ADVANCING CYBERSECURITY THROUGH RESEARCH AND COLLABORATION
NKST is a cybersecurity research and collaboration platform for cybersecurity leaders, practitioners, and vendors, enabling them to connect and tackle the toughest cybersecurity challenges together.
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
FEATURED THOUGHT LEADERS
CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S MONTH 2026
“Identity is where security meets humanity: the greatest lesson of my journey is that real cyber resilience comes not from locking people out, but from earning enough trust to let the right people in, at the right time, for the right reason.”
Serena Tejani
Partner, Cybersecurity Services and National Risk, Services Alliances Leader
KPMG Canada
“As a woman leader, I’ve learned that influence matters more than authority — and that trust, business alignment, and diverse perspectives are key to building secure and resilient organizations.”
Priya Mouli
CISO
University of Alberta
“Cybersecurity leadership taught me that trust is built when systems fail, and pressure rises. It’s never about knowing everything; it’s about staying steady, asking better questions, and empowering others to rise.”
Shruti Mukherjee
Director of GRC
GlobalVision
“Every year in cybersecurity brings something new and unexpected. The field sits at the intersection of evolving STEM disciplines and the complexities of human society. Sharing my analysis, thoughts, and hopes for how this dynamic unfolds feels not only like an honour, but a responsibility—to help shape the best possible outcomes amid complexity and uncertainty.”
Bonnie Butlin
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Security Partners’ Forum (SPF)
As a CPA, I was trained to ask what could go wrong and where we’re overexposed. When I moved into cybersecurity, I realized the same questions still apply. The mindset didn’t change. The context did. The lesson? You don’t start over when you change fields. You repurpose your strengths.
Mary Carmichael
Managing Director of Risk Advisory
Momentum Technology
Expertise isn’t granted, it’s built. From the fundamentals to leadership, growth, constant adaptation, and the courage to challenge the status quo shaped my path. The true privilege of cybersecurity leadership is opening doors so others can rise faster than you did”
Nicole Landry
Sr. Director, Workforce Identity and Access Management
CIBC
“Working in cybersecurity taught me that identity sits at the center of it all. It’s not just about access – it’s the control plane of modern security and the foundation of digital trust.”
Rola Turk
Senior Director, IAM Identity Lifecycle Management & Intelligence. Canadian Ambassador for Women in Identity
Royal Bank of Canada
“Cybersecurity, as much as it deals with technology, is also heavily rooted in humanity. When I started my career, I thought my biggest strengths would be technical skills, but as many of us learn, technical expertise will get you in the room. Integrity, empathy, trust and consistency are really what keep you there.”
Andrea Knoblauch
Principal of Security
Softchoice
“One of the most important lessons in my cybersecurity journey has been that technical expertise opens doors, but resilience, curiosity, and integrity build lasting impact. This field evolves constantly, and the willingness to keep learning and to lift others as you grow is what truly defines leadership.”
Shilpa Dahiya
Senior Director, Information and Cybersecurity
CAAT Pension Plan
“As a Director of Cybersecurity, one of the most important lessons I have learned is that strength often means making thoughtful decisions in uncertainty, setting clear direction when the path isn’t obvious and consistently delivering results. Leadership in this field requires resilience, sound judgement, and the ability to stay focused under pressure, especially in an environment that is constantly evolving.”
Victoria Ghandour
Director, Cybersecurity, Health Information Management
William Osler Health System
WE BRING TOGETHER VISIONARY LEADERS AND CYBERSECURITY EXPERTS TO NAVIGATE THE DYNAMIC CYBER LANDSCAPE
Roundtables
Summits
Conferences
EXHIBITORS
ATTENDEES
HOURS OF CONTENT
SPEAKERS
500+
Attendees
250+
Hours of content
50+
Speakers
UPCOMING EVENTS
explore schedule
Healthcare Security & Risk Summit (HSRS) 2026
Coming Soon
Toronto
more info
ABOUT NKST
ADVANCING CYBERSECURITY THROUGH COLLABORATION AND RESEARCH
In today’s rapidly evolving digital environment, cybersecurity leaders face the urgent task of understanding emerging threats, analyzing challenges, and developing innovative solutions to protect their organizations and drive success. NKST is a cybersecurity research and collaboration platform for cybersecurity leaders, practitioners, and vendors, enabling them to connect and tackle the toughest cybersecurity challenges together.
NKST brings together key decision-makers, fostering collaboration, building meaningful relationships, and facilitating shared learning. All content and discussion topics are carefully curated to be relevant, timely, and solution-oriented, leading to actionable outcomes. This unique approach empowers cyber leaders to tackle complex challenges while gaining access to curated resources that streamline their ongoing responsibilities.
With a focus on practical solutions, NKST creates a dynamic ecosystem for cyber executives to stay ahead of evolving threats. By providing an open communication channel and opportunities for collaboration, NKST ensures leaders can continuously adapt, innovate, and secure their organizations against future risks.
