Making Innovation Work in Government

Erika and her team are responsible for data asset management and governance, improvement of digital service delivery, and IT enterprise architecture and security assessments for the Department. In addition, in close collaboration with the National Supply Chain Office, she is leading efforts to improve the use of data and digitalization to strengthen the transportation and logistics aspects of Canada’s supply chain. Erika has extensive experience in policy, communications, service and data with the private sector and the federal public service, including 12 years as an executive in government. Throughout her public service career, Erika has been focused on implementing data-driven and user-centric decision-making, and managing change. She started at the Public Policy Forum, a national, non-partisan policy think tank. She then embarked on a career in the federal public service where she has led public opinion research, consultations, as well as strategic risk and crisis communications at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Over the years, she has also been in the role of Director General of Communications at PHAC, Canada Border Services Agency, Shared Services Canada (SSC), and Health Canada, as well as the Director General of Strategic Policy at SSC. Erika has a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in Political Science with a minor in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Ottawa. She is a proud Franco-Ontarian from Northern Ontario. She lives in Ottawa with her husband and their three kids.

Erica Ren has over 20 years of experience in IT transformation, data strategy, digital service delivery, and public sector modernization. She is currently Chief Data Officer at Shared Services Canada, where she leads enterprise data, analytics, and information management programs. Previously, she served as Chief Data Officer at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, advancing data, analytics, and research to support evidence-based policy and service delivery. From 2019 to 2022, she was Director General of Modernization at Canadian Heritage, driving the digital transformation of grants and contributions programs, including the rapid deployment of emergency COVID-19 funding platforms Erica has also held executive roles at the Canada Border Services Agency and Correctional Service Canada, where she led national digital transformation and data analytics initiatives. She holds a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Engineering, and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering, from the University of Ottawa.

Valerie is a strategic leader driving client-centered digital transformation in social development, with a strong focus on improving outcomes through inclusive, human-centered design. Partnering closely with clients and frontline teams to modernize services and translate complex challenges into practical digital solutions, she leads change that is sustainable, ethical, and impactful. Guided by a deep commitment to equity and social value, Valerie ensures technology meaningfully improves the lives of the communities it serves. Valerie has been applying digital innovation in public sector for over 30 years and has been recognized on more than one occasion as one of the top 50 global public sector innovators.

Dr. Simon Potter joined NBCC’s research office with extensive experience in biomaterials, composites, forestry, precision health and genetics applied research. He is responsible for NBCC’s overarching research program which, based on its exceptional strength and depth in ICT, is now expanding into new areas such as agriculture, precision health, and educational and accessibility research. Simon holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Edinburgh, a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Bath and has built a global reputation in the implementation of large scale research initiatives in Canada and Australia. Simon was born in Liverpool; England and he speaks English and some Latin.

Siobhan was a senior civil servant in the UK with more than 15 years’ Whitehall experience. She worked in many of major delivery departments, including Transport, Environment, Health and Local Government. She also had senior roles at the heart of government in the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, including supporting the then Cabinet Secretary, Lord O’Donnell, to lead work on civil service reform and strategy. Siobhan left to run as an independent candidate in the Mayor of London election. She subsequently joined her alma mater, Warwick University, as Chief Strategy Officer of Warwick in London and Co-Director of the Warwick Policy Lab.