Horizons Toronto AI + Digital Innovation

Digital transformation isn’t about chasing trends, but seamlessly eliminating everyday friction. Drawing from his CTO role at McDonald’s Canada, Adam Cooper unpacked how practical AI empowers teams and elevates guest experiences. He highlighted that championing cross-functional pilots and deploying invisible tech builds a smarter, reliable operation.

You wouldn’t think of brand leadership as a technical discipline. Anna Baird unpacked how generative AI is reshaping the way organizations engage customers, make decisions, and scale trust. Drawing from boardroom experience at Google, she highlighted the importance of emotional intelligence, responsible AI, and human-centred thinking as the true differentiators in an AI-powered era.

Navigating technological disruption requires exceeding customer expectations without sacrificing foundational trust. Drawing from his digital leadership at TD, Rizwan Khalfan explored safely scaling AI from employee empowerment to autonomous operations. He highlighted balancing strategic alignment with team autonomy to ensure every leap amplifies a distinctly human-centric experience.

Realizing AI's potential means escaping the trap of endless pilots to treat it as a fundamental business strategy. Drawing from her Federal AI Strategy Task Force experience, Cari Covent unpacked bridging the gap between ambition and scalable action. She highlighted that targeting high-impact workflows, architecting trust, and championing upskilling drive responsible adoption.

You wouldn’t expect luxury to be driven by algorithms. Alfredo C. M. Tan shared how AI is accelerating creativity without compromising brand intuition at Canada Goose. Drawing on experience from Silicon Valley to global retail, he explored how data, design, and responsible technology can work together to elevate omnichannel experiences while protecting the soul of an iconic brand.

Trust isn’t something that can be automated. Sarah Chapman unpacked how AI is reshaping customer experience at scale while keeping humanity at the core. Drawing from Manulife’s global perspective, she shared how adaptability, responsible innovation, and purpose-led leadership are redefining growth, trust, and long-term value in an AI-driven world.

Growth happens when product, content, and customer insight move in sync. Dasha Sivkov shared how Wealthsimple connects these disciplines to build trust, clarity, and momentum in complex financial products. Drawing from fintech and marketing panels, she highlighted how storytelling, customer-first strategy, and disciplined execution drive meaningful growth at scale.

Building an enduring company often means resisting the pressure to chase an exit. Allen Lau reflected on a decade of growing Wattpad by prioritizing fundamentals, community, and long-term thinking over short-term outcomes. Drawing from the journey to a $660M acquisition, he shared how founder-led leadership, reinvention, and optionality create companies built to last.

Great creative ecosystems are defined by how well they serve the people behind the work. Laura Stanley explored how Canva and Pexels support creators through product design, global partnerships, and community-first strategy. Drawing on her experience at the intersection of content and technology, she shared how empowering artists at scale shapes inclusive visual culture and lasting impact.