​On Feb 1st & 2nd, 2022, ICTC held its inaugural Horizon Summit, where industry and public sector leaders discussed six core themes of our evolving digital economy. The summit hosted 80+ speakers and attracted 1,800+ attendees from around the world.

​Planning for Horizon 2023 is well underway, and we’re continuing the conversations in tech hubs across Canada this summer and fall. Starting with Vancouver!

​Join us in Vancouver on June 9th as we discuss equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in British Columbia's tech sector and bring back networking. Hosted by Canada's leading centre of expertise for the digital economy, ICTC, at Microsoft Canada's Vancouver campus. Expect thought-provoking conversations, critical debate, and opportunities to connect with leaders across industry, government, and academia.

​Agenda:

• ​5:30 pm - 6:00 pm: Registrations and networking

• ​6:00 pm - 6:30 pm: Opening address by BC Parliamentary Secretary for Technology & Innovation, Brenda Bailey

• ​6:30 pm - 7:30 pm: Panel Discussion: EDI in BC’s Tech Sector

• ​7:30 pm -8:30 pm: Networking and refreshments

​*Please note that all attending guests must be fully vaccinated (two doses) to comply with building guidelines. 

​Prior to coming into the building, all attendees must visit the linked Healthcheck site to provide their vaccination status. An email will be sent to all attendees before the event reminding them of this requirement.

​BC’s tech sector has experienced rapid and continued growth, earning Vancouver a spot in the top three fastest-growing tech hubs in North America. At the same time, the surge in demand for content over the years created a notable boom in creative tech, propelling forward the demand for talent in key areas like video games, animation, and visual effects. Yet, there is significant room for improvement when it comes to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Despite accounting for roughly half of Canada's total workforce, women account for just one-quarter of creative tech roles. In the larger tech sector, women in ICT positions earn lower wages than men, and visible minority women experience the starkest gender pay gap. Similarly, other research has identified low participation of Black and Indigenous peoples in tech. Understanding these and other challenges, the sector is focused on addressing gaps. In fact, employers in BC’s creative technology sector believe that “more needs to be done” and relay an overwhelming commitment to prioritizing equity, diversity, and inclusion to drive positive and lasting change.  

​Meet your speakers for the evening:

​Brenda Bailey, BC Parliamentary Secretary for Technology & Innovation

​Brenda Bailey was elected MLA for Vancouver-False Creek in 2020.

​Brenda co-founded Canada’s first women-owned and operated video game studio in 2011, in response to the lack of high-quality games being developed for women and girls. She most recently served as the Executive Director of DigiBC, the Interactive and Digital Media Industry Association of British Columbia, where she worked to strengthen the province’s growing creative tech industry and continued her commitment to bringing more diversity and inclusion to the tech sector.

​Brenda previously served as the Executive Director of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland, helping young people to realize their full potential through mentorship.

​Brenda has degrees in Political Science and Social work, with advanced studies in Business and Law.

​Loc Dao, Executive Director, DigiBC

​Loc Dao is the Executive Director of DigiBC - the Creative Technology Association of BC representing the video game, animation, VFX, virtual reality, augmented reality and XR industries. He’s the acting chair of the board of the Canadian Interactive Alliance representing Interactive Digital Media in Canada and is a Board Director for Story Money Impact, the producer of Good Pitch Vancouver. 

​Loc is the co-founder of the groundbreaking NFB Digital and CBC Radio 3 studios and their industry shifting bodies of work. He has won over 100 awards including Producer of the year, FWA site of the year, a Cannes Cyber Lion and 10 Webby Awards. He was recently the Chief Digital Officer for the National Film Board of Canada and has advised the Government of Canada, Canada Media Fund, Sundance, Tribeca, IDFA, and VIFF Film Festivals. He’s also a founding member of the Guild of Future Architects.

​Alex Grimbley, Franchise Strategy Director & Executive Producer, The Coalition

​Alex has 16 years experience working on some of the biggest gaming franchises. He Joined The Coalition in 2016 as Executive Producer for Publishing and Live products. He recently took the role of Strategy Director for the Gears of War IP. Bringing together all aspects of the brand and business to further franchise growth.

​In addition to product roles Alex is the executive sponsor of the Women in Gaming group at the studio and a board member at DIGI BC where he is focusing on Education and Diversity initiatives. Alex is passionate about product quality and building teams that reflect the diversity of our players. Alex moved to Vancouver in 2008 to work on the Need for Speed and FIFA franchises at Electronic Arts. Alex originates from the UK where he worked for IBM in a management consultancy after graduating in Management Sciences.

​Sarah Nathanson, COO at Thunderbird Entertainment

​As Chief Operating Officer, Sarah Nathanson works to support all divisions of Thunderbird Entertainment in their growth trajectories, and she took on the role of Corporate Secretary in 2021. She also serves as the company’s General Counsel, helping to guide teams across Thunderbird Entertainment from IP development and production, through to licensing and merchandise opportunities. Additionally, Sarah is actively involved in advocating for the TV and film industry as a whole and currently sits on the board of directors of the Canadian Media Producers Association and creative tech association DigiBC.

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​Mo Tahir, Sr. Recruiter at Walt Disney Animation Studios

​Mo Tahir is a Sr. Recruiter at Walt Disney Animation Studios in Vancouver, supporting both artistic and technical departments. His prior talent acquisition experience includes working in the mobile games space as a Talent Acquisition Partner for Kabam Games, as well as working in the film previsualization industry as a Recruiter for The Third Floor. He started his career at MPC Film in Vancouver, supporting the recruitment for projects including The Lion King and Detective Pikachu. Aside from recruitment, Mo has also worked as a part-time instructor for employment prep at Vancouver Film School's Game Design campus. He is passionate about all things animation, visual effects, and games, and has a particular soft-spot for all things to do with video game music.