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Opening

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Podcast Host Metis Business Leader Visionary

Ross "Memphis" Pambrun

Ross Pambrun, CEO of an artificial intelligence company revolutionizing environmental protection through machine learning, will set the stage as our opening keynote speaker. A distinguished graduate of both Harvard and MIT, Ross has earned the 2023 award for his groundbreaking technology innovations.

As a former professional fire captain, Ross proudly wears medals of service from the Province of Alberta and the City of Calgary, reflecting his long-standing commitment to community safety. Host of The Squeaky Wheel Podcast, he has conducted over 100 insightful interviews with guests from diverse backgrounds and expertise.

Ross Pambrun, a Métis business leader, bridges the gap between industry and Indigenous Awareness, contributing to vital conversations that foster understanding and collaboration.

Closing

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Technology Leader Award Winning Educator Leadership Guru

Saby Waraich

Saby Waraich is an internationally recognized keynote speaker and award-winning Technology Leader. Recently named Higher Education IT Executive of the Year by Ed Scoop, Saby's achievements extend globally.

HMG Strategy has honored him with the Global Leadership Institute award for leveraging technology to drive business value and future growth. Additionally, Saby has been recognized with the Global Technology Executives Who Matter award for his unparalleled contributions to business transformation and talent development.

The City of Portland bestowed upon Saby the prestigious Purple Cow Leadership award for his excellence in leadership and the successful delivery of complex programs. Thinkers 360 recognizes him among the Top 10 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers in the Project Management community.

Session

SPEAKER

Leadership Coach Mentor Podcast Host

Benjamin Chan B.Sc., P.Eng., PMP, CMC, ASM

Ben Chan is a Project Management Leadership Coach helping to transform overwhelmed, stressed out project managers to become confident, strategic project leaders.

By working with his clients to elevate their approach by integrating critical-thinking, a strategic mindset, emotional intelligence, consulting skills with project delivery frameworks - he helps project managers be more confident, resilient, and armed with the tools to deliver better and advance their career.

Ben has over 15 years of experience in various industries and project types. His drive and unique approach to project delivery has made him a highly sought after coach and project leader.

In addition to his work, Ben mentors for the Canadian Centre for Advanced Leadership (CCAL) and hosts the project leadership-focused podcast, the Organized Chaos Café. He also was the former VP of Professional Development for PMI Southern Alberta Chapter (SAC).

Ben graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and holds certifications for Project Management Professional (PMP), Professional Engineer (P.Eng), Agile Scrum Master (ASM), and Certified Management Consultant (CMC).

Session

SPEAKER

Management Consultant Sessional Instructor Product Owner

Patrick Binns, MBA, P.Eng, PMP, FCMC

Patrick brings stories and experiences resulting from 35 years work experience in the IT industry in roles as a subject matter expert, project manager, and product owner. As a certified management consultant, he has worked with many organizations to improve operational performance. Patrick utilizes a “top-down outcomes approach” when assessing current-state challenges and designing business-led digital transformations that will improve productivity. Patrick is a founding partner of The Management Institute (tmi-ca.com) and owner of Abinsi Solutions Group (abinsi.ca); he is also a sessional instructor at the University of Alberta.

Session

SPEAKER

Transformation Expert Sessional Instructor Director

Nisreen Hussain

Nisreen is a technology & business transformation professional with a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Jordan, an MBA from McGill University, as well as PMP, PMI-ACP and CBAP certifications. She has over 22 years of experience in major transformations spanning a broad range of industries, such as Real Estate, Facility Services, Education, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas, and the Public Sector. She has worked in Dubai, Montreal and Edmonton. Nisreen is currently the director of Corporate Technology Projects at the City of Edmonton, and is a sessional Instructor at MacEwan University.

Session

SPEAKER

Engineer Business Technology Program Manager

Shengxi Jin

Shengxi (pronounced SHUNG-see) specializes in the practical application of technology for solving business problems. He holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alberta and an MBA from Queen's University. Shengxi's professional journey has included, among other strange things: wireline engineer for oil & gas in Saskatchewan, food & pharmaceutical quality assurance in Michigan, and cannabis researcher in British Columbia. He currently works at the City of Edmonton as the Program Manager for Strategy & Operations within the Technology Project Management Office. His side-hobbies/hustles revolve around digital content creation, such as cobbling together web apps and editing funny videos for YouTube.

