Innovator’s Alliance is proud to share this year’s Fresh Thinking. Shared event taking place on April 10, 2025.

Thriving in Uncertain Times – The New Playbook for Entrepreneurs

Canadian entrepreneurs are facing real-time existential threats. Tariffs with our major trading partner strike fear into all of our hearts, cost us sleep and make us wonder what tomorrow will look like - whether we are impacted directly or indirectly. At the same time, we have to deal with technological developments like AI that will likely revolutionize how we do what we do. Crises like these can paralyze us - or it can birth transformation that takes our businesses to the next level.

This year’s Fresh Thinking. Shared event deals with these two critical issues head-on. The event is designed to empower business leaders with fresh strategies, actionable insights, and the tools needed to navigate today’s complex landscape. Join us as we explore how to seize opportunities amidst disruption, foster sustainable growth, and redefine success in ways that align with the realities of the modern world.

Together, let’s build the playbook for thriving, not just surviving.

https://youtu.be/XoPf5YmvTXY

Keynote Speakers

Peter Hall

Keynote: Tariffs: Transfixation or Transformation?

Peter Hall is CEO of econosphere inc., a boutique business strategy advisory firm. In this capacity he is involved in advising leading Canadian industry associations and corporations, advising and promoting international initiatives, and conducting ad hoc project work. Mr. Hall is a special advisor to both Martinrea International and Elevate Export Finance, is a Fellow-In-Residence at the C.D. Howe Institute, writes a regular column in the Financial Post, comments in various other media channels and speaks at conferences and with senior executive teams in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Until recently, he was chief economist at Export Development Canada, heading up a large team of economists and country risk analysts that provided model-driven forecasting for internal and external business strategy purposes, transaction risk analysis for over 160 countries, analytical modeling, and data systems support. In addition to advising EDCs executive team and board of directors, Mr. Hall personally delivered dozens of presentations annually to a wide variety of business, government and academic audiences in Canada, the United States and internationally. He also authored EDCs widely-circulated Weekly Commentary. Prior to his work at EDC, Mr. Hall directed the economic forecasting activities of the Conference Board of Canada. He has served as the president of the Canadian Association for Business Economics, a 600+ member organization of professional economists, and also its largest local chapter, the Ottawa Economics Association. He has served on the board and as an advisor to multiple Ottawa-area charities.

Mr. Hall has degrees in economics from the University of Toronto and Carleton University.

Rob Williams

Keynote: Thriving Through the AI Revolution: Lessons from the past — in preparation for the future

Rob Williams is a dynamic technology executive with 30 years of experience, currently serving as the Chief AI Officer at SoftHouse and founder of Proddy.io and co-founder of HeyStoke.com. He specializes in leveraging generative AI to enhance productivity and accelerate business growth. Previously, Rob served as CPTO at AudienceView, a Canadian SaaS ticketing organization powering venues like Wembley Stadium.

An expert in AI's business impact and a skilled public speaker, Rob excels in engaging and educating audiences on the integration of technology for business success. His leadership has consistently driven significant cost reductions and profit increases across diverse organizations. Rob has worked with organizations across all sectors, from sustainable agriculture to the US government.