What to expect
This year’s mesh unfolds over two days at Platform Calgary — a space built for big ideas, bold conversations, and strong Wi-Fi.
Your ticket includes lunch on both days, so no need to panic-Google “good sandwiches near me.” People still Google, right?
Things do shift (like good ideas mid-panel), so check back here for the latest on sessions and timing.
Time: 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Location: West Hall
Caffeinate, socialize, and then claim your seat.
Time: 9:30 AM – 9:40 AM
Location: Multi Purpose Room
Opening remarks and land acknowledgment
Time: 9:40 AM – 9:50 AM
Location: Multi Purpose Room
Want to get the most out of mesh without feeling like a mesh newbie? Returning as a meshie but need a refresher? Margo Purcell from InceptionU shares her top tips for navigating chaos, making meaningful connections, and having a blast while you’re at it. These tactics and strategies will set you up for future events, too. Get ready to mesh!
with Margo Purcell, InceptionU
Time: 9:50 AM – 10:50 AM
Location: Pitch Stage
Innovation is no longer optional. In a time of economic pressure, shifting talent expectations, and rapid technological change, companies that fail to adapt are falling behind. But how prepared are Canadian organizations?
To find out, Digital Journal commissioned a national workforce study conducted by research firm RKI. Unlike typical innovation rankings, this research looked beneath the surface. It asked why innovation succeeds in some places and stalls in others, and what separates high-performing companies from the rest.
The findings show a clear divide. While most companies land somewhere in the reactive middle, just 5 percent are breaking through. These “game changers” have built internal systems and leadership cultures that make innovation consistent, measurable, and tightly connected to business outcomes.
In this session, Raj Kuchibhatla of RKI and Chris Hogg of Digital Journal will share a first look at the research and introduce a framework for understanding where your organization sits on the innovation spectrum. Topics will include:
Why most companies fail to prioritize innovation, and what that oversight costs them
The cultural and structural traits that define top-performing companies
Common barriers that prevent progress, from legacy systems to lack of clarity
How innovation connects to engagement, performance, retention, and resilience
Low-cost steps leaders can take to build momentum now
This session is designed for decision-makers who want more than just data. Join us for a candid conversation about what it takes to lead with innovation, backed by national insights from working Canadians across every sector.
Speakers: Raj Kuchibhatla (RKI), Chris Hogg (Digital Journal), and Tina Mathas
Time: 10:50 AM – 11:15 AM
Location: Multi Purpose Room & West Hall/Cafe
Time to connect, share, and inspire — with coffee, and snacks.
Time:11:15 AM – 12:05 PM
Location: Multi Purpose Room
Join Cathy O’Neil, author of Weapons of Math Destruction and The Shame Machine, as she explores the dark side of big data and algorithms. Discover how these tools can reinforce inequality and threaten democracy. With her sharp insights and humour, O’Neil will guide you through the complex world of algorithmic bias and its implications for society, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in our increasingly data-driven lives.
In 2025, AI and data-driven decision-making are becoming deeply embedded across industries. From resume screening tools to risk assessments in healthcare, algorithms are quietly influencing outcomes that affect millions of people. Yet most individuals still feel disconnected from these systems. The word “algorithm” often sounds abstract or technical, leading people to believe this conversation is someone else’s responsibility.
That’s why this session matters now. Cathy’s work helps reveal how these systems are not just about data or math. They are about people, power, and the way institutions operate. Whether you’re an executive, a creative, a policymaker, or just a curious observer, chances are you are already impacted by algorithms or helping to shape their influence, even if indirectly.
With growing pressure for regulation, a widening gap between innovation and oversight, and declining trust in institutions, this is a moment where clarity matters. Cathy brings the clarity. She helps audiences see where these systems show up, how harm can scale, and what questions we should all be asking regardless of our technical background.
A fireside chat with Cathy O’Neil (CEO, ORCAA and best-selling author) and Tyler Chisholm.
Time: 12:05 PM – 12:25 PM
Location: Multi Purpose Room
This session features a panel of innovators from underrepresented communities who are driving change across startups, government, non-profits, and large organizations. Working in business, technology, media, marketing, and society, these problem-solvers share how they’re creating practical solutions to real-world challenges.
