Blair Radbourne
SVP, Enterprise Governance & Technology
OMERS
Blair has been working in the Canadian financial services industry for over 20 years and started off with KPMG doing 24-hour shift work in network operations. That role included administering all the network security gear and led to further roles specializing within Information Security. Following roles with CIBC Mellon, a boutique forensic firm, and a large Canadian FinTech company that has since been taken private, Blair landed at OMERS. Here, he has been leading the Cybersecurity practice within OMERS, and that effort led to his current role today.
Learn more about leaders in the Toronto CISO community here.
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
I really like the phrase high tech, low drama.
With disruption being a key theme of the past year, where do you see your role as a CISO leader going in the next 1-2 years?
We see the role as being more of a strategic thought leader who can help support our business leaders in the interpretation of emerging risks in the Cyberthreat landscape that could impact our core business processes.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the role?
Be hungry to learn, do not get discouraged if someone calls the way you speak "too technical," have the courage to become a translator between high tech and business-English.
Tell us 3 fun facts about yourself.
I enjoy sketchbook art, coaching my son & daughter’s hockey teams, and snowboarding.
What is the value of participating in a professional community through Evanta?
It's the words 'professional community,' -- you get exposed to other people in very similar job functions to your own, offering great collaboration and sometimes commiseration opportunities.
Evanta Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.
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