THE FUTURE IS NOW!
Tech Event
Ever wonder how you could break into the tech industry? Maybe you're already pursuing a career in tech.
No matter where you're at in your journey, join us to connect and network with both industry professionals, current and former fellow youth in care, and former YIC who now work in various industries within tech!
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Perormance by Rose Jones!
Instagram: @rosetwentyseven
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rosetwentyseven
YouTube: http://www.YouTube.com/rosetwentyseven
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/rosetwentyseven
Apple Music:
https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/rose-jones/1465448356
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/23yJckP72eUInR0EKb57a2?si=jDxbKG6aSY6K1-TXP0tcjQ&dl_branch=1
Featured Speakers
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Christina Loc
MC, UX/UI Designer, Advocate, Marketing, Communications, Branding
As a former Crown Ward I am fiercely passionate about bridging gaps and disparities between social impact and technology for groups made marginalized. Within my role as communications and marketing manager at PO, I work to ensure more equitable and successful outcomes for groups made-at risk, such as our young people from the system and aim to uplift and share our stories in ways which inspire empathy and connection.
Van Loc
Spotlight Speaker Communication Designer, FB, TEKsystems
As a former crown ward, I stumbled through the creative world as a filmmaker, art installer, costume maker, forgery specialist (we all gotta start somewhere), but design is where my history converges to to add value. While currently nesting in Montreal and working off site for Facebook, my career history has been almost entirely remote!
Christopher Cottle
Executive Producer, Marketing & Media, Film, Audio, Project Outsiders
A Youth advocate that has spent most of his life developing strategies to help amplify youth voices through his love of media and communication. Being a former youth the care his work started working with the Child-welfare sector to help express the concerns of youth from south-western Ontario. Christopher has worked for the former Ontario Child Advocates office and the CYC podcast network, TechZenik, OSS Motorsports and TakingITGlobal. Now he has his sights set on developing a global presence for both 67 Records and CYC Podcast.
Chanice McAnuff
CEO/Founder Project Outsiders, Youth Advocate
A passionate first voice advocate with lived experience in the Child Welfare system. Currently the Executive director of Ontario for Youth in Care Canada, Founder and CEO of Project Outsiders, and sits on numerous committees and boards including the Youth for Change committee for OACAS, Child Welfare Political Action Committee Board Member for York Region Children's Aid Society and more. Among many other things, she has experience in consulting, event coordinating, project management, public speaking, and team building. Chanice plans to use her truth and knowledge to evoke changes to the child welfare system nationally.
Jimmy Patel
Business Owner and Youth Advocate
Former YIC
Austin McNeil
CEO, Austin's Creations, Halton Youth Advocate
Former crown ward of Halton CAS currently a business owner of Austin's creations a business centered around electronics, 3D Printing, CAD design and product development. I started my business while in college. I've taken both welding and automotive service technician diploma programs in college.
Mitchell Seitz
Student, Computing & information Systems, FVA
My name is Mitchell Seitz and I am a 22 year old former youth in care. I am enrolled as a student at Athabasca University in the BSc. Computing and Information Systems program, and also have a strong interest in computers and technology. I enjoy learning about technology
and am currently learning inside and outside of school with the goal of getting a job in the tech industry. I'm glad to be here today to participate in this event with you.
Community Mentors & Professional Leaders List:
Hayden Wu
Video Game Artist, Creative Director
An ADHD gamer that managed to create his own non-traditional career path by focusing on himself as an individual rather than his job titles. Wu is a veteran AAA Video Game Artist, Creative Director of a now funded tech startup, game dev consultant, freelance illustrator, local
Leanne Armstrong
Programs Director, Waterloo Accelerator Centre
Leanne Armstrong is the Director of Programs and Client Experience at the Accelerator Centre. She works to create and design startup programs for Waterloo’s thriving technology ecosystem.
Rick Stomphorst
Co-Founder, Silicon Halton
I am a technology and community leader and adviser connecting talent to employers, people to people, and business to business.
I am the Principal Consultant at SearchVelocity.ca, providing recruitment services to technology and non-technology companies and start-ups to identify and acquire high-value tech staff. I bring 25+ years experience with software companies, including five software startups and IT professional consulting firms as a hiring manager. I am also a proud co-founder of Silicon Halton.