Time:12:25 PM – 1:40 PM
Location: Multi Purpose Room & West Hall/Cafe
Grab a plate, claim your corner, and prepare for the most productive “accidental” conversations of the day. Whether you’re plotting your next collab or just hunting for the best cookie, this is your moment to eat, mingle, and make meaningful connections (or just talk about AI like everyone else).
In line with mesh’s commitment to sustainability, any untouched food doesn’t go to waste — it’s redirected to those in need.
Time: 1:40 – 2:30 PM
Location: Multipurpose room
Join healthcare leader Kate Carter, PhD Candidate in AI & Healthcare, and Joella Almeida, CEO of MedEssist, as they explore how frontline insights and tech innovation are transforming healthcare. Discover how pharmacies can become access points and how data drives proactive care. This session highlights cross-sector collaboration between providers, technologists, and policymakers to create a more human-centred and resilient healthcare experience, especially in underserved communities.
Speakers: Kate Carter (PhD Candidate in AI & Healthcare and AI 2030 Global Fellow) and Joella Almeida (CEO of MedEssist)
Time: 1:40 – 2:30 PM
Location: Pitch stage
Great ideas often get stuck in corporate quicksand. This workshop offers a practical guide to building innovation teams that can move from concept to execution. Drawing on real-world experience launching products inside large organizations with limited resources, Tina Mathas will explore how to structure cross-functional teams, create the right kind of tension between creative and operational mindsets, and build conditions that support bold thinking without losing sight of delivery.
You’ll walk away with tools to identify the right people for innovation efforts, strategies for managing the handoff between idea generators and operational teams, and a clearer sense of when to say no and when to double down.
The session will close with a live debate on what truly counts as innovation inside companies today. Expect a candid, no-fluff conversation about what works, what doesn’t, and how to cut through process-heavy culture to create something meaningful and scalable.
Here’s a session preview and more information.
A workshop with Tina Mathas (Strategist, innovator, and leadership coach)
Time:2:30-2:55 PM
Location: West Hall/Cafe
Time to connect, share, and inspire.
Time: 2:55-3:45 PM
Location: Pitch Stage
Most people don’t wake up thinking about policy, but in 2025, it’s shaping the future of innovation more than ever.
Canada is facing real economic pressures, from trade tensions and new tariffs to warnings of a potential recession. At the same time, many in the innovation community feel the policy environment is disconnected and fragmented. While there are meaningful initiatives in place, from infrastructure programs to technology adoption support, there is no clear, coordinated strategy guiding how Canada enables innovation, investment, and long-term economic resilience across sectors.
Policy is no longer background noise. It is the playing field. From procurement processes and data standards to connectivity gaps and regulatory lag, public policy can determine whether companies thrive, pivot, or stall. That is why innovation leaders are stepping up and calling for smarter, more consistent frameworks that support growth, not red tape.
This conversation brings together voices from telecommunications, technology, and energy to explore how policy decisions shape the environment we all live and work in. From internet access and clean energy to how companies grow, hire, and invest, policy plays a role.
Even if you don’t work in government or follow regulation closely, these decisions affect the services you use, the jobs being created, and the pace of innovation in your community. This session will make those connections visible and help all of us think differently about the role policy plays in building a more competitive, resilient, and future-ready Canada.
Speakers: Gabriela Gonzalez, TELUS & Jess Sinclair, Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI). Moderated by Sarah Coleman, CSV Midstream Solutions.
Time: 3:45-4:10 PM
Location: Pitch Stage
Most organizations say they want to grow innovation. But are conditions right for anything to sprout? And perhaps more concerning: what is actually growing?
InceptionU CEO Margo Purcell will provoke you to think differently about talent. Not just who you hire, but the culture you create around your team. Using the metaphor of landscaping, this session will help leaders assess the “soil” of their organization.
Join Margo as she addresses the gap between the talent you have and the talent you need, why traditional approaches to upskilling often miss the mark, and what it truly means to build innovation capacity at every level of your company.
As with all InceptionU programming, you won’t just learn; you’ll do. Expect to walk away with a clearer picture of your current context through a hands-on organizational diagnostic, a sense of your current culture’s readiness to support innovation and, if you aren’t afraid to dig in, some actionable takeaways you’ve helped to develop yourself.
