Shari Lava is Group Vice-President, AI, Data, and Automation. Ms. Lava’s core research coverage includes the fast-evolving AI software market, as well as the Automation and Data foundations essential for deploying AI at enterprise scale. This includes deep analysis of market dynamics, adoption trends, and how these technologies converge to deliver superior business outcomes. She is based remotely in Toronto, Canada.

Previously at IDC, Shari led the integration and AI enablement research program within the AI, Data and Automation group, alongside the Small and Medium Business (SMB) program, enabling technology suppliers to better navigate the SMB ecosystem. Prior to IDC, she was Vice President, Marketing Intelligence at Greystone Managed Investments, an asset management firm, where she leveraged data analytics to drive success across the customer journey. Before that, Ms. Lava led the Vendor Advisory Services practice at Info-Tech Research Group, delivering actionable market insights to technology vendors. Earlier, she was a management consultant with Deloitte’s CRM and Information Management practices, specializing in implementing and integrating applications for clients of all sizes across diverse industries

Megha Kumar heads software and cloud services research at IDC Canada. As a research vice president, Megha is responsible for managing and delivering projects across technology areas such as cloud services, enterprise applications, software and digital transformation for the Canadian market. She manages both the Canadian Software as a Service (SaaS) and Canadian Cloud Platforms (PaaS and IaaS) research programs in Canada

In addition to research, Megha has aided vendors with go-to-market engagements to improve market awareness and provide end users with essential guidance on technology adoption. She regularly interacts with CIOs and IT decision makers regarding their technology preferences, priorities, and concerns.

She originally joined IDC in 2007 covering the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey region, based out of Dubai, U.A.E. In her previous role at IDC, she regularly provided insights on market dynamics, vendor strategies, and end-user trends across the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey for both global and regional ICT firms as well as public sector organizations.

Megha presents at various industry and vendor conferences. She is often quoted in the media, providing opinions on technologies and market dynamics. She holds a Bachelor’s degree with Honors in Marketing from York University, Canada.

Tony Olvet is Group Vice President, Worldwide C-suite and Digital Business Research at IDC. His team’s global research focuses on the connection between business transformation and digital investments across enterprises. Tony’s analysis and insights help vendors, IT professionals, and business executives make fact-based decisions on technology strategy and digital business.

Tony has worked with clients across a variety of organizations including global IT manufacturers, enterprise software vendors, telecom service providers, financial institutions and public sector organizations. He has been quoted in major business and industry media including CIO Magazine, The Globe and Mail, CBC and The Financial Post.

He is also a frequent public speaker delivering keynote presentations at conferences, IDC webinars, and virtual events for clients. Tony is member of IDC Canada’s senior leadership team and is based in Toronto, Canada.

Ivan Nekrasov is an NVIDIA AI Field Product Manager leading customer-facing engagements and sales enablement for joint Dell-NVIDIA programs across North America. With 20+ years at Dell, he drives multi-million dollar AI infrastructure initiatives that accelerate breakthroughs in healthcare, science, and enterprise innovation. A father of three, Ivan is passionate about technology’s power to improve lives globally.

Dr. Dawit Haile serves as Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at Virginia State University (VSU), where he has held progressive academic leadership roles including Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Interim Dean of Natural and Health Sciences, Associate Dean, and Chair of Mathematics and Computer Science. With more than 30 years of combined experience in academia and industry, he has led the creation of new engineering and computer science programs, sustained ABET accreditation, expanded VSU’s research enterprise, and secured more than $32 million in external funding, with PI and Co-PI leadership on projects totaling more than $45 million. His work advances artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital twins, robotics, cyber-physical systems, data mining, advanced manufacturing, and AI applications in healthcare.

Dr. Haile’s scholarly and innovation record includes publications in applied mathematics, AI, healthcare data mining, engineering education, and advanced technology systems. His intellectual property accomplishments include a 2026 U.S. patent for a high-efficiency electric torque arm drive for unmanned helicopters and a published 2026 patent for an autorotation system using an electric propeller torque arm.

