4th Annual DAMA Day Vancouver - AI - Getting Started Safely
Welcome to our AI Conference dedicated to empowering organizations to start their AI journey with confidence. We have all read the headlines about AI offering transformative opportunities to enhance efficiency, drive innovation, and maximize return on investment BUT how do small organizations get on the AI Escalator.
This conference focuses on practical strategies for non-profits and smaller organizations to get started with AI while effectively managing risks, addressing ethical considerations, and ensuring sustainable growth. Whether you are new to AI or looking to expand your current initiatives, our sessions will provide valuable insights and actionable steps to help you leverage AI responsibly and achieve measurable impact.
The amazing speakers will share their experience, tips, and traps while answering the burning questions you have been wanting to ask. There will be plenty of opportunities for networking so that you can talk with your peers to find out what worked, and didn’t work, for them.
We are doing this conference in partnership with Vancouver.dataforgood.ca and if your organization already has a relationship with the DataForGood team in BC then it would probably work out best for you to contact your DataForGood Partnership Lead to ensure you get the Non-Profit discount when registering.
Logistic Notes:
- The fully catered event will have a good mix of veggie and meaty sandwiches along with the typically delicious baking.
- The presentation recordings and slide decks will only be available to conference registrants and Premium Members.
- Note the savings for $50 Premium Membership (HINT: sign up for Premium or discounted Non-Profit Membership here, before you register for the Oct 22nd event.).
- Early Bird Registration Deadline - Oct 14th.
- Sessions will target 40 minute presentations with 20 minutes left for questions, coffee, and networking.
Agenda:
- 08:00 Check In and Breakfast:
-
- Your choice of breakfast sandwiches, eggy things, juices, croissants, muffins, melon and berry salad, etc.
- 09:00 Keynote - Kris Krug & Sev Geraskin
-
- Why Join the AI Community - Strength and Magic in Networking:
-
- Kris will describe the organic growth of the BC+AI community over the past 2 years and the huge value it is returning to members such as the amazing results from their hackathon partnership with Rival Technologies.
- Sev will demonstrate the technical implementations that power these success stories. See first hand how complex AI solutions are transformed into intuitive, executive-ready dashboards that non-profit leaders can immediately envision applying to their own organizational data challenges.
- 10:00 Stephen Currie
-
- 10 Ways Non-profits Can Protect Themselves When Incorporating AI
- Develop a Comprehensive AI Governance Framework;
- Establish an AI Ethics Committee;
- Prioritize Data Privacy and Security;
- Mitigate Algorithmic Bias and Discrimination;
- Implement Robust Human Oversight;
- Secure Comprehensive Insurance Coverage;
- Develop Clear AI Use Policies and Training;
- Require Indemnification from AI Vendors and Contributors;
- Foster a Culture of Transparency; and
- Engage with the Broader Non-profit AI Community.
-
- 11:00 Minghui Yu
-
- Getting Started with AI Today:
-
- This session will show non-profits how to start using AI today to save time on routine tasks, free up your team for the work that really matters, and make your budget go further. We'll look at real examples of how simple AI + automation can quietly change the way you operate day-to-day, while setting you up for bigger wins later. You'll leave knowing where to start, what to focus on first, and how to plan your next steps as you build toward a more AI-ready organization.
- Noon Lunch and Networking - boxed lunch (sandwich, salad, cookie)
-
- 13:00 Miles Garvey
-
- Data Chaos to AI Readiness: A Roadmap for Non-Profits before AI
-
- Resourcing AI: Organizations are resource-strapped with staff wearing many hats, and data is often siloed in donor systems, spreadsheets, and CRMs.
- Hype vs. reality: AI tools look magical in demos but break when connected to messy or incomplete data.
- The real bottlenecks - Your Data Infrastructure. Donor data in one system, program data in another, financials in spreadsheets creates chaos on where to go for information.
- Infrastructure Before AI. The 4 Pillars of Readiness and ensuring Trust, Speed, Scalability.
- A Practical Non-Profit Roadmap. Start Small. Align Definitions. Build one source-of-truth. Invest in Governance.