Sponsored session with Margo Purcell and InceptionU. Moderated by Chris Hogg.
Time: 3:45-4:10 PM
Location: West Hall/Cafe
Stretch your legs, refill your cup, and trade a few hot takes while the ideas are still fresh. It’s 25 minutes of casual collisions, caffeine, and conversation.
Time: 4:10-5:00pm
Location: Pitch Stage
What if we saw AI as part of our lives, not just a tool? This panel will explore a new way of thinking about AI — treating it as kin, not code. Inspired by Indigenous relational ontologies, they’ll discuss how we’re already connected to AI systems and what that means for our responsibilities to each other. And then, we’ll flip the script: What does AI think we are? How can we create systems that truly represent us, rather than just optimizing efficiency? Let’s rethink our relationship with AI and imagine a more reciprocal future.
Speakers: Anne-Marie Enns (Applied AI Association (AAIA) Toronto Chapter), Kate Carter (AI 2030 Global Fellow), and Art Proctor (Indigitech Destiny)
Time: 5:00 – 6pm (but we might actually go until 6:30 pm)
Location: Platform Calgary / InceptionU
Head over to InceptionU across the street to relax, unwind, and enjoy some good vibes with even better company.
Located in the Calgary Central Library
800 3 St SE 3rd Floor, Calgary, AB T2G 0E7
Here’s how to get there (swipe left):
Time: 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Location: West Hall
Caffeinate, socialize, and then claim your seat.
Time: 9:30 AM – 9:40 AM
Location: Multi Purpose Room
Opening remarks and land acknowledgment
Time: 9:40-10:50 AM
Location: Multipurpose room
It takes a village to raise a child, so does it take a country to raise an innovation ecosystem? Join innovation leaders from Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Moncton as they explore how different regions are driving the Canada’s innovation ecosystem. From unique strengths to emerging opportunities, this conversation highlights why collaboration across industries and regions is key to long-term success. Discover how each region contributes to the national story of innovation and economic growth, and learn why investing in these diverse ecosystems can unlock new possibilities for businesses and talent across the country.
Speakers: Kassandra Linklater (Tenacious Ventures), Daniel Hengeveld (Toronto Global), Doug Robertson (Venn Innovation) and Terry Rock from (Platform Calgary). Moderated by Paisley Churchill (Calgary Innovation Coalition).
Time: 10:50 AM – 11:15 AM
Location: Multi Purpose Room & West Hall/Cafe
Time to connect, share, and inspire — with coffee, and snacks.
Time: 11:15-12:05 AM
Location: Multipurpose room
a fireside chat with Katie Calhoun (Consultant & former Getty Images). Moderated by David Potter.
In a sit-down with Katie Calhoun, consultant and former Vice President of Sales and Regional Marketing for the Americas at Getty Images, we’ll have a candid conversation about the future of marketing and digital identity. Dive into the world of hyper-personalization and AI, where technology meets human connection. Katie will share insights on how brands can use AI to create more meaningful experiences, and what it means for our digital selves. Get ready for a fireside chat that’s equal parts tech, creativity, and real talk about the evolving landscape of personalization.
Time: 12:05 PM – 12:25 PM
Location: Multi Purpose Room
This session features a panel of innovators from underrepresented communities who are driving change across startups, government, non-profits, and large organizations. Working in business, technology, media, marketing, and society, these problem-solvers share how they’re creating practical solutions to real-world challenges.
Time:12:25 PM – 1:40 PM
Location: Multi Purpose Room & West Hall/Cafe
Grab a plate, claim your corner, and prepare for the most productive “accidental” conversations of the day. Whether you’re plotting your next collab or just hunting for the best cookie, this is your moment to eat, mingle, and make meaningful connections (or just talk about AI like everyone else).
In line with mesh’s commitment to sustainability, any untouched food doesn’t go to waste — it’s redirected to those in need.
Time: 1:40-2:30 PM
Location: Multi Purpose Room
Most organizations start with technology first and then wonder why their digital transformation efforts fall short. The truth is, it’s not about the tech. It’s about the people. In this session, Keith Daser, founder of Deliver Digital, will reveal how businesses can uncover hidden opportunities for digital efficiency by focusing on human needs first. Through real-world case studies and actionable insights, Keith will share simple but powerful changes that drive measurable results, without massive budgets or overhauls.
