Speakers

Vy Hoang, known to many as Vee, is the Chief Customer Officer at i3 International, a forward-thinking AI technology company delivering innovative and affordable AI solutions to the retail, commercial, and institutional sectors. With an impressive 37 years of leadership at i3, Vy has been integral to the company’s customer-focused approach, driving both business growth and security advancements that prioritize client needs. 

Under Vy’s strategic direction, i3 has achieved notable success, including securing 9 US and Canadian patents in AI and data analytics, as well as earning the prestigious “Best Cloud Hosted Solution” award from the Security Industry Association (SIA). His efforts in cultivating strong partnerships and delivering tailored, cutting-edge solutions have positioned i3 as a leader in the AI security space. 

Beyond his professional achievements, Vee’s personal story of resilience—from his family’s journey as refugees in the 1980s to his own battle with cancer—has shaped his commitment to innovation with purpose. These experiences have deepened his dedication to creating impactful solutions while fostering a culture of collaboration and compassion within i3. 

Vy holds an MBA from the Ivey School of Business, and his blend of professional expertise and personal insights make him a compelling speaker. He inspires audiences with his unique perspectives on leadership, perseverance, and the future of AI-driven security, while remaining committed to helping i3’s partners achieve their goals.

Dave has worked in various financial service and retail profit protection positions for over thirty years, in roles spanning field-based investigations, through to managing crime intelligence teams.  Dave joined the retailer The Works in January 2022, after six years at Card Factory during which he built an award-winning retail risk team and became an award-winning risk director in his own right. Academically qualified and a holder of a higher degree in crime risk management, Dave is adept at crafting risk mitigation in line with crime risk theory, coupled with people based and commercially-focused interventions.

Dave is passionate around supporting retail colleagues in keeping safe from crime and empowering individuals to do the right thing in line with simple, transparent policies and workable fit-for-purpose procedures. When not dealing with all things profit protection, Dave spends his time attempting home DIY and is just coming to the end of a 5-year project restoring a former 1700s coaching inn to its former glory.

Jordan Shamir is the CEO & Co-Founder of Yofi, a company focused on tackling return fraud and bad actors, helping businesses protect their margins while fostering stronger customer relationships. Before Yofi, Jordan led the Disaster Recovery and Backup Practice at IBM Cloud, where he was responsible for ensuring business continuity and data protection for a range of clients. Outside of his professional life, Jordan enjoys hiking, camping, and is a passionate supporter of the Texas Longhorns.

As the Director of Signature Brands in Canada for Genetec, Nada Ebeid oversees the market growth for financial and banking, retail, cannabis, hospitality, and other signature markets. She’s responsible for helping customers meet their security solution goals and empowering them to leverage their security systems to improve other areas of their businesses.

In addition to holding a degree in Electrical Engineering, Nada has over 15 years of experience in the industry, occupying several roles related to engineering, product management, and business development.

Olivia Cieri entered the security industry in 2022, joining Genetec as an Account Executive specializing in Signature Brands. She oversees retail, financial, and hospitality customers, helping them leverage cutting-edge security solutions to enhance operational efficiency and peace of mind. 

Before transitioning to security, Olivia built a diverse background in hospitality, retail, public relations, and the preventative maintenance industry. Passionate about industry growth and inclusivity, she is dedicated to increasing the visibility and recognition of young professionals and women in security while empowering retailers to create safer, more efficient environments for their teams. 

Ian is a seasoned Technology Strategist with extensive experience, including 7 years in the military and over 26 years in operational policing. Ian spent 8 years as a Subject Matter Expert for Body-Worn Video (BWV) with the UK National Police Chiefs Council, aiding in the deployment and adoption of BWV across UK forces and overseas territories.

Currently, as the Product Training Manager for Reveal Media, Ian supports the adoption of body-worn video in non-law enforcement sectors including Retail.

Raj leads the Loss Prevention department at JD Sports Canada, bringing over 17 years of expertise in strategic risk mitigation, resilience, and operational security within retail and distribution environments. Since joining JD Sports in January 2023, he has been instrumental in developing high-impact initiatives that safeguard assets, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen brand protection.

A firm believer that Loss Prevention is most effective as a strategic business partner, Raj fosters collaboration across all levels of an organization. By aligning security priorities with operational goals, he ensures the protection of people, products, and brand reputation, creating a secure and sustainable foundation for business success.

With 26 years in the Loss Prevention industry, Gary began his career in 1999 as an in-store loss prevention officer for several major retailers, including Safeway. In 2008, he advanced to his first multi-store role as a District Loss Prevention Manager for a major Canadian fashion retailer, overseeing stores across Western Canada. Over the years, Gary has gained experience in various District and Regional Loss Prevention roles with multiple large retailers. In May 2023, he joined the Sobeys Loss Prevention Team, responsible for all Sobeys banner stores in the Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario market. 

Known for his outside-the-box thinking, Gary uses his extensive experience to build strong partnerships with store teams and senior leadership, offering valuable support to address operational challenges. After joining Sobeys, he quickly recognized concerns from staff and senior management regarding employee safety and the increasing external theft and violence in the Winnipeg market. This prompted him to focus on developing stronger partnerships with law enforcement and community resources. 

In August 2023, Gary, along with his Loss Prevention partner, began participating in the monthly Retail Council of Canada’s Manitoba Loss Prevention working group calls. After the first call, Gary initiated an in-person meeting with a key law enforcement member to discuss ways to improve employee safety and address the growing retail crime issue in Winnipeg. This effort resulted in a collaborative partnership between the Winnipeg Police Service’s Property Crimes Unit, local retailers, and community organizations. These quarterly meetings continue to explore solutions to combat retail crime in the area. 

Gary’s leadership and advocacy have made him a strong voice in the Manitoba Loss Prevention Working Group. He also played a key role in organizing and hosting Manitoba’s first Retail Safety and Security Conference in October 2024, which brought together industry professionals and law enforcement to discuss strategies for addressing retail crime and enhancing public safety across the region. 

Detective Constable John Armit has been a member of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) for 24 years. John has worked in various roles within the OPP, such as: general investigative duties, major crime, traffic services and as a Community Service & Media Officer. In 2015, John began working in his current position with the OPP’s Anti-Rackets Branch (ARB), investigating major economic crimes, Cyber-Enabled fraud and political corruption. In 2021, John was seconded for almost three years to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) as a Detective Sergeant working as a law enforcement Liaison Officer nationally and internationally. John is a spokesperson for the OPP’s Financial Crime Services, presents at the Ontario and Canadian Police Colleges on cyber-enable and financial crimes. In September 2024, John was the recipient of Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada’s (FINTRAC) Partnership award.

Calandra has dedicated 30 years to the field of Law and Security.  She began her career as a police officer with the London Police Force, later joining Woodstock Community Police.  It was during these early years that she discovered the importance of trust and teamwork in achieving success.   

After becoming a mother, Calandra prioritized finding a career with better work-life balance.  She transitioned into Retail Loss Prevention, where her skills were easily transferable.  Over the years, she has worked with several major retailers, including HBC, Target, Rexall. Sephora and most recently, Canadian Tire Corporation.   

In these roles Calandra has excelled in building and developing strong teams.  Her strategic vision has enabled her to lead multiple Canadian teams in effectively reducing shrink while fostering a robust Loss Prevention culture within stores.  Her collaborative approach across various departments and a comprehensive understanding of retail operations has been a key factor in her successful career in Loss Prevention. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.