Kevin d'Entremont

President and CEO

Kevin d’Entremont is the President and CEO of TECHNATION, the tech industry association of Canada. Kevin’s unique career brings over 25 years of experience of public‑sector insight, private‑sector leadership, and deep national convening expertise. He is widely recognized for his ability to build strategic relationships, accelerate opportunity development, and strengthen the reach and relevance of Canada’s technology sector across all levels of government.

Prior to joining TECHNATION, Kevin was a partner in McKinsey’s Public Sector practice in Canada where he led client development across federal, provincial, and municipal governments, helping to facilitate strategic relationships and thought leadership within the public sector. Previously, he also led business development at Accenture’s Canadian federal practice, served as Executive Director of GTEC, Canada’s pre-eminent technology event and owned and operated a technology and business events company where he founded several high profile B2B and B2C events.

Kevin also brings first-hand experience in government, having held roles in federal and municipal governments, including as a personal assistant to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, a writer for the Hon. Tom Siddon, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, a spokesperson with the Canadian Transportation Agency, and a Commercial Specialist with the US Department of Commerce at the US Embassy in Ottawa.

Kevin lives in Ottawa and is actively involved in the business and community organizations, including serving on the Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s President’s Breakfast Cabinet, and a head coach with the Capital City Condors. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from the University of Ottawa.

Denise Shortt

Executive Vice President, Industry Development and Diversity Initiatives

Denise Shortt is an internationally respected writer, researcher and speaker specializing in information technology, gender issues, entrepreneurship and innovation. Denise co-authored Technology with Curves: Women Reshaping the Digital Landscape (HarperCollins, 2000) and Innovation Nation: Canadian Leadership from Java to Jurassic Park (Wiley & Sons, 2002).

Denise is also a former faculty member of Ryerson University’s School of Information Technology Management and helped to found Ryerson’s Diversity Institute which specializes in gender research. She also founded SwingThink, a marketing and communications company focused on online community building, social media and gender research. Denise was co-founder and President of Wired Woman Toronto (launched in 1996) and currently sits on the Board of Directors for Women in Communications and Technology (WCT). She has a Masters in Technology from Harvard University and studied gender and technology at MIT. Denise was recently awarded a CWC Leadership Award for her life-time of work as a champion for the advancement of women.

Elaine Huesing

Executive Director, Health

As the lead for Health (formerly ITAC Health), Elaine helps members navigate the ICT challenges and opportunities of the health sector both nationally and globally. Having been a part of the founding team for CHITTA, now known as TECHNATION’s Health Division, the Alberta Network for Health Information exchange (ANHIX) and the Canadian Health Informatics Awards (CHIA) Gala which celebrate the innovations in the Canadian healthcare sector, she brings over 30 years of experience to the health Members. Elaine is the Editor and Publisher of HIM&CC, the official journal of TECHNATION’S Health programming and Digital Health Canada and the CEO for IMIA, The International Medical Informatics Association.

Sandi Campbell

Executive Director, Future Workforce Development Operations

As Executive Director of the Future Workforce Development (FWD) division, Sandi leads the delivery of programming that addresses the needs of Canada’s tech talent pipeline, through funding initiatives from the federal government.

Leveraging 25 years of program management and team leadership experience, Sandi provides ongoing oversight of TECHNATION programs and initiatives, while leading a team of over 20 individuals.  Her insight and expertise empower her team to offer greater opportunities to Canadians through focused, industry-leading programs, that benefit industry, government, and academia alike.

Since starting with TECHNATION, Sandi and her team have launched industry-leading programs and initiatives, including CareerFinder, Career Ready Program, Municipal Cyber Best Practices and more.

Her experience includes working for tier-one financial institutions, not-for-profit and public sector enterprises. Sandi is a Certified Project Manager, and holds a BA Certification through IIBA, a Certification of Telecommunications Management through Ryerson University, as well as Diploma in Fashion through Centennial College.

Brett Hotas

Executive Director, Future Workforce Development Strategy

Brett is a nationally recognized leader in future workforce development, known for designing bold, equity-centered programs that bridge the gap between education and employment. As Executive Director of Future Workforce Development Strategy at TECHNATION, he has led some of Canada’s most innovative Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and experiential programs, securing over $250M in public funding to support the success of tens of thousands of students and employers nationwide.

With over 15 years of cross-sector experience, Brett works at the intersection of policy, technology, education, and economic development. He has built scalable WIL ecosystems in collaboration with government, industry, and academia, launched one of Canada’s largest cybersecurity ‘Future Talent’ challenges, and designed more than 100 skills and entrepreneurship workshops to bridge entry-level skill gaps.

A recognized advocate for inclusive innovation, Brett draws on a background in HR and DEI – and lived experience as someone of Métis and European ancestry – to increase Indigenous and under-represented student participation in Canada’s tech workforce. His work directly supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and strengthens pathways for equity-deserving communities in digital careers.

Brett’s work is driven by a belief that inclusive systems don’t just happen – they’re designed. With every initiative, he seeks to shift the structures that limit access, and build future-ready pathways for talent that reflect the full diversity of Canada.