Speakers

Andrew Kirsch is a former intelligence officer who served with the Canadian Security Intelligence
Service (CSIS) for nearly a decade. In this role, he held various positions such as policy analyst and
field investigator and was responsible for leading teams on secret operations. His memoir, “I Was
Never Here: My True Canadian Spy Story of Coffee’s, Code Names and Covert Operations in the Age
of Terrorism,” was a national bestseller, and provides a fascinating insight into his career as a spy.
After leaving CSIS, Andrew was one of the founding members and the first-ever Department
Security Officer of Ontario’s Office of the Provincial Security Advisor. He has also served on the
Ontario Expert Panel on Cyber Security, advising the government on how to improve cybersecurity
practices in the public sector.
Today, Andrew is the President of Kirsch Group (KG), a boutique risk consultancy firm serving
government, corporate, and private clients. He and his team work to identify and mitigate physical
and cyber security vulnerabilities. Andrew is a public speaker on security issues and draws on his
own experiences to provide entertaining and educational insights into the world of intelligence and
security.
Andrew Kirsch holds a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designation from ASIS International
and a Public Policy degree from Brown University. He is also a former Canadian forces army
reservist and a member of the Inclusive Workspace and Supply Council of Canada. Andrew is
married with two young children.

Inspector Jennifer McKinnon’s career in the Winnipeg Police Service has been marked by an evolution through various roles and responsibilities. She began her journey in January 1997, starting with a focus on Uniform Operations and Criminal Investigations. Early in her tenure, she joined the Forensic Identification Unit as a Forensic Specialist in Crime Scene Investigations. Her role involved collaboration with different areas of the police service and numerous policing agencies across Canada. 

Driven by a desire for new challenges, Jennifer transitioned to the Major Crimes Unit, where her forensic expertise proved invaluable in leading a diverse range of criminal investigations. Her ability to integrate her forensic background with major crime investigations highlighted her adaptability and leadership skills. 

In 2021, Jennifer’s career reached a new milestone when she was promoted to the senior management rank of Inspector. In this role, she managed Uniform Operations, overseeing the day-to-day street operations service wide in the Duty Office. 

In August 2023, Jennifer’s leadership journey advanced further as she was appointed Divisional Commander of the Criminal Investigation Bureau’s Major Crimes Division. This role marks the culmination of her 28 years of policing experience, positioning her at the helm of complex criminal investigations. Building on her unique investigative background, Jennifer spearheaded a key initiative in November 2023. Under her direction, her team from the Property Crime Unit launched the Retail Theft Initiative. This initiative is a comprehensive, collaborative response designed to address the increasing challenges of retail theft across the City. By leveraging a multifaceted strategy, the Retail Theft Initiative adapted to the evolving landscape of retail crime and enhance the effectiveness of crime prevention and investigation efforts. 

In addition to her full-time assignments, Inspector McKinnon serves an Aide-de-Camp to the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba and a Major Incident Response Team Commander. 

Daryl Blackmore is the Director of Asset Protection at Rexall Pharmacy Group, a leading Canadian pharmacy chain with nearly 400 locations. With over 20 years of experience in Loss Prevention and Asset Protection, Daryl emphasizes the importance of innovation, technology, and education in achieving success in the field.

Under his leadership, Rexall has implemented advanced solutions to combat Organized Retail Crime (ORC), resulting in a significant impact on their results.

Daryl has also shared his expertise at industry events, where he discussed topics such as the transformative role of RFID technology, Criminal Intelligence Reporting, and Employee Level engagement to support Loss Prevention.

Dave Cheema brings over 15 years of experience in loss prevention and more than 20 years with Best Buy Canada. As director of asset protection, Dave leads teams across the country in implementing effective loss prevention programs and strategies. His leadership spans several critical areas, including loss prevention, e-commerce fraud operations, physical security, investigations, total loss reporting, operational inventory control and insurance programs.
Before his current role, Dave excelled in various positions throughout his career. He began in field roles as a district loss prevention manager and advanced to regional loss prevention manager. Later, he transitioned to the company’s corporate headquarters, where he served as manager of inventory control and distribution service centre asset protection, and led the profit protection and e-commerce fraud operations team.
Dave fosters a culture of integrity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. His leadership philosophy empowers team members to take ownership of their roles, encourages innovation, and promotes a proactive approach to problem-solving in reducing losses for Best Buy Canada.
Under his leadership, his teams have consistently delivered outstanding results in loss prevention and fraud reduction. His innovative approaches helped Best Buy Canada earn the Loss Prevention Award in 2021 as part of the Retail Council of Canada’s Excellence in Retailing Awards.

Neil Hopkins, Director of Cyber Security at LCBO, entered the IT world in 2008 when he hung up his work boots for higher education. He quickly discovered his true passion for cybersecurity and has applied that enthusiasm to protect various private and public organizations. He has a proven track record of leading incident response efforts, conducting vulnerability assessments, and implementing robust security strategies to improve organizations’ overall security posture. He specializes in protecting critical assets, managing cyber risks, and ensuring compliance with government regulations. Neil has fostered collaboration across teams to build a culture of cybersecurity awareness and leveraging innovative technologies to address evolving threats. His expertise and dedication to excellence make him a trusted leader in securing digital infrastructure.

Staff Superintendent Joe Matthews has dedicated 33 years to the Toronto Police Service. Starting as a Cadet in October 1991, Joe has amassed significant investigative knowledge and experience as an active member working in various divisions and specialized units including: Hold-Up Squad, Guns and Gangs, Drug Squad, Intelligence Services – Covert Operations, Missing and Missed Project Team, Strategy Management Unit, Professional Standards, and as a seconded member to the New York Police Department. In his current role as Staff Superintendent of Detective Operations, Joe oversees the Homicide and Missing Person Unit, Forensic Identification Services, the Hold Up Squad, Sex Crimes, the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force, the Drug Squad, the Fugitive/ROPE Squad, and the Fraud Squad as well as many Joint Force Operations. 

Amik has been with the CBSA for 21 years with 15 years experience on the enforcement teams at Lester B Pearson International Airport specializing in human smuggling, fraudulent documents and drug interdiction.  He has been on the Organized crime unit  for the past 6 years and focusses primarily on transnational criminal groups.

Denise has served with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for 17 years, primarily within CBSA’s inland operations. Throughout her tenure, she has gained extensive experience across various enforcement units, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of border security and law enforcement.

For the past six years, Denise has been a dedicated member of the Organized Crime Unit, where her work has primarily focused on addressing the complexities of gang-related activities and human trafficking cases. In this capacity, she has played a crucial role in investigating and disrupting criminal networks involved in these serious and pervasive offenses.