The McGill MMA program has established an Industry Advisory Board so that the program can stay attuned to the best practices of the market. Our board members come from a wide breadth of sectors and skills background so we can offer the most diverse experience to our student body both for current and future MMA cohorts.
Andrea Irina Yzeiri
Chief Data & Analytics Officer and Lead AI Engineer at Picsume
Toronto, Canada
Andrea holds a BComm in Supply Chain & Analytics (with thesis), a BA in Political Science (Law & Politics) from the University of Windsor, and a Master of Management in Analytics from McGill University. At Windsor, Andrea was the first woman to complete an undergraduate thesis at the Odette School of Business and the first University of Windsor student to receive the Mitacs Globalink Research Award, conducting research in São Paulo, Brazil. She is recognized as a pioneering force in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cybersecurity, actively leading in the design and deployment of scalable, ethical AI systems with an emphasis on fairness, transparency, accountability, and security, receiving over eighteen honours and awards for her research, academic achievements, leadership and community impact. Andrea was named one of the Top 25 Women Chief Data and Analytics Officers in North America by Women We Admire, in recognition of her leadership in responsible, inclusive data innovation. A sought-after speaker and advocate, she has spoken at conferences across Ontario, including Google GDG DevFest, The Big Data & Analytics Summit, IEOM World Congress and the AI Workforce Summit.
Angela Lastra
Director, Data Platform Operations at RBC Borealis
Montreal, Canada
Angela is the Director of Data Platform Operations at RBC AI Group where she manages a dynamic, globally distributed team dedicated to ensuring optimal system performance and operational excellence while leveraging AI and automation to enhance data operations and strengthen governance frameworks. With over 20 years of experience across consulting, financial services, manufacturing, and government sectors, Angela brings deep expertise in data architecture, digital transformation, and enterprise data strategy. She is passionate about unlocking the strategic value of data while strengthening compliance and reducing organizational risk. Angela holds an MBA from McGill University's Desautels Faculty of Management and a Bachelor of Engineering in Information Technology. Beyond her role at RBC, she regularly mentors and supports women in technology and Latin American professionals through speaking engagements, panel participation, and community networking initiatives.
Damien Mok
Former Senior Director, RBC | Leadership Architect & Data/AI Strategist
Toronto, Montreal
For 30 years, Damien Mok led some of Canada’s most complex corporate transformations across the banking, telecom, and loyalty sectors. His career is built on a distinguished track record of leveraging data to drive top-line growth and engineer bottom-line optimizations measured in the billions. Most recently as a Senior Director at RBC, he architected and launched the enterprise Climate Data Product Centre of Excellence, navigating the "invisible edge" where Data & AI meet high-stakes business strategy. This extensive record of delivering measurable ROI fueled Damien’s transition from the boardroom to a purpose-driven phase of strategic advisory and education. He recognized that the major barrier to AI adoption wasn't the technology, but the leadership ecosystem. Today, he leverages three decades of real-world, battle-tested experience as a Lecturer at premier business schools in Ontario and Quebec and as a Career Mentor at the Vector Institute for AI. By bridging the gap between academic innovation and corporate reality, Damien ensures the next generation of Data & AI leaders is technically grounded, strategically sharp, and equipped to drive innovation that is both high-performing and responsible
Sebastian Salazar Sotomayor
Senior Manager, Data & Analytics – Scotiabank
Toronto, Canada
Sebastian Salazar is an analytics professional in the banking industry specializing in business intelligence, data analytics, and process automation. He currently works at Scotiabank, where he leads the design and implementation of scalable data solutions that enable smarter and faster decision-making across Commercial and Corporate International Banking teams.
Sebastian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Universidad del Pacífico (Peru) and a Master of Management in Analytics from McGill University. Since graduating, he has remained actively involved in the MMA community, serving as an Executive Alumni Ambassador and contributing to the growth of the program’s alumni network. As a member of the MMA Advisory Board, he brings industry perspective and alumni insight to help strengthen the program’s connection to the evolving analytics landscape while supporting initiatives that benefit both students and the broader alumni community.
Victoria McKeown
Lead Data Scientist, AI & Innovation at McKesson Canada
Montreal, Canada
Victoria holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary and a Master of Management in Analytics from McGill. She is currently the Lead Data Scientist at McKesson Canada, providing strategic direction and leadership on AI initiatives. Leveraging her previous experience in manufacturing, management consulting, and telecommunications she is responsible for mentoring McKesson data scientists and ensuring solution quality and scalability. Her passion lies in bridging the gap between technology and business, transforming complex data into actionable insights.
