Confluence YYC: Technology & Digital Transformation

Frank Bergdoll is the AI Project Lead at SAIT and passionate about driving digital transformation through innovative technologies. Frank taught at SAIT for over 25 years in area such as Infrastructure Management and Business Intelligence (Data Engineering). He holds a Master’s Degree from Royal Roads University in Learning and Technology.

Frank shares insights on Learning and Technology with Frank, a YouTube channel with nearly 50,000 subscribers and over 5 million views. As a thought leader, Frank blogs on educational technology and hosts the podcast The Learning Mindset, helping students, professionals, and organizations apply technology with purpose.

Shawn Freeman is a partner at Always Beyond and a seasoned tech entrepreneur with a proven track record of building and scaling successful MSPs. After achieving a 7-figure exit with his first company, he brings deep expertise in leadership and IT strategy to his role at Always Beyond. Shawn works closely with business leaders to strengthen security, simplify systems, and use technology with confidence to achieve meaningful results. 

Christa Hill is the Co-Founder of Tacit Edge Product Leadership and AI North, and the author of Equitable Education for Product and AI Literacy, that can be found in post-secondaries around Canada. A product strategist and educator, Christa helps senior leaders and teams turn curiosity into capability in the age of automation and AI. Known for her bold, conversational style, she blends real-world product insight with a deep belief in human potential, reminding every audience that the future of work isn’t coming, it’s already here. 

Michelle Wagner (she/her) is an accomplished leader with deep expertise in program development, organizational change, and stakeholder engagement. With experience spanning the non-profit, public health, and corporate sectors, she has successfully designed, launched, and scaled programs that strengthen communities and drive organizational growth. Her leadership includes senior roles with Alberta Women Entrepreneurs, the Canadian Mental Health Association, and the Blue Zones Project, where she advanced strategic initiatives, aligned partnerships, and spearheaded large-scale community engagement. Michelle is recognized for her ability to guide cross-functional teams, foster collaboration, and align diverse stakeholders around shared goals

Karam-Ali serves as Director of Partnerships at Platform Calgary, leading engagements with corporate, ecosystem and strategic partners. His diverse background includes five years as a corporate securities lawyer. Most recently, Ali was a founding executive team member at a Calgary tech company, where he played a crucial role in their operational, partnership, investment, and IP strategies, contributing to the growth of a 35+ person team. A seasoned business advisor and strategist, he has actively built and advanced both private and volunteer organizations. Ali’s strategic foresight and proven ability to lead and execute complex, cross-functional projects make him a significant asset to any team he’s on. A hardcore Calgary Flames fan, he enjoys travelling and spending time with his wife and two young daughters.