CONNECT ’26 – Saturday, May 2, 2026
AGENDA

Location: North Lobby & North Corridor

Location: Robert R. McEwen Auditorium

Room: TBD

A1: The Art of the Professional Exit
How to leave well by choice or circumstance. Careers today are increasingly nonlinear. Exits happen for many reasons—layoffs, restructurings, voluntary departures, or retirement. Regardless of seniority, most professionals will face an organizational exit at some point.

A2: Banking On It
The banking industry is undergoing rapid transformation driven by blockchain, cryptocurrency, open banking, artificial intelligence, fraud prevention, and fintech startups.

Hear from senior alumni executives in financial services as they share how they see the future of banking and payments evolving—and what these changes mean for institutions, customers, and careers.

A3: Winning in the Age of Intelligence Enterprise
In this 45-minute CONNECT ’26 panel hosted by the Institute of Digital Business, senior industry leaders will examine how organizations are creating sustained competitive advantage in an era defined by AI, data, and platform ecosystems.

The discussion will focus on how firms move beyond digital experimentation toward scalable execution — aligning strategy, technology, operations, and leadership to deliver measurable business impact. Panelists will share practical lessons from large-scale transformation initiatives, including governance, capability building, organizational redesign, and value realization.

The session will conclude with an interactive Q&A designed to engage alumni and executives on what differentiates high-performing digital enterprises from those that stall.

B1: The Challenge: Designing the Next 60 Years
A networking session with a twist.

As Schulich celebrates its 60th anniversary, this interactive session looks ahead to the next 60 years. Working in small groups with fellow alumni, participants will tackle a future-focused challenge: What skills will business graduates need over the next six decades? Expect creative thinking, lively discussion, and meaningful new connections.

B2: Schulich Den

In a period of geopolitical tension, technological disruption, and economic realignment, Canada faces critical questions about industrial policy, AI, sustainability, trade, defence, productivity, and sovereign capacity.

This conversation with The Honourable John Manley and Dean Detlev Zwick will explore how today’s global macro forces translate into practical implications for Canadian businesses and institutions — and how leaders can build resilience and opportunity amid uncertainty.

Mr. Manley brings experience at the highest levels of public service and business. He served as Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister, and held the portfolios of Finance, Industry, and Foreign Affairs. In 2001, he was named Canada’s Newsmaker of the Year by Time magazine. He later chaired the independent panel on Canada’s future role in Afghanistan, whose recommendations shaped national policy.

From 2010 to 2018, he was President and CEO of the Business Council of Canada. He currently serves as Chair of Jefferies Canada and TELUS, and has held board positions with CIBC, CAE, and Canadian Pacific Railway, among others.

Drawing on his leadership across government and enterprise, Mr. Manley will offer insight into Canada’s economic competitiveness and strategic positioning in a rapidly changing world. Join us for what will be a unique conversation, combining the dean’s, informative questions with an individual with unparalleled business and political experience.

Location: Robert R. McEwen Auditorium

Location: CIBC Marketplace