The Speakers
KEYNOTES
PETER NEWELL, FOUNDER - HACKING FOR DEFENSE​
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Mission Acceleration: Delivering Innovation that solves problems
Peter is the CEO of BMNT, an innovation consultancy and early-stage technology incubator that helps solve some of the hardest real-world problems in national security, state and local governments and beyond. Prior to joining BMNT, Peter served as the Director of the US Army’s Rapid Equipping Force (REF). Reporting directly to the senior leadership of the Army, he was charged with rapidly finding, integrating, and employing solutions to emerging problems faced by Soldiers on the battlefield. Peter is a founder and co-author, with Lean Startup founder Steve Blank, of Hacking for Defense (H4D)®, an academic program taught at 22+ universities.
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LIEUTENANT-GENERAL MIKE ROULEAU, COMMANDER CANADIAN JOINT OPERATIONS COMMAND
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How We Fight: A Call for Greater Dexterity in Intelligence
Lieutenant-General Rouleau’s career has been evenly split between duty in the Canadian Army, Special Forces and strategic Staff portfolios at National Defence Headquarters. He commanded Canada’s Special Operations Forces Command from February 2014 until May 2018, where he was responsible to the Chief of the Defence Staff for the provision of kinetic and non-kinetic counter terrorism and Special Forces effects domestically and around the globe. Lieutenant-General Rouleau’s service in Special Operations began in 1994 with Joint Task Force 2 (JTF 2) as a badged Special Operations Assaulter. Lieutenant-General Rouleau was promoted to his current rank in 2018 and assumed command of the Canadian Joint Operations Command in June 2018.
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SPEAKERS
BENJAMIN KOHLMANN, FOUNDER - DEFENSE ENTREPRENEUR'S FORUM
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Lessons Learned - The American Innovation Eco-System
Ben is a former F/A-18 Super Hornet pilot and founder of both the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum and the United States Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations Rapid Innovation Cell. He was also one of the first reserve military officers within the Defense Innovation Unit, Experimental. While at Stanford University, Ben also participated in the first Hacking 4 Defense course. He is now at a leading management consultant firm advising numerous defense-related organizations, and a Senior Advisor to the Defence Innovation Board.
REAR-ADMIRAL SCOTT BISHOP, COMMANDER CFINTCOM
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The 5 W's of Disruption
Rear Admiral Bishop was appointed Commander of the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command and Chief of Defence Intelligence in June of 2016. In 2005 Rear Admiral Bishop commanded HMCS HALIFAX and deployed as the ship’s Commanding Officer on OPERATION ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR. In 2011, he deployed on OPERATION UNIFIED PROTECTOR enforcing NATO's no-fly-zone and embargo against Libya. Rear Admiral Bishop holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and is a graduate of the US Navy’s War College. He was appointed to the Order of Military Merit in 2016.
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ISABELLE DESMARTIS, CEO & ASSISTANT DEPUTY MINISTER (SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY)
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IDEaS - Reinventing Innovation
Isabelle Desmartis oversees the investment in S&T for the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Bringing leadership to national issues of defence and security, Desmartis is also the CEO of Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). Previously serving as the Director General of Policy Planning at DND, Desmartis led the development of Canada’s defence policy Strong, Secure, Engaged, and contributed strategic policy advice to senior DND/CAF leadership on current and emerging global trends in the defence and security domains.
DR. ALAIN AUGER, LEAD - S&T OUTLOOK, DRDC
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Emerging Military Technology Outlook
Dr. Alain Auger joined Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) as a Defence Scientist in 2003 and delivered several innovative capabilities to the Intelligence community. He has been appointed as the National Lead and Chair of the international Technology Foresight group of experts in science and technology for public safety and national security under the 5RD Council. He is now leading DRDC's Science and Technology Outlook program in the Office of the Chief Scientist with the mandate to identify emerging technologies and assess their potential impact on Defence and National Security in support to DRDC's S&T program formulation and investments.
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PANEL LEADS
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER MIKE NELSON
Canadian Army Innovation officer
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Delivering On Disruption
​Mike is a leading voice for change both in and out of uniform. As a naval reserve intelligence officer, Mike leads the Army's ISTAR Innovation Program seeking to establish an innovation pipeline connecting military scientists, engineers, and soldiers to deliver valuable operational capabilities. Mike also serves as a consultant with the Canadian Joint operations Command, supporting it's interests in big data analytics and artificial intelligence. Lastly, Mike is the President of CINTIQS, a boutique consulting firm that provides business and military expertise to Canadian defence technology companies pursuing the integration of emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Augmented/Virtual Reality.
