, and organizational effectiveness in Canada’s nuclear industry. She began her career as a commissioning engineer at Darlington Nuclear Generating Station and later held senior licensed operations roles, including Control Room Shift Supervisor, Shift Manager, Duty Manager, and Operations Manager - becoming one of the first women licensed by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission in these positions.

Marlene has held numerous executive and director-level roles at Ontario Power Generation and has led major initiatives in operations training, refurbishment, outage management, WANO peer review preparation, and culture change. She has also served in senior advisory roles supporting regulatory readiness, nuclear security performance, and organizational excellence at Darlington, Pickering, and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. Marlene holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto, is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario, and is a recognized advocate for mentorship and the development of future engineering leaders.

Susanna Zagar

President and CEO, Canadian Gas Association

Susanna Zagar is an accomplished leader who delivers results through clarity of purpose, a strategic mindset and disciplined focus on outcomes. Recently named President and CEO of the Canadian Gas Association (CGA), Susanna has a national mandate to advance future-focused public policy in support of Canadian energy safety, security and affordability. Prior to joining the CGA, Susanna spent five years as Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Energy Board where she earned a reputation as a forward thinker, problem solver and a key player in Ontario’s evolution into an energy superpower.

Susanna brings passion and clarity of purpose to everything she does, and her reputation reflects her professional curiosity, belief in the value of collaboration and commitment to advancing the interests of Canadians from coast to coast.

Named as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada by the Women’s Executive Network, Susanna is an accomplished executive, seasoned board member and engaged citizen whose affiliations extend from United Way of Great Toronto, Peel and York, to the national Prosperity Project and the International Women’s Forum. Susanna was also recently honoured to receive an Ontario Volunteer Service Award in recognition of more than 30 years of volunteer service across various sectors.