Connected Intelligence with Sonia Sennik

In this episode, we chat with Cameron Bailey, CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival.  Cameron shapes the vision and strategy of one of Canada’s premier cultural brands, responsible for presenting the world’s largest public film festival every September.  A champion of diverse voices and bold storytelling, he’s been the guiding force in transforming TIFF into a global hub known for groundbreaking international premieres to Oscar-bound favourites. With an eye for brilliance and a heart for storytelling, Cameron Bailey talks to us today about the evolution of technology in film, creating magical moments with an audience, and how important it is to remember that the audience…is us. We recorded this episode in Varda at TIFF Lightbox, an inspiring setting to reflect on the past, present, and future of film.

In this episode, we get Professor Janice Stein's view on key events from 2024 - from global unrest to the reshaping of politics, the intersection of emerging technology and policy, Taylor Swift (of course) and Janice’s beloved Toronto blue jays (keep listening for why!). Janice is a legendary Canadian political scientist and international relations expert. She is the Belzberg Professor of Conflict Management in the Department of Political Science and the Founding Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto. Janice is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and a member of the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada; among her many distinctions.

What is the impact of ambiguity in the workplace? Professors Laura and Jan Doering from University of Toronto help answer this question from their recently published research, co-authored with Professor András Tilcsik.  Laura Doering is an Associate Professor of Strategic Management and is cross-appointed in the Department of Sociology. Jan Doering is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto.  As an economic sociologist, Laura examines how interactions and social psychological processes shape outcomes for households, organizations, and markets. Jan’s research is situated in two areas: social control and conflict in urban neighbourhoods and individual experiences and responses in relation to discrimination.  We speak to Laura and Jan about ambiguous incidents in the workplace, uncertainty, and blind spots. We learn about their unique collaboration: in research, marriage, and life.

How do you future proof yourself in a world of technology that is rapidly changing? Iliana Oris Valiente is an accomplished corporate executive, innovation and emerging tech pioneer, startup investor, respected board member, published author, and sought-after global public speaker. With a clear vision and unwavering determination, she is a thought leader on a mission to build a future humans want to live in. Iliana is currently the Managing Director and Innovation Lead at Accenture Canada. Iliana is widely recognized for her trailblazing contributions to the blockchain industry, having advised corporations, government leaders, regulators, and startups as a translator between the web2 and web3 worlds. Her expertise and perspective have expanded, now encompassing overall technology and societal trends, particularly emphasizing the future of work, life, and human-centred approaches. As a published author and frequent speaker at global conferences, Iliana has been featured in various media outlets, including television, radio, and print. Additionally, she’s an active board member at Sunnybrook Hospital, CPA Ontario, and DIACC and mentors startups through incubators such as CDL. Through Iliana's unique life experiences and contributions, she has developed an ability to see the bigger picture and drive toward meaningful outcomes. We talked to Iliana about her digital twin, the future of work and what it's like to be a sequoia tree or an air plant.

What opportunities lie on the other side of taking risks and embracing changes in your career? Ava Yaskiel is a Senior Strategic Advisor to the public and private sectors focusing on business planning, strategy and structure. She was the G7/G20 Deputy Minister of Finance & Associate Deputy Minister of Finance for Canada until 2021. Ava has held various roles over her 30-year career as a lawyer at Norton Rose & Fulbright where she was Partner, Global Head of Corporate, M&A and Securities. Ava also spent six years at the Ontario Securities Commission holding a variety of positions in Senior Legal Counsel (Acting Director) of the Office of the General Counsel, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, related party transactions and related policy matters. We talk about Ava’s one-of-a-kind career journey, her experience working on boards, the importance of having a vision for your life, and her time spent representing Canada as Deputy Minister of Finance.