Bridging the Digital Divide for Equitable Educational Opportunities

Jagdish Yadav

Education Sector Specialist, City of Toronto Economic Development & Culture Division

Dr. Yadav is a qualified and experienced professional who currently focuses on post-secondary education and economic development in Toronto with particular emphasis on skills development, internationalization of education and innovation. He facilitates inter-institutional communication and collaboration, works with communities, industry and businesses, initiates innovative ways to enhance student experience, and facilitates dialogue among entrepreneurs, universities and colleges to promote innovation and entrepreneurial activities. At various stages working in different capacities as administrator, researcher and community and business facilitator, he has planned, implemented and monitored large scale developmental and conservation projects and mobilized resources. He has a doctorate and master degrees.

Cheryl Camillo

Assistant Professor, Johnson Shoyama School of Public Policy, University of Regina

Dr. Cheryl Camillo was born and raised down the QEW from Toronto in Buffalo, New York.  Before entering academia, Camillo worked as a federal and state social policymaker and program executive in the United States. Her work focused on improving access to and take-up of public benefits, including health insurance and food and nutrition supports. As part of this work, she developed and integrated technologies and information management systems that could facilitate enrolment and retention.

Currently, she conducts applied comparative social policy research with an emphasis on implementation.  Her experience has recently been consulted by the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare among other organizations.

Alice Xu

Manager of the Connected Community/Smart City program at the City of Toronto’s Technology Services Division

The Connected Community team is committed to delivering broader quality of life as a City value through the use of data, technology and processes.

The Connected Community team has been leading the creation of Toronto’s Digital Infrastructure Plan, a comprehensive plan that also serves as an outward evaluation tool for external proposals with digital elements. The Connected Community team also is leading the work on ConnectTO, a program to create a city-wide high-speed internet network that connects underserved areas with reliable internet access. The program will provide the City with a direct voice in where broadband internet is delivered and will help bring affordable internet connectivity to all Torontonians.

Peter Singh

Executive Officer
IT & IM Services, FOI and Privacy Office, Toronto District School Board

Peter is a proud father of three kids who firmly believes in the mantra of family first. As a parent who has been actively engaged in his kids’ education as they have gone through Toronto area schools, colleges and universities, he has a very rich and positive perspective on the strong expectations that parents place on the education of their children. He combines this perspective with his 25+ years of K-12 sector experience in undertaking his Information Technology portfolio. Peter has been described as both a practical and visionary leader. He has his feet firmly planted on the ground in taking a pragmatic and realistic approach to achieving his clear, exciting and meaningful vision for the future of TDSB.

Omar Malik

Acting Chief Information Officer, Toronto Catholic District School Board

The Toronto Catholic District School Board is

an English-language public-separate school board for Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In addition to the K-12 education sector, Mr. Malik has provided Information Technology leadership in higher education, health regulatory, and leading business law firms. He is a graduate of Ryerson University with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science and is a certified Project Management Professional. With over 20-years of Information Technology experience in both the private and public sectors, Mr. Malik has experienced a broad range of digital initiatives and services in support of clients, constituents, students, and the public

Casey Baxley

Digital Inclusion Policy Fellow, City of Chicago

Casey’s primary role is supporting “Chicago Connected”, a ground-breaking 4-year initiative to provide free high-speed internet service to 100,000 Chicago Public Schools students. Casey’s career has focused on community relations and education program management in non-profit and higher education, including with the International Legal Technology Association, Tutoring Chicago, and Illinois State University. He holds a M.Ed. in Policy Studies-Instructional Leadership from the University of Illinois at Chicago.