Building More Resilient, Secure & Smarter Supply Chains with AI & Data

Keynote Address by Michael Gardiner

Director of Digital Engineering at Microsoft

Michael Gardiner leads Microsoft’s digital transformation, Industry 4.0, and artificial intelligence initiatives in the North American manufacturing industry. With over 25 years of experience, he has driven digital engineering, manufacturing, services, and sustainability initiatives across global automotive, aerospace, industrial machinery, high-tech, consumer goods, chemical, pharmaceutical, resource, and consulting services industries.

Michael is at the forefront of transforming engineering and product lifecycle management processes through cloud computing and AI. He works closely with customers to develop new digital, data, and AI capabilities that accelerate time to market, manage complexity, enhance product and service growth, and improve quality and new product introduction (NPI). Passionate about driving innovation, he helps organizations optimize their products, manufacturing processes, and service experiences.

By leveraging Microsoft platforms and expertise, along with a trusted ecosystem of partners and manufacturing specialists, Michael ensures customer success in navigating the future of intelligent, connected, and efficient operations.

Presenter

Michael Gardiner, Director, Digital Engineering, Americas Manufacturing & Mobility, Microsoft

Moderator

Saibal Ray, James McGill Professor, Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University

Panelists

Allan Christensen, Vice President Quality, Pratt & Whitney
Christine Vucko, Vice President AI Solutions, Supply Chain, KPI Digital
Fiona Zhao, William Dawson Professor, Faculty of Engineering. McGill University

Panelists

Moderator

Saibal Ray, James McGill Professor, Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University

Saibal Ray is the James McGill Professor of Supply Chain Management and Vice Dean of Faculty Affairs at McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management and a former member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars. An internationally recognized expert in operations and retail management, his work combines applied AI, analytics, and behavioral insights to address challenges in supply chains, risk management, productivity, and sustainability.

He has been a driving force behind several pioneering initiatives, including McGill’s Retail Innovation Lab and the Global Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management program in Hangzhou, China, developed in partnership with Zhejiang University. A former Vice-Dean and Founding Director of two major academic centers (Bensadoun School of Retail Management and the DataSphere Lab), Professor Ray is deeply committed to connecting research with practice, shaping public discourse, and advising startups and policymakers.

A widely published scholar and award-winning teacher, he is known for his ability to translate complex ideas into practical solutions—mentoring future leaders while helping organizations and communities navigate a rapidly changing world.

Allan Christensen, Vice President Quality, Pratt & Whitney

I offer the leadership skills as a current member of the P&WC president direct reports, as well as the knowledge from a broad and extensive career in aero engine product and manufacturing process design, development, manufacturing, certification, industrialization, and maintenance. I also offer significant background having worked directly with many of P&WC OEM customers, operators, partners, and product and technology suppliers throughout the world, in the United States (including an expat assignment), Europe, South America, the middle East, and far East. As well as the P&WC principle regulator – Transport Canada Civil Aviation.

Having been General Manager of four P&WC facilities, I also offer extensive experience in direct production management and continuous improvement, and customer service (P&L responsibility), including labor relations within unionized and management-represented facilities.

A quick, data-driven leader who works best understanding the details, to then empower and coach the team to deliver results from all levels.

Christine Vucko, Vice President AI Solutions, Supply Chain, KPI Digital

Christine Vucko is a strategic leader with over 20 years of experience in supply chain optimization, data analytics, and cost takeout strategies. She has helped clients reduce operational costs, unlock new markets, and drive revenue growth. Christine is passionate about empowering teams to innovate and improve supply chain efficiency. At KPI Digital, she leads a dynamic team focused on leveraging AI and advanced modeling techniques to build agile, data-driven supply chain processes that optimize decision-making, drive cost takeout, and ensure operational excellence in a complex marketplace.

Fiona Zhao, Willam Dawson Professor, Faculty of Engerineering, McGill University

Dr. Yaoyao Fiona Zhao is a Professor, William Dawson Scholar, and Ram Panda Faculty Scholar in Sustainable Engineering & Design at the Department of Mechanical Engineering in McGill University, in Montreal, Canada. Dr. Zhao’s lab – the Additive Design and Manufacturing Laboratory (ADML) - is one of the leading research laboratories in additive manufacturing and sustainable manufacturing field. Her research expertise lies in the general field of design and manufacturing including the exploration of new design methods, developing efficient numerical simulation method for additive manufacturing processes, manufacturing informatics, application of machine learning in design and manufacturing, sustainable product development and intelligent manufacturing. Dr. Zhao is currently a member of the editorial board of Virtual and Physical Prototyping. She has received multiple Best/Outstanding paper awards in major design and manufacturing journals and conferences. Other major awards she received include the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery Accelerator Supplement award in 2018, ASME Journal of Mechanical Design “Associate Editor Award” in 2019, 2020, and 2024.

Agenda

Interactive Workshop

A cross-industry knowledge exchange where attendees actively contribute ideas and strategies for AI-driven supply chain resilience

In addition to keynote addresses and expert panel discussions, the event will feature a workshop designed to go beyond research and theory. Attendees will engage in collaborative problem-solving and cross-industry knowledge exchange, sharing insights on AI implementation, challenges, and best practices. This session is structured to foster meaningful discussions between professionals from various sectors, ensuring that innovative AI and data-driven strategies can be applied across industries to strengthen and secure supply chains. The insights generated will contribute to a broader conversation on the practical adoption of AI in supply chain management. 

5 à 7 Networking Reception

Opportunities for professional engagement, collaboration, and continued discussion

Event Summary

A comprehensive event summary will be published following the event for all attendees and the wider community. This document will compile key insights from keynote presentations, workshop discussions, and attendee contributions, with actionable recommendations for securing and strengthening supply chains through AI and data. The summary will be shared with attendees and made publicly available to support ongoing innovation and development in Canadian supply chains.