Emily Tell

Keynote Speaker & Advisor on Digital Adoption, AI Strategy, and Change Leadership
Based in Canada • Speaks across Canada & the United States
Founder, IdeaTilt • vCISO (Freelance) • Former AVP, Digital Learning Transformation (Manulife)

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emilytell

Professional Summary

Digital transformation leader and keynote speaker with decades of experience aligning people, process, data, and technology to deliver measurable outcomes. Emily equips leaders and teams to adapt to disruptive change—AI, automation, cybersecurity—using a simple, repeatable model: inform, empower, evolve. Her track record spans global product launches, enterprise change programs, and security framework alignment (CMMC, SOC 2, ISO 27001) that unlock growth and operational resilience.

Speaking & Workshops

Signature Keynote: AI Made Simple — 3 Steps from Overwhelm to In Control

• Translate AI risk & opportunity into a practical roadmap leaders can act on this quarter.
• Set realistic, tactical goals that build resilience and measurable business value.
• Action-focused delivery—honest stories, data-driven insights, clear models, and achievable next steps.

Popular Topics: Agile AI Strategy • Human-Centered Digital Adoption • Cybersecurity for Non-Security Leaders • Upskilling at Scale • Executive Readiness for AI • Culture & Behavior Change

Selected Accomplishments

• Winner, LinkedIn Talent Award (Learning, Companies >10K employees), 2022: Drove enterprise-wide activations and sustained engagement through UX, change, and communications.
• ~80% employee adoption of a global platform, processes, and data strategy (lean team, agile delivery, 9 languages, 20+ countries).
• ~800% increase in user engagement with a global communications and awareness program.
• >80% adoption of a global software solution via phased, multi-year strategy—lowering administrative effort and cost while increasing capability, reach, and reporting.

Experience

Keynote Speaker & Facilitator — The Emily Tell

Feb 2025 – Present · Canada · Remote
Designs and delivers keynotes and workshops that demystify AI and digital adoption. Helps leaders create strategy, set tactical goals, and build the resilience to adapt to AI, automation, cybersecurity, and more.
Skills: AI Strategy · Public Speaking · Digital Transformation · Change Leadership · Instructional Design · Executive Enablement

vCISO (Freelance) — Cocoon CS

Apr 2024 – Present · Kitchener, Ontario · Remote
Guides organizations to align with security frameworks (CMMC, SOC 2, ISO) to unlock new markets and build trust. Optimizes technology and cost efficiency while integrating AI responsibly and securely.
Skills: Cybersecurity · GRC · IT Governance · Digital Strategy · Program Management · Change Management

Founder & CEO — IdeaTilt

Sep 2023 – Present · Canada · Remote
Leads initiatives that help businesses thrive with AI-powered solutions across ticketing, procedures, security, data, and employee skills—prioritizing outcomes and adoption.
Skills: AI · Digital Strategy · Program Management · Cybersecurity · L&D · Executive Visibility

Head of Digital Transformation — Bison & Bird

Aug 2023 – Sep 2024 · Ontario · Remote
Delivered customer-centric solutions using HCD/UX, knowledge supports, and change management to ensure sustainable adoption and tangible business outcomes.

Assistant Vice President, Digital Learning Transformation — Manulife

May 2021 – Aug 2023 · Waterloo, Ontario
Transformed global learning via HR tech and data (LXP, LMS, APIs, data lake). Built operating models and governance to unify people, process, data, and technology.

Director / Manager, Information Risk Management Strategy & Planning — Manulife

Dec 2016 – Oct 2021
Scaled global Information Risk Awareness, defined metrics, and drove innovative, user-delighting education and communications.

Senior Consultant (Digital Learning & Training Solutions) — Manulife

Jun 2010 – May 2016 · Waterloo, Ontario
Led multi-location implementations and pioneered LMS launches, onboarding automation, and virtual learning at scale.

Corporate Trainer / E-Learning Consultant; E-Learning Specialist / Lead Process Analyst — Manulife

Aug 2004 – Jun 2010
Drove divisional LMS rollout, process design, and enterprise training modernization.

Corporate Trainer; Other L&D/Leadership Roles — Manulife Financial

Feb 2002 – Aug 2004
Built solutions integrating business needs with training, recognition, and engagement programs.

Publicist — York University

Sep 1995 – Jun 1998
Managed marketing, media, and stakeholder relationships for multiple productions.

Education & Credentials

• Executive MBA (Business & Technology) — Quantic School of Business and Technology, 2023–2024 (Grade 95%).
• B.Ed.; Hon. BFA (Specialized) — York University.
• Prosci — AI Change Management Certification.
• University of Waterloo — Project Management (Applied Tools & Techniques); Digital Transformation Certification (Grade 90%).
• Canadian Association of Management Consultants — Essentials of Management Consulting.
• Adult Education Qualifications — Nipissing University; Ontario College of Teachers.
• Toastmasters International — High Performance Leadership.

Publication

“How to Build a Successful Upskilling Program.” Harvard Business Review, Jan 18, 2022.

Honors & Awards

• LinkedIn Talent Award (Companies >10K), 2022 — Recognized for enterprise-scale software activations and sustained engagement.
• Stars of Excellence Team Nominee, 2021 — Launched a global AI-powered learning system under tight timelines and complex integrations.
• Stars of Excellence Segment Team Winner, 2019 — Information Protection Education Program impact.
• Global Stars of Excellence (Individual), 2018 — Global impact, vision-to-execution leadership.
• Stars of Excellence Nominee, 2017 & 2016 — Global information protection education; Asia social media compliance program.
• Earlier recognition includes multiple divisional awards for customer service and strategic project impact.

Core Competencies

AI Strategy & Enablement • Digital Transformation • Enterprise Change Management (Prosci) • Cybersecurity & GRC (CMMC, SOC 2, ISO) • Program & Portfolio Management • Human-Centered Design & UX • Learning Strategy, LXP/LMS • Executive Coaching & Enablement • Communications & Engagement • Data-Informed Decision-Making • Upskilling & Curriculum Design • Operating Models & Governance

Business Impact Highlights

• Scaled global adoption to 80%+ across 20+ countries and 9 languages using lean, agile delivery.
• Engineered communication ecosystems achieving 800%+ gains in engagement and measurable behavior change.
• Reduced administrative burden and cost while expanding analytics and reporting capability across the enterprise.
• Accelerated market access by aligning security posture to recognized frameworks, building customer trust and deal velocity.

Availability

Now booking keynotes, executive briefings, and hands-on workshops across Canada and the United States. Custom programs available for leadership teams and enterprise rollout.

References and detailed case studies available upon request.