Breaking Barriers: women leading tech
29th May 2024
5:00pm – 8:00pm
FDM Group Toronto Centre
130 Adelaide St West, Suite 2100
We’re celebrating the remarkable achievements of female tech leaders
Join us on 29th May as we welcome three extraordinary female leaders from BMO Financial Group, Scotiabank and Canada Life.
Through engaging discussions and inspiring stories, we will ignite meaningful conversations surrounding breaking barriers, fostering inclusivity and driving innovation.
Agenda
5:00pm – 5:30pm Check-in and networking
Arrive early to connect with industry peers and expand your professional network.
5:30pm – 5:45pm Welcome and introduction
Be greeted by our hosts as we kick off an evening dedicated to empowering women in tech.
5:45pm – 6:30pm Panel discussion
Engage with industry leaders as they share insights, experiences and strategies for overcoming barriers in the tech world.
6:30pm – 6:40pm Q & A
Pose your burning questions to our panelists and dive deeper into the topics that matter most to you.
6:40pm – 6:45pm Closing remarks
Reflect on the evening’s discussions.
6:45pm – 8:00pm Post-event networking and drinks reception
Continue the conversation over refreshments and connect with attendees and panelists in a relaxed, social setting.
Connect with industry peers and gain inspiration from remarkable female leaders
Meet our panelists
Sladjana Jovanovic
CIO Personal & Business Banking & B2C Data Transformation at BMO
Sladjana Jovanovic
CIO Personal & Business Banking & B2C Data Transformation at BMO
Sladjana is the CIO for Personal and Business Banking and B2C Data Transformation at BMO Financial Group, focusing on building new capabilities and scaling B2C strategy. With extensive experience in digital transformation and innovation, she leads resilient, data-driven platform development. Previously at TD Bank Digital and Payments, she drove growth across global banking sectors. Sladjana began her career with Goldman Sachs and IBM, holds a Computer Science degree from the University of Toronto, and an MBA from Rotman School of Management. Committed to equality, she co-leads BMO Women in Tech and Ops, advocating for increased female representation.
Monique Allen
CIO, Canada & Enterprise Architecture
at Sunlife
Monique Allen
CIO, Canada & Enterprise Architecture
at Sunlife
Monique Allen is a seasoned leader in financial technology who oversees the technology strategy and execution for Sun Life’s Canadian businesses, as well as the global architecture and digital solutions. She has a track record of transforming software businesses and driving innovation in the FinTech sector. She is also a passionate advocate for equity, diversity, inclusion, and wellness, and serves on several boards and committees that support these causes. She has been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Women in IT Awards Canada. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science and an MBA, and enjoys running, cycling, and music with her family.
Cong-Rong Xie
VP Technology
at Canada Life
Cong-Rong Xie
VP Technology
at Canada Life
Cong-Rong has extensive expertise in strategic planning and transformation, leading digital enhancements and system re-platforming at Canada Life since 2017. Now heading technology at IC/AN, she continues driving transformative changes. Beyond her roles, Cong-Rong is a Board Member at Trillium Mutual Insurance Company and has taken several committee chair positions. She has worked in various capacities at Economical Insurance and was the key leadership member for the launch of the 1st digital direct P&C insurance company – Sonnet Insurance. Cong-Rong has leveraged her academic background in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo and her ICD.D designation to make a significant social impact.
Meet our moderator
John Piatkowski
Operations Manager,
Skills Lab North America at FDM Group
John Piatkowski
Operations Manager,
Skills Lab North America at FDM Group
John Piatkowski is the Operations Manager for FDM’s North American Skills Lab, leading a team of over 40 staff. After working for more than a decade in various roles in the IT industry, John has now shifted his passion to the fields of adult learning, facilitation and leadership, as well as technology, including his time as a Professor of Adult Education at Sheridan College. He is based out of FDM’s Toronto offices.