Join us September 17 & 18, 2025 in Toronto for our 5th edition of Canada's CEO Summit
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
5:00PM - CEO Welcome Reception - Shangri-La Hotel
Join fellow executives for cocktails and canapes at a CEO Welcome Reception, located on the rooftop terrace.
7:00PM - Private CEO Dinners - Across Toronto
Prepare to join one of ten private CEO Dinner Club gatherings, where you’ll share an intimate evening with peers from across the country at some of Toronto’s finest restaurants. Your dining location will be revealed when you check in at the CEO Summit.
Thursday, September 18, 2025 - Morning Programme
8:00AM - CEO Networking Breakfast at Shangri-La Hotel
Start the day right with a nourishing CEO Networking Breakfast with fellow CEOs from across Canada.
8:45AM - Opening Remarks & Good News
CCI President Benjamin Bergen will kick off the day with an exciting welcome followed by remarks from our Chair and Co-Founder Jim Balsillie.
9:00AM - Global Economic Forecast
Hear from Derek Holt, Vice President & Head of Capital Markets Economics at Scotiabank, on the current state of Canada’s innovation economy in a global context.
9:30AM - Discussion with John Ruffolo
Following this presentation, John Ruffolo, CCI co-founder, vice chair, and managing partner at Maverix Private Equity, will participate in a discussion with Scotiabank's David Rozin and Derek Holt on the economic trends shaping the landscape for innovators.
9:50AM - Coffee Break
10:00AM - Innovator-to-Innovator on Growth
Geotab’s Neil Cawse and Petal’s Patrice Gilbert, in conversation with Gowling WLG's Aimee Halfyard, will explore the many faces of growth, from disciplined scaling and culture to capital efficiency and customer-driven expansion. Both leaders have built world-class companies through very different paths, and this conversation will surface hard-won lessons from the frontlines.
10:30AM - Innovator-to-Innovator on Sovereignty and AI
Sana Remekie of Conscia AI and Brent Lane of BigGeo, in conversation with Gowling WLG's Parna Sabet-Stephenson, will take on one of the defining issues of our time: sovereignty in the digital age. From data residency and sovereign AI to procurement reform and IP strategy, their dialogue will show how Canada can balance innovation with autonomy.
11:00AM - CEO Breakout Groups
After the on-stage discussions, CEOs will break out into smaller groups around the hotel for peer-to-peer discussions.
12:00PM - Regional CEO Lunch
For this special lunch, CEOs will be encouraged to sit amongst other leaders from their respective regions in Canada.
Thursday, September 18, 2025 - Afternoon Programme
1:00PM - Beyond Survival and Leading Teams Through Uncertainty, Disruption, and Change
Leadership today means more than navigating market cycles. CEOs are balancing economic volatility, AI transformation, geopolitical instability, and internal culture shocks – all while keeping their teams focused. In conversation with CCI's Dana O'Born, This panel brings together three leaders who’ve done just that: Andrew Graham, CEO, Borrowell, Dr. Karen Cross, CEO, MIMOSA Diagnostics and Darcy Tuer, CEO, ZayZoon.
1:40PM - Innovator-to-Innovator on Capital
Raising capital is never just about money; It’s about choosing the right partners, negotiating terms, and building durable moats. DealMaker’s Rebecca Kacaba and Float’s Rob Khazzam, in conversation with Deloitte Ventures' Talia Abramowitz, will share their experiences raising funds in competitive markets, navigating investor dynamics, and leveraging AI to strengthen their companies.
2:10PM - Innovator-to-Innovator on Scaling Globally
Few challenges rival the ambition of going global. Clio’s Jack Newton and PointClickCare’s Mike Wessinger, in conversation with Deloitte's Amanda Perran, will discuss breaking into new markets, competing with international giants, and positioning Canadian innovation on the world stage—while staying grounded in Canadian values and talent.
2:40PM - CEO-led Breakout Sessions
After the on-stage discussions, CEOs will break out into smaller groups around the hotel for peer-to-peer sessions.
3:30PM - Afternoon Break until CEO Summit Dinner
Canada's CEO Summit concludes with a special dinner at the Design Exchange, starting at 5:30PM. Please budget 20 minutes for walking.
Thursday, September 18, 2025 - Evening Programme
5:30PM - Cocktail Reception at the Design Exchange
At 5:30PM, we'll reconvene Canada's CEO Summit at a new venue for a special dinner gathering that will also mark CCI's 10th Anniversary!
7:30PM - State of the Council Address
CCI President Benjamin Bergen will provide his annual report to the membership of the Council of Canadian Innovators, including upcoming priorities, programs, and advocacy initiatives CCI will be leading in the coming year.
8:00PM - Fireside Chat with David Ossip
Fresh off a $12.3B USD deal to take Dayforce private, David Ossip will join David Rozin of Scotiabank for a candid fireside chat. From scaling a global firm out of Toronto to navigating capital markets and staying sovereign – this is a story of growth, grit, and conviction.
8:30PM - Reflections on 10 Years of CCI
Ten years ago, CCI was founded around a single dinner table. Today, it’s a national institution helping shape innovation policy across the country. Hear from CCI’s co-founders, Jim Balsillie and John Ruffolo, in conversation with CCI President Benjamin Bergen, on their reflections on where we’ve been — and what’s coming next.