Benjamin Ferrel
Executive Director, Digital Policy and Business Transformation Branch, Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
Ben Ferrel is currently working within the BC Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills as the Executive Director responsible for Digital Policy & Business Transformation. Ben brings to this role professional experience gathered working in both private and public sector, applying a variety of strategic policy approaches to promote the use of digital technologies to enhance learning experiences and support individuals in their lifelong learning journeys. Ben completed the Master of Educational Technology program from the University of British Columbia and continues to pursue lifelong learning opportunities personally and professionally.
Omair Quraishi
Associate Vice President, Digital Transformation and Chief Information Officer, British Columbia Institute of Technology
Having worked at the University of Calgary, NOSM University, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Provincial Government (Saskatchewan), Vancouver Island University, and most recently at BCIT, Omair Quraishi brings a wealth of experience having grown his career to the CIO level at many institutions. People, Culture, Governance, and Transparency have been his main areas of focus over the years. He takes pride in the fact that the contribution of the teams he leads help shape the future; by being part of the transformative journey of students in Higher Education.
Omair obtained his BSc. in Computer Science from the University of Calgary; later earned his MBA from the Queen’s School of Business in Kingston, ON. He is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Change Management Professional. Omair has been passionate about information technology from as early as High School where he won several programming competitions and managed to short out the first computer he tried to build himself. Luckily, warranties were way better back then! In his free time, he builds indoor forts with his two little children and enjoys long drives with his wife.
Dennis Silva
Chief Procurement Officer, BCNET
Since 2016, Dennis has led the development of procurement strategies for BCNET’s higher education members, where he has doubled service adoption and participating spend. He directs a wide array of collaborative agreements across multiple categories, manages supplier relationships and leads all procurement activities for the organization. Dennis has years of leadership in procurement and extensive buyer experience prior to joining BCNET. He was the director of payment and procurement services at the University of British Columbia, as well he advanced through a number of leadership roles at Best Buy.
Ellis Herbert
Director, Shared Technology Solutions and ERP, BCNET
Ellis Herbert is an accomplished IT leader with over 25 years of experience in driving technology transformations within the higher education, K12, research, and healthcare sectors. Specializing in enterprise resource planning (ERP) and technology solutions, he consistently aligns digital initiatives with organizational goals to enhance service quality and operational efficiency in both public and private sectors. His strategic vision and expert navigation through complex technology landscapes have led to impactful improvements and the implementation of scalable technology solutions. Ellis has held senior technology roles at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and served as Director of Enterprise Systems and Deputy CIO at Thompson Rivers University.
Jan Smith
Registrar, British Columbia Institute of Technology
With 27 years of experience in post-secondary education, Jan is an accomplished leader and strategist who currently serves as the Registrar at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and President of the BC Registrar’s Association. Holding a Master’s degree in Leadership and Training, Jan is known for her results-driven approach and visionary leadership in transforming institutions through strategic planning and initiatives focused on student success. Through her extensive experience and leadership roles, Jan has become a key advocate for the evolution of the post-secondary education landscape, working to ensure that students receive the support and resources they need to thrive.
Lisa Middleton
Associate Registrar, Justice Institute of British Columbia