Catalyst Summit 2025
Thanks to our partners for continued support:
Be part of the second annual Catalyst Summit!
Step into the second annual Catalyst Summit — an exclusive, high-energy gathering where alumni, instructors, stakeholders, and program partners connect, collaborate, and inspire the next chapter of cybersecurity.
This year’s Summit is your opportunity to build meaningful connections, sharpen your thinking with the latest cybersecurity research and trends, and collaborate on bold solutions to the most urgent challenges in the digital world. Whether you’re shaping national strategy or your next career step, the Summit offers a space to plan, learn, and lead.
In the face of rising U.S. tariffs, global cyber threats, and rapid digital change, Canada’s need for homegrown cybersecurity solutions has never been more urgent. At the Catalyst, we’re helping businesses, governments, and individuals strengthen national security, drive innovation, and fuel economic growth. The Summit is where that work begins — and accelerates.
Join us to shape the future of cybersecurity. We can’t do it without you.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Brampton, ON
'Canada's Cyber Capital'
Our forward-thinking Catalyst Community
Exchange of ideas & collaborative workshops
Agenda
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Registration & Networking Breakfast | Lobby
Welcome & Introductions | Main Room - Muirfield & Edinburgh
Settle in with a warm welcome from Judith Borts & Charles Finlay as they kick off the 2025 Catalyst Summit.
Opening Remarks | Main Room - Muirfield & Edinburgh
Hear from Steven Liss, also Chair of the Board of Directors, Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst.
Democracy, Dependency, and the Digital Threat: Canada at a Crossroads | Main Room - Muirfield & Edinburgh
In a world where old orders of international cooperation are rupturing, Canada faces an urgent reckoning. Acclaimed author and cultural critic Stephen Marche will explore how Canada’s digital infrastructure stands at a crossroads — and why complacency is no longer an option. Drawing connections between democratic fragility, technological dependency, and national security, Marche will argue that Canada can no longer rely on assumptions of safety.
This talk will examine the structural and cultural vulnerabilities that leave Canada exposed, and the critical investments required to build a truly sovereign and resilient cybersecurity ecosystem. For those already working on the “what” of cyber defence, Marche’s challenge is to confront the “why” — why our digital independence matters, why action is urgent, and what it will take to secure a future that’s both free and fortified.
11 – 11:15 AM
Morning Break
War Without Weapons: The Battle for our Hearts and Minds
Modern warfare now extends far beyond the battlefield. While Western nations still treat war as fighting with kinetic force, adversaries like Russia and China wage continuous campaigns blending cyberattacks, disinformation, and psychological manipulation to erode trust and weaken democratic institutions from within.
Today we face a new, permanent, battlescape where minds, not missiles, are the targets. As our ‘town squares’ have become increasingly digital, democracies struggle to respond or even to recognize adversaries’ attacks on our information space.
Social media and emerging technologies are amplifying foreign influence. Liberal democracies face an urgent challenge: to preserve societal cohesion and political will in an era of invisible, unrelenting warfare.
Catalyst Program Announcements & What's Ahead for 2026 | Main Room - Muirfield & Edinburgh
A look into the future of the Catalyst with Charles Finlay.
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Lunch | Lobby
Workshop Sessions I
AI Workshop
AI at Speed: Secure Adoption in a Fast-Moving Landscape
As companies race to integrate AI and emerging tools into their operations, the pressure to adopt quickly can create both opportunities and risks. This session explores the critical considerations for organizations navigating rapid AI adoption, including balancing innovation with security, evaluating new technologies, and understanding the evolving threat landscape AI introduces. Experts will share practical guidance on integrating AI tools responsibly, managing cybersecurity implications, and establishing guardrails that protect data, systems, and people. Attendees will walk away with strategies to help their organizations innovate with confidence — adopting AI at speed, but not at the expense of security.
Speaker: David Whyte, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Tidal Point Software
Facilitator: Judith Borts, Senior Director, Planning and Implementation, Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst
Law Enforcement Workshop
Inside Cyber Investigations: A Guide for Law Enforcement Collaboration
Cybercrime investigations often unfold far from public view, but they are critical to protecting individuals, businesses, and national security. In this session, law enforcement experts will take you behind the scenes of a high-profile cyber investigation, sharing how cases are built, evidence is gathered, and criminals are brought to justice. Participants will also learn practical ways organizations can work effectively with law enforcement — what to expect during an investigation, how to report incidents, and the do’s and don’ts of sharing information. Whether you’re in the private sector, government, or security research, this session offers valuable insights into bridging the gap between industry and law enforcement in the fight against cybercrime.
