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Industry Advisory Board

The Industry Advisory Board plays a vital role in guiding the strategic direction of the McMaster Digital Transformation Research Centre (MDTRC). Composed of experienced professionals from diverse sectors, the board provides expert insights, identifies emerging trends, and ensures research remains aligned with real-world challenges. By bridging academia and industry, the board supports MDTRC’s mission to drive innovation in digital transformation and create meaningful partnerships that accelerate impact across business and society.

Hilary Baker
National Sales Technology

Hilary is a senior sales executive specializing in consumer partnerships that drive innovation and growth. With over 20 years of experience in corporate strategy, go-to-market execution, and category development, she has held leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies across the tech and consumer goods sectors. Hilary excels at translating data-driven strategy into real-world impact, helping organizations succeed in rapidly evolving digital ecosystems. 

Hilary holds an MBA from the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Kathryn Botchford - Advisory Board Member for MDTRC
Kathryn Botchford
Director of Risk Assurance, PwC

Kathryn is the Director of Risk Assurance at PwC, where she leads with a strategic, forward-thinking approach to risk, compliance, and data-driven transformation. A dynamic professional in technology and data across healthcare and financial sectors, she brings deep expertise in data analysis and management. As a senior risk and compliance executive, Kathryn specializes in governance, risk management, regulatory compliance, ESG, data analytics, and process reengineering. She’s known for translating risk into innovation and fostering a strong risk culture.

Recognized as a pioneer and inquisitive leader, Kathryn applies a rigorous approach to optimizing performance and quality. She challenges the status quo, energizes teams, and coaches others to exceed expectations. A direct and transparent communicator, she champions diversity of thought and cultural awareness.

She holds an Executive MBA from the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University.

Alfredo Tan - Advisory Board Member for MDTRC
Alfredo C. M. Tan
Chief Digital & Information Officer (CDO | CIO), Canada Goose

Alfredo is the Chief Digital & Information Officer at Canada Goose Inc., where he leads digital strategy across IT, enterprise tech, media, loyalty, data, AI, and more. He previously held senior roles at Loblaw Companies, Rogers Sports & Media, and was WestJet Airlines’ first Chief Digital & Innovation Officer. A pioneering early employee at Meta, Alfredo also worked with Yahoo! Mobile and has led teams across North America, EMEA, APAC, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.

He serves as an industry professor in Strategic Management at McMaster University, sits on the Leadership Council of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, and advises McMaster’s Digital Transformation Research Centre. With deep expertise in digital transformation and innovation, Alfredo brings a global perspective to the evolving intersection of leadership, technology, and Canada’s digital future.

Alfredo holds an MBA from the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University.

Paul Tedesco - Advisory Board Member for MDTRC
Paul Tedesco
President, Track DDB

Paul is the North American President of TrackDDB, a leading customer experience agency that blends data, technology, and creativity to deliver personalized marketing solutions. With over 25 years in marketing and advertising, he has built a career focused on CRM, digital transformation, and data-driven strategy. He is known for helping global brands use data to drive engagement and brand loyalty. Since joining TrackDDB in 2013, Paul has expanded the agency’s capabilities across North America, championing customer-centric solutions that connect technology with human insight. His experience spans both agency and client-side roles, offering a broad perspective on brand and customer challenges.

Outside of his industry work, Paul teaches in the Executive Education program at McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business, where he leads courses on brand management, customer value creation, and marketing analytics.

Paul holds an MBA from the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University.