18th IEP Conference

Opening Keynote Speaker

Faisal Kazi

President and CEO of Siemens Canada - Keynote Speaker

Faisal Kazi is the President and CEO of Siemens Canada. Mr. Kazi is responsible for leading the overall strategic management, direction and leadership of Siemens activities in Canada.
In addition to his role as President and CEO, Mr. Kazi is responsible for the leadership of the Smart Infrastructure business and serves as a board member of multiple Siemens affiliates in Canada.
Mr. Kazi joined Siemens in 1990 and has worked in various areas of the organization, including Siemens Energy, Industry, IT and Infrastructure businesses in Germany, The Netherlands, Brazil and the United States. In 2011, he joined Siemens Canada as the regional and sales head of the Transformers business in North and South America. He has also led the Siemens Transmission division for North America.

Indigenous Ceremony / Welcome

Steve Teekens

Nipissing First Nation - Conference Opening: Drum and Dance Ceremony

Steve Teekens is the Executive Director at Na-Me-Res (Native Men’s Residence) where he has worked since 2008. He has been working with the marginalized and homeless sector in Toronto since 1995. Steve is a member of Nipissing First Nation, has a master’s degree in public administration from Queen’s University. Steve is very active in Toronto’s Indigenous Community where he volunteers at Toronto Aboriginal Social Services Council (TASSC), Aboriginal Legal Services Community Council Program. Steve also teaches traditional drumming and to the youth and men at various Native organizations inside and outside of Toronto. Steve enjoys working and volunteering in the Indigenous Community and wishes to see people overcome their obstacles and find the resilience in themselves to succeed in life.

IEP Leaders Panel

Indra Maharjan, P.Eng., MBS

Director, Corporate Facilities, Energy and Infrastructure, City Of Hamilton

http://ca.linkedin.com/in/indramaharjan

Carlos Paz Soldan

Principal, Techmien Corp.

Carlos is an I.T. professional and entrepreneur who is originally from Peru. During his career as an IT Professional, he has worked for and with companies large and small, in South America, Africa and North America. He holds an MBA from the University of Toronto (U of T). After graduating from U of T in 1984, Carlos founded Tenet Computer Group Inc., a Toronto-based I.T. solutions provider. In 2016 he made a successful exit from Tenet Computer Group Inc and sold it, while retaining ownership of the software division to launch Techmien Corp, to continue developing innovative solutions for government and corporations. Carlos also participates in several advisory boards and volunteers as the President of Hispanotech, an association dedicated to accelerating the success of Latin American technology professionals in Canada. He is also President of the Alma Children’s Education Foundation, dedicated to improving education in remote regions of South America.

Sales & Marketing Sector Hub

Tishan Canagasaby

EVP, General Manager, Performance Art Toronto

Tishan is a passionate advocate for creativity, he brings more than 20 years of integrated brand communications experience to the table. He has worked on iconic brands including BMW, CIBC, TD, Tangerine, SickKids RBC, Audi, GM, Shaw, TELUS and TJX, to name a few. Currently he is EVP, General Manager of Performance Art Toronto, where he is inspiring and leading a passionate group of thinkers and operators to design innovative solutions that deliver business results for clients across Canada. Prior to joining Performance Art, he was in senior leadership roles at John St., Cossette, BIMM and McCann. Tishan’s ability to nurture top talent in the industry, build new capabilities and influence through transparent and authentic communication has earned him awards across a variety of client businesses.

Finance & Accounting Sector Hub

Sean Riley, CPA, CA

Partner, Gilmore & Company LLP

Sean has over fifteen years experience assisting clients with audits, accounting, taxation and business advisory services. He holds a Master of Accountancy Taxation, and a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant designation. He is a graduate of Brock University where he obtained his degrees including his undergrad degree, a Bachelor of Accounting. As an expert in the sector, he helps his clients with their fiscal audit, including all government related compliance returns, attend Annual General Meetings and present financial statement to their stakeholders, provide business consulting services and guidance for start-up companies and as well, to companies with complex corporate structures. Through his services, his clients have received the benefits of having business valuation, cash flow projections and financial forecast to remain operational. Sean has a large network that allows him to stay connected with emerging needs in the sector. Through his understanding of risk management in operating a business, he has been able to assist his clients with mitigating risks such as fraud. He also use his knowledge in finance to help his clients obtain financing for start-ups and for their business activities expansion.

Skill Building Session Speakers

Dr. Juan Marsiaj

Director, Research - Special Projects, Diversity Institute, Ted Rogers School of Management

Presentor: Essential and Transferable Skills for the Future Workforce

Carlos Paz-Soldan

Principal, Techmien Corp.

Presentor: Applying your Skills to AI and in your Job Search’ Carlos is an I.T. professional and entrepreneur who is originally from Peru. During his career as an IT Professional, he has worked for and with companies large and small, in South America, Africa and North America. He holds an MBA from the University of Toronto (U of T). After graduating from U of T in 1984, Carlos founded Tenet Computer Group Inc., a Toronto-based I.T. solutions provider. In 2016 he made a successful exit from Tenet Computer Group Inc and sold it, while retaining ownership of the software division to launch Techmien Corp, to continue developing innovative solutions for government and corporations. Carlos also participates in several advisory boards and volunteers as the President of Hispanotech, an association dedicated to accelerating the success of Latin American technology professionals in Canada. He is also President of the Alma Children’s Education Foundation, dedicated to improving education in remote regions of South America.