​VTJ Insiders get 50% off events. Check your Thursday Insiders newsletter for the signup code.

​#VTJLive: Building a Resilient BC: Technology’s Role in Protecting People, Infrastructure & the Economy

​Climate risks, aging infrastructure, natural disasters, cybersecurity threats — BC faces growing pressures that demand new levels of resilience. But with challenge comes opportunity.

​Across the province, innovators, technologists, policymakers, and industry leaders are building solutions that protect communities, strengthen critical systems, and safeguard BC’s long-term economic future.

​Join Vancouver Tech Journal and BCIT for an in-depth conversation on how technology is reshaping the way we anticipate, respond to, and recover from disruption — from wildfires and floods to infrastructure resilience, emergency response, and secure digital systems.

​Why This Conversation Matters Now

​British Columbia is at a turning point for resilience.

​More frequent climate events, aging infrastructure, and rising demands on emergency response systems are forcing governments and industries to rethink how communities are protected and how critical systems are designed.

​At the same time, new technologies — from AI and data platforms to cloud infrastructure and predictive tools — are moving from theory into real-world deployment. Delivered by Innovate BC, the Integrated Marketplace has recently launched a new Forestry Innovation and Emergency Management Testbed, enabling made-in-BC solutions to be tested, validated, and scaled in live environments focused on wildfire, flood, and emergency management.

​This conversation brings together leaders from government, industry, and academia to explore how technology, policy, and applied innovation must align — not just to respond to crises, but to build a more resilient, prepared, and economically strong British Columbia.

​What We’ll Explore

• ​How government, industry, and innovators are collaborating to strengthen BC’s emergency response and resilience

• ​The role of AI, data, cloud infrastructure, and predictive systems in disaster prevention and recovery

• ​Innovations in wildfire management, environmental monitoring, and community protection

• ​How public-sector demand is shaping new markets for climate tech, infrastructure tech, and govtech

• ​What effective collaboration between technology companies, academia, and government must look like next

​Who Should Attend

​This event is designed for senior leaders at technology companies building solutions for resilience, risk mitigation, and critical systems.

​You’ll get the most value if you’re a:

• ​Founder, CEO, or executive shaping product strategy, market positioning, or long-term growth in climate tech, infrastructure tech, cybersecurity, AI, data, or govtech

• ​CTO, CPO, or VP Engineering responsible for building reliable, scalable technologies deployed in complex, real-world environments

• ​Executive leading innovation or digital transformation within a growth-stage or enterprise technology company

• ​Tech leaders evaluating new markets where resilience, infrastructure modernization, and public-sector demand are accelerating

​If you’re responsible for where your company is going next — and how your technology can create real-world impact at scale — this conversation is for you.

​Our speakers include:

Sheila Schindel, Managing Director, Commercialization & IP Programs, Innovate BC

​With experience in grant program operations and fund management, Sheila has supported small and medium enterprises engaged in innovation across a variety of sectors in pursuit of climate action and sustainable development.

​At Innovate BC, she provides leadership to technology and innovation solution providers to support the identification and testing of solutions at Markeplace test beds in the Integrated Marketplace program with a goal of streamlining the commercial adoption and scale up of innovative technology.

​Sheila holds a BSc in Psychology from Bishop’s University, and a Masters in Biotechnology (MBiotech) from the University of Toronto.

​Michael Lee, Chief Strategy Officer, UrbanLogiq

​Michael Lee is Chief Strategy Officer at UrbanLogiq and a former BC MLA. He has served as Shadow Minister for Attorney General and for Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation, and as Official Opposition Critic for Transportation and Infrastructure. A former partner at Lawson Lundell LLP, Michael also held federal ministerial staff roles in Justice and National Defence. He brings a rare blend of legal, business, and public-sector leadership to advancing technology that strengthens community resilience.

​Paras Sharma, Principal, InBC

​Paras brings deep scientific training and extensive experience helping founders translate breakthrough science into impactful solutions. He most recently spent six years as a Principal at Genesys Capital, where he supported life sciences ventures from seed stage onward and served as a Board Observer for Veralox Therapeutics, CryoStasis, Feldan Therapeutics, and EnspireDBS.

​Prior to that, he held roles as an Analyst at adMare BioInnovations. Paras began his career in research, with positions at Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Eisai Co. Ltd., and Penn Medicine.

​Dr. Michal Aibin, Program Head of the Master of Science in Applied Computing, BCIT

​Dr. Michal Aibin is Program Head of the Master of Science in Applied Computing at BCIT and Vice Chair of IEEE Vancouver Section. His research focuses on AI-driven disaster management, particularly wildfire prediction and detection using UAV-mounted computer vision systems. With over $1 million in Mitacs funding secured across multiple industry partnerships, Dr. Aibin leads collaborative projects developing next-generation technologies to protect BC communities and critical infrastructure.

​Moderator:

​William Johnson, Founder, Vancouver Tech Journal

​William Johnson is a media executive, writer, and advisor focused on helping people, companies, and ideas become relevant. He is Vice President of Strategy & Operations at Overstory Media Group, founder of Vancouver Tech Journal, and works closely with founders and organizations at the intersection of storytelling, technology, and community.

​​​Thank you to our Presenting Partner:

​BCIT

​For over 60 years, the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) has been delivering flexible, relevant, and future-proof education that prepares learners to lead innovation in their workplaces and communities. As one of BC’s largest post-secondary institutes with five campuses, 300+ programs, and over 40,000 students enrolled each year, BCIT connects education, industry, and government in building an agile workforce. The BCIT curriculum is developed through close consultation with industry and delivered by instructors who have hands-on experience in their fields.

​BCIT: Advancing Disaster Resilience Through Applied Research

​BCIT has secured the largest Mitacs funding commitment in its history — $1.3M in multi-year funding focused on intelligent disaster management systems.

​This milestone funding supports up to 90 internships with pre-approved salary matching, enabling companies to collaborate with BCIT graduate students on projects such as:

• ​AI-driven wildfire detection and prevention

• ​Computer vision for environmental monitoring

• ​Cloud and edge infrastructure for emergency response

• ​Cybersecurity for critical infrastructure and IoT networks

• ​Predictive risk modeling and early warning systems

​#VTJLive: Building a Resilient BC: Technology’s Role in Protecting People, Infrastructure & the Economy

• ​​​​​When: Thursday, Feb 26

• ​​​​​Time: 5:00-7:00pm

• ​​​​​Where: BCIT Downtown Campus - 555 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1Y7

• ​​​​​Tickets: Prices vary

​​​​​VTJ Insiders get 50% off events. Check your Thursday Insiders newsletter for the signup code.

​​​Agenda:

​5:00-5:30pm Networking

​​​5:30-6:30pm Panel Discussion with Q&A

​​​6:30-7:00pm More Networking!

​​​​​Questions? Contact Nicole Hsueh ([email protected])

​Interested in partnering with us? Contact Nicole at [email protected]