We are living in a time of profound and accelerating change. From geopolitical instability and environmental disruption to the rise of artificial intelligence, robotics and machine learning, the world around us is being reshaped at every level. In this complex and fast-moving landscape, one constant remains: human intelligence is still our most powerful asset.
At the heart of this transformation is the Knowledge Industry, a foundational sector powered by education, research, and innovation. It is a critical contributor to our economic resilience, social progress and national security. As industries evolve and new challenges emerge, the Knowledge Industry equips individuals and communities to adapt, lead and thrive.
Shaping the Debate: The Knowledge Industry Shift is a two-day event to bring together thought leaders, innovators, educators and policymakers to explore how we can navigate this new era by advancing people, ideas and partnerships.
Hosted by the University of New Brunswick and the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, this event will explore the evolving role of the Knowledge Industry and its growing impact on the future of work, learning and economic development.
As automation and digital tools reshape industries, the value of human capital, including our creativity, critical thinking, and capacity to lead, has never been more important.
This event will explore how we can:
6 p.m. | Arrival and networking
6:15 p.m. | Official Welcome: UNB and Fredericton Chamber – A Shared Vision for the Knowledge Industry – Innovation through Collaboration
6:30 p.m. | Panel Discussion 1 – The New Brunswick Advantage: Harnessing a Knowledge Industry powered by Digital for Transformative Change.
Moderator: Cathy Simpson, CEO TechImpact
Panelists:
7:30 a.m. | Arrival and light breakfast
8:30 – 10 a.m. | Panel Discussion – Towards an Intelligence Economy: The Knowledge Industry and the Future of Work
As technologies like artificial intelligence reshape industries and redefine productivity, what role will humans play in the evolving economy? This panel explores how automation, data and machine learning are transforming the nature of work and examines the opportunities and challenges of building an economy where the Knowledge Industry is bolstered by the productive power of emerging technologies.
Moderator: Nicole Bendrich, Director of Product, Beauceron Security
Panelists:
10 – 10:15 a.m. | Break
10:15 – 11:45 a.m. | Panel Discussion – The Human Advantage: Preparing Minds for a Machine-Shaped World
This panel explores how we can equip people with the adaptability, creativity and critical intelligence needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world of work. From reimagining university programs to scaling upskilling and reskilling initiatives, we’ll examine how education, innovation, and cross-sector collaborations can build a workforce ready for the challenges and opportunities of the AI era.
Moderator: Hannah Classen, Chief Strategy Officer, UNB
Panelists:
Nicole Bendrich is a cybersecurity awareness solutions expert leading the Product Team at Beauceron Security. Her work bridges the gap between technical cybersecurity strategies and human behaviour, empowering organizations to cultivate resilient security cultures.
A double graduate of UNB with a MScE and BScE in Electrical Engineering, Nicole’s expertise in artificial intelligence enhances her cybersecurity focus, particularly in exploring how emerging technologies can improve security awareness initiatives.
Hannah Classen is the Chief Strategy Officer at UNB, where she plays a pivotal role in driving the university’s strategic initiatives forward. Based in the Office of the President, Hannah brings experience in leadership, communications and academic strategy.
Her career spans roles in media and higher education, including previous positions with the CBC and ABC Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University and a Master of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson).
At UNB, Hannah is known for her collaborative approach and commitment to innovation in post-secondary education.
Cathy Simpson is a respected Atlantic Canadian tech leader who has dedicated her career to advancing the region’s digital capacity and innovation economy. She is currently the CEO of TechImpact, a non-profit accelerating digital transformation and innovation across the region by connecting industry, government, academia, and job seekers all focused on growing our economy.
Dr. Scott Bateman is Scientific Director of the Research Institute in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (RIDSAI) at the University of New Brunswick. He also leads the Spatial Computing Research Centre and co-directs the Human-Computer Interaction Lab.
His research focuses on human-computer interaction, applied AI and mixed reality, with applications in health care, training and collaborative work. He works closely with industry to help adopt emerging technologies.
Dr. Bateman holds a PhD from the University of Saskatchewan and has held research roles at Microsoft Research, IBM Watson and the National College of Ireland. He has also been a visiting professor in France, Singapore and Canada.
His work has earned multiple awards, including Best Paper honours at the ACM CHI conference and he continues to contribute through editorial roles and international collaborations.
Dr. Herb Emery is a leading researcher on regional economic development, labour markets and productivity in Atlantic Canada. His work focuses on policy solutions to boost economic competitiveness and workforce participation.
Renée Gordon is a Teaching Professor and Simulation Strategist in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of New Brunswick, and a PhD candidate in Nursing at Queen’s University. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lakehead University and a Master of Global Health from McMaster University.
As a simulationist dedicated to advancing teaching and learning innovation, Renée has championed initiatives in immersive virtual reality simulation, simulation pedagogy, and clinical education delivery models. She is currently co-leading the development and implementation of a comprehensive simulation program within the Faculty of Nursing. Her doctoral research focuses on evaluating a nurse-led intervention designed to improve metabolic health.
Before becoming Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Fredericton in April 2021, Steven Hart served as Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Oromocto. He previously served as Assistant Deputy Minister for Seniors and Long-Term Care and as Vice-President of Strategic Procurement at the Province of New Brunswick.
