Panel - Future Proofing Calgary

Josh stands at the forefront of data science innovation. He specializes in developing cutting-edge SaaS applications and advanced data analytics. After graduating from the University of Calgary with a degree in Applied Mathematics, he sparked a career with a unique blend of analytical acumen and practical expertise, particularly in the energy, financial services and emerging technologies sectors.

Josh also plays a pivotal role in shaping the Calgary data science community as the Co-Director of YYC DataCon 2024. His commitment to the field extends to fostering discussions on technology, startups, and cultural change. As the moderator of this year’s Future proofing Calgary panel discussion, he brings his insightful perspective and deep industry knowledge, facilitating dialogues that drive forward the frontiers of data science and product development. Josh is dedicated to promoting innovation and collaboration within the tech-centric communities.

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On October 21, 2022, Nate Glubish was sworn in to lead the newly created Ministry of Technology andInnovation where he continued to lead the modernization of government services and led efforts toattract more investment in Alberta’s technology sector. On June 9, 2023, Nate was sworn in again asMinister of Technology and Innovation.

Prior to his political career, Nate Glubish dedicated his professional life to building and investing in Alberta technology companies.

He spent most of his 15-year career before politics as a venture capital investor, most recently with Vancouver-based Yaletown Partners, where he oversaw investments into Alberta-based technology companies.He is passionate about helping Alberta companies raise investment capital to commercialize innovative new technologies and to export their expertise around the world.Nate Glubish has a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Finance. He is married to Allison, who is ajunior high teacher with Elk Island Public Schools. They have a son, Max.

Tate has a unique background unlike many founders of technology companies. With deep roots on the West Coast of Canada, Tate once spent 43 days on a commercial fishing boat. With a desire to escape the small town he called home, Tate attended the University of Victoria and later, the City University of Hong Kong where he received his Bachelors in Economics.

It was as a young adult that Tate found his passion in what would become an entire industry, FinTech. Between the ages of 16 and 23, Tate used Craigslist as a way to lend out more than $250,000 of his own capital to those in need. Through this journey, Tate discovered an entire industry built around a consumer's need for short term liquidity, and unfortunately, it was an industry that preyed on its customers.

As a pioneer in Earned Wage Access, Tate founded ZayZoon as a way to combat payday loans while still giving people relief between paychecks. ZayZoon’s product allows employees to instantly access their earnings ahead of their regular scheduled payday, without debt or egregious fees. Today, more than 6,100 businesses across the United States leverage ZayZoon to reduce employee financial stress and improve key organizational metrics such as productivity and retention.

Christa Hill is the Co-Founder | Co-CEO of Tacit Edge Product Leadership as well as The International Product Foundation (IPF), where she blends her industry expertise to fuel our economy with empowered, innovative and diverse product leaders that embody the entrepreneurial spirit. Her love of Product Management stemmed from a unique perspective on problem/solution-based innovating, a deep curiosity for the world and a fundamental drive to make it better.

She is co-author of the global award-winning Product Management curriculum, the only gender and race Diversity, Equity and Inclusion-based (DEI) Product Management education/training program in the world.

This Canadian innovation is designed for post-secondaries and industry where graduates boast a 73% hire rate (56% women and 72% identify as visible minorities) into Product Management and related roles at global companies.

Christa is also a director of Innovation for WTAL Canada which is a not-for-profit that focuses on influencing policy to drive equitable opportunity to prosperity of women in Canada.

As a proud member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and is an ICF PCC Professional Business Coach with the ICF (International Coaching Federation). Christa is known for her diverse perspective on coaching Product and executive leaders, helping them to deepen their expertise in Product Leadership, organizational transformation and building business agility.

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Chloe is the CEO and Co-founder of Mercator AI, a market intelligence tool for construction. Before Mercator, Chloe developed similar tools in the marketing and advertising space, reducing time spent on business development research. Today, Mercator transforms industry data into early opportunities, helping companies increase business development capacity without increasing headcount using real-time market intelligence.