Ellis Odynn

Executive Director of the Digital Finance Institute (DFI)

Ellis Odynn champions the title of Canada’s first Chief AI Officer. She was recently appointed as the Executive Director of the Digital Finance Institute (DFI). In this capacity, she heads the DFI’s Artificial Intelligence division and research team. Her responsibilities span many of institute’s key initiatives — from building partnerships, conducting outreach and managing international affairs. Ellis looks after planning and organizing the Institute’s engagements, liaising with event speakers and partners.

Ellis has fully immersed herself in the tech world and is also the manager of Einstein Exchange’s Toronto Office. In her capacity at Einstein Exchange she is responsible for AML and Fraud investigating as well as paving the way in reporting Blockchain related financial crimes to FINTRAC.

In partnership with DFI, Ellis recently launched the AI World Forum—a new International Artificial Intelligence conference which brings together global thought-leaders in the industry to advance the dialogue on the AI revolution.
When she isn’t uniting the AI industry, Ellis dedicates her time to running a charitable organization, FemRight, that brings education, security and inclusion to refugee girls in Africa and the Middle East.