Prior to working with the Province, Steven was a Senior Officer in the Canadian Army. During his time with the Canadian Armed Forces, he was able to live and work in many provinces and cities across the country and was fortunate to serve with outstanding and dedicated Canadians in Eritrea and Afghanistan.
With experience at the Federal, Provincial and Municipal levels of government, Steven knows that working with municipalities is the most rewarding - given our agility and direct impact on citizens.
Steven is a member of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators and is the past President of the Association of Municipal Administrators of New Brunswick. Steven, with his wife and son, have a home in the wonderful City of Fredericton.
Francis P. McGuire served as president (deputy minister) of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency from 2017 to 2023. Before that, he was president and CEO of Major Drilling Group International Inc., and a member of its board.
He previously held senior roles with MITI Information Technology Inc. and the Government of New Brunswick, where he was deputy minister of economic development and tourism and led the Information Highway Secretariat.
He was named Atlantic Business Magazine’s CEO of the Year in 2008, McGuire is an emeritus member of the New Brunswick Business Council. He was inducted into the province’s Business Hall of Fame in 2012 and named Ernst & Young’s Atlantic Entrepreneur of the Year in 2013. In 2017, UNB awarded him an honorary doctorate in in recognition of his commitment to economic development, innovation and public service across Atlantic Canada.
Dr. Matthew R. T. McGuire is a nationally recognized Canadian educator and Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of New Brunswick. He is also the inaugural McKenna Fellow in Digital Education where he works to advance digital competencies across K-12 and university contexts.
Dr. McGuire developed the New Brunswick Digital Literacy Framework and works on digital education projects with the department and its school districts. McGuire's innovative research and teaching practices have earned him significant accolades, including the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence, the New Brunswick Minister's Excellence in Teaching Award and the G. Forbes Elliot Scholarship for Educational Leadership.
Dr. McGuire’s research explores the impact of digital technologies in education, AI in higher ed, creative and innovative learning spaces, instructional systems design, preservice educator development and music and makerspace pedagogies.
Shane Murphy is the Executive Director of Thales’ National Digital Excellence Centre (NDEC) in Fredericton. In this role, he leverages his extensive experience providing direction to national & international operational portfolios across Canada’s defence sector to lead Thales’ efforts to further strengthen Atlantic Canada’s thriving cybersecurity innovation ecosystem.
This includes developing Thales’ partnership with the University of New Brunswick for new cybersecurity and digital resilience programs, as well as expanding Thales’ advanced cyber and digital capabilities to mission critical systems, critical infrastructure and the defence community.
Dr. Argyri Panezi is Canada Research Chair in Digital Information Law and Policy and assistant professor at the University of New Brunswick’s Faculty of Law. Her research explores how emerging technologies — such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and mixed reality — are reshaping legal systems, access to justice and digital rights.
Dr. Panezi holds a law degree from the University of Athens, an LL.M. from Harvard Law School and a PhD from the European University Institute in Florence. She has held academic and research positions at Stanford University, IE Law School in Madrid and the Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity.
At UNB, she directs the Legal Innovation Laboratory, where her team studies digital justice design, privacy and inclusive policy-making for underserved communities, particularly in Atlantic Canada. Her work aims to guide the development of secure, resilient and accessible digital infrastructures for judicial services.
Adam Peabody is Executive Director of Downtown Fredericton Inc., where he leads efforts to support, promote and advocate for downtown business and property owners. A long-time contributor to Fredericton’s business ecosystem, he brings more than a decade of experience in economic development, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Prior to joining Downtown Fredericton, Peabody served as director of ecosystem development at Stiletto: Make a Point and held leadership roles at Planet Hatch, the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce and Ignite Fredericton. His work has advanced strategic initiatives in export development, foreign direct investment, experiential learning and immigration.
Peabody is a graduate of Bishop’s University and the Wallace McCain Institute. He has taught entrepreneurship at the University of New Brunswick and served on the boards of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, The Ville Cooperative and The Order of the Wallace McCain Institute. He also served as national special advisor to Global Vision.
Candice Ashley Pollack is the Chief Executive Officer at ResearchNB. Candice enjoys tackling complex challenges and believes that there is always a way to move the needle forward. With her background in law, as well as over a decade of professional experience leading health and social systems improvement initiatives, she brings creativity, resourcefulness, critical thinking, and a deep determination to support a thriving research ecosystem to her role at ResearchNB.
Candice values volunteerism and community engagement and has been actively involved with local and national non-profits like the Canadian Bar Association, the New Brunswick Association of Social Workers, NB Champions for Child Rights and the Canadian Student Association of Children’s Rights over the past 15 years. She is currently the Second Vice-Chair of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick.
Outside of her professional world, Candice keeps her days full by chasing around her toddler and dog, making home cooked meals her child won’t eat, and convincing her partner to do yet another home improvement project.
Dr. Simon Potter joined NBCC’s research office with extensive experience in biomaterials, composites, forestry, precision health and genetics applied research. He is responsible for NBCC’s overarching research program which, based on its exceptional strength and depth in ICT, is now expanding into new areas such as agriculture, precision health, and educational and accessibility research.
Simon holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Edinburgh, a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of Bath and has built a global reputation in the implementation of large-scale research initiatives in Canada and Australia.
