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. 

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.