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D2L Fusion 2024

Executive Summit

Are you a leader in education or professional learning? The Executive Summit is an annual gathering exclusively for people like you. You’ll explore emerging trends in learning and hear from leading thinkers on the future of education and work. You’ll also have the chance to connect with fellow leaders to learn from each other and grow your network.

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Date

Location
InterContinental Toronto Centre
225 Front St W
Toronto, ON M5V 2X3
View Agenda

Find What You Need

What You Can Expect

Education and Corporate Leaders

The Executive Summit is open to university, community and technical college, school board, association and corporate executives.

Valuable Discussions and Connections

This is your chance to gather with other executives to share insights and discuss institutional and systemic challenges.

Strategic and Focused Takeaways

Attendance is limited for maximum engagement with speakers and fellow attendees.

Navigating the Future: Mastering the Currency of Skills

D2L’s upcoming Executive Summit marks a significant milestone as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of our company. This exclusive event serves as a convergence point for thought leaders from corporate learning and education to dive deep into the transformational changes that are reshaping education and work. Our theme for this year, “Navigating the Future: Mastering the Currency of Skills” acknowledges the increasing shift to a skills focus across the lifecycle of learning.

In Secondary Schools

Educators are seeking opportunities to partner with employers to offer students access to project-based learning and experiential education experiences to deepen their professional skills at an earlier life stage.

In Postsecondary Education

Institutions are looking at ways to better define, deliver, assess, and document skills to improve the learner experience and adapt to the changing needs of the workforce.

In Corporate Learning

Human resources professionals and senior leadership are looking at new ways to recruit talent with skills-first hiring and comprehensive learning programs that can help upskill and reskill existing staff.

Join executive leaders for a full day of programming in Toronto this July.

InterContinental Toronto Centre © Destination Toronto

Where

We’re thrilled to host Fusion 2024 in Toronto, ON Canada.

EVENT VENUE
InterContinental Toronto Centre
225 Front St W
Toronto, ON M5V 2X3

Accommodations

*Expires June 6, 2024. Rates are based on availability and are subject to applicable provincial and local taxes in effect at the time of booking. All reservations require a credit card guarantee.
Fairmont Royal York

100 Front St W
Toronto, ON M5J 1E3

Conference room rates are now sold out.
*Conference room rate expired June 6, 2024.
InterContinental Toronto Centre

225 Front St W
Toronto, ON M5V 2X3

Conference room rates are now sold out.
*Conference room rate expired June 6, 2024.

When a tech company invites you to an executive summit, you typically expect a heavy sell. I’ve been so pleasantly surprised that that hasn’t been the case here. The discussions today have been truly beneficial.

– President, Community and Technical College System

The mix of speakers, the shaping of the AI discussions and the implications for upskilling the workforce and the responsibility for educators was energizing and thought provoking.

– Leading Industry Analyst

My first time but I thought the small format, the shared room for the day with colleagues, topic that were provocative, and time between sessions were helpful.

– President, Education Non-profit and Think Tank

I had no idea you do so much on thought leadership and events, and it’s all spot on. These are exactly the challenges we’re facing

– Senior Director, State University System

Thank You to the Executive Summit Sponsors

Full Event Sponsor

Deloitte logo

Panel Discussion Sponsor

AWS logo

Snack Experience Sponsor

Wellington DuPont logo

Networking Reception Signature Cocktail Sponsor

Executive Summit 2024 Keynote Speaker

Keynote Speaker

David Autor, Ford Professor of Economics at MIT

David Autor, Ford Professor of Economics at MIT, is one of the leading labor economists in the world. David’s research explores the labor market impacts of technological change and globalization on job polarization, skill demands, earning levels and inequality, and electoral outcomes.

Speakers

Amrit Ahluwalia

Amrit Ahluwalia

Executive Director of Continuing Studies, Western University Read Amrit Ahluwalia's bio
Dr. Ann Marie

Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan

President and CEO, Humber College Read Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan's bio
Exec Summit 2024 Speaker Greg Fowler

Dr. Greg Fowler

President, University of Maryland Global Campus Read Dr. Greg Fowler's bio
Exec Summit 2024 Speaker Joel Vargas

Joel Vargas

Vice President, High School through College, Jobs for the Future Read Joel Vargas's bio
Executive Summit 2024 Speaker Katherine Macnaughton

Katherine Macnaughton, CHRL

VP, Global Talent Management and Development, Manulife Read Katherine Macnaughton, CHRL's bio
Exec Summit 2024 Speaker Neil Fassina

Dr. Neil Fassina

President, Okanagan College Read Dr. Neil Fassina's bio
Exec Summit 2024 Speaker Phoutsady Gunnell

Phoutsady Gunnell

Global Director, Learning and Development, Magna International Read Phoutsady Gunnell's bio
Exec Summit 2024 Speaker Shingai Manjengwa

Shingai Manjengwa

Head of AI Education, ChainML Read Shingai Manjengwa's bio
Exec Summit 2024 Speaker Sotos Poulimenos

Sotos Poulimenos

Director, Global Talent Development Best Practices, Corporate HR, Sun Life Read Sotos Poulimenos's bio
Soulaymane Kachani

Soulaymane Kachani

Senior Vice Provost, Columbia University Read Soulaymane Kachani's bio
Executive Summit 2024 Speaker Dr. Susan Elkins

Dr. Susan Elkins

Chancellor, University of South Carolina Palmetto College Read Dr. Susan Elkins's bio
Exec Summit 2024 Speaker Tom Andriola

Tom Andriola

Vice Chancellor, Information Technology and Data; Chief Digital Officer, UC Irvine Read Tom Andriola's bio

Agenda

*Subject to change

7:45 am - 8:45 am

Networking breakfast

8:45 am - 9:10 am

Welcome to the D2L Executive Summit

Join D2L leadership for a big picture introduction to the major trends we’re seeing reshaping the future of work and learning.

  • John Baker, Chief Executive Officer, D2L
  • Jeremy Auger, Chief Strategy Officer, D2L
Opening Keynote
9:10 am - 10:00 am

Expertise, Artificial Intelligence, and the Work of the Future

Keynote Speaker: David Autor, Ford Professor of Economics at MIT

Will recent advances in AI complement human expertise, thereby increasing its value, or render it increasingly unnecessary, thus reducing experts’ earnings potential (even if jobs are not in net eliminated)? Autor will frame this question through the lens of three technological revolutions of the last two centuries: the Industrial Revolution, the Computer Revolution, and the AI Revolution. In each, the types of expertise rewarded changed substantially, with vastly uneven consequences for workers in different occupations and possessing different education levels. These forces will play out differently in the AI era than in preceding decades. While the future is not a forecasting exercise — it is a collective creation, not a preordained fate — Autor will lay out the opportunities that AI opens for the labor market, as well as some of the risks it poses.

10:00 am - 10:30 am

COFFEE BREAK

Panel Discussion
10:30 am - 11:30 am

Navigating Strategic Shifts for Higher Education

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, evolving societal needs, and shifting student demographics, the landscape of higher education is undergoing profound transformations. Hear from our distinguished panel on the strategic shifts impacting higher education, including enrollment management and workforce readiness.

Facilitator: Dr. Cristi Ford, VP Academic Affairs, D2L

Panelists:

  • Dr. Greg Fowler, President, University of Maryland Global Campus
  • Dr. Neil Fassina, President, Okanagan College
  • Dr. Susan Elkins, Chancellor, University of South Carolina Palmetto College
  • Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, President, Humber College
Panel Discussion
11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Maintaining Relevance and Value in Education to Power the Workforce

There’s a well reported skills gap facing employers of every size and industry, and yet there are regular reports that recent graduates are facing challenges in finding work. Join us for a discussion on how higher education can better support student employability in response to rapidly changing economic and technological factors transforming learning, skills, and careers.

Facilitator: Dr. Emma Zone, Senior Academic Affairs Director

Panelists:

  • Tom Andriola, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology and Data; Chief Digital Officer, UC Irvine
  • Soulaymane Kachani, Senior Vice Provost, Columbia University
  • Joel Vargas, Vice President, Education Practice, Jobs for the Future
12:30 pm - 1:15 pm

LUNCH

1:15 pm - 1:30 pm

D2L’s Upskilling Research Agenda

Speaker: Malika Asthana, Senior Manager, Strategy and Public Affairs, D2L

Fireside Chat
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Hype and Hurdles - Realities of AI Adoption

From scalability issues to data quality concerns to a need for skilled AI talent, organizations across all sectors are encountering numerous roadblocks on the path to AI integration.

Speaker:

  • Shingai Manjengwa, Head of AI Education, ChainML
  • Amrit Ahluwalia, Executive Director of Continuing Studies, Western University
Panel Discussion
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Learning and Development for Organizational Success

Hear how forward-thinking organizations are harnessing the power of internal talent development to nurture future leaders, drive retention, and improve the company’s bottom line. Explore the transformative impact of upskilling and reskilling initiatives, not only in bridging skills gaps but also in cultivating a workforce equipped to adapt to emerging challenges.

Facilitator: Malika Asthana, Senior Manager, Strategy and Public Affairs, D2L

Panelists:

  • Phoutsady Gunnell, Global Director, Learning and Development, Magna International
  • Sotos Poulimenos, Director, Global Talent Development Best Practices, Sun Life
  • Katherine Macnaughton, CHRL, VP, Global Talent Management and Development, Manulife
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm

Closing Remarks

Stephen Laster, President, D2L

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Fusion Opening Keynote

John Baker, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, D2L

Executive Summit Cocktail Networking Reception

Join your fellow attendees and summit speakers for an informal network gathering. This is a chance to say hello to old friends, meet new colleagues, and connect over your curiosities and questions from the days summit.

Drinks and apps will be served.


Program Summary

Executive Summit Event

Monday, July 8

Fusion Welcome Keynote
Executive Summit Networking Reception

Fusion Conference

Tuesday, July 9

D2L Solutions Spotlight
Breakout Sessions
Exhibits and Lounges
Labs and Interactive Experiences
Training Sessions
Networking Activities
Wellness Activities

Evening Social Event

Fusion Conference

Wednesday, July 10

Breakout Session
Exhibits and Lounges
Labs and Interactive Experiences
Training Sessions
Networking Activities
Wellness Activities
Special Guest Keynote (end of day)