At Silicon Halton I co-facilitate monthly Tech CEO and Sr. HR Roundtable meetings. Collectively they manage 7,000 staff and a salary budget of $500M (approx).
Sandeep Soni
Business and IT Consultant
Over the course of 20 years in the IT industry, Sandeep has demonstrated success in product innovation and entrepreneurship. She is an innovative, strategy-driven leader with an established track record for boosting profitability, expediting time to market, reversing poor financial performance, and driving progress for start-up, early stage, high growth, and emerging technology companies. A passionate advocate of Women in Technology, Sandeep helps organizations promote a culture of inclusivity and acceptance, to build a more productive, innovative and successful workforce.
Ryan Chambers
Sr. Sales Consultant, Advanced Utility Systems
Spent the last 13+ years in technical fields. From leading the training, development, and resourcing for Bell Canada's tech department to managing the sales for one of the leading software companies targeting utility billing.
Angela Xiang
Tech Under Twenty, Student, Team Lead
Angela Xiang is a second-year student at the University of Toronto studying math and physics. She is also the team lead for Tech Under Twenty and has been a part of the organization for three years. TU20 is a youth-led organization focused on bringing opportunities in the tech, business and entrepreneurship fields to students in and around the GTA. She’s passionate about increasing diversity in STEM fields and providing interesting opportunities to all youth in the community.
Vasu Ukani
Technology Project Manager, BMO
Technology Project Manager, BMO
Leanne Armstrong
Programs Director, Waterloo Accelerator Centre
Leanne Armstrong is the Director of Programs and Client Experience at the Accelerator Centre. She works to create and design startup programs for Waterloo’s thriving technology ecosystem.
Farhan Kever
Management Consulting and Project Management
Farhan Kever was born and raised in Mombasa, Kenya. Worked on the Family Farm, in charge, of Dairy, Poultry, Fruits, and Vegetables, from initiation to Sales, Farhan is married and has 4 teenage kids.
Farhan is passionate about photography, traveling, helping people, mentoring, and coaching people. He comes with over 30 years of IT experience.
Professionally Farhan started in 1989 as an IBM Systems Engineer, and worked his way up to Sales Marketing and Consulting in Kenya.
In Canada, he specializes in Management Consulting and Project Management. He also volunteers as Systems Admin for 3 NGOs, and 1 private school people. Other services and achievements include:
Treasurer for the International Police Association Region 2 Canada. (IPA),
Member of International Police Organization (IPO),
Member of Professional Criminologist Association of Kenya. (PCAK) where he runs the mentoring program,
he is also a Board member of the Kenyan Canadian Association Canada (KCA),
President – Kutchi Cultural Association of Canada. (KCA),
Chief programs Officer – TestOper Community,
Chief Technology Officer – The Aloo Foundation.
Member Rotary Club of Brampton,
Mentor with TRIEC. ( Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council.
being an Ex-Police Officer with Kenya Police Reserves,
Past Chairman of the Rotaract Club of Mombasa,
Hannah Fritchley
Events Coordinator, Haltech
Hannah is a recent graduate of the University of Waterloo's Arts and Business Co-operative Program with a Bachelor of Arts (BA), where she studied Social Development Studies and gained a Specialization in Social Work. Through various co-operative job placements, Hannah used her knowledge and skills to navigated to a different path that led her to be part of the technology industry where she continues to learn more and grow.
Hannah currently works at Haltech Regional Innovation Centre as an Events Coordinator where she is in charge of all things events, including planning, organizing, creating, public speaking, networking and connecting others. Hannah also leads company programs, works directly with sponsors and communicates with clients, sponsors and advisors of Haltech.
Hannah enjoys working with others and different communities, she has a passion for events, facilitation, and public speaking, and is an advocate for following passions and loving that work that she does.
Jason MacDonald
Account Executive, Foxquilt
A Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker who graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Windsor's Odette School of Business, I've been working with Foxquilt since October 2018 & in Insurance for over 7 years.
Angela Xiang
Tech Under Twenty, Student, Team Lead
Angela Xiang is a second-year student at the University of Toronto studying math and physics. She is also the team lead for Tech Under Twenty and has been a part of the organization for three years. TU20 is a youth-led organization focused on bringing opportunities in the tech, business and entrepreneurship fields to students in and around the GTA. She’s passionate about increasing diversity in STEM fields and providing interesting opportunities to all youth in the community.