Launch of Entrepreneur: Heretic or Hero of Innovation by Dr. Sue Abu-Hakima

Join us for a special luncheon event to celebrate the launch of Entrepreneur: Heretic or Hero of Innovation by , CEO of Alistari.

Kindly supported by Alstari, RBC & Invest Ottawa, this event will feature an insightful keynote talk, led by the author, . Focusing on topics such as AI Safety and Security, the talk will also feature key lessons from Entrepreneur: Heretic or Hero of Innovation, drawing on ’s 40 years of expertise in AI and two successfully exited Ottawa AI startups (AmikaNow! and Amika Mobile) to NASDAQ companies.

The Agenda:

12:00 PM - Registration, Networking Lunch & Refreshments

12:40 PM - Opening Remarks

12:45 PM - Keynote Talk by on AI, Safety and Security

1:15 PM - Audience Q&A with

1:25 PM - Closing Remarks

1:30 PM - Networking

Special Notes:

• We look forward to offering printed and signed copies of Entrepreneur: Heretic or Hero of Innovation, for sale at the event, with the opportunity to receive a personalized note from the author. Electronic funds transfer and cash will be the accepted method of payment.

• A complimentary light lunch and refreshments will be served from 12:00-12:30 PM. We look forward to offering an array of choices that will cater to all dietary needs and restrictions.

Navigating Your Way to Bayview Yards, Invest Ottawa's Innovation Hub:

• Cycling: Located beside the Ottawa River Pathway and many other routes, Bayview Yards is easily accessible via bicycle. We offer ample bike racks at the front and back of our building throughout all seasons.
• Parking: 50 spaces along Bayview Station Road offer 2 hours of free parking, and 27 spaces along Stonehurst and Burnside offer 1 hour of free parking.

• Transit: Bayview Yards is 600m away from Bayview Station, which serves multiple routes. It is also the O-Train stop.

• Driving: 50 spaces along Bayview Station Road offer 2HR free parking, and 27 spaces along Stonehurst and Burnside offer 1HR free parking.

• Parking: Complimentary parking is available onsite.

• Inclusive & Accessible: Should you have any specific mobility requirements, please contact Audrey Willsey at [email protected]. Our team will be pleased to work with you to make all the arrangements required for a great experience.

By registering for this event, you accept that:

• You may be photographed or video recorded as we capture special moments during this event and share memories with our community via our website and social media.

• You will receive event-related emails and an invitation to subscribe to our mailing list.

Alstari is a private corporation launched to save lives by addressing safe and secure Artificial Intelligence (AI) deployment. Its focus is on AI safety and security. The goal of the company will be to initially advise and deliver services for regulatory compliance with AI safety requirements globally. The company is co-founded by Dr. Sue Abu-Hakima as Co-Founder CEO and Ken Grigg as Co-Founder CTO. Both had co-founded Amika Mobile which exited to Genasys in 2020 in critical and emergency communication to save lives. Both had also exited together as Founder CEO and CTO/CIO of AmikaNow! Corporation which focused on automatic content analysis for regulatory compliance to Entrust in 2004.

Sue is an entrepreneur and Co-Founder and CEO of Alstari Corporation, her third AI company focussed on safety and security. Sue is a rare woman tech entrepreneur with a reputation for excellence and innovation. As a successful three-time start-up entrepreneur, she has formed a series of Boards, Advisors and directed Business Strategy, ensuring products and services match customer needs.

Her second startup Amika Mobile was focussed on critical and emergency communications. She transitioned that AI exit to Genasys as VP. Her first start-up, AmikaNow! spun from NRC government R&D labs, focussed on AI and automatic content analysis. Its Compliance Business was acquired by Entrust and she transitioned it as VP Content Technology.Her 38+ years in technology have resulted in an exemplary record as an Industry leader, employer, and pioneer. Sue holds over 45 International patents in AI, security, content analysis, emergency & mobile messaging. As many as 35 Global Companies have cited her pioneering patents including Google, Apple, IBM, Microsoft, Ford, etc. She has over 100 publications and respective speeches on AI and tech.

Sue has a B.Eng. from McGill University and honours AI M. Eng. in Explanation and honours AI Doctorate in Diagnosis from Carleton University. She has been active on Boards of Directors for 38+ years. She served for 8 years as Director & Vice Chair for Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), for 6 years on the Private Sector Advisory Board for National Centers of Excellence (NCE). She served on Dalhousie's Big Data Institute and McGill's Innovation Board. She also served on the ENCQOR 5G board.

In 2024 she was awarded the Legends award by the Universal Women's Network who also awarded her in 2021 with a Global Impact Women of Inspiration award. Sue was invested into the Order of Ontario in 2011 and honoured with Queen Elizabeth II Medal for Service to Canada in 2012. Sue has been named to the Top 25 Women of Influence. She was also honoured twice as a Top 100 Most Powerful by the WXN in the Trailblazer Category. Her startups have won over 25 awards including 6 US GOVIES and ASIS Judge's Choice and Security's Best in emergency communications and Top 10 Angel Backed company Nationally. Often an invited speaker, she has spoken at GSX, ASIS, RSA, Inbox, NetSeC, CTIA, Start-up Canada, & Global Affairs on entrepreneurship and technology. Sue is also an avid hockey fan!

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