Speakers

With over 7 years of industry experience, Laura is a front-end focused developer with a special passion for CSS. In her spare time, she enjoys giving back to the tech community through various volunteer opportunities such as instructing and mentoring for Canada Learning Code, assisting on the organizing committee for YYJ Tech Ladies, and co-hosting a monthly breakfast meetup for other Front-End Developers.

John is a man of many hobbies, programming is the hobby he does as his day job. Having spent 9 years in the field he must have learnt something by now.

Jason Michael is the Software Development Manager at Checkfront – the world’s foremost booking management platform for travel experiences – where he leads, coaches, and builds software teams. Checkfront powers nearly 5000 customers across the globe, and has processed $1.5 billion bookings annually.

Currently, Jason is managing the teams responsible for revolutionizing how travel experience businesses manage their assets, staff, and resources, as well as support location management, using Checkfront.

Aurora Walker is a Software Development Manager at Bambora, a Chapter Lead for Canada Learning Code Victoria, and most importantly, a Friend of Battlesnake! Aurora is an experienced Python Developer and life-long Victoria BC Resident.

May started out as a self-taught software developer. Nowadays, he’s working in DevSecOps space, automating himself out of work, so he can drink tea, and look at Tumblr all day.

From FAANG-scale spam detection systems to STEAM education modules for teens to persistent augmented-reality games, Evan Savage has built many things for many people over his decade-long career in the software industry. He’s here today in his capacity as tech lead for the MOVE Project, which is a collaboration between Code for Canada and City of Toronto Transportation Services to build the future of transportation data management at the City.

A Software Engineer dedicated to building performant, reliable, and scalable systems. With experience ranging from building large-scale services, to develop an Android application with over 1 million downloads, I love creating a wide variety of projects. I prefer a language agnostic approach to development – finding the right technology that fits the problem and team. I have fun working with others, helping others find solutions by digging into problems alongside them.

Anne Thomas has spent the past 12 years immersed in the wonderful world of web development as a front-end developer and can be found offering comprehensive Shopify store audits with the talented team at Shop Critique. Before that, she was the Technical Director at Out of the Sandbox (a premium Shopify Theme Partner), which is where she successfully used Github to wrangle product management and ongoing development.

Marisa is the Program Manager of two Code for Canada programs: Civic Hall Toronto and GRIT Toronto, where she works closely with government teams and tech and design practitioners to help make technology work better for all residents. With a background in urban design and community engagement, she previously co-founded a civic tech startup that created digital tools to help communities become better engaged in the urban improvement process.

After getting an undergrad in Computer Science and Visual Arts, Karina stumbled into mixed-reality software development and can’t stay away! In her spare time, she enjoys fitness, video games, and giving back to the tech community by helping those new to the industry on She Codes With Radiance.

Official bio: Award-winning strategically-led digital creative with 15 years of agency experience working at Canada’s top agencies including Tribal DDB, Cossette, Origin and Blast Radius. Stéphane has worked with clients such as adidas, Nike, Starbucks, Whistler Blackcomb, The North Face and BCAA. His work has been featured by The FWA, The Webby Awards, Cannes, Awwwards and Communication Arts among others.

I prefer: Stéphane is a good guy who likes to solve design challenges with good people.

Meet Jayesh Vekariya, the co-founder and CEO at joni, entrepreneurship expert, and sarcasm fluent. With over 9 years of product management and startup consulting experience across 24 countries, Jayesh brings blue ocean venture development, startup financing, and growth strategy expertise to the table for his clients, spanning Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies, innovation clusters, and startups across 5 continents. His clients love him for his ability to fit people, planet, and profit in corporate strategy, and his unshakeable commitment to helping startups optimize their strategy, turn their weaknesses into strengths and achieve their vision.

As the author of “SMART Goals: Making habits work for you”, Deborah is a pioneer and leader in the field of sustainable business development. Deborah has taught and practiced the principles of management, organizational behavior and sustainable business for the past nine years across three different continents – North America, Africa and Europe. At 25, she was the youngest PhD graduate from Covenant University, Africa’s most prestigious University. Deborah is very keen on harnessing the opportunities created when there is a solid partnership between the classroom and the industry, as shown through her teaching as a BCIP professor. In the startup world, she runs two social enterprises: The VolunteerNG and Afro Hub Community. They both focus on community development and personal development (In line with SDG goals 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11). The VolunteerNG has partnered with over 70 volunteers, mentored over 800 young adults, and is sponsoring 30 kids through elementary and high school.

Yamila was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. After coming to Canada to complete her undergraduate in sciences, she discovered a path for social entrepreneurship in tech, education and finances. Yamila has worked in the areas of STEM education, leading Indigenous and all-girls programming in tech, worked with the school district to support with the transition to a more inclusive and well-rounded curriculum, and is a strong advocate for the inclusion of BIPOC communities in entrepreneurship & financial literacy. Yamila is also the Co-founder of Nyoka Design Labs, a clean-tech sustainability & biotech company focusing on bringing the world’s first eco-friendly glow stick to market. This year Yamila was recognized with the Youth REP award for her community leadership and is co-creating BEFREE, a business incubator program for Indigenous, racialized and newcomer communities. Yamila is eager to continue creating sustainability by leveraging entrepreneurship & traditional knowledge in the community.

Julianne is currently a Senior Customer Success Manager at Checkfront, a booking management platform for tour operators, rental companies and accommodation providers worldwide. She is also a Co-Lead at Canada Learning Code (fka. Ladies Learning Code), Victoria Chapter.

Jason obtained his CPA designation while working in a progressive and cloud based accounting environment. His passion for financial technology, coupled with his technical accounting experience, has made him very effective in building out his clients the most efficient back end systems. He is focused on using modern technology to provide companies with accurate and timely information, which can help aid executive decision making and propel company initiatives forward.