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 • 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM • Adam Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Registration and Information
May 25 • 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM • Adam Corridor, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Early Arrival Reception
May 25 • 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM • Adam Corridor, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
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
6:00 AM
Bus Departs to Golf Course
May 26 • 6:00 AM • Lobby, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
6:30 AM
FEI Canada Golf Tournament
May 26 • 6:30 AM – 2:30 PM • Camelot Golf & Country Club
Presenting Sponsor:
8:00 AM
Registration & Information Desk
May 26 • 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM • Adam Corridor, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Sponsored by:
![]()
Early Arrival Breakfast
May 26 • 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM • Renaissance Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
3:00 PM
Pre-conference Workshop Session
AI NEEDS BETTER DATA: How CFO’s Can Build a Data-Driven Foundation for Trusted AI in Finance
May 26 • 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM • Adam Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
TOM KELLY • Director of Product Management, 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….read more
Sponsored by:
![]()
4:00 PM
Pre-conference Workshop Session
STRONGER TOGETHER: Global Growth Decisions at the Enterprise Level
May 26 • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM • MacDonald Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Moderator
STEPHEN CALLAGHAN• Vice President Mid Market Business, EDC
Panelists
GEORGE ANGUS • Chief Financial Officer, Ross Video
PATRICK HOUSTON• Chief Executive Officer, Cn Groualiap
JOANNE TOGNARELLI • Regional Managing Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa, EDC
Sponsored by:
![]()
Sponsor & Exhibitor Reception
May 26 • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM • By Invitation • Renaissance Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
4:30 PM
New Member Reception
May 26 • 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM • By Invitation • Burgundy Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
5:30 PM
Welcome Reception
May 26 • 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM • Exhibition Hall • Ballroom & Laurier Rooms, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Social Evening • Wine & Cheese Pairing
May 26 • 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM • Quebec Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Sponsored by:
![]()

Social Evening • Cognac/Scotch Tasting
May 26 • 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM • LaurierRoom, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Sponsored by:

Social Evening • Jazz Evening
May 26 • 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM • Rabbit Hole, Sparks Street
Sponsored by:
![]()
Social Evening • Games Night
May 26 • 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM • BierMarkt, Sparks Street
Sponsored by:

7:00 AM
Registration & Information Desk
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM • Adam Corridor, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Sponsored by:
![]()
HUB’s Executive Cappuccino Bar
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM • Adam Corridor, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Sponsored by:
![]()
Wednesday Breakfast Seminar 1
THE FINANCIAL KILL SWITCH FOR RANSOMWARE IN 2026
7:15 AM – 8:30 AM • Drawing Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
RICHARD HYDE • Strategic Solutions Consultant, Ricoh Canada Inc.
RAMSEY SULLIVAN • Southeast Territory Manager, BullWall
In 2026, CFOs no longer ask if a cyber incident will occur. The real questions are how large the blast radius will be—and how quickly the organization can recover and prove containment. This breakfast session is designed exclusively for CFOs and senior financial executives who understand that ransomware is no longer an IT issue—it is a direct threat to liquidity, continuity, insurance coverage, and regulatory confidence…read more
Sponsored by:

Wednesday Breakfast Session 2
THE CFO’s ROLE IN AN AI-DRIVEN ECONOMY
7:15 AM – 8:30 AM • MacDonald Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
DAVID BRASSOR • Managing Director, RSM Canada
SONYA KING • Director,RSM Canada
In today’s volatile environment, CFOs are navigating a complex mix of economic uncertainty, evolving regulation, geopolitical pressures, and intensifying competition—all while being asked to do more with less. At the same time, AI is rapidly reshaping what’s possible across the finance function…read more
Sponsored by:

8:45 AM
Welcome, Opening Remarks and Capon Award
8:45 AM – 9:05 AM • Adam Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
SUELING CHING • President & CEO, Ottawa Board of Trade
BASIA RUTA• Chair, 2026 Conference
WINNIE LEUNG • Chair, FEI Canada Board of Directors
10:15 AM
Refreshment Break
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM • Exhibit Hall • Ballroom & Laurier Rooms, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
10:50 AM
Executive Lab
YOU CANNOT OUT-SPREADSHEET A LEADERSHIP PROBLEM
10:50 AM – 10:55 AM • Adam Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
PURDEEP SANGHA • Founder & CEO, The Executive Lab
10:55 AM
FEI Canada Overview
10:55 AM – 11:05 AM • Adam Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
HOWARD KERBEL • Executive Director, FEI Canada
12:10 PM
Lunch
12:10 PM – 1:10 PM • Exhibit Hall • Ballroom & Laurier Rooms, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
1:15 PM
Executive Lab
YOU CANNOT OUT-SPREADSHEET A LEADERSHIP PROBLEM
1:15 PM – 1:20 PM • Adam Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
PURDEEP SANGHA • Founder & CEO, The Executive Lab
3:35 PM
Refreshment Break
3:35 PM – 4:05 PM • Exhibit Hall • Ballroom & Laurier Rooms, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Sponsored by:

