Speakers


Keynote Speaker - Chris Mathers


Crime, Risk, and Cybersecurity Expert

Chris Mathers spent most of his life working undercover for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the US Customs Service. Posing as a gangster, a drug trafficker, and even a money launderer, Mathers has seen and done it all. He takes audiences into the underworld that only he can describe, letting people in on the stunning stories and secrets harboured by terrorists and those involved in organized crime.

Mathers retired after a 20-year career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He then joined the Forensic Division of the international accounting firm, KPMG in 1995. He was appointed to the position of President of KPMG Corporate Intelligence Inc. in 1999, where he was responsible for international due diligence, asset recovery operations, and the investigation and prevention of organized crime and money laundering.

A popular media commentator and speaker, Mathers has served as a consultant on several feature films and documentaries relating to organized crime, espionage, and money laundering. He has appeared on television and radio interviews on CNN, PBS, MSNBC, and all Canadian national news networks as well as media outlets in Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, and the Caribbean.

Mathers is a unique, humorous, and fascinating speaker who touches on issues from security, hiring decisions, and background checks to money laundering, corporate fraud, and the incredible impact artificial intelligence (AI) is having on the prevention and spread of crime.

Mathers offers wise insights on human character and organizational culture that can help you spot and avoid the perils of white-collar crime.



Gary Campbell is the Business Resilience Manager at London North Eastern Railway (LNER), specializing in business continuity, crisis management, and emergency planning. With extensive experience across public, private, military, and critical infrastructure sectors across Canada and the UK, Gary has led transformative strategies that prepare organizations to navigate complex challenges.

Gary’s work includes addressing operational disruptions, fostering leadership in high-pressure situations, and enhancing organizational adaptability in dynamic environments. Drawing from his role as a Business Resilience Manager in the UK rail industry, Gary brings a unique perspective on how to manage systemic risks and build resilience in the face of labour disruptions, climate change, and political uncertainty.


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Mr. (BGen ret’d) André Demers, OMM, MSC, CD is a bilingual strategic consultant with over 38 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces. A seasoned leader in both domestic and international operations, he commanded Canada’s infantry battle group in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake and later served as Chief Security Officer for the CAF (2019–2022). In that role, he led national defence security planning and business continuity efforts during COVID-19. He has deployed to Bosnia, Rwanda, Afghanistan, Haiti, and the DRC, and has held senior government security committee roles. Mr. Demers holds degrees from the Royal Military College of Canada and the US Marine Corps University and is a graduate of both Canadian and U.S. national security programs.


Tarek Habib is a Senior Manager in KPMG’s Advisory practice and specializes in business resilience and information security. Supporting business leaders and CISOs in various organizations and industries, including manufacturing, financial services, consumer goods, law enforcement, government and multi-national entities, Tarek has led numerous information security and business resilience initiatives to assess compliance, design safeguards and implement recommendations across crisis management, disaster recovery, business continuity and incident/emergency response.

Tarek is also an active speaker on the topics of cybersecurity and business resilience, providing insights into current trends and practical approaches for businesses of various sizes and non-profits to protect themselves against cyber-attacks and business disruptions.



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Rachelle Loyear is Vice President of Integrated Security Solutions at Allied Universal®, where she leads the Enterprise Security Risk Management program. With deep expertise in both physical and cyber risk, she has authored several key industry texts on security risk and business continuity. Rachelle serves on the ASIS North American Board of Directors and contributes to the SIA Cybersecurity Advisory Board. She holds certifications including CISM, MBCP, and PMP, and brings over two decades of leadership in corporate security, risk management, and resilience strategy.

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Caroline Mellor is an experienced emergency management professional with nearly 20 years in municipal and healthcare settings. She led the development of Canada’s first municipal Hazard Mitigation Plan and has contributed to major infrastructure and planning projects, including the Toronto Harbourfront LRT and Ottawa’s new hospital. Caroline specializes in aligning emergency management with enterprise risk, accessibility, and ethical standards. She has supported major events like the G20 and Canada 150, and designs high-impact exercises for scenarios including mass casualty and cyber-attacks. Currently completing a Master’s in Disaster and Emergency Management at Royal Roads University, she is known for her collaborative, safety-driven, and inclusive leadership style.


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Mr. William J. Walker brings over 30 years of experience in security, law enforcement, and military leadership. He is currently Vice President and Corporate Security Director at Allied Universal® Security Services. A former DEA Special Agent and the 38th Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. House of Representatives, Mr. Walker also served as Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner and has held senior roles in national intelligence and public safety. Mr. Walker holds multiple advanced degrees and fellowships from leading institutions including MIT, Harvard, and the National Intelligence University.