Joanna is the Director General of Canadian Sovereign Technology Strategy, leading efforts to safeguard digital sovereignty and promote Canadian-made technology solutions. Previously, she served as Director General of Security Management and Governance at SSC, where she established their Cybersecurity Program Management Office. Before joining SSC in 2022, she was Director of IT Audits at the Office of the Auditor General and spent 13 years as an IT Security Architect with firms like CGI Canada and PricewaterhouseCoopers. 

Joanna holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hon.) and a Master of Arts in Public Ethics, along with CISSP, CISA, and Chartered Director (C. Dir) designations. Recognized for her contributions, Joanna received Brock University’s 2021 Outstanding Co-Op Supervisor Award and the 2025 King Charles III Coronation Medal for her public service and advocacy as Co-Champion of the Visible Minorities Network. 

Manu Singh is Chief Information Officer at the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, where he leads technology to support the OPC’s mission of protecting Canadians’ privacy rights. As a digital leader in the Government of Canda, he brings over 25 years of federal experience, with senior roles at the Canada Revenue Agency, CBSA, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. 

A Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT), Manu focuses on aligning technology, data governance, and risk management in complex public sector environments. He recently led the deployment of an internal, on‑premises generative AI capability designed to enable innovation while meeting strict privacy and security requirements. 

With an academic background in computer science, biology, and psychology, he takes a practical, collaborative approach to digital transformation and responsible technology adoption. 

Vanessa Henri is a Canadian lawyer and Managing Partner of Ceiba Law. She began her career in-house at Hitachi Systems Security, a multinational cybersecurity firm, before moving to Fasken where she co-led the Trade Secrets and National Security group advising on emerging technologies, AI, and complex digital infrastructure. 

Today she leads Ceiba Law, a boutique technology law firm working with a concentrated group of clients — critical infrastructure operators, deeptech companies, defence-adjacent organizations, and technology leaders — on the legal and governance questions that sit at the intersection of cybersecurity, procurement, and digital sovereignty. 

Her practice spans the full arc: from structuring how organizations build and contract their digital environments, to advising when those environments come under pressure. 

Recognized among Canada’s Top 20 Women in Cybersecurity since 2020, named a Top Global Influencer in Security by IFSEC, and shortlisted as one of the world’s Top 3 in cybersecurity law in 2024, she holds an LL.M. from McGill University on cyberespionage and serves on the Board of Directors of Data Franca. 

Mark Schaan is the Associate Deputy Minister at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), confirmed in October 2025, which builds on the direction from the Prime Minister on July of 2025 that he act as the direct Deputy support to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Innovation. In these capacities, Mark supports Canada’s industrial AI and digital agenda, working to position the country as a global leader in the responsible development and use of these technologies.

Mark’s career has been highlighted by this cross-cutting policy and framework effort, including leading major consultations and reforms, including for telecommunications, investment review, intellectual property, bankruptcy and insolvency, privacy and AI. Mark’s public service career has included roles across the policy spectrum, as well as leading on revitalizing the public service through innovative recruitment models.

Mark earned his BA (Honours) from the University of Waterloo, where he studied as a Loran Scholar. Mark earned his MPhil in Comparative Social Policy, conferred in 2004, and his DPhil in Social Policy, conferred in 2010 from the University of Oxford, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar. Mark is also actively involved in his communities.