Noemi Weis is an award-winning Writer, Director and Producer that has spent over 20-years telling stories on the big and small screens, from her worldwide advertising projects to her award winning documentaries. As a humanitarian and an advocate leader Noemí journeys where stories take her to bring voice to the world’s most vulnerable. Her films have been sold in more than 50 countries receiving numerous awards globally but most important, making in a difference in communities around the world. Her last film, MILK, received a passionate message of support from Mm. Sophie Trudeau and has been honoured with an invitation to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican in recognition of the impact her films have created in global communities.

Dr. Sara Diamond, Order of Canada, Order of Ontario, is University Research Chair and President Emerita OCAD University, where she served for fifteen years as President and remains a full professor, leading the Visual Analytics Laboratory and contributing to the university’s cultural policy center. She was the founding Director of the Banff New Media Institute, a thinktank on the future of technology that brought together cultural industries, artists, designers, scientists, engineers and technology companies. She holds funded research in visual analytics and foresight, applied to urban, transportation, cultural and wellness planning. Current scholarship encompasses inventing and supporting the adoption of AI tools including the development of a qualitative analysis framework for screen media with Magnify Digital; the application and extension of generative design and 3D visualization for urban planning as co-Principal Investigator of the iCity2.0 project. She is a member of the steering committee of Abundant Intelligences, an international research project on Indigenous applications of AI. Diamond is leading a survey of Canadian cultural datasets, collection practices and research with SynapseC. Recent recognition includes a Doctor of Science, honoris causa, Simon Fraser University, and an Honorary Degree from Humber College; Exceptional Woman of Excellence Women’s Economic Forum; Advancement of Diversity in STEM; and two Digital Pioneer awards. She co-chaired ArtworxTO, Toronto’s Year of Public Art and is board chair of the Toronto Arts Foundation and the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education.