AI Innovation in Manitoba: A Manitoba AI Pathways Workshop
ABOUT EVENT:
AI Innovation in Manitoba - A Panel Discussion
Speakers:
- Cameron Bergen, mode40
- Casey Wahl, Life Sciences at Proscia;
- Lesley Klassen, New Media Manitoba
- Jennifer Cox, EMILI
AI is showing up in places you might not expect. In Manitoba, it is being applied across agri-food, life sciences, creative technology, and beyond in ways that are practical, proven, and further along than most people realize.
Join us for a morning panel bringing together four of Manitoba’s most distinctive AI practitioners. Cameron Bergen, Founder & CEO of mode40; Casey Wahl, Board Member at MAAIP and Lead Product Manager for Life Sciences at Proscia; Lesley Klassen, Senior Manager of AI Initiatives and Services at New Media Manitoba; and Jennifer Cox, Communications Manager at EMILI.
Expect an honest, wide-ranging conversation about what AI adoption looks like across very different industries, what these practitioners have learned through experience, and what Manitoba’s AI ecosystem needs to grow. Whether you are deep in the work or just figuring out where to start, this morning is for you.
This event is part of Manitoba AI Pathways, led by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce in partnership with The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and the broader chamber network.
Partners:
PROGRAM
Thursday, June 25, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Delta Hotels Winnipeg
350 St. Mary Ave.
8:30 a.m. Registration and breakfast
9:00 a.m. Program begins
SOLD OUT
Click here to join the waitlist.
You will be automatically registered if there’s an open seat. Thank you!
Cost: $25 + tax
To learn more about the benefits of a Chamber membership, including discounted ticket rates, click here.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Accessibility: We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. If you require accommodation, please let us know when you register.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
With thirty years in agri-food, including more than two decades in senior operational leadership at one of Canada’s largest primary food processors, Cameron Bergen brings a depth of industry experience that is rare in the AI space. He played a key role in designing a $150M processing facility that became Manitoba’s second-largest capital project of its year, and helped generate over $300M in documented annual savings before the business was acquired for over a billion dollars in 2018.
He founded mode40 in Steinbach in 2020, bringing the same grounded, common-sense approach that defined his operational career. His standard is straightforward: solutions should adapt to how operations actually work, and the data has to prove its worth.
As a founding board member of MAAIP, Casey Wahl helps guide the growth of Manitoba’s AI ecosystem, working alongside business leaders and practitioners to foster responsible adoption and unlock new opportunities for organizational impact.
In her work at Proscia, she develops AI solutions that are transforming pathology and advancing innovation in life sciences, translating cutting-edge capabilities into practical, user-centered tools that support precision medicine.
With deep experience at the intersection of AI, extended reality, and motion capture, Lesley Klassen brings a rare combination of technical expertise and strategic leadership to the conversation. Before joining New Media Manitoba, he served as Product Lead and Head of Strategy at Masterpiece X, a Canadian agentic AI company focused on optimizing 3D workflows.
He co-founded and led Flipside XR as CEO and Chief Innovation Officer, where he directed motion capture and real-time animation projects, secured publishing contracts, and built partnerships with some of the world’s leading technology companies including Google, HTC, and Bytedance.
A recognized voice in the field, he has shared his insights at major global conferences including Meta Connect, the NAB Show, and the Augmented World Expo. Outside of work, he channels his curiosity into synthesizers, photography, and the broader spectrum of creative technology.
With more than 20 years of experience in writing and strategic communications, Jennifer Cox brings a deep understanding of how to translate complex innovation into clear, compelling narratives. As Communications Manager at EMILI, she leads strategic communications focused on increasing awareness and understanding of the impact of agtech innovation.
Her background spans communications leadership, public relations, and change management, with a strong track record of helping organizations tell their story in ways that resonate with diverse audiences. A past president of IABC Manitoba and active member of the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada, she is deeply connected to both the communications and science communities in the province.