Executive Lounge: State of Quantum Forum presented with IonQ

This event is by invitation only.

If you are interested in attending, please reach out to Derek at derek@digitalnovascotia.com. Proceed to registration if you have received an access code.

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Digital Nova Scotia is bringing together executives, founders, entrepreneurs, researchers, ecosystem partners, and technology leaders for an exclusive Executive Lounge exploring the current state of quantum technologies, innovation, and post-quantum cybersecurity.

New to quantum? This event is for you.

Quantum technology is advancing quickly, but understanding what it actually means for your organization can be challenging. What’s possible today? What’s coming next? Where could quantum create value for your organization — and what should you be doing now to prepare?

Through short presentations and candid executive-level discussion, we’ll explore quantum computing, networking, sensing, and security, with applications relevant to sectors including ocean technology, logistics, health, energy, and defence. The focus will be on connecting emerging technologies to real business challenges and opportunities, helping leaders understand where quantum may have practical relevance for their organizations.

We’ll also explore one of the most immediate considerations for organizations today: post-quantum cybersecurity. As quantum computing advances, organizations will need to prepare for a transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) — encryption designed to withstand attacks from both conventional and quantum computers. Sensitive information collected today could be vulnerable in the future, making quantum readiness an issue that extends well beyond critical infrastructure.

Our guest speakers from IonQ and Calcul Québec will share perspectives on the state of quantum innovation in Canada and globally, where the technology is heading, emerging applications, and practical steps organizations can take to identify opportunities, prepare for security risks, and build long-term resilience.

Beyond PQC, we’ll also discuss where quantum-based approaches, such as quantum key distribution, may provide an additional layer of protection as part of a broader defence-in-depth strategy.

Featured Speakers

Chad Sakac, P.Eng.
SVP, Field Engineering | IonQ

Chad Sakac leads the global Field Engineering team at IonQ, which operates at the intersection of frontier quantum technology and applied use cases. Chad has experience spanning early-stage startups (in Silicon Valley: Metricom, Allocity; Israel: Regatta) to executive leadership at leading FT500 multi-billion dollar companies (Dell EMC, Pivotal, VMware) in market-leading positions. Chad lives in Toronto with his family and holds an electrical engineering degree from Western University in London, Ontario.

Joe Young
VP, Global Quantum Security Business | IonQ

Joe Young is the VP of IonQ's Global Quantum Security Business. He is responsible for go-to-market execution, engaging with customers and partners, and leading a global organization of technical security specialists. Prior to IonQ, Joe was responsible for global commercial sales at Zscaler, the world leader in Zero Trust cloud security. Prior to Zscaler, Joe spent over ten years at EMC & Dell, where he had various roles in go-to-market and sales management. Joe resides in Boston, Massachusetts, with his wife and three children.

Lisa Lambert
VP, Global Strategy & Managing Director, Canada | IonQ

Lisa Lambert serves as Vice President, Global Strategy & Managing Director, Canada at IonQ. In this dual role, she helps shape the company's global strategy while leading IonQ Canada's growth and market development. IonQ's expanding presence in Canada, including its 2023 acquisition of Toronto-based Entangled Networks, builds on the country's position as one of the world's leading quantum ecosystems.

Prior to joining IonQ, Lisa was the inaugural CEO of Quantum Industry Canada (QIC), where she built the organization into the national voice of Canada's quantum sector. She worked across industry, government, and international partners to strengthen Canada's position in the global quantum economy.

With nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of science, technology, business, and public policy, Lisa brings a distinctive perspective on what it takes for emerging technologies to move from research to real-world impact and create lasting economic, strategic, and societal value.

Suzanne Talon

Directrice générale | Calcul Québec

Suzanne Talon, CEO of Calcul Québec, holds a PhD in astrophysics from Université Paris VII, specializing in solar and stellar physics. She has conducted research in numerical modeling and taught at Université de Montréal and Université de Sherbrooke.

Her involvement in high-performance computing (HPC) dates back to 2007, when she began contributing to the inter-university collaboration that eventually gave rise to Calcul Québec — an organization dedicated to providing research computing services across academic disciplines.

Under her leadership, Calcul Québec has significantly expanded its offerings, notably through the development of a training program designed to build advanced computing skills among researchers. She has also been a driving force behind the emergence of hybrid quantum-classical computing in Quebec, overseeing the deployment of quantum computing services and the integration of MonarQ — a 24-qubit superconducting quantum computer — into the organization's infrastructure.

At the national level, Suzanne Talon has played an active role in shaping Canada's digital research landscape. As a member of the Advanced Research Computing Working Group within the Leadership Council for the Digital Research Infrastructure (LCDRI), she contributed to the strategic discussions that informed federal investments in research computing — discussions that ultimately led to the creation of the Digital Research Alliance of Canada. As a regional partner of the Alliance, whose mission is to coordinate and provide equitable access to advanced research computing, research data management, and research software across the country, Calcul Québec plays a central role in delivering these services to the Quebec research community.

What to Expect

Hosted as an invite-only lunch, this Executive Lounge will feature short keynote presentations, executive roundtable discussions, curated networking, and guided conversations with quantum subject matter experts. Rather than diving deep into the technical details, the goal is to demystify quantum, make room for the questions leaders are asking, and help you leave with a clearer understanding of what these technologies could mean for your organization and where to start.