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Speakers

World-class presenters sharing exclusive content

Featured speakers of the CPPO's Symposium 2025

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DataVisor

Yinglian Xie

CEO & Founder

  • LinkedIn
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My Beacon

Aditya Mhatre

Co-Founder & CPTO

  • LinkedIn
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The Logic

Future of Finance Reporter

  • LinkedIn
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CPPO

Jennifer Tramontana

Executive Director

  • LinkedIn
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The Globe and Mail

EQ Bank

Erica Alini

Kartik Kamat

VP, Payments & Digital

Banking Analytics

  • LinkedIn

Personal Economics Reporter

  • LinkedIn
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EQ Bank

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Peoples Group

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Mastercard 

Daljit Singh

Principal Personal Banking Payments

Vice President, Market Development

CEO

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Peoples Group

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Innovative Payments Association

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Payouts Network

Chief Risk Officer

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President & CEO

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Chief Revenue Officer

  • LinkedIn
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Galileo Financial Technologies

Senior Manager New Business Developement

  • LinkedIn
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Onbe

Chief Legal Officer

  • LinkedIn
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Payments + Partnerships

CEO

  • LinkedIn
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Brim Financial

Founder & CEO

  • LinkedIn
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Kotapay

Head of Payments Products & Strategy

  • LinkedIn
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Tillo

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Neo Financial

Vice President & Head, Deposits and Investments

  • LinkedIn

Chief Revenue Officer

  • LinkedIn
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Digital Commerce Payments

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VoPay

President

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CEO & Founder

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Synctera

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C100

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Invest in Canada

General Manager, Canada

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Chairman of the Board

  • LinkedIn

Executive Director

  • LinkedIn
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Holt Xchange

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Visa

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One Feather

Jan Christopher Arp

Noah Niznick

Lawrence Lewis

Senior Director, Government Engagement 

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Founding General Partner

  • LinkedIn

Founder

  • LinkedIn
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Collinson

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Giesecke+Devrient

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National Bank of Canada

Manuel Catedral

Grace Parletta

Philippe Daoust

Vice President of Business Development

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VP of Sales & Client Relationship Management

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VP of Innovation

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Speakers

Prepaid: The Catalyst for Fintech Innovation
Empowering Banks and Fintech Pioneers to Drive Financial Inclusion and New Solutions 

Prepaid platforms have evolved to become a robust foundation for financial innovation. Symposium 2025 will showcase how prepaid solutions are driving the next wave of fintech innovation, enabling banks and entrepreneurs to deliver inclusive, customer-centric financial services.

 

The event will focus on how Canadian banks, fintech entrepreneurs and governments can accelerate innovation by leveraging prepaid platforms to create impactful financial solutions that and meet the demands of a rapidly digitizing society. 

Today, the prepaid industry is a CA$12 billion market comprising an extensive value chain, including networks, regulated banks and financial institutions, challenger banks and program managers. Prepaid is ensuring access to the digital economy, bringing down the cost of banking and payments and promoting financial health and equitable access for all Canadians.

By attending the Symposium, attendees will gain:

  • Insights into leveraging prepaid platforms to achieve financial inclusion, growth and innovation goals. 

  • An understanding of the untapped potential of prepaid as a platform for innovation. 

  • Lesson in success from Canadian and international entities.

  • Opportunities to collaborate with peers, government officials, and industry experts in shaping the future of Canada’s payment systems and infrastructure.

Innovation Lounge
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Innovation Lounge

What’s happening today that will become mass adopted tomorrow? Who is pushing the boundaries of what's possible for payments?

Returning in 2025: the CPPO Symposium Innovation Lounge - powered by Giesecke+Devrient

Visit the Innovation Lounge to hear from tomorrow’s leaders in payments or find the partner to take your program to the next level.

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Speakers
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Symposium 2025 Agenda

 

8:00am – 8:30am⏐Networking Breakfast


8:30am – 8:40am⏐Empowering Banks and Fintech Pioneers to Drive Financial Inclusion and New Solutions 

Prepaid platforms have evolved to become a robust foundation for financial innovation and are driving the next wave of fintech innovation, enabling banks and entrepreneurs to deliver inclusive, customer-centric financial services. Today’s program will focus on how Canadian banks, fintech entrepreneurs and governments can accelerate innovation by leveraging prepaid platforms to create impactful financial solutions that and meet the demands of a rapidly digitizing society.

Speakers

  • Jennifer Tramontana, Executive Director, CPPO

  • Maria Riesenberg, VP Market Development​, Mastercard

8:40am – 9:15am⏐Building Blocks for Fintech Startups

Prepaid platforms have evolved to become a robust foundation for financial innovation and are driving the next wave of fintech innovation, enabling banks and entrepreneurs to deliver inclusive, customer-centric financial services. Today’s program will focus on how Canadian banks, fintech entrepreneurs and governments can accelerate innovation by leveraging prepaid platforms to create impactful financial solutions that and meet the demands of a rapidly digitizing society.

Panelists:

  • Mastercard, TBA

  • Fintech Cadence, TBA

9:15am – 9:50amPrepaid Platforms for Financial Inclusion

Prepaid platforms can offer an alternative to a traditional bank account to reach underbanked and underserved populations from new Canadians to small business owners, offering them accessible financial services.

Panelists:

  • Aditya Mhatre, Co-Founder & CPTO, My Beacon

  • Lawrence Lewis, Founder, One Feather​ 

  • Kartik Kamat, VP - Payments, Analytics, and Fraud Strategy & Ops, EQ Bank

  • Mastercard, TBA

Moderator:

  • Erica Alini, Personal Economics Reporter, The Globe and Mail 

9:50am – 10:10amInnovative Use Cases and Success Stories: EQ Bank Case Study

From Concept to Impact: The EQ Bank Card Journey - Description: Discover the story behind the EQ Bank Card – from the vision that inspired its launch to its journey of reshaping customer experience, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way. Join us to explore how the EQ Bank Card is revolutionizing banking convenience and empowering its users.