He also provides statewide leadership in manufacturing, logistics, and technology-based economic development. He serves as Vice Chair of the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Interim President and CEO of the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Logistics Systems, and he serves on boards and commissions including the Virginia Manufacturing Development Commission, AMIE, GENEDGE, and the Alliance for Building Better Medicine.

Dr. Haile earned a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Southern Illinois University, an M.S. in Computer Science from Virginia Commonwealth University, an M.S. in Applied Mathematics from Addis Ababa University, and completed Harvard University’s Management Development Program. He resides in Chester, Virginia, with his wife and two children.

Tushar Patel brings 25 years of technology leadership to the stage, including a decade driving enterprise data strategy and managing portfolios of 35–45 projects annually. As a seasoned sponsor of large-scale digital transformations, he offers rare frontline perspective on turning data investments into measurable business outcomes.

Darren Head is a PreSales Solutions Consultant with Dell Technologies, specializing in Infrastructure Design and Delivery. Prior to working with Dell he spent years building, managing, and migrating Data Center infrastructure to support large organizations around the globe. When he’s not spending time experimenting with AI and Automation he can be found in the garage turning perfectly good lumber into sawdust. He resides near Calgary, Alberta with his wife, two kids, and two dogs. 

Tony Anscombe is the Chief Security Evangelist for ESET. With over 25 years of security industry experience, Tony is an established author, blogger, and speaker on the current threat landscape, security technologies and products, data protection, privacy and trust, and Internet safety. His speaking portfolio includes industry conferences RSAC, Black Hat, VB, CTIA, MEF, Gartner Risk and Security Summit, and the Child Internet Safety Summit. He is regularly quoted in cybersecurity, technology and business media, including BBC, Dark Reading, the Guardian, the New York Times and USA Today, with broadcast appearances on Bloomberg, BBC, CTV, KRON, NBC, and CBS. Tony has previously served on the board of the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF) and Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) and held an executive position with AMTSO.

James Beer is the Chief Executive Officer of Qu Data Centres and a career data centre operator with nearly 30 years of leadership experience across colocation, cloud, cybersecurity, SaaS, managed services, and mission-critical infrastructure.
Before joining Qu, James held senior roles at Hut 8, eStruxture Data Centers, Q9 Networks, Bell Canada, Scalar Decisions, and Desire2Learn, where he led national operations, data centre strategy, product, engineering, IT, compliance, and customer-facing delivery teams.
Known for his customer-first mindset and operational discipline, James brings a practical enterprise perspective to the infrastructure decisions shaping Canada’s digital future, including resilience, sovereignty, AI readiness, and the trusted data centre platforms required to support critical business operations.

Erin Lawrence is a tech journalist, video personality and former TV producer, reporter and news anchor. With over 20 years experience in mainstream media and communications, as well as an being an invited speaker at events, Erin now runs a successful new media company which includes the popular tech YouTube channel, ErinLawrenceTV with nearly 100,000 subscribers, alongside the news website, TechGadgetsInternational.com

Erin has a Master’s Degree in Journalism from the Western University in London and has been named to the Top 40 Under 40 by Avenue Magazine, Top 100 Twitter Influencers in Calgary and is the winner of two Edward R Murrow Awards for Journalism.

Speaking fluent Spanish, Erin is based in Calgary where she also has minor obsessions with silversmithing, vintage trailer restoration and her two rescue dogs

Allice Shandler, a seasoned event management professional, orchestrates captivating and seamless experiences in the technology, hospitality, entertainment, and manufacturing industries. With a proven track record spanning the past 25 years, she skillfully designs and executes a multitude of events, both virtual and in-person, to bring together like-minded individuals for the purpose of sharing knowledge and forging connections. She is an energetic leader who enjoys leading with empathy and embodying the science of emotional intelligence.

From her time as an Assistant Cruise Director with Princess Cruises to her role as the National Virtual Events Manager and subject matter expert during the pandemic at KPMG Canada, and currently as the Director of events with IDC and Foundry, Allice’s journey reflects a mastery of marketing integration, project logistics, and alignment with sales strategies, all underscored by her meticulous attention to detail. Allice Shandler exudes a passion for hosting and connecting with peers both on the stage and during carefully crafted industry events. She brings an unmatched ability to curate engaging experiences that resonate across industries and captivate audiences around the globe.