Canadian Women in Cybersecurity 2023: Empowering the Future of Cyber Talent
The Canadian Women in Cybersecurity 2023 event successfully convened a powerful group of executives, strategists, and technologists dedicated to addressing the gender gap and advancing cyber resilience in Canada. Held at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites, the forum provided a crucial platform for knowledge sharing, mentorship, and the elevation of women’s voices in the security industry.
Overall Highlights and Themes
The central theme of the event was leadership and practical strategy from a diverse, executive-level perspective. Highlights included powerful discussions on climbing the corporate ladder (from BISO to CISO), navigating GRC complexities, and building strong, diverse security teams. With a majority of speakers holding C-suite or VP roles, the content was heavily geared towards strategic career development, enterprise security defense, and governance in high-stakes environments. The event fostered significant networking and mentorship, crucial for strengthening the Canadian cybersecurity talent pipeline.
Speakers and Sponsors
Speakers: The speaker roster was a stellar showcase of female leadership in Canadian cybersecurity. The forum featured executive insights from CISOs such as Ireen Birungi (Interac), Octavia Howell (Equifax Canada), and Maggie Calle (Varicent), alongside directors like Mary Konstantinidis (Allstate) and Sandra Liepkalns (Choice Properties REIT). Academic and government perspectives were provided by Carol Fung (Concordia University) and Sherry Rumbolt (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat). The presence of experts like Cat Coode (Binary Tattoo) and Megan Doherty (Microsoft) ensured a strong focus on data privacy and technical security specialization.
Sponsors:
The event received robust industry backing, reflecting a wide commitment to diversity and development in the cyber field. AWS, BELL, IBM, and MNP were prominent technology and consulting sponsors. Strategic security partners included ARCTIC WOLF, JUNIPER NETWORKS, and VEEAM. Furthermore, numerous local partners like the Durham Region, Town of Ajax, and Oshawa demonstrated the strong community and public-sector support for building a resilient cyber workforce across Canada. These partnerships highlight the collaborative effort required to nurture future leaders.
Venue
The Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites served as the host, offering a spacious and professional environment perfectly suited for the large number of attendees focused on intensive learning and executive networking.
YouTube Playlist
A collection of related content, including possible session recordings and event highlights, can be found on the organizer’s YouTube channel playlists: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJri4BoOD1c