Speakers:
Lina Dabit, Executive Director Office of the CISO, Optiv Canada
Melanie Power, Detective Inspector Manager, Ontario Provincial Police Cyber Operations Section (COS)
Moderator: Trish Dyl, Director, Skills Development & International Programs
Career Workshop
Charting Your Path: Advancing Your Career in Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields in the world, but breaking in and moving up can be challenging without a clear roadmap. This session brings together seasoned leaders to share strategies for building your skills, standing out in a competitive job market, and navigating career transitions within the cyber ecosystem. Whether you’re just starting, aiming for leadership, or looking to specialize in emerging areas like AI, cloud, or threat intelligence, you’ll walk away with practical insights on in demand skills, mentorship, networking, and continuous learning to help you take the next step in your cybersecurity career.
Speakers:
Jaclyn Parent, Manager Cyber Vulnerability, Metrolinx
Daniel Pinsky, CSO & Head of Information Security, CDW Canada
Nitin Bedi, Vice President, Cyber Services, ISA Cybersecurity
Moderator: Roxana Rozembaigher, Associate Director, Recruitment, Admissions & Partnerships
1:55 – 2:05 PM
Afternoon Break
Workshop Sessions II
Canadian Cyber Workshop
Boosting Canadian Cyber: Procurement Pathways and the Startup Mindset
Canada’s cybersecurity ecosystem is at a critical inflection point: how can we strengthen procurement pathways to better support Canadian cyber startups and scale-ups? This session brings together leaders from enterprise, startup, and policy communities to explore how procurement, rather than just pure investment, can drive sustainable growth in Canada’s cyber innovation economy. We’ll examine how startups can position themselves to meet the needs of enterprise and SMB clients, build recurring revenues, and scale toward enterprise-grade opportunities. Attendees will gain practical insights into how procurement strategies, market readiness, and entrepreneurial agility must align to advance Canada’s cybersecurity competitiveness and global leadership.
Fion Lee Madan, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer, Asenion (formerly Fairly AI + anch.AI)
Adam Evans, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer, RBC
Moderator: Connie Tang, Director, Public Sector and Small Business
Quantum Workshop
The Coming Quantum Shift: How to Stay Secure in a Post-Quantum World
Quantum computing is evolving rapidly, unlocking powerful new capabilities — and introducing serious new threat vectors for businesses to prepare against. In this session, we’ll explore the current state of quantum computing, the risks it poses to today’s cryptographic systems, and the timeline for when these threats could become a reality. We’ll also dive into emerging quantum-safe technologies, evolving standards, and the practical steps organizations are taking right now to future-proof their security in a post-quantum world.
Speakers:
Brian Neill, Vice President, evolutionQ
Katie Gibson, Director, Cyber Clinic & Policy Insights, Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst
Career Workshop
Level Up Your Career: Networking Strategies & LinkedIn Tune-Up
Looking to take the next step in your cybersecurity career? This interactive workshop combines expert insights with practical, hands-on support. Start with a dynamic session on networking effectively — online, at conferences, and within your community — to build meaningful connections that open doors. At the same time, Catalyst staff will be available for one-on-one LinkedIn profile reviews, offering personalized tips to help you stand out to recruiters and employers. Whether you’re just entering the field or aiming for your next leadership role, this workshop will equip you with tools and strategies to sharpen your professional presence and expand your opportunities.
Speaker: Ben Babins, HR Manager and Career Coach
Moderator: Roxana Rozembaigher, Associate Director, Recruitment, Admissions & Partnerships
Investing in the Future: Strengthening Catalyst's Community | Main Room - Muirfield & Edinburgh
Hear from the Catalyst’s Roxana Rozembaigher as she delves into our Catalyst Community initiative and how it strengthens connections and resilience across the cybersecurity ecosystem.
Closing Remarks | Main Room - Muirfield & Edinburgh
Reflect on the day’s highlights with Charles Finlay, then get ready to mingle and share ideas with fellow attendees during networking.
Networking Reception | Lobby
Join us for a reception featuring drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and a few words from the City of Brampton Regional Councillor, Rowena Santos, while taking the opportunity to connect and network with the Summit community.
Featuring
Stephen Marche
Elizabeth Anderson
David Whyte
Lina Dabit
Melanie Power
Fion Lee Madan
Co-founder and Chief Product Officer
Adam Evans
Jaclyn Parent
Manager Cyber Vulnerability
Daniel Pinsky
Ben Babins
HR Manager and Career Coach
Brian Neill
Charles Finlay
Trish Dyl
Director, Skills Development & International Programs
Connie Tang
Steven N. Liss
Rowena Santos
Regional Councillor Wards 1 and 5
Judith Borts
Senior Director, Planning and Implementation
Roxana Rozembaigher
Associate Director, Recruitment, Admissions & Partnerships
Nitin Bedi
Vice President, Cyber Services
Katie Gibson
Director, Cyber Clinic & Policy Insights
The Details
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
8:30 AM – 5 PM EST
Lionhead Golf Club & Conference Centre (Brampton, ON)
- Food and beverages to be provided.
Registrations are limited. Attendee registrations will be considered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Mark your calendars
If you have questions about the event or accessibility needs, we would love to hear from you. Reach out to events@cybersecurecatalyst.ca