Vector Institute Stop: Womxn in Data Science Tour

Join us for the grand finale of the Womxn in Data Science Nationwide Tour! As our journey wraps up, we're diving into the heart of AI's impact with a focus on AI Commercialization and Funding. Discover how academia and industry collaborate to bridge the gap between AI research and practical applications, explore the challenges in commercializing AI solutions, gain insights into securing funding for AI ventures, and learn how investment decisions are shaped in the AI landscape. We'll also shine a spotlight on outstanding Canadian AI companies. Don't miss this opportunity to engage with leading experts, connect with like-minded professionals, and be part of the conversation shaping the future of AI. Reserve your spot now and prepare for an illuminating evening! 🚀

Our Panelists:

Sedef Akinli Kocak, Director of Professional Development at Vector Institute

Sedef is a Director of Professional Development at Vector Institute for AI where she develops AI programs for Vector sponsors and partners. Prior to this role Sedef was a Senior Project Manager & Technical Translator at Vector where she engaged Vector sponsors on applied AI projects. She has led several large scale multi-industrial applied AI projects at Vector such as Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, and Privacy Enhancing Technologies. She is listed in “Top 25 Women in AI: Canada Edition” and nominated DMZ Women of the Year Annual Award 2022 for her inspirational work, accomplishments, and contributions to create impact on the Canadian tech ecosystem.

Sedef completed her PhD at the Data Science Lab at Ryerson University. Sedef is also an accomplished researcher in the area of sustainability design in software intensive systems and a part time Data Science and Analytics lecturer and supervisor at the Toronto Metropolitan University. She is also a co-founder of the Karlskrona Alliance for sustainability design. She served as a member of the Compute Ontario Board Advisory Committee and AI program development advisor at the Continuing Education, University of Toronto. She is a member of ACM, IEEE, Engineers for Sustainable World, Women in AI, AI4Good and academic advisory committee of several AI related initiatives.

Tahniat Khan, Applied AI Project Manager at Vector Institute

Tahniat Khan is a recent graduate from Schulich School of Business, where she completed her Master of Management in AI. Currently, she is working at Vector Institute as an Applied AI Project Manager. In this role, Tahniat is leading research in NLP and engaging Vector Sponsors on Applied AI projects. With a strong background in project management and process improvement, Tahniat has gained valuable expertise through her diverse roles at renowned companies such as TTC, Capco, Fujitsu Consulting, Indigo Books & Music. As a certified project manager with a decade of experience, she possesses the skills to effectively lead and execute successful projects. Her proficiency lies in streamlining processes, optimizing efficiency, and delivering results that exceed expectations. Tahniat is an avid reader as well, particularly drawn to self-improvement books. Through the pages of these insightful books, she continuously seeks knowledge and tools for personal development. Her personal favourites are Limitless by Jim Kwik and Four Agreements.

Sarah Romanuck, Director, Banking, RBCx

Sarah is a tech sector advocate with a background in finance. She is passionate about helping build the tech community and has supported hundreds of tech companies through mentoring, advising, direct capital, and strategic connections to investors and new clients. Sarah leads the RBCx Banking Relationship Management Team in Southwestern Ontario and the GTA. Her team works with over 500 technology and Life Sciences companies spanning all sizes of growth, from inception to IPO. RBCx Banking – powered by RBC – is a platform designed to help tech companies scale by providing access to capital, innovative products and services, and operational expertise.

Prior to her role in Technology Banking, Sarah has worn many hats throughout commercial banking, with significant time spent in credit underwriting, M&A financing, business development, and commercial banking leadership across diversified and specialized client segments. Sarah sits on the Industry Advisory Council for Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (“SAIT”) School for Advanced Digital Technology and is a board member with Haltech, Halton’s Regional Innovation Centre.

Yvonne Leung, Assistant Professor, Analytics, Northeastern University

Before joining Northeastern, Yvonne Leung served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. She is also a Scientist at the University Health Network, the top research institute in Canada, where she designs and evaluates artificial intelligence (AI)-based psychosocial and supportive care services for cancer patients to improve their quality of life and access to care. Yvonne has over 15 years of experience in psychosocial and mental health research, secured over C$1.3 million in personal awards and research funding. She published more than 40 peer-reviewed journal articles and over 70 conference talks and poster presentations in psychosocial care and health services research. Currently, Yvonne is leading a project funded by Pfizer using deep learning-based natural language processing algorithms to develop a ChatGPT-powered Chatbot of automated self-care support tailored to metastatic breast cancer patients. Yvonne has expertise in administrative databases, patient-reported outcomes, psychometrics, and advanced statistical techniques including machine learning, latent structure analysis, and cluster analysis. She is also knowledgeable in qualitative analytic methods such as grounded theory, thematic and content analysis, as well as interpretive descriptive methods. She previously taught Introduction to Statistics, Research Methods, Survey Methods, and Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis to both healthcare professionals and senior analysts. Yvonne graduated from the Ph.D. program in Kinesiology and Health Science at York University in 2011.