Jennifer Burns
Associate Vice-President, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer | University of British Columbia

Jennifer Burns is the Associate Vice-President, Information Technology and CIO for the University of British Columbia (UBC), where she leads technology as a strategic enabler to the university’s vision of creating an exceptional learning and research environment. An experienced leader within higher education and with an extensive background in client services and management, Jennifer is a Royal Roads University alumna commerce major. She has been in management for over 23 years, 17 of which has been in higher education information technology (IT) delivery. Along with overseeing the strategic vision and leadership for UBC, Jennifer also represents UBC’s IT leadership provincially and nationally and collaborates with executive leaders in higher education and partner organizations world-wide.

Ruth Wittenberg
President | British Columbia Association of Institutes & Universities

Ruth Wittenberg was appointed President of the BC Association of Institutes + Universities in January 2010. This Association represents a group of public post-secondary institutions that offer a range of post-secondary education, ranging from trades and technical training to masters degrees in specialty areas. The role of the President is to provide counsel to members on strategies and approaches to government to represent members points of view on policy, legislation, or other actions; coordinate research and develop information material to support members views, or as a response to government requests; forecast and evaluate the effects of public policy on members and keep them informed of developments.

Ms. Wittenberg has a BA from the University of Victoria (1979).

Prior to her current position, Ms. Wittenberg was employed by the British Columbia Public Service from 1981 until she assumed the role of the BC Association of Institutes + Universities President. Ms. Wittenberg has held positions in the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development (Assistant Deputy Minister, Post Secondary Education Division), Ministry of Education (Assistant Deputy Minister, Management Services Division), the Ministry of Human Resources (Assistant Deputy Minister, Financial and Administrative Services), the Ministry of Finance (Chief Information Officer), the Ministry of Transportation (Manager, Financial Systems and Policy), and at Treasury Board Staff (analyst).

Sandeep Sidhu
Chief Information Officer | Emily Carr University of Art & Design

Sandeep believes in leaving this world a little better than she found it. Her work helps Higher Education transform by developing effective organizational capabilities (people with technology), and leverage digitalization.

Sandeep is the Chief Information Officer at Emily Carr University and helps shape their Digital transformation strategy. She has nearly 20 years of active leadership experience in the technology space in the public and private sector. Sandeep is active volunteer in the BCNET, CUCCIO and Educause community.

Sandeep is also passionate about academia and holds a double master’s degree in Information Technology and Applied research. She is also a visiting professor at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Ted Pennell
Chief Information Officer | Camosun College

Ted Pennell is the CIO for Camosun College and is passionate about enhancing education through technology. He values innovation as an empowering agent for change and is skilled at building and maintaining productive relationships and developing capable teams that value customer service and collaboration. Ted holds an MBA degree with a specialization in consulting management and has numerous technology and business certifications and designations.