CONNECTIONS 2025 AGENDA

Registration

June 9 • 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM • Marriott on the Falls Hotel

Technical Tours of Niagara Region

June 9 • 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM • More Information to Follow

Early Arrival Reception

June 9 • 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM • Marriott on the Falls Hotel

6:30 AM

FEI Canada Annual Golf Tournament • Presenting Sponsor: Corpay

June 10 • 6:30 AM – 3:00 PM • Whirlpool Golf Course

8:00 AM

Registration

June 10 • 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre • Foyer

3:30 PM

UKG Workshop

June 10 • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

4:30 PM

RSM Workshop

June 10 • 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

Sponsor and Exhibitor Appreciation Reception

June 10 • 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM • Marriott on the Falls Hotel

5:00 PM

New Member Reception

June 10 • 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM • Marriott on the Falls Hotel

6:00 PM

Welcome Reception

June 10 • 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre • Exhibit Hall

Sponsored by:

7:00 AM

Registration

7:00 AM – 5:00 PM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre • Foyer

Breakfast Seminar

7:15 AM – 8:40 AM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

MARK FREY • President, Corpay

Building a High Performance Business Through Acquisition

Breakfast Seminar

7:15 AM – 8:40 AM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

8:45 AM

Welcome, Land Acknowledgement and Opening Remarks

8:45 AM – 9:00 AM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

VIVIAN TONG & PETE PIGOTT • Conference Co-Chairs

ALYSIA CARTER • Chair, FEI Canada National Board of Directors

HOWARD KERBEL • Executive Director, FEI Canada

9:00 AM

Opening Keynote Speaker

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

MICHAEL PINBALL CLEMONS • Canadian Sports Hall-of-Famer • GM Toronto Argonauts

Pinball is a name synonymous with vibrancy, charisma and an unyielding commitment to excellence, both on and off the field.  Renowned for his illustrious career in Canadian football and his dynamic presence as a motivational and keynote speaker, Clemons has inspired countless individuals and organizations with his compelling narratives and life lessons drawn from his personal and professional experiences.  For those looking to ignite a spark of motivation, foster leadership and drive excellence within their teams or themselves, Pinball stands as a beacon of inspiration and a testament of the power of positive influence and resilience.

10:00 AM

Refreshment Break

10:00 AM – 10:35 AM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre • Exhibit Hall

10:35 AM

Economic Outlook Panel – Plenary Session

10:35 AM – 11:35 AM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

Moderator: KARL SCHAMOTTA • Chief Market Analyst, Corpay

Strategies for Resilience Amongst Global Trade & Supply Chain Disruptions

Economists will discuss the financial impact of global trade trends and supply chain disruptions on companies after the US and Canadian elections and the issues in Eastern Europe.  CFOs will be able to relate these insights to financial planning, exploring how to mitigate risks, manage currency volatility and protect margins in a volatile global market.  CFOs will learn how to connect these insights with capital allocation, risk management and strategic planning.

11:40 AM

Lunch

11:40 AM – 12:40 PM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre • Exhibit Hall

12:40 PM

CFO Panel – Plenary Session

12:55 PM – 1:55 PM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

GORD NELSON • CFO, Cineplex Entertainment

MICHEAL KRAVSHIK • Co-Founder & CEO, LumiQ

The Power of Strategic Alliances

More and more organizations are using strategic alliances to create stronger competitive advantages and financial benefits.  Our CFO panel will share their experiences on the different alliances and collaborations used, the value they create, the key success factor and any lessons learned.exploring how to mitigate risks, manage currency volatility and protect margins in a volatile global market.  CFOs will learn how to connect these insights with capital allocation, risk management and strategic planning.

1:45 PM

Concurrent Session 1

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

Moderator: VLADLEN XAVIER STARK • Director Finance, NGL Supply Co. Ltd.