Attendees will walk away with:
Whether you’re a business leader, IT decision-maker, or entrepreneur, this session will help you maximize the ROI of your technology investments — starting with the people who use them.
A workshop with Keith Daser (Deliver Digital)
Time: 1:40-2:30 PM
Location: Pitch Stage
Welcome to the age of Agentic AI, where machines don’t just follow orders — they make decisions and take action on their own. This session dives into how autonomous AI agents are revolutionizing workflows and the way humans interact with technology. Explore the implications of AI that operates independently and what it means for your organization’s future. From efficiency gains to new challenges, discover how Agentic AI is redefining the boundaries between humans and machines.
A workshop with Dave “Hurricane Dave” Smith (AI Voice Agent Builder)
Time: 2:30-2:55 PM
Location: Pitch Stage
Stretch your legs, refill your cup, and trade a few hot takes while the ideas are still fresh. It’s 25 minutes of casual collisions, caffeine, and conversation.
Time: 2:55-3:45 PM
Location: Multipurpose Room
Sponsored by Spare Parts & Gasoline
Career transitions can be messy and are sometimes unpredictable. But what if your transition turns out to be the best possible thing that could have happened to you? What if it’s an opportunity to build a purpose-driven professional life?
Join us for Life After BigCo (LAB): On Tour’s engaging session featuring inspiring stories of personal and professional transformation, along with helpful perspectives and tips for using your career change to craft a different future for yourself.
A conversation with Julie Baron (Spare Parts & Gasoline), Denyelle Fraser, (More Than Enough Consulting), Shaun Gutherie (CIO Association of Canada), and Tammy Arseneau (Cortical Consulting & Coaching).
Time: 2:55-3:45 PM
Location: Pitch Stage
This workshop will explore how AI can be a force for justice in marketing. Learn how to build a tech stack that supports DEI initiatives and navigate the intersection of technology and social impact. Discover innovative AI-driven strategies for creating inclusive, culturally conscious marketing campaigns that drive transformative change. This workshop will show you how to leverage AI to amplify marginalized voices, promote equity, and create a more just society through ethical and responsible marketing practices.
A workshop with Christian Ortiz (Justice A.I. & Mod Atlas Media, LLC)
Time: 3:45-4:10 PM
Location: Pitch Stage
Over the past five years, the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) has backed bold ideas and supported companies that are helping to shape Calgary’s innovation economy. On April 29, Calgary City Council will vote on whether to recapitalize the fund with another $60 million. On April 30, Derek Armstrong will take the stage at mesh to share what that decision means and where the fund is headed next.
This spotlight session will explore how the next phase of OCIF could help accelerate growth, fill ecosystem gaps, and drive new investments. Whether you are building a company, supporting innovation, or shaping policy, this is your chance to hear directly from the person leading one of the city’s most influential innovation tools.
Sponsored session with Derek Armstrong. Moderated by Chris Hogg.
Time: 3:45-4:10 PM
Location: West Hall/Cafe
Stretch your legs, refill your cup, and trade a few hot takes while the ideas are still fresh. It’s 25 minutes of casual collisions, caffeine, and conversation.
Time: 4:10-4:55 PM
Location: Pitch Stage
What if the real takeaway from mesh isn’t something you heard, but something you created? In this closing workshop, we’re flipping the script on how conferences end — moving from passive reflection to collective activation.
Together, we’ll rethink how you move from ideas to action in complex environments. It’s a hands-on experience that taps into the collective intelligence of the room and helps you shape a practical next step.
This isn’t a keynote or a summary. It’s a live experiment. You’ll connect with others, surface shared challenges, and co-create small, meaningful changes you can test when you return to work.
What to expect:
You’ll leave with a clear takeaway, a testable idea, and a new lens on the complexity you face every day.
Workshop facilitated by Meghan Donohoe (Pebble) and Alicia Wight (Pebble).
Stretch your legs, refill your cup, and trade a few hot takes while the ideas are still fresh. It’s 25 minutes of casual collisions, caffeine, and conversation.
Time: 4:55-5:00 PM
Location: Pitch Stage
Closing remarks