- 14:00 Sarah Downey
- Getting started with Ethical AI
-
- This session is designed for non-profit leaders, program directors, and operational teams who want to adopt AI responsibly but aren’t sure where to start. Many organizations are already using AI for various purposes including grant writing and planning. However, without clear policies, shared language, or trust-building, ethical risks can grow.
- Core Content & Learning Outcomes
-
- A values-based framework for developing internal AI policies
- Guidance on introducing tools in ways that support staff understanding and psychological safety
- A live demonstration of an ethical GPT tool used to surface bias or ethical blind spots
- Practical strategies for engaging teams in early AI conversations without overwhelming them
- Why It Matters
-
- Ethical AI adoption requires strong change leadership and a supportive organizational culture. Non-profits carry unique responsibilities around trust, equity, and mission. This session offers tools and perspective to begin this work in alignment with those responsibilities.
- Format / Delivery: The session will be conversational and example-driven, with a slide deck, live tool demo and space for questions. No prior AI experience is required.
15:00 Steven Harris
- Generative AI for Social Good: Practical Wins for Non-Profits
-
- This session explores how Generative AI (GenAI) can help non-profits “do more with less,” unlocking efficiency and impact in resource-constrained environments. Participants will gain a plain-language understanding of GenAI, how these tools can act as thought partners and overcome the “blank screen” problem, and review real-world case studies. Examples include reducing survey analysis time by up to 70%, cutting service provider research by more than 95%, and significantly accelerating grant preparation - while at the same time addressing issues of privacy and the realities of data preparation.
- Inclusive AI Adoption: Lessons from Women in AI
-
-
For small and medium-sized non-profits, adopting AI is often daunting—balancing limited resources with the need for ethical, responsible innovation. One of the most effective strategies for success is not going it alone, but instead leveraging community and collaboration. In this talk, I will share insights from my work as the Vancouver City Lead for Women in AI (WAI), a global non-profit fostering inclusive, ethical AI adoption across 140 countries.
We will explore how non-profits can:
-
Build strategic roadmaps for AI adoption by tapping into trusted communities and mentors
-
Use collaborative networks to pilot and scale AI solutions within limited budgets
-
Empower diverse teams—staff, volunteers, and partners—to understand and leverage AI responsibly
-
Ensure inclusivity and representation are embedded in every stage of adoption
Through the lens of Women in AI’s initiatives in Vancouver—career fairs, workshops, and mentorship—I will share practical ways non-profits can access resources, avoid common pitfalls, and create sustainable, people-centred AI strategies.
By anchoring AI adoption in community and inclusivity, non-profits can amplify their impact while protecting the people they serve.
Speaker Biographies:
- Kris Krug: is the founder of Vancouver AI meetups, which has organically grown into a thriving network of 10+ specialized AI groups across British Columbia including Surrey AI, Squamish AI, Mind and Consciousness AI, and AI Film Club. As a data governance specialist, KK has pioneered innovative hackathon formats that successfully bridge technical depth with newcomer accessibility. Through the ground breaking Rival Technologies Data Storytelling Hackathon partnership, KK has created a model that delivers real career outcomes - with participants earning job placements, Hall of Fame recognition, and progressive industry contracts that protect intellectual property rights. Based at the Space Center and expanding into NASA Space Apps partnerships, KK continues to demonstrate how thoughtful community building can create multiple on-ramps while ensuring technical experts find their peers across the region.
- Sev Geraskin: is a technical leader focused on transforming advanced AI capabilities into accessible, decision-ready solutions for organizations. With expertise in creating intuitive interfaces for complex data analysis, Sev builds multimodal dashboards that allow non-technical users to interact directly with sophisticated AI systems. Sev's approach emphasizes practical implementation - showing how cutting-edge technical work translates into executive-friendly tools that organizations can immediately understand and want to implement. Through hands-on demonstrations, Sev bridges the gap between technical possibility and organizational adoption, making AI accessible for leaders who need to see clear pathways from data to actionable insights.