Speakers: 

  • Daljit Singh, Principal Personal Banking Payments, EQ Bank

  • Kartik Kamat, VP - Payments, Analytics, and Fraud Strategy & Ops, EQ Bank

10:10am – 10:30am⏐Networking Break

 

10:30am – 11:05am⏐Banks, Credit Unions and Fintechs: Partners to Competitors 

What is next for the bank/fintech partnerships that have served the industry to this point. How will open banking change things? 

Panelists: 

  • Liam Mason, CRO, Peoples Group​ 

  • Visa, TBA

Moderator:

  • Claire Brownell, Future of Finance Reporter, The Logic 

11:05am – 11:25am Innovative Use Cases and Success Stories: KOHO Banking Case Study

Koho, one of Canada's pioneering neobanks has moved into the second of three phases to secure a Schedule 1 banking licence. Get a deep dive on their succesful journey to date and what is coming next

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Speakers: TBA

11:25am – 12:00pmFraud Fallout: Trends, Bottom-line Impact, and What to Watch Out For

​Industry leaders share insights and dive into the complexities of payments fraud. Learn about real-time trends and common pain points, the motivation behind a fraudster's tactics, and the solutions and importance of balancing fraud strategies with the customer experience.

 

Panelists: 

  • Yinglian Xie, CEO & Co-Founder, DataVisor 

  • Grace Parletta, VP Sales & Client Relationship Management, Giesecke+Devrient

Moderator: 

  • Mastercard 

12:00pm – 1:00pm⏐Networking Lunch

1:00pm – 1:20pm⏐Keynote Address — Innovating Amidst Regulation: Charting the Future for Fintechs

  • John Landry, Peoples Group CEO

1:20pm-1:40pm | Fireside Chat with the Government of Alberta and People's Group

A conversation that unpacks the province’s growing tech and innovation ecosystem 

Speakers:

  • John Landry, Peoples Group, CEO

  • Government of Alberta, TBA

1:40pm – 2:15pmSquare Peg: Round Hole - Keeping up with Right-Size Regulations

The perpetual challenge of being regulated in a high-growth technology industry is ensuring regulations keep up with commercial advancements and adequately safeguard, not hinder responsible growth. Communicate directly with our regulators that face this reality and their approaches to this challenge.

Panelists:

  • TBA

Moderator:

  • Noah Niznick, Senior Director, Government Engagement, Visa

2:15pm – 2:50pmGrowth in Prepaid Disbursements and Expense Management: Lessons from Other Markets

Canada is behind the curve when it comes to robust digital disbursements. This session will highlight key strategies and technologies driving growth, including automation, digital platforms, and data analytics. Attendees will learn from international case studies, gaining insights into successful models and lessons about how these practices enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline financial operations. ​​

Panelists: 

  • Jeff Johnson, CRO, Payouts Network 

  • Aaron Bright, Senior Manager New Business Development, Galileo Financial Technologies

  • Ed Woodson, Chief Legal Officer, Onbe 

Moderator:

  • Brian Tate, President & CEO, Innovative Payments Association

2:50pm – 3:10pm⏐Networking Break

3:15pm – 3:50pmReinventing the Bank Account

How are payment choices influenced by loyalty and the unique role of prepaid systems? This session delves into how prepaid solutions can harmonize various payment methods on a single platform, enhancing user experience and driving customer retention. Discover innovative approaches to integrating prepaid options in modern banking and traditional loyalty payments.

Panelists: 

  • Rasha Katabi, CEO & Founder, Brim Financial

  • Bill Warshauer, CRO, Tillo 

  • ​Manuel Catedral, Vice President of Business Development, Collinson

  • Tim Morris, Chief Banking Officer, Neo Financial

Moderator: 

  • Dina Vardouniotis, CEO, Payments and Partnerships Inc.

3:50pm – 4:25pmBaaS and Prepaid: You Can’t Have One Without the Other

The interdependence between Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) and prepaid solutions to offer flexible and scalable financial products is essential. But there are risks including security vulnerabilities, compliance challenges, and operational complexities. Attendees will gain insights into how to navigate these risks while leveraging the benefits of BaaS and prepaid systems to drive innovation and enhance customer experiences.

Panelists: 

  • Pamela Draper, President, Digital Commerce Payments

  • Hamed Arbabi, CEO & Founder, VoPay

  • Lisa Durnford, General Manager, Canada, Synctera 

Moderator:

  • Brooke Fitts, Head of Payment Products & Strategy, Kotapay​

4:25pm – 5:00pmInvesting in the Future

Launching and scaling companies in payments and financial services could be a growth area for Canadian innovation, competition and productivity gains. So why do we lag in start-up and scale-up investment and what should we be doing? Hear from three experts dedicated to entrepreneurial growth in Canada and their straight-talk on what we need to do differently.

Panelists: 

  • Michael Buhr, Executive Director, C100 

  • Karl Tabbakh, Chairman of the Board, Invest in Canada 

  • Jan Christopher Arp, Founding General Partner, Holt Xchange

  • Philippe Daoust, VP Innovation, National Bank of Canada

Moderator:

  • Michelle Beyo, CEO & Founder, Finavator

5pm – 6pm⏐Networking Reception

Sponsors

Symposium 2025 Sponsors

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Media and Event Partnerships

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