6:00 PM
Buses Depart for Gala Evening
6:00 PM – 6:30 PM • Hotel Lobby, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Gala Evening • Canadian Museum of History
6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
RHYTHM, CULTURE & CONNECTIONS
Step into an unforgettable night of elegance, culture, and connection set within one of Canada’s most breathtaking venues. This signature gala experience transforms the museum into a series of curated vignettes throughout the space, each offering its own distinct atmosphere.
Sponsored by:
![]()
10:00 PM
After Party
10:00 PM • Lowertown, ByWard Market
7:30 AM
Registration & Information Desk
7:30 AM – 1:30 PM • Adam Corridor, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Sponsored by:
![]()
HUB’s Executive Cappuccino Bar
8:30 AM – 1:00 PM • Adam Corridor, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Sponsored by:
![]()
7:45 AM – 8:45 AM • BREAKFAST
FEI Canada Talk Presentations
AI AGENTS IN ACTION: Empowering Accounting Teams With AI
8:05 AM – 8:25 AM • Adam Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
WASEEM MALIK • National Sales Manager, Canada FloQast
ANDREA CHRISMAN • Solutions Consultant FloQast
DAVID BRASSOR • Managing Director, Consulting Services RSM
The accounting profession is at a turning point. It’s no longer just about addressing the talent shortage; it’s about reimagining how accountants work amidst a shifting workforce and growing complexity.
Join FloQast for an eye-opening session that explores how purpose-built AI agents are transforming accounting operations. This isn’t generic, one-size-fits-all automation. It’s about intelligent, traceable workflows that auditors can trust. We’ll also do a live demo of FloQast Transform AI Agents, showing you firsthand how they save time, ensure control execution, and fit securely into your existing tech stack.
Don’t miss this opportunity to discover how AI can empower accountants to move beyond manual tasks and step into the role of strategic business partners and trusted advisors.
Sponsored by:

FEI Canada Talk Presentations
8:25 AM – 8:45 AM • Adam Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
LIFT: Accelerate Your Productiviiy, AI and Technology Investments
JONATHAN PASTRIKOS • Assistant Vice President, Ontario BDC
Sponsored by:

8:50 AM
Welcome Remarks
8:50 AM – 9:05 AM • Adam Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
HOWARD KERBEL • Executive Director, FEI Canada
9:10 AM
Opening Keynote
MENTAL HEALTH: Prioritizing Mental Health While Achieving Professional Success
Qualifies for an Ethics Credit
9:10 AM – 10:10 AM
Moderator
HAILEY HECHTMAN • Executive Director, Unsinkable
Stories from UNSINKABLE, Panel
VENASSA BAPTISTE • Partnership,Unsinkable
CAROLE DAGHER • Senior Legal Executive & Mental Health Advocate
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 • Adam Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
Refreshment Break
10:35 AM – 11:05 AM • Ballroom and Laurier Rooms, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
11:10 AM
Executive Lab
YOU CANNOT OUT-SPREADSHEET A LEADERSHIP PROBLEM
11:10 AM – 11:15 AM • Adam Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
PURDEEP SANGHA • Founder & CEO, The Executive Lab
12:20 PM
Concurrent Session #1
AI WAR STORIES & FAILURES FROM THE TRENCHES
12:20 PM – 1:20 PM • Drawing Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
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
IMRAAN BASHIR • Parnter & National Public Sector Cyber Leader, KPMG Canada
We all heard the promise: AI will cut costs, accelerate decisions, and transform operations. What the vendor decks leave out are the write-downs, the breach notifications, the board conversations no one wants to have, and the regulatory scrutiny that follows when automation fails at scale.
This session cuts through the noise.
Concurrent Session #2
12:20 PM – 1:20 PM • MacDonald Room, Fairmont Chateau Laurier
PATRICK A. BYRNE • CPA, Partner, Finance Transormation PwC
BRAD DEAN • Senior Enterprise Sales Executive, Wolters Kluwer
SADEK FAHMY • Presales Director, Partners,Wolters Kluwer
Finance leaders are navigating a perfect storm. Policy is shifting, AI is advancing faster than most teams can adopt it. Boards are demanding proof of ROI on every digital investment. And regulators keep raising the bar on the transparency and controls. The CFOs who thrive aren’t just reacting; they’re setting the tempo for their entire enterprise.
Sponsored by:

![]()