CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Our speaker lineup is growing every day!
Check back often to see the latest thought leaders and industry trailblazers joining the 2026 FEI Canada National Conference.
Board of Directors Lunch & Board Meeting
May 25 • 11:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Early Arrival Reception
May 25 • 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Sponsored by:
![]()
Leadership / Alumni Dinner
May 25 • 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM • By Invitation
Private Dinner Opportunities
May 25 • 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM • By Invitation
6:30 AM
FEI Canada Golf Tournament
May 26 • 6:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Presenting Sponsor:
8:00 AM
Registration & Information Desk
May 26 • 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sponsored by:
![]()
Early Arrival Breakfast
May 26 • 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
3:00 PM
Pre-conference Workshop Session
May 26 • 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM • Optional
4:00 PM
Pre-conference Workshop Session
May 26 • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM • Optional
Sponsored by:
![]()
Sponsor & Exhibitor Reception
May 26 • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM • By Invitation
4:30 PM
New Member Reception
May 26 • 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM •By Invitation
5:30 PM
Welcome Reception
May 26 • 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM •Exhibition Hall
7:00 PM
Offsite Evening Experiences
May 26 • 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM • More Information to Follow
Various sponsors, including:
7:00 AM
Registration & Information Desk
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sponsored by:
![]()
HUB’s Executive Cappuccino Bar
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sponsored by:
![]()
Wednesday Breakfast Session 1
7:15 AM – 8:30 AM • Hot Breakfast Served
Sponsored by:

Wednesday Breakfast Session 2
7:15 AM – 8:30 AM • Hot Breakfast Served
Sponsored by:

8:45 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:45 AM – 9:10 AM
10:15 AM
Refreshment Break
10:15 AM – 10:50 AM • Exhibit Hall
10:55 AM
Keynote Panel
AI / INNOVATION : moderated panel
10:55 AM – 11:55 AM
Moderator
JORDAN BEALLOR • Board Member & Past President, FEI Canada, Toronto Chapter
Panel
ROGER DAOUD • Chief Financial Officer, Canada, SAP
KEVIN SPENCER • Vice President Public Services Canada, SAP
Canada’s data‑sovereignty conversation is accelerating, driven by federal policy, provincial regulation, and massive new investment in sovereign AI‑ready data centres. The country is positioning itself as a secure, geopolitically stable jurisdiction for sensitive data—an issue that matters enormously for CFOs, boards, and any organization handling regulated or mission‑critical information.
12:00 PM
Lunch
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM • Exhibit Hall
2:05 PM
Concurrent Session #1
DEALMAKING IN A VOLATILE WORLD
2:05 PM – 3:05 PM
Private Companies • Thought Leadership Forum
CUSMA still intact? New Tariffs? Emerging geopolitical tensions? Who knows where things will stand on May 27th, 2026! But our panel of experts will fearlessly delve into these and other issues in terms of how they’re impacting mergers and acquisitions in real time. They’ll address topics such as how buyers are assessing target companies and using acquisitions to reduce risk through geographic expansion and diversification. From a sell-side perspective, they’ll discuss what would-be sellers of private companies are doing to position themselves to be an attractive acquisition target. Transaction structuring in the face of uncertainty will also be addressed. Finally, we’ll hear from legal counsel on how key provisions in purchase and sale agreements can be used to get deals over the finish line.
Concurrent Session #2
AI NEEDS BETTER DATA: How CFOs Can Build a Data-Driven Foundation for Trusted AI in Finance
2:05 PM – 3:05 PM
TOM KELLY • Director of Product Management & Marketing, Oracle Netsuite
AI is rapidly reshaping how finance operates, from real‑time forecasting and automated variance analysis to closing the books and scenario planning that keeps pace with the business. The opportunity for finance leaders is to move beyond experiments and turn AI into a trusted, everyday partner. But to realize AI’s full potential, finance leaders must prioritize the quality, connectivity, and governance of their data. In this session, discover why better data is the foundation of trusted, impactful AI. Explore how to unify and modernize financial data sources, employ intelligent data integration techniques, and ensure data is accurate, secure, and ready for AI-driven processes. Learn how combining connected, high-quality data with embedded intelligence and an up-skilled finance team helps deliver reliable forecasting, anomaly detection, zero-day close, and actionable scenario planning that leaders can act on with speed and confidence.
Sponsored by:
![]()
3:10 PM
Refreshment Break
3:10 PM – 3:40 PM • Exhibit Hall
Sponsored by:

4:45 PM
Free Time
4:45 PM – 6:00 PM
6:00 PM
Buses Depart for Evening Social Event
6:00 PM – 6:15 PM
Canadian Museum of History
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sponsored by:
![]()
7:30 AM
Registration & Information Desk
7:30 AM – 1:30 PM • All Day Coffee Sponsored
Sponsored by:
![]()
HUB’s Executive Cappuccino Bar
8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Sponsored by:
![]()
8:00 AM
FEI Canada Talk Presentations: 3 Talks back-to-back
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM • Hot breakfast served to all attendees in the plenary room
Sponsored by:


![]()
9:05 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Presentation of Capon Award
9:05 AM – 9:15 AM
9:20 AM
Thursday Opening Keynote
MENTAL HEALTH: Stories from Unsinkable
![]()
9:20 AM – 10:10 AM
Moderators
HAILEY HECHTMAN • Executive Director, Unsinkable
Panel
VENASSA BAPTISTE • Partnership,Unsinkable
CAROL DAGHER • In-House Legal, HomeEquity Bank
MICHAEL HERMAN • Partner, Gowling WLG
FEI Canada and Unsinkable together want to share inspiring stories and practical strategies for fostering resilience and mental well-being in high-pressure leadership roles.
Unsinkable is a platform supporting resilience, wellness, and mental health for professionals. They empower executives to manage stress, maintain well-being, and build resilient organizations while driving business performance.
10:15 AM
Exhibitor Prize Draws
10:15 AM – 10:30 AM • Plenaray Room
Refreshment Break
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM • Exhibit Hall
12:05 PM
Concurrent Session #1
AI WAR STORIES & FAILURES FROM THE TRENCHES
Technology (TLF) Session
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Moderator
VLADLEN STARK • Chief Financial Officer, Remuda Building
Panel
WISH BAKSHI • Founder, Energy Data & AI Consultant
SOPHIA KUDLYK • Cyber Security & Incident Response Leader, Senior VP, Cyber, HUB International
KAS REHMAN • Partner, Forensic Investigation, Integrity and Dispute Services, KPMG LLP
Concurrent Session #2
Wolters Kluwer Presentation
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sponsored by:
![]()