Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women

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Susan is the Dean of the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, the first woman to hold this position in the school’s history. A leading expert in mutual funds and capital markets, she has published extensively in top academic journals and is recognized globally for her research and thought leadership in finance.

Since joining Rotman in 2010, Susan has launched groundbreaking academic programs, strengthened Rotman Commerce, and championed initiatives that expand opportunities for students and foster innovation. Her leadership continues to shape the next generation of business leaders in Canada and beyond.

Kathleen Taylor is one of Canada’s most accomplished business leaders, best known for her groundbreaking role as the first woman to chair the Board of RBC, the largest bank in Canada, and one of the largest in the world.

Her career has spanned leadership in the hospitality industry as CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, corporate governance roles at some of the country’s most respected institutions, and deep involvement in advancing education and healthcare. Most recently, Katie was named Ivey Business Leader of the Year for 2025, a recognition of her visionary leadership and lasting impact on Canadian business.

Katie’s journey, from breaking barriers in boardrooms to championing innovation and mentorship, has inspired countless women and continues to redefine what leadership looks like in Canada.

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women. In the third episode, host Berlin Mathur is joined by Rania Llewellyn, former President & CEO at Laurentian Bank

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Rania’Llewellyn's career spans over 26 years in banking and financial services, with experience in various sectors, including commercial banking, corporate strategy, and mergers and acquisitions. Her leadership has driven innovation, diversity, and inclusion in the financial industry. Her inspiring story, from her early days as an immigrant to Canada to becoming the CEO of a major financial institution, embodies perseverance, resilience, and a vision for a more inclusive corporate environment.

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women. In the third episode, host Berlin Mathur is joined by Dr. Nandita Vijaykumar, an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science Department at the University of Toronto. 

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Dr. Nandita Vijaykumar is an Assistant Professor in the Computer Science Department at the University of Toronto and the Department of Computer and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough. She is also affiliated with the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence and the Robotics Institute, where she leads the embARC Research Group.

Before joining the University of Toronto, Dr. Vijaykumar was a research scientist in the Memory Architecture and Accelerator Lab at Intel Labs. She received her Ph.D. and M.S. in 2019 from Carnegie Mellon University, where professor Onur Mutlu and professor advised her. Phil Gibbons. She also collaborated with the Systems Group in the Computer Science Department at ETH Zurich as a visiting student. Throughout her career, she has gained valuable experience working with leading companies such as AMD, Intel, Microsoft, and Nvidia.

Dr. Vijaykumar's research interests lie in computer architecture, compilers, and systems, with a particular focus on the interaction between programming models, systems, and architectures. As the Concentration Director for the Master of Science in Applied Computing (MScAC) AI in Healthcare, Dr. Vijaykumar is responsible for developing and leading top-tier educational programs in Computational Medicine and Computational Biology. She fosters collaborations with relevant departments, the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and the Temerty Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Education in Medicine (T-CAIREM).

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women. In the second episode, host Berlin Mathur is joined by Stacey Allaster, Chief Executive Professional Tennis, US Open Tournament Director. 

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Stacey Allaster, born in Windsor, Ontario, and raised in Welland, is the United States Tennis Association’s Chief Executive of Professional Tennis and US Open Tournament Director, and the former CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association. A towering figure in international sports, she has been a tireless advocate for women throughout her leadership career. In 2022, she was appointed a Companion of the Order of Canada for her contributions to gender equality and was recognized by Forbes as one of the most powerful women in sports. Most recently, she received the Billie Jean King Leadership Award for her efforts in promoting equity for women in sports.

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women. In the inaugural episode, host Berlin Mathur is joined by Dr. Anna Goldenberg, Senior Scientist at SickKids Research Institute and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto.

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Dr. Goldenberg earned her PhD in Machine Learning from Carnegie Mellon University and completed her postdoctoral training at the Penn Centre for Bioinformatics and the Donnelly Centre. She holds the gerposition of the first Varma Family Chair in Biomedical Informatics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) Research Institute, where she also co-leads the AI in Medicine for Kids (AIM) initiative. She is a CIFAR AI Chair and a fellow in CIFAR's Child and  Brain Development group. Additionally, she co-leads the research theme at the Temerty Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Education in Medicine (T-CAIREM), driving innovation in AI for medical research.

Her lab focuses on developing machine learning methods for clinical applications across various diseases and conditions, as well as quantifying variability in healthy states among individuals and populations using wearable technology.

As the Concentration Director for the Master of Science in Applied Computing (MScAC) AI in Healthcare, she is responsible for developing and leading top-tier educational programs in Computational Medicine and Computational Biology. She fosters collaborations with relevant departments, the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and T-CAIREM in her educational role within LMP.

Follow the Northern Lights Canada podcast for more inspiring conversations with  Canada's trailblazing women leading the way in tech and business.

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women

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Kelly LaRocca is the Chief of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN), located near Port Perry, Ontario. A dedicated leader and advocate, she has served her community on Council since 2008 and was elected Chief in 2013. With an honours degree in philosophy from the University of Western Ontario and a law degree from the University of Windsor, Kelly also studied Aboriginal law at the University of Victoria after beginning her career as a civil litigation lawyer in Toronto. As Chief, she helped negotiate the commercial gaming and revenue share agreements for the Great Blue Heron Casino, ensuring long-term community resilience and the advancement of capital projects. Beyond her work with MSIFN, she serves as an elected Director of the National Lands Advisory Board for First Nations Lands Management, Vice-Chair of the Ogemawahj Tribal Council, and has held roles on the Aboriginal Justice Committee and Baagwating Community Association.

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women

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Alyson is a Senior Vice President at Wasserman, where she leads strategic growth initiatives and client partnerships in sports and entertainment. She previously served as Chief Commercial Officer and SVP of Business at OverActive Media, overseeing global partnerships, marketing, and operations for one of the world’s leading esports organizations. Earlier, she was Vice President of Brand Partnerships & Client Strategy at Bell Media, where she developed innovative content and data solutions for top advertisers, and held leadership roles at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and the Canadian Olympic Committee, contributing to major milestones such as the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. Beyond her executive work, Alyson is a Board Member of Wise Toronto, where she champions the advancement of women in sports business, and serves as a Senior Advisor and Mentor at the Future of Sport Lab, supporting innovation and research in the industry.

Welcome to Northern Lights: Canadian Women in Tech & Business, where we spotlight the incredible journeys of Canada's most trailblazing women

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As Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer and Head of People, Culture & Brand at BMO Financial Group, Mona oversees all aspects of talent strategy, leadership development, and organizational performance.

Over her career, she has held leadership roles across personal and commercial banking, wealth management, and corporate sectors, earning a reputation for driving growth, innovation, and building high-performing teams. Her journey reflects a deep commitment to leadership excellence and the continuous evolution of the workplace to meet the demands of a changing world.

We’re so excited to introduce our next Northern Lights Canada guest: Teresa Resch!

Teresa is leading the way as the first-ever President of Toronto Tempo, Canada’s new WNBA team starting in 2026. She’s spent over 20 years helping grow basketball around the world—from working with the NBA to spending 11 seasons with the Toronto Raptors. She helped launch Raptors 905, built the OVO Athletic Centre, and even led the team during their move to Tampa.

🏀 In this episode, we talk about how she got here, what it takes to build a new team, and her vision for women’s sports in Canada. Follow Northern Lights Canada and catch the full episode this Saturday, June 7!