CTO Craft Con is back – and we’re hard at work crafting the 2026 agenda!
While we put the finishing touches on what’s coming next, here’s a curated selection of standout sessions from past events. Consider this your sneak peek into the ideas, conversations, and insights you can expect to experience in Toronto, 2026.
Stay tuned, we’ll be sharing the full agenda soon!
Conversations with Impact
Insights from our Partners
Keynote – Magic and Mouse House: How Storytelling Completes You as a Leader
Michael Lopp, Founder, Rands in Repose
In his signature blend of wit, wisdom, and a dash of stage magic, Michael Lopp (a.k.a. Rands) opened CTO Craft Con Toronto 2025 with a keynote that was part leadership masterclass, part magic show, and all heart. With a lemon that never existed and a story about Disneyland that hit us right in the feels, Michael made a compelling case: storytelling isn’t just nice to have – it’s essential to effective leadership.
“The moment your audience sees themselves in the story, they stop auditing and start listening. And that’s where the magic happens.”
This session is packed with inspiration, practical insight, and a touch of mischief. Don’t miss the full talk – watch now!
Olya Sanakoev, CTO, Rogers Bank
Olya Sanakoev, a savvy tech leader and AI policy enthusiast, breaks down down the complex, and often intimidating, world of AI regulation with clarity, wit, and a dash of real-world savvy. This session shines a light on how industries are balancing innovation with compliance amid rapidly evolving global rules, especially through the lens of the EU’s pioneering AI Act.
“Regulation is a reaction to fear – our job is to demystify AI so everyone feels safe, informed, and ready to innovate.”
Ready to cut through the hype and get practical about AI in your world? Watch the full session to join the conversation!
Keynote – The Innovation Frontier: Navigating AI, Privacy, and Consumer Trust
The CTO Spectrum: Which Archetype Are You?
Pat Kua, CTO Coach and Founder, Tech Lead Academy
Pat Kua blends poetry, humour, and sharp insight to explore the evolving relationship between human creativity and artificial intelligence.
Drawing on the energy of two days of shared ideas, lively debates, and community connection, Pat challenges the audience to consider where the human voice ends and the algorithm begins — and what that means for the future we are building together.
A playful yet thought-provoking session for technology leaders, creatives, and anyone curious about the intersection of human ingenuity and machine intelligence.
Dwayne Forde, Co-Founder & CTO, Mantle
In this candid and insightful session, Dwayne dives deep into the realities of being a CTO – balancing vision, execution, and team dynamics with a grounded, human touch. Packed with lessons learned from leading large engineering groups, this talk offers practical wisdom on setting a clear vision, fostering ownership, and navigating the inevitable bumps along the way.
“Some belief systems need to be strongly convicted but loosely held.”
If you’re stepping into a CTO role or looking to sharpen your leadership game, this session is packed with actionable insights and real-world anecdotes you won’t want to miss. Dive in and get inspired!
Bootstrapping the CTO: Laying a Foundation for Leadership Success
Innovating at Pace with Simpler Decision-Making
Matej Pfajfar, CTO,
Monzo
Matej Pfajfar, CTO of Monzo – the UK’s largest digital bank – shares insights from a career spanning leadership roles at Monzo, Google, and high-growth startups.
Drawing on his experience enabling machine learning at scale, leading Android platform innovations, and building resilient systems for millions of users, Matej explores what it takes to innovate at pace while maintaining trust, reliability, and clarity of vision.
An inspiring keynote for technology leaders, engineers, and anyone interested in the craft of building impactful, scalable products in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Act Now to Connect, Share, and Learn Together
Secure your spot among Europe’s leading CTOs and engineering leaders. Together we’ll tackle the challenges of growth, leadership, and technology, and leave with strategies you can put into action.