Session

SPEAKER

PMI Construction Ambassador Public Speaker Article Author

Abiodun Sorinolu

Abiodun Sorinolu, has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Civil Engineering and Master’s degree in Project Management, in addition to over 30 years' experience in project Controls, planning and management of engineering projects.

Abiodun, is an eloquent public speaker, PMI conference speaker, PMI article writer, PMI subject matter expert, Corporate ‘lunch and learn’ teacher. 

Current President-elect of PMINAC and appointed PMI Construction Ambassador for PMI Northern Alberta region.

He has vast experience representing owners, contractors and consultants.

He is highly motivated, able to function independently with managerial and leadership skills. Adaptable to a variety of work situations. He has excellent listening and communication skills and a focus on attention to detail. He is an outgoing, energetic and friendly individual. He enjoys working in a friendly team environment.

He is married with two children.

Session

SPEAKER

Cardiologist Co-Director of CAIC Health Care Leader

Dr. Kevin Bainey

Interventional cardiologist Kevin Bainey completed his medical education at the University of Alberta, followed by residencies in internal medicine and clinical cardiology. He furthered his training with an interventional cardiology fellowship at Harvard University and a Clinical Scholar position in the same field at McMaster University. Additionally, Dr. Bainey holds a Master's in Health Research Methodology from McMaster. He has been recognized with several awards throughout his academic journey.

Since 2011, Dr. Bainey has been a part of the University of Alberta's Division of Cardiology, working at the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute. He serves as the Director of the Adult Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology Program at the Institute and the University of Alberta. He also oversees the ECG Core Lab at the VIGOUR research centre.

Dr. Bainey is engaged in various leadership roles, including co-director of the Canadian Association of Interventional Cardiology (CAIC) Fellows Device Course and Secretary of the CAIC committee. He co-chairs the Canadian Cardiovascular Society's Anti-Platelet Guidelines Committee. His leadership was instrumental in the Division of Cardiology’s achievement of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada’s AFC Accreditation in interventional cardiology, earning a commendation as a model training site in Canada. Dr. Bainey also chairs the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute Cardiology Update course.

Session

SPEAKER

Business Consultant IT Guru Project Leader

Tara Dragon

Tara Dragon is an experienced technology, transformation, and business consultant. She has built her career delivering high-quality and award-winning information technology projects across clients and industries by bridging the gap between business stakeholders and technical teams.

Session

SPEAKER

Educator Speaker Servant Leader

Mubashir Sheikh

Mubashir Sheikh, a distinguished educator and project manager at MacEwan University, possesses over two decades of expertise in project management, process optimization, conflict management, leadership, and management. Holding certifications like CBAP, PMP, ITIL, Risk Management, Agile Practitioner, and PMI Authorized Training Partner, he has successfully overseen diverse projects in both public and private sectors.

Mubashir's teaching style is characterized by dynamism, fostering an engaging atmosphere through relatable examples and analogies. His commitment to education is evident in positive feedback from students at MacEwan University and corporate clients like Enbridge Calgary, ALERT, and Dynalife Labs. Recent speaking engagements include presentations at Tech Alberta and the annual conferences of PMI Northern and Southern Alberta Chapters.

With a repository of over 300 LinkedIn testimonials, Mubashir's impactful contributions shine, showcasing unwavering dedication and transformative teaching. Explore more at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mubashirsheikh/

Session

SPEAKER

Cybersecurity Tech & Ethics Expert Visionary Speaker

Mukhtar Lasisi

As a seasoned IT professional with over a decade-long career, Mukhtar Lasisi specializes in Cybersecurity and Privacy, having collaborated extensively with global elite consulting firms.

With a diverse background, his professional journey has involved significant roles in Innovation Management and Ethical Research across various sectors. Some of his current work focuses on the critical areas of AI security and its ethical application, underscoring his dedication to the responsible use of technology within the enterprise.

Mukhtar holds a Doctorate degree in Business Information Systems, with a specialization in exploring the complexities of integrating business-enabling solutions like AI to foster innovation and operational excellence. As a speaker, he offers deep insights, practical experiences, and a visionary perspective on navigating the intricate relationship between technology, people, security, and ethical considerations in today's digital landscape. Mukhtar’s approach is centered on empowering individuals, ensuring they are equipped to contribute positively to security rather than posing risks.