Current Speakers

As a Chief Information Officer in the banking industry, I leverage AI, blockchain, machine learning, and cloud computing to drive digital transformation and streamline operations. I’ve implemented AI-powered chatbots, enhanced security with machine learning fraud detection, and led Salesforce Financial Cloud migration. My focus is on aligning tech initiatives with business goals, leading innovation in blockchain-based payments, and fostering collaborative teams. I’m committed to enhancing customer engagement, strengthening security, ensuring operational efficiency, and maintaining system reliability, all while aligning technology investments with organizational success.

I am an accomplished professional with over 15 years of experience in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, Data Science & Analytics, Computer Vision, and Pattern Recognition. With a Ph.D. in Engineering, I possess a strong academic foundation and a deep passion for leveraging AI technologies to solve complex business challenges.

Currently serving as the Director, AI Engineering at Munich Re Canada, I lead a team of Applied AI and AI Software Engineers, driving the development and implementation of cutting-edge solutions for business use-cases in production environments. My expertise spans machine learning, pattern recognition, natural language processing, data mining, computer vision, statistical modeling, and cloud computing.

Proficient in Python, R, C/C++, microservices (Docker and API frameworks), and Tableau, I possess a diverse skill set necessary for successfully executing AI projects. I am known for my strong communication and presentation skills, enabling effective collaboration with stakeholders and business units to align AI initiatives with organizational objectives.

Throughout my career, I have designed strategies and delivered long-term AI and automation solutions, enabling organizations to achieve transformative outcomes. I have demonstrated leadership in cross-functional environments and fostered collaboration to deliver company-wide projects. Additionally, I have extensive experience with cloud services such as Azure and AWS.

Notable achievements include spearheading the adoption of AI, machine learning, and automation solutions as part of Munich Re Canada’s digital transformation initiatives. I consult with various business units and stakeholders to understand challenges and requirements, resulting in the successful development of AI and automation applications. Furthermore, I have championed the use of Azure MLOps for efficient management of deployed ML applications.

Angie is Head of Business Innovation at TD Asset Management and leads a team of data scientist creating machine learning techniques that increase efficiencies, generate revenue while becoming a leading-edge global firm. Prior to working in the Innovation space, she worked in Investment Risk where she analyzed risk and performance attribution reviewing current trading strategies and providing quantitative analysis, and before that in a front office trading floor as she developed and traded various credit derivative strategies, set risk limits for structured equity products, oversaw business risk tolerance, and participated in various firm acquisitions on the sell-side. Her experience also includes leading a global valuation team for a top tier consulting firm guiding large top tier institution on best practices. Throughout her career she has constantly been involved on initiatives to marry academia and industry and created the FinHub lab at the University of Toronto. Angie holds a B.Sc. in Mathematics, Statistics and Chemistry, a Masters in Mathematical Finance, and a Ph.D. in Engineering, all from the University of Toronto. She also holds a FinTech Certification from Harvard University, is an Instructor at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management specializing in artificial intelligence and is an Advisory Board Member of Rotman’s FinHub.

Sami Huovilainen is an Analytics and Data Science leader at Citi US Personal Banking with 25 years of experience in translating data into insights, strategy, and business outcomes. As a Head of Next Gen Analytics at Citi, Sami is responsible for designing, building, and deploying AI/ML & Gen AI solutions and translating Big Data vision and findings into tactical implementable steps and tangible outcomes. Prior to joining Citi in 2004, Sami spent five years at JPMorgan Chase as a Data Scientist.

It is often said the most successful companies intertwine their business strategy with their technology strategy and Daniel Ford is a unique executive who does just that. Dan is known for consuming significant amount of information which he can then turn-around quickly to actionable decisions. This unique ability has served Dan well, with a career spanning more than 25 years across multiple industry verticals. Dan is a turn-around expert and provides a unique blend of continuous improvement, innovation, positive leadership, and strategic thinking.

Dan has found that in order to be a visionary leader you must: 1. Have an idea, and be willing to be wrong; 2. Surround yourself with some amazing people that are willing to tell you that you are wrong and empower them to make decisions; 3. Implement cultural Yinyang; which consists of diversity of thought and creating a culture of continuous improvement in people, processes, procedures, and technology.

Dan’s Professional YinYang has worked with every organization he has been charged with transforming and starting. With this philosophy an organization is able to empower their employees to find automated solutions for recurring problems, take on more challenging projects, and most important – never be yes people. This will naturally lead to an innovative organization that can adapt to changes in the market quickly; and most importantly move into a leadership position within the market.

• People leader with nearly 20 years of continuous hands-on experience in model development and validation.
• An innovative leader who has a systemic view to design an integrated automation and AI/ML model platform with AI Agent for Modeling and Analytic tasks using LLM, and to prototype the ModelOps for digital model lifecycle management.
• Proven track record of building highly competent and efficient model validation teams covering loss forecast (CCAR) models (Commercial and Consumer Credit Risk, Operational Risk), economic capital models (market, interest rate, credit, and operational risks), Machine Learning, Counterparty Credit Risk (PFE/CVA, and SIMM), and derivatives valuation/pricing models.
• Proven ability to influence senior-level management and key stakeholders.
• Experience in direct regulatory interactions and demonstrated ability to set up policies and procedures to satisfy SR11-7, Basel, CCR, and CCAR/CECL regulatory requirements.

Valerie Drew is an executive-level technologist known for optimizing companies’ growth with visionary technology leadership through relentless innovation in Artificial Intelligence, global security, cloud infrastructure, and financial application development for Fixed Income and Capital Markets. She is a thought leader who catapults teams to exceed expectations in complex environments. She propels MM revenue savings by utilizing predictive analysis, code optimization, and best practices in the international market.

Valerie is the VP, Global Technology Risk Lead for Corporate and Investment Banks responsible for designing controls for Artificial Intelligence, Robotics Process Automation, and Cloud Security at Deutsche Bank. Valerie is best known for her ability to design and implement global business initiatives spanning application continuity data center transformations, security risk mitigation, and complexity reduction.

Valerie has expertise in cybersecurity, leading organizations through all regulatory audits, including SOX, SSAE16, internal and external audits, and mitigating cyber risks. She has a strong infrastructure background specializing in the full life cycle development of financial systems in Fixed Income, Capital markets, Equity, mergers, and Acquisitions.

Valerie is an active OWASP and ISACA member and holds ITIL and Cyber Security certifications. She has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Sciences from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, a Master of Cyber Security from the University of Maryland, and an MBA in Mergers and Acquisitions from the University of Maryland.