Governance
Direction
Advisory Board
Collective expertise supporting Canada’s cybersecurity ecosystem
The Advisory Board is the editorial backbone of INCYBER Forum Canada. It is composed of senior Canadian experts drawn from both the public and private sectors, whose collective experience ensures the program reflects the real priorities of the Canadian and International ecosystem.
Their role is threefold, and each dimension matters equally :
- Shape the program — from the top down: approve the main themes, evaluate session ideas (panels or keynote speeches), and suggest adjustments, while adhering to editorial guidelines.
- Act as a quality filter on external contributions: screen external submissions (from companies, academics, etc.) to preserve the forum’s editorial integrity.
- Be an ambassador: suggest speakers, identify emerging topics, and advise on the positioning of sensitive sessions, with targeted, high-quality outreach.
We sincerely thank the Advisory Board members for their time and the quality of their work, which enables us to deliver a high-level event.
Government
Bridget WALSHE
Associate Head
Canadian Centre for Cyber Security
Bridget Walshe is the Associate Head of the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. Previously, she was Director General of Operations, Security and Intelligence at the Privy Council Office, advising on key policy and operational issues in the Canadian security and intelligence community. Since joining CSE in 2003, she has held roles including Director General of Secure Solutions and Services, overseeing cryptographic research and development. Bridget also worked as a mathematician, leading teams in cryptologic solutions using advanced computing. She holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Victoria.
Richard Bilodeau
Assistant Deputy Minister
Public Safety Canada
Richard Bilodeau is the Acting Senior Assistant Deputy Minister of the of the National Cyber Security branch in Public Safety Canada responsible for a wide range of national security issues, including economic and cyber security, critical infrastructure, counter terrorism policy and programs, and national security. Prior to joining Public Safety, Richard was a Director General in the Department of Finance Canada responsible for providing advice on financial sector policy, including on governance, financial services trade, insurance, framework policy and strategic initiatives. Richard has over 18 years experience in regulatory enforcement, including 15 years with the Competition Bureau of Canada where he managed complex enforcement matters and contributed to major legislative and policy initiatives. Richard holds a law degree from the University of Ottawa.
Daniela Spagnolo
Chief Information Security Officer
Ontario Public Service (OPS)
Daniela Spagnolo is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the Cyber Security Division at the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery (MPBSD) within the
Ontario Public Service (OPS). With over 16 years of experience across executive, operational and finance roles, Daniela is a strategic leader who emphasizes cyber
security as a business imperative that enhances resilience, trust, and compliance.
Known by her peers, partners and staff as a strategic, pragmatic, collaborative and visionary leader, Daniela leads a team of over 100 talented cyber security professionals,
responsible for delivering a comprehensive cyber risk management program to predict, identify and defend the OPS IT network.
Yvan Fournier
Deputy Assistant Minister
Quebec Ministry of Cybersecurity and Digital Affairs (MCN)
With over 30 years of experience in information technology management and cybersecurity, Yvan Fournier has conducted more than 800 security tests (penetration tests) and earned over 22 industry certifications, including renowned credentials such as CISSP, SSCP, CEH, and LPT.
He has held positions within the Government of Quebec for 30 years. In November 2024, he assumed the role of Deputy Assistant Deputy Minister for Government Information Security and Cybersecurity (SMASIGC) and Government Chief Information Security Officer (CGSI). Prior to this, he served as Interim Deputy Director General of Cybersecurity and Cloud Computing at the Ministry of Health and Social Services, while also holding operational responsibility for cyber defense since 2020 and serving as Director of Information Resources at the CISSS-CA. From 2019 to 2020, he was the Senior Director of the Government Cyber Defense Center at the Secretariat of the Treasury Board. Previously, he spent over 20 years at the CHU de Québec – Université Laval.
He holds a Master’s degree in Administrative Sciences, specializing in organizational management and development from Université Laval, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Université du Québec à Rimouski. His technical foundation includes a Diploma in Computer Technology.
Private sector
Vivek Khindria
COE Risk Embrace
Toronto
Vivek Khindria, Chartered Director, CISSP, CISM, BSc in Physics, is President and Principal at Risk Embrace Inc. As a technology and cyber leader at Canada’s most iconic brands: McMaster University, Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Bell, and Loblaw, Vivek developed deep practical experience building strategies and programs, advising boards and C-suites on: resilience, cybersecurity, AI, and quantum risk, translating technical choices into business outcomes. Vivek was the elected representative for Canada in the Information Security Forum Advisory Council and played a leadership role in founding the Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange (CCTX) to enable cross-industry threat intelligence sharing. Over a 30+ year career, he has led large transformations spanning autonomous vehicles, pharmacies, warehouses, AI applications, data centres, enterprise cyber programs, and trading floors. Vivek has worked across eight countries, with talks and collaborations in 20+. He continues to guide organizations and boards on cyber strategy, AI governance, quantum readiness, network optimization, and third-party risk, while supporting universities, startups, and nonprofits.