BERND HORN (COL)
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Tomorrow's War - Retaining Technological Advantage
Dr. Horn is a retired infantry colonel who has held key command and staff appointments in the Canadian Armed Forces, including Deputy Commander of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM), Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, and Officer Commanding 3 Commando, the Canadian Airborne Regiment. He is currently the Command Historian at the CANSOFCOM Education and Research Centre. Dr. Horn is also an adjunct professor at the University of Calgary and the Royal Military College of Canada. He has authored, co-authored, edited or co-edited 40 books and innumerable monographs / chapters / articles on military history, Special Operations Forces, leadership and military affairs.
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PANELISTS
CHRISTIANA CAVAZZONI​
Director General Data Strategy And Innovation at National Defense
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Panel: Delivering on Disruption
Ms. Christiana Cavazzoni is currently a senior executive with Canada’s Department of National Defence, in the field of Data Innovation and Analytics providing leadership in advancing digital principles and implementing new approaches. As a Senior Executive with a background in Technology and Business Transformations, her experience in digital and business strategy development and implementation spans both private and public sectors. She has held CIO positions in the federal government and senior leadership position in research and development at Nortel. Over the course of her career, she has initiated technology transformations across government departments and led the launch of a number innovative technology programs focusing on data analytics, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, and automation.
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CARL SHARPE​
Industry Lead - Accenture
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Panel: Delivering on Disruption
Carl joined Accenture in 2016 as one of the founding leaders of The Dock, Accenture’s Global Innovation Centre, where he built the Intelligent Decision Support portfolios across Public Safety, Security, Communications, Marketing and Resources. He currently serves as the Accenture’s Global Public Safety Innovation Lead, bringing new ideas, ways of thinking, and solutions to Public Safety clients worldwide. Carl is also a design facilitation leader, and provides domain expertise in the fields of Security, Defense, and Criminal Intelligence and the practical implementations of Artificial Intelligence. Prior to joining Accenture, Carl spent 16 years working in the Security Intelligence portfolio with the Government of Canada, both domestically and internationally, developing and delivering Information Strategies, creating and leading analytics driven investigative teams, and designing implementing and supporting outcome focused advanced analytics solutions.
DAVID MASSON
Director of Enterprise Security - Darktrace​
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Panel: Tomorrow's War - Retaining Technological Advantage
David Masson is Darktrace’s Director of Enterprise Security, and has over two decades of experience working in fast moving security and intelligence environments in the UK, Canada and worldwide. With skills developed in the civilian, military and diplomatic worlds, he has been influential in the efficient and effective resolution of various unique national security issues. David is an operational solutions expert and has a solid reputation across the UK and Canada for delivery tailored to customer needs. At Darktrace, David advises strategic customers across North America and is also a regular contributor to major media outlets in Canada where he is based, included CBC and The Globe and Mail. He holds a master’s degree from Edinburgh University.
MARIA REY
Vice President & CFO for SSCL
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Panel: Tomorrow's War - Retaining Technological Advantage
Maria Rey is Vice President and Chief Science Officer for Space Strategies Consulting Ltd. (SSCL), an Ottawa-based company that provides advice to commercial, civil and national security stakeholders across the breadth and complexities of space operations, technologies and user requirements. Maria joined SSCL after 30 years with the Canadian Department of National Defence. Maria started at DRDC as a scientist in the Airborne Radar Section working in the area of space-based remote sensing and imagery exploitation with emphasis on synthetic aperture radar applications. She has held a variety of posts within DRDC, including Director Science and Technology Maritime, Director General of the Centre for Operational Research and Analysis and Director General of DRDC Ottawa. She retired as the Director General, Science and Technology for Joint Force Development, in which she was responsible for advising on and developing the DND research program in the area of Joint C4ISR.
SHANNON MCCLURE
IBM Partner​
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Panel: Delivering on Disruption
Ms. Shannon McClure is the IBM Canada Services Partner for Defence. She has 23 years of business experience with more than 15 years of experience working with Defence organizations. As the Canadian representative on IBM’s Global Defence Board, she collaborates on innovation agendas including artificial intelligence. She can be counted on to help in the most complex situations and is focused on helping to transform Canadian Defence, putting people and data first and pivoting clients to the cognitive era. Ms. McClure is experienced in planning and managing complex organizational change projects combined with information technology business transformations and is focused on helping Defence organizations obtain value from artificial intelligence. She’s known for her deep industry experience, organizational change management skills and for driving disruption and innovation to create value for clients. Ms. McClure is a founding executive member of the IBM Advancing Women in Global Business Services group and she is the Executive Sponsor of the IBM Veterans Business Resource Group. She has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa.
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PALENTIR EXECUTIVE ​- To Be Announced
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Panel: Tomorrow's War - Retaining Technological Advantage