Ajay Agrawal is a world-renowned AI expert. He sees the power of this technology’s potential all around us in ways that aren’t always obvious. Named the engineer of a “Billion Dollar Breakout” by The Globe and Mail, Agrawal comes at AI’s potential as both an economist and a business visionary. Ajay’s keynotes show us that business leaders and entrepreneurs are in a position to enhance the way we all work by tapping into AI opportunities right now, not tomorrow. And if we want to see AI get to an even higher level of exposure, we’ll just need a few additional investments to make it grow even bigger. In many cases, those investments are well underway. Change isn’t just on the horizon—it’s already here.

As founder of the University of Toronto’s Creative Destruction Lab, Agrawal’s talks unpack the full potential of AI and machine prediction. His first book, Prediction Machines: The Simple Economics of Artificial Intelligence is a must-read survey—and practical toolkit—for anyone seeking to leverage the disruptive, transformative power of AI in the coming decades. His new book, Power and Prediction, is a must-read guide for any business leader or policy maker on how to make the coming AI disruptions work for you rather than against you. As AI prediction machines improve, old ways of doing things will be upended, and this process will have winners and losers. How can businesses leverage, or protect, their positions?

As co-founder of the not-for-profit NextAI, Agrawal helps young entrepreneurs and technologists explore new commercial opportunities that are a direct result of advances in AI. He is also a co-founder of “Machine Learning and the Market for Intelligence,” an annual conference on the business of artificial intelligence. In addition, he is a co-founder of Kindred, a company that seeks to build machines with human-like intelligence.

Agrawal was named to the Order of Canada, the country’s highest civilian order, for his “visionary leadership as an educator and entrepreneur, and for his mentorship of students and aspiring business owners.” He has been awarded Professor of the Year by MBA classes at the Rotman School seven times, the Martin-Lang Award for Excellence in Teaching, and most recently the Distinguished Scholarly Contribution Award, among several other honors. He conducts research on the economics of artificial intelligence, science policy, entrepreneurial finance, and the geography of innovation. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple management and economics journals and holds a Ph.D. in Strategy and Economics and an M.Eng./MBA from the University of British Columbia. He served as a Visiting Scholar at MIT, London Business School, and Harvard University, as well as a Visiting Professor at Stanford. 

Yves' Supply Chain responsibilities includes direct accountability for 22 Sobeys distribution centers, transportation inbound & outbound and grocery replenishment, servicing the Company's full service, discount and community banners as well as pharmacy and wholesale accounts.

Yves joined Sobeys in April 2021 with 30 years of experience in various executive roles in supply chain in retail & wholesale both as a Management Consultant and with organization such as Loblaw, SERCA Foodservice, Weston Foods and Wolseley Canada.  Throughout his career, Yves has been a recognized expert in distribution & logistics, performance management and supply chain strategy.

During his management consulting career, Yves has also been working with several large retailers in both Canada and United States, leading strategic network initiatives, implement performance management programs and assess cost reduction opportunities to support transformation programs or advise potential strategic investors.

Yves earned a Bachelor and a Master of Engineering from l'École Polytechnique de Montréal before moving to Ontario to launch his career in supply chain.  Yves is also actively involved on the Board of a not-for-profit organization in the home community care sector (Nucleus) since 2002. 

Alain is a corporate affairs professional currently serving as Vice President – Sustainability, Social Impact and Government Relations for Loblaw Companies Limited.

In his role Alain oversees the sustainability and community investment efforts for Loblaw and the communities it serves from coast to coast,

Prior to joining Loblaw, Alain held senior political roles at the provincial and federal levels in both government and opposition.

Alain is currently the Vice Chair of Circular Materials and has served on many boards and councils including Multi-Material B.C. (Recycle BC), National Farmed Animal Health and Wellness Council, and the Loblaw Scholarship Fund.

Derek is Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist for TD Bank Group. In his role, he leads a team of economists that provides leading analysis on the Canadian and U.S. economies. Each year, he speaks at more than 100 events on economic and financial developments across the U.S. and Canada. As a respected commentator, Derek has been quoted by many media outlets – including the London Financial Times and the Economist. He also is frequently interviewed on the radio and television.

Derek maintains a strong interest in public policy issues, and has written substantive reports on health care sustainability, education and immigration reform. He participates in a number of advisory and steering committees both internal and external to TD Bank Group.

Derek Burleton received his Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s University and an M.Sc. in Economics from the London School of Economics. Derek has more than 20 years of experience as an economist in the financial industry. 

Dr. Sara Celik is a sought-after speaker and passionate leader carrying over 15 years of experience in the health and wellness industry. She is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and the Retail Education Specialist at Atrium Innovations - a division of Nestle Health Sciences.

Dr. Sara has educated across the globe and written for hundreds of publications. She has appeared as a health expert on Breakfast Television nationally and is the recipient of the Generation Next Award recognizing her outstanding contribution to Canada's grocery industry.

In her spare time she enjoys connecting with nature and practicing yoga with her 22-month-old son.
 

Errol is the Executive Vice President of Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP) the national trade association representing Canada’s food, health, and consumer goods manufacturers. 

Errol has been with FHCP for 10 years and currently leads FHCP’s Industry , Public Affairs and Membership Development efforts, focusing on providing members with critical insights on the Canadian grocery trade environment and working with members on industry initiatives that enable companies to reduce costs and improve service to their customers.  

Prior to joining FHCP, Errol spent 13 years at Loblaw in various progressive roles in Engineering, Supply Chain, Merchandising, and Retail Operations. Errol also worked for Bombardier’s Aerospace division, and led a boutique consulting firm focusing on distribution and network efficiencies. 

Ash has multiple years of experience in software sales, strategic marketing and partnership development and management. She enjoys building long term relationships within Locus’s partner organization. Her top priority is setting her partners up for continued success. Ash aids in evaluating clients’ needs and recommending the most effective supply chain solutions. Prior to Locus, Ash worked for another AMR startup that was successfully acquired.  Ash’s background brings enhanced value within the Locus Alliance Team. 

Michelle Saunders is the Vice President of Sustainability at FHCP where she leads the association’s efforts on public policy related to plastics and packaging, and Chairs FHCP’s Sustainability Working Group.  She has worked as a lobbyist and policy advisor for trade associations in the business sector for the past 19 years and was a political advisor in the Ontario government prior to that. 

Michelle currently sits on a number of boards and advisory committees across the country including numerous provincial packaging recycling organizations, authorities, as well as industry groups such as the Canada Plastics Pact.