Sara Anvari
Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer
Bombardier Recreational Products
Sara is Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at BRP, Bombardier Recreational Products, with accountability for IT and OT cybersecurity and technology risk management globally. Previously, she held the role of VP and CISO at the Development Bank of Canada, leading the Bank’s operational cybersecurity and technology risk teams. Sara came to BDC from KPMG’s cybersecurity advisory practice, where she focused on assisting a range of clients, including some of Canada’s largest FI’s, understand and manage their tech and cyber risk. Prior to joining KPMG, Sara led CN’s cyber intelligence and incident response teams. Additionally, she was part of PwC’s cybersecurity and privacy consulting team, with a focus on strategy, governance, and risk management in the financial sector. She has worked across all 3 lines of defence and has helped design and implement security strategies and transformations to build resilient security programmes aligned to business priorities and risk appetite.
Sara is a serving member of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves, and is a Master Warrant Officer with the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals where she has served since 2002.
Pascal Fortin
CEO
Cybereco
Pascal Fortin (MBA, CISM, CISA, CRISC, CDPSE, CRMA) is a leader in technology and cybersecurity, currently serving as CEO of Cybereco, a Canadian non-profit association promoting collaboration to address cybersecurity challenges. Previously, as a partner at KPMG, he established a technology and cybersecurity due diligence practice, facilitating M&A transactions. Pascal also co-founded and led GoSecure, a global cybersecurity business recognized for its innovative services and research division. He also contributes to industry standards, notably by co-leading the development of ISO 31700 – Privacy by Design and maintaining the ISO 27000 family of standards through the Standards Council of Canada. His career illustrates his dedication to innovation, collaboration, and advancing cybersecurity standards, strengthening the resilience of organizations and citizens.
David Shipley
Head of the pack
Beauceron Security
David Shipley is an award-winning entrepreneur and a recognized global expert in cybersecurity, regularly speaking at public and private events around the world. His work focuses on a simple idea: security works better when people understand risk and know how to respond to it.
David advises governments, enterprises, and service providers on cyber threats, security culture, and the essential element of cyber risk: people and their behaviour. He has testified before House of Commons and Senate committees, helping shape conversations around national security, critical infrastructure, and cyber resilience.
In 2016, David co-founded Beauceron Security with an innovative approach to cybersecurity awareness and risk management which empowers everyone within an organization to know more, and care more, about their key role in protecting against cyber-attacks. Beauceron Security now serves more than 1400+ clients across North America, Europe, and Africa.
Academic/Not-for profit
François Guay
Founder and CEO
Canadian Cybersecurity Network
François Guay is the Founder and CEO of the Canadian Cybersecurity Network, Canada’s largest digital trust community, uniting thousands of cybersecurity professionals, executives, companies, and public sector leaders. He champions the idea that digital trust is the new currency of the modern economy, and that cyber maturity now determines access to markets, supply chains, and global opportunities.
Through the Network, he has built a national platform to strengthen Canada’s cyber resilience, workforce readiness, and economic competitiveness, shifting cybersecurity from a technical function to a strategic business priority. A trusted connector across sectors, François bridges gaps between executives, practitioners, and decision-makers to tackle critical issues like cyber risk, digital trust, and the intersection of AI and economic security. He also leads CCN Insights, a research initiative exploring how cyber maturity, insurance, and regulation are reshaping market access.
Advocating for a human-first approach to cybersecurity, he promotes collaboration and shared responsibility, ensuring organizations of all sizes can compete and thrive in a world where trust defines opportunity.
Michelle Robitaille
MBA Chief Executive Officer
Digital Trust Canada
Michelle Robitaille, MBA, is CEO of Digital Trust Canada, where she leads national efforts to advance secure, interoperable, and sovereign digital infrastructure and strengthen Canada’s digital trust ecosystem. Through this work, she brings together governments, industry, and partners to enable trusted data exchange in support of economic resilience and global competitiveness.
She is actively engaged in international initiatives, including GAIA-X, contributing to the development of federated and interoperable data ecosystems. With more than 25 years of experience across government, industry, and economic development, she works across sectors and jurisdictions to align policy, technology, and implementation in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
Charles Finlay
Executive Director
ROGERS CYBERSECURE CATALYST AT TORONTO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
Charles Finlay is the Founding Executive Director of Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst at Toronto Metropolitan University — a major centre for cyber training, commercial innovation, applied research and public education. Prior to founding the Catalyst, he served as Chief of Staff and Director of Policy for the Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Growth.