The Executive Cohort

Collaborative learning tailored to digital-first leaders

Since 2017, FWD50 has introduced dozens of innovative formats to help public servants prepare for digital transformation. From in-the-round networking, to scannable conversation prompts, to soundproofed livestream booths, to book clubs with bestselling authors, the conference has defined what’s possible, both online and in person.

This year, we’re introducing another new format, exclusively for government executives. Using a cohort-based learning model, a select group of participants will learn from special guests, collaborate with their peers, and hold candid discussions with some of the world’s leading digital pioneers.

Executive Cohort Faculty

Ima Okonny

Assistant Deputy Minister & Chief Data Officer, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)

Dorothy Eng

Executive Director, Code for Canada

Viet Vu

Manager, Economic Research, The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University

André Côté

Director, Policy and Research, The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University

Jenna McNeil

Service Designer, Button Inc.

James Duncan

Co-founder and Principal, Stance Global

Ryan Androsoff

CEO & Founder, Think Digital

Luciana Lazzaretti

Senior Analyst, Digital Academy Canada School of Public Service

Roxane Dion

Portfolio Lead, Digital Products, Digital Academy Canada School of Public Service

Lewis Eisen

Speaker, Consultant, Author

Mireille Ayotte

Collaborator, Code for Canada

Denise Withers

Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Innovation consultant & Certified leadership coach

Eyra Abraham

Founder & CEO, Lisnen

Alistair Croll (Host)

Co-founder & Chair, FWD50

The FWD50 Executive Cohort Agenda

October 17, 2023

Executive Cohort

Breaking the complexity curse

As we open up the 2023 Executive Cohort, host Alistair Croll introduces the peer learning format, explains the mechanics of each session, reviews themes we'll cover, and tells you how to make the most of the event. See More.
Co-founder & Chair
FWD50

October 19, 2023

Executive Cohort

Bits aren't atoms

Everything about the modern Internet stems from one fundamental premise: Atoms are different from bits. "Digital" isn't the same as "technology". See More.
Co-founder & Chair
FWD50
Speaker, Consultant, Author

October 24, 2023

Executive Cohort

Leadership, consensus, and authority

Digital is an opportunity to change how we think. The top-down model of thinking, then writing, then building paradigm is ingrained into modern society. Whether you're turning a script into a movie, or a spec into a product, we assume that a plan must happen before we act. See More.

October 26, 2023

Executive Cohort

Transforming how we deliver

Digital transformation is seldom about technology. It begins with cultural change. As Think Digital explains in their ""Pac-Man"" model, structure eats incentives, which eat culture, which ultimately drives organizational strategy. See More.
Co-founder & Chair
FWD50
Co-founder and Principal
Stance Global
Award-winning documentary filmmaker
Innovation consultant & Certified leadership coach

November 2, 2023

Executive Cohort

Experiments, sandboxes, and pushing back against the waterfall

Every journey begins with a single step. And it's possible to get transformation started even when you don't have a mandate. Create sandboxes, running experiments and oversharing the results, and building ""upstream ladders"" to help learnings at the edge flow upstream to policymakers and legislators, are all great ways to build a digital-first culture. But doing so means overcoming technology fears, while ensuring that you don't run afoul of ethical and legal risks. See More.
Co-founder & Chair
FWD50
Executive Director
Code for Canada
CEO & Founder
Think Digital
Collaborator
Code for Canada
Founder & CEO
Lisnen

November 3, 2023

Executive Cohort

Getting our Groove Back: How to start a movement for digital transformation

Government spending on consultants has been making the news. There are reports of big consulting firms sending junior employees into companies armed with templates and platitudes, while all the while, no one understands what problem they are meant to be solving. See More.
Co-founder & Chair
FWD50
Manager, Economic Research
The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University
Director, Policy and Research
The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University
Assistant Deputy Minister & Chief Data Officer
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Senior Analyst
Digital Academy Canada School of Public Service
Portfolio Lead, Digital Products
Digital Academy Canada School of Public Service
Speaker, Consultant, Author
Service Designer
Button Inc.

Past events

There are currently no upcoming sessions.

How to participate

This content is available to attendees at no extra charge, but space is limited. Participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to department pass holders. You must have an in-person ticket to the main FWD50 conference (November 6-8) and currently hold an executive position (EX- DM-, or one level below.) Executive Cohort participants can also attend the FWD50 General Conference, happening in Ottawa and online November 6-8, 2023.

To claim your spot, speak with your department training head or the person responsible for purchasing FWD50 tickets. You can also purchase an individual in-person ticket. To confirm that you qualify for this unique training opportunity, or answer any other questions you might have, contact us.

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