Meet Our Speakers
Uncover breakthrough insights from IDC experts and exclusive sessions featuring influential voices transforming technology and leadership today
Bob Parker
Senior Vice President, Enterprise Applications, Data Intelligence, Services, and Industry Research
IDC
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Bob Parker
Bob Parker is a Senior Vice President responsible for several areas of research at IDC. Bob leads the global industry research teams which includes coverage of healthcare, government, retail, energy, manufacturing, and financial services as well as a cross industry group looking at emerging topics such as blockchain and robotics. Additionally, Bob leads our teams in the enterprise applications space, services, and the IDC coverage of data intelligence which includes coverage of artificial intelligence.
Bob has been conducting industry research for over twenty years including five years at AMR Research before joining IDC. Prior to entering the research field, Bob spent over fifteen years in various Information Technology and Operational management roles in the manufacturing industry including serving as the Chief Information Officer at Eastern Technologies, a defense contractor.
Event Sessions
Thursday, March 5 2026 9:15 am | Location:
IDC Keynote: Agentic AI at Scale: Accelerating Innovation While Managing Risk
How organizations are deploying agentic AI to drive rapid innovation, while navigating complex regulator requirements around data privacy, security, and ethical AI
Tony Olvet
Tony Olvet is Group Vice President, Worldwide C-suite and Digital Business Research at IDC. His team’s global research focuses on the connection between business transformation and digital investments across enterprises. Tony’s analysis and insights help vendors, IT professionals, and business executives make fact-based decisions on technology strategy and digital business.
Tony has worked with clients across a variety of organizations including global IT manufacturers, enterprise software vendors, telecom service providers, financial institutions and public sector organizations. He has been quoted in major business and industry media including CIO Magazine, The Globe and Mail, CBC and The Financial Post.
He is also a frequent public speaker delivering keynote presentations at conferences, IDC webinars, and virtual events for clients. Tony is member of IDC Canada’s senior leadership team and is based in Toronto, Canada.
Megha Kumar
Megha Kumar heads software and cloud services research at IDC Canada. As a research vice president, Megha is responsible for managing and delivering projects across technology areas such as cloud services, enterprise applications, software and digital transformation for the Canadian market. She manages both the Canadian Software as a Service (SaaS) and Canadian Cloud Platforms (PaaS and IaaS) research programs in Canada
In addition to research, Megha has aided vendors with go-to-market engagements to improve market awareness and provide end users with essential guidance on technology adoption. She regularly interacts with CIOs and IT decision makers regarding their technology preferences, priorities, and concerns.
She originally joined IDC in 2007 covering the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey region, based out of Dubai, U.A.E. In her previous role at IDC, she regularly provided insights on market dynamics, vendor strategies, and end-user trends across the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey for both global and regional ICT firms as well as public sector organizations.
Megha presents at various industry and vendor conferences. She is often quoted in the media, providing opinions on technologies and market dynamics. She holds a Bachelor’s degree with Honors in Marketing from York University, Canada.
Jason Bremner
Jason Bremner is Research Vice President for IDC’s IT Consulting and Systems Integration Strategies program, providing research insights and thought leadership on the key issues and trends affecting the IT consulting and systems integration services markets globally. His core research includes analyzing customer demand and vendor offerings for IT consulting and systems integration services, and the services ecosystems for leading application software and infrastructure solution providers.
Jason has more than 30 years’ experience in the IT industry, including two decades as an IDC analyst. Jason has held marketing and sales roles for technology providers including IBM, HP, and others. Jason has worked with clients across a variety of organizations including services firms, global IT manufacturers, enterprise software vendors, telecom service providers, financial institutions and public sector organizations. Jason is based in Toronto, Canada.
Lee Rennick
Lee Rennick is the Vice President, Tech Evangelist at IDC, where she hosts CIO Leadership Live in Canada, the UK and US. She interviews senior technology leaders to discuss leadership, current topics, and technology trends for weekly interviews on cio.com. She participates in events, moderates round tables and writes blogs to cover technology industry topics. Lee is passionate about DEI&A, women in leadership and supports Hackergal a charitable organization whose vision is to pave the way for a technology industry that is diverse and inclusive of girls and underrepresented groups across Canada. She also is a Leader for the Foundry ERG group, I Stand with Her. Lee lives on a farm, and has horses, goats, chickens and bees, and a llama named Poppy.
Allice Shandler
Allice Shandler, a seasoned event management professional, orchestrates captivating and seamless experiences in the technology, hospitality, entertainment, and manufacturing industries. With a proven track record spanning the past 25 years, she skillfully designs and executes a multitude of events, both virtual and in-person, to bring together like-minded individuals for the purpose of sharing knowledge and forging connections. She is an energetic leader who enjoys leading with empathy and embodying the science of emotional intelligence.
From her time as an Assistant Cruise Director with Princess Cruises to her role as the National Virtual Events Manager and subject matter expert during the pandemic at KPMG Canada, and currently as the Director of events with IDC and Foundry, Allice’s journey reflects a mastery of marketing integration, project logistics, and alignment with sales strategies, all underscored by her meticulous attention to detail. Allice Shandler exudes a passion for hosting and connecting with peers both on the stage and during carefully crafted industry events. She brings an unmatched ability to curate engaging experiences that resonate across industries and captivate audiences around the globe.
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