Artificial Intelligence in Finance: Summary and Future Directions

This final session serves as a capstone for the Journey to AI series, offering a comprehensive summary of the lessons learned and practical insights gathered throughout the webinars.  The session will provide a forward-looking view of how AI is poised to reshape the finance sector over the next decade, including how Canadian businesses can leverage AI to improve productivity while mitigating associated risks.  The panel discussion will feature finance and AI experts, offering their perspectives on the future of AI in finance and strategies to navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Consolidated insights from the series on implementing and using AI responsibly in finance

• Strategic guidance on driving Canadian productivity with AI while managing risks

• Interactive discussion on the future of AI in finance, with audience Q&A

Concurrent Session 2

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

Strategy Session on Sustainability

2:45 PM

Networking & Travel Time

2:45 PM – 2:55 PM

Refreshment Break

2:55 PM – 3:25 PM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre • Exhibit Hall

3:30 PM

Ethics – Plenary Session

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

Moderator: STEPHEN MILL • President, Robert Half Canada

Speaker: MICHELLE CAUSTON • Communications and Education Specialist

The Ethical Compass: CFOs as the Conscience of the Connected Enterprise

CFOs play a crucial role as the ethical backbone of the company.  This session will immerse participants in real world ethical scenarios, highlighting how CFOs can steer their organizations through complex moral challenges while driving growth and innovation.

4:30 PM

Plenary Session

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

Canada at the Forefront of the Energy Transition

Learn how Canada is transitioning to new forms of energy.

6:15 PM

Bus Departure for Offsite Event

6:15 PM – 6:30PM • Hotel Lobby

Social Evening

6:15 PM – 10:15 PM

10:15 PM

After Party

10:15 PM onwards

7:00 AM

Registration

7:00 AM – 2:00 PM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre • Foyer

FEI Canada Talks Breakfast

7:15 AM – 8:40 AM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

8:45 AM

Welcome Back Remarks and Capon Award Presentation

8:45 AM – 9:00 AM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre • Lobby

VIVIAN TONG & PETE PIGOTT • Conference Co-Chairs

ALYSIA CARTER • Chair, FEI Canada Board of Directors

HOWARD KERBEL • Executive Director, FEI Canada

9:00 AM

Plenary Session

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

JO MARK ZUREL • Corporate Director & Investor

DEBORAH ROSATI • Founder & CEO, Women Get on Board

HARI PANDAY • President & CEO, PanVest Capital Corporation

Preparing Senior Finance Leaders for Effective Board Service

This session empowers senior finance professionals to leverage their financial expertise for broader government roles, contributing to risk management, growth strategy and long-term value creation.  Learn how to build meaningful connections with board members, executive search firms and key influencers to secure board opportunities.

 

Gain insights into navigating boardroom dynamics, including collaboration, communication and leadership within diverse and evolving boards.  Stay ahead of emerging governance trends in ESG, digital transformation and regulatory compliance.

 

Understand the legal and ethical responsibilities of board members, including fiduciary duties and best practices, while exploring ways to position yourself as a champion of diversity and inclusion.  This session equips you to make a meaningful impact as a board member and elevate your career.

10:05 AM

Plenary Session

10:05 AM – 11:05 AM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

AI and Business in Transition

AI has the power to revolutionize not just finance but entire business ecosystems.  In this session, explore real world AI use cases that drive value across operations, customer experience and strategy.  Learn how to develop compelling business cases that align AI investments with organizational goals, effectively communicate their impact to the board and secure buy-in.  Additionally, discover innovative funding models tailored to AI’s unique life cycle, supporting the iterative “test and learn” approach critical to successful implementation.  Equip yourself to lead your organization’s AI-drive transformation with confidence and clarity.

11:05 AM

Exhibitor Draw Prizes

11:05 AM – 11:20 AM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

11:20AM

Refreshment Break

11:20 AM – 11:55 AM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre • Exhibit Hall

12:00 PM

Concurrent Session 1 – Private Companies

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

Using FEI Canada Connections to Build Value in Your Company

CFOs of Private Companies are expected to have an answer to the financial challenges and opportunities facing their company.  However, they often have limited resources at their disposal to help in making key decisions.  This panel discussion will address how members can utilize the FEI Canada network to gain valuable insights on how their peers are addressing various finance challenges and growth opportunities.

Concurrent Session 2

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

The Fractional CFO

1:05 PM

Closing Luncheon, Speaker & Launch of 2026 Conference

1:05 PM – 2:50 PM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre

STEPHEN POLOZ • Former Governor, Bank of Canada

2:50 PM

Closing Remarks and Launch of 2026 Conference

2:50 PM – 3:00 PM • Niagara Falls Convention Centre