- Stephen Currie is a lawyer and AI enthusiast who specializes in evaluating and integrating AI systems into regulated industries. He is co-founder of Jaya AI (www.jaya-ai.ai), a local startup that provides on-premises AI-driven solutions. With expertise in bridging traditional practice with emerging technologies, Stephen focuses on developing secure, compliant AI implementations that meet the unique requirements of regulated environments while maintaining data privacy and operational integrity.
- Minghui Yu: is the Director of South Arch Technology Services, which provides cybersecurity, IT management, business automation, and digital transformation services to SMEs in the Lower Mainland. Minghui received his MBA from SFU, Bachelor of computer science from UBC, and Bachelor of Engineering from Jiangsu University, China.
- Miles Garvey is a modern data strategist with cross-sector experience spanning public institutions, consulting, and high-growth private companies. With a background rooted in analytics engineering and data infrastructure, he has helped organizations evolve from fragmented reporting cultures into insight-driven, self-service ecosystems. Miles brings a holistic understanding of how data works in the real world. He speaks frequently about the evolving role of analytics teams, the future of data ownership, and how organizations can adopt AI-native infrastructure. Most recently in the private sector, he led analytics and data platform initiatives at G2, where he built scalable data pipelines, implemented semantic layers, and AI-integrated analytics.
- Sarah Downey is a consultant who helps nonprofits adopt AI in ways that are ethical, human-centered, and aligned with their mission. She specializes in policy development, team education, and change leadership around emerging tech. With a deep understanding of nonprofit dynamics and ethical tech adoption, Sarah brings a grounded, values-first approach helping organizations navigate uncertainty, build trust, and use new tools responsibly.
- Steven Harris is the Founder of AI4Enterprise.ca, a consulting practice dedicated to helping organizations unlock the potential of Generative AI through strategy, governance, and hands-on implementation. Based in Victoria, BC, he brings over three decades of experience in technology - spanning technical, project, and executive leadership roles. Steve combines expertise in technology with AI training and certifications from Microsoft, AWS, Google, and IBM. His current work focuses on GenAI adoption and rollouts, readiness assessments, and adoption frameworks. An active community builder, Steve co-founded the VIATEC AI Meetup, is working with VIATEC on the upcoming VIATEC AI Conference - Prompt and frequently speaks on AI’s role in business transformation from business and technical perspectives. His goal is to enable both commercial and social-profit organizations to harness AI responsibly for efficiency, innovation, and impact (although, if you want to chat about mountain bikes or bouldering Steve can be easily distracted.)
- Parisa Asgharzadeh is a Senior Machine Learning Scientist and the Vancouver City Lead for Women in AI, a global nonprofit working toward inclusive and ethical AI. With over nine years of experience in machine learning, computer vision, and AI strategy, Parisa has led technical teams to deliver innovative AI solutions in healthcare, sustainability, and hyperspectral analytics. At Women in AI, she has restarted the Vancouver chapter, organized BC’s first Women in AI Career Fair, and built partnerships with universities and tech companies to expand community impact. Parisa is passionate about making AI accessible, ethical, and sustainable, particularly for organizations with limited resources, and advocates for diverse teams to shape the future of AI responsibly.
About our location:
- Deloitte Summit Building
- Follow lobby signage to the 23rd floor
- Capacity - up to 140 people
- Location - Deloitte Summit Building at 410 West Georgia, Vancouver - great view!
- Please join us early for networking while enjoying the coffee, muffins, and croissants.
You will have access to the Recording, Slide deck, and Supporting Materials from each event. These are typically posted a week after the conference.
DAMA-Vancouver 2025 Events - Mark Your Calendars:
- Please send in topics/vendors/paradigms you would like to see!
- Wed Oct 22nd (8AM-5PM) DAMA Days Canada Conference - Vancouver
- Tue Oct 22nd (5:30PM-8PM) Low Key Data Happy Hour (GoodCo-965 Granville)
- Nov 21st: Qlik - Amazing data stories
- Dec 12th: Holiday season get together (Premium Member Event)
- 2026
- January (CDMP preparation class and Pay If You Pass exam)
More Data Community Events - Mark Your Calendars:
