United Nations Sustainable Cities (SDG11) Knowledge Pavilion
Join #SmartCohort during Pacific Northwest Climate Week at the United Nations Sustainable Cities SDG11 Knowledge Pavilion, a full day of knowledge exchanges, workshops, and deep dives with subject matter experts on various digital, risk, and governance topics with respect to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal 11 "Smart and Sustainable Communities."
Agenda
8:30am Registration, Networking, Breakfast and Coffee
Live screening of the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) webinar on "A Verdict for the Planet: Legal and Political Reflections on the ICJ Climate Ruling."
9:30am Welcome, Land Acknowledgment,& Speaker Introductions
10:00am- 10:45am Morning Keynote- Willo Prince, Climate Leadership Coordinator at Indigenous Climate Action (ICA)
10:45am -12:15pm Risk Management and People Continuity for Climate-Conscious Organizations
12:15pm -1pm: Break & No-Host Lunch. Enjoy lunch in Coal Harbour or at the on site restaurant Sequel located in the front lobby of And-Co
1pm- 2pm Afternoon Keynote by Carole Anne Hilton, CEO and Founder -Indigenomics Institute
2pm-3:30pm Vancouver's AI Horizon: Advancing Responsible AI and Sustainable Innovation
Presentations include:
Global Compliance and Institutional Innovation
AI Risk Management: Frameworks for Ethical Resilience in 2025
Electric Vehicles: Pioneering Sustainable Mobility Through Tech Integration
3:30pm Bio Break
3:45pm- 4:45pm Autonomous Vehicles (AV) & Robotaxi Roundtable- Global Best Practices and Vancouver's Opportunity
4:45pm- 5:00pm Learning Takeaways, Wrap Up & Next Steps
5:00pm Adjourn
Expert speakers include:
Carol Anne Hilton- Carol Anne Hilton is the CEO and Founder of the Indigenomics Institute, the Global Center of Indigenomics and the Global Indigenous Technology House. (www.indigenomics.com) Hilton is an award winning best selling author of ‘Indigenomics- Taking A Seat At The Economic Table’ and ‘The Rise of Indigenous Economic Power- Deconstructing Indian Act Economics’ -> signed copies available at indigenomics.com Indigenomics: A Platform for Modern Indigenous Economic Design. Indigenomics is a transformative platform advancing Indigenous economic strength through the lens of Indigenous worldview, systems thinking, and generative design. It serves as a catalyst to shift narratives and practices beyond a $100 billion Indigenous national economy by centering Indigenous leadership, values, and relationships in economic development.
Wanyi Zheng- Wanyi Zheng is an immigrant serial entrepreneur and digital innovation visionary. She graduated from China's top universities before spending 10+ years as an actuarial specialist at PwC and Towers Perrin, developing expertise in risk analysis, financial modeling, and strategic consulting. Shen transitioned into EdTech operations for 5+ years at online education platforms and startups, gaining deep insights into digital transformation and product scaling. As a serial entrepreneur, she is passionate about leveraging technology to bring innovative solutions to real-world challenges. Her latest venture explores interactive digital avatars and their applications across industries, while she continues developing her EdTech startup in the education space. Her diverse career experience across finance, education technology, and entrepreneurship brings a multifaceted approach to building innovative solutions.
Helen Zhou, CPA, CA, is a distinguished immigrant entrepreneur and principal at Ansun Group. Helen recently represented Canada at the G20 YEA summit in Brazil, where she passionately advocated for entrepreneurship, diversity, and sustainability. With a dynamic career spanning accounting, banking, and strategic roles at the British Columbia investment attraction department and the Canadian Embassy in China, Helen has played a pivotal role in supporting hundreds of global, local, and immigrant entrepreneurs. Under her leadership, Ansun Group offers comprehensive soft landing services to ensure immigrant entrepreneurs thrive in Canada. Learn more about Helen’s journey and Ansun Group’s initiatives here.
Eugene Fung- Eugene Fung is an internationally experienced, CPHR and SHRM-CP designated HR professional who built his career helping organizations elevate their HR function and thrive by prioritizing their people. He is the founder of Eugenie HR, a human resources consultancy that provides flexible and practical HR advice and support to growing and expanding organizations, whether establishing the HR foundation, guiding teams through significant changes, or smoothly managing the human side of mergers, acquisitions, and international expansions. Eugene brings a unique blend of insights from his MSc in Work Psychology & Business from Aston University and hands-on experience across diverse industries in Canada and the UK. He is passionate about showing how HR is not just rules and hiring or firing, but is there to help organizations to build a clear, supportive and sustainable culture where people work with purpose toward share success. Beyond his professional life, Eugene volunteers with the Vancouver Chinese Community Policing Centre and CPHR, and sings with the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir.
Mitchel Devana- Mitchel Devana is a visionary leader in digital transformation, known for turning emerging technologies into real-world, scalable solutions that shape industries and national agendas. With a track record of delivering first-of-their-kind innovations in AI, blockchain, and fintech, Mitchel has advised Fortune 500 companies, governments, and financial institutions across North America, the Middle East, and Asia. His work has guided national banking and digital asset strategies, while helping major organizations navigate complexity, compliance, and innovation. As a trusted partner to executive boards and C-suites, Mitchel brings a rare ability to align bold technological change with institutional trust, long-term vision, and operational excellence.
Asaf Pedro- Asaf is Digital Transformation at Diverge, where he brings a unique dual perspective to digital transformation challenges. He works on strategic technology initiatives for major institutions, while his entrepreneurial background-having built multiple ventures from concept to MVP and worked with dozens of early-stage startups - gives him insight into how different organizations approach change. He earned an MsC in Digital Transformation and Global Entrepreneurship from Hochschule Neu-Ulm
About Our Title Sponsor And-Co:
Hosted at British Columbia's first WELL certified building, And-Co is a community innovation hub aligned with the sustainable development goals. And-Co offers dynamic event spaces and private offices designed to inspire and foster creativity.
And-Co's versatile venues are perfect for hosting memorable events and supporting a vibrant community focused on the arts, wellness, and collaboration. At And-Co, we celebrate the arts and cultivate connections. Whether you’re here for an event, a conference or working in one of our private offices, you’ll find a welcoming environment that encourages innovation and community.
Websites: http://www.and-coevents.ca/ and
Social Media: @andcocommunity
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/company/andcocommunity/
#SmartCohort acknowledges that this program is taking place on the unceded, ancestral, and traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
We also recognize the Katzie, Kwantlen, Kwikwetlem, Qayqayt, Semiahmoo, S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), Stz'uminus, scəwaθenaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsawwassen), and all Coast Salish Peoples on whose land we are honored to be newcomers and guests.