Spotlight on Marvin Wong

Marvin Wong is the Vice President of Business Intelligence, Technology & Security at SECURE Waste Infrastructure, where he leads technology, data, and cybersecurity initiatives to drive operational performance and growth. With a background spanning manufacturing, electricity transmission, and waste infrastructure, he has a track record of building high-impact technology functions that translate ideas into scalable business solutions. 

Marvin is also the founder of WiQ, a SaaS platform transforming how industrial waste and products are classified, tracked, and transported, with a vision to modernize logistics and compliance across North America. 

He is passionate about fostering innovation cultures that empower teams to solve problems and deliver measurable outcomes.

Fun Fact: The first business I started was pub crawl company with my best friend in University

Learn more about the Calgary CISO community here.
 

Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.

I began my career as an engineer at GE Energy, designing and supporting SCADA systems across North America, which gave me a strong foundation in both technology and industrial operations. I then transitioned to AltaLink, where I was fortunate to contribute to the upgrade of transmission infrastructure in southern Alberta to support the growth of wind generation—an experience that deepened my appreciation for the role of data in enabling complex, large-scale systems. Driven by a passion for data and its potential to improve decision-making, I started building databases and applications to capture and analyze operational information, helping inform outage planning and system optimization.

That foundation led me to SECURE, where I built the analytics function from the ground up—initially focused on empowering frontline leaders with data-driven insights, and eventually expanding into an enterprise capability spanning operations, financials, sales, and health and safety. Following SECURE’s merger with Tervita, I moved into a technology leadership role, where I’ve led large-scale transformation initiatives, including ERP modernization, application redevelopment, enterprise data platforms, and the deployment of AI to enhance competitiveness. Along this journey, I also founded WiQ, a SaaS business within SECURE, successfully taking it to market and transforming IT from a traditional cost center into a revenue-generating function.
 

What is one of your guiding leadership principles?

Take care of your people first, and they will take care of the business. 
 

What is the greatest challenge security leaders face today, and how are you addressing it?

I’m not treating AI as a technology problem—I see it as a leadership and operating model shift.

I’m grounding AI in real business applications rather than hype, focusing on targeted, high-value use cases that directly impact operations, decision-making, and competitive advantage. At the same time, I’m investing in the foundational layers—data trust, integrated systems, and modern platforms—because without that, AI doesn’t scale or deliver meaningful value.

I also recognize that there isn’t a single tool that solves everything. The AI landscape is evolving too quickly for that, with new and better capabilities emerging constantly. Instead of locking into one solution, we’re enabling a flexible ecosystem—bringing in the right tools as they mature, and working closely with our teams and customers to make those capabilities accessible where they create value, rather than restricting them.

I’m deliberate about managing risk by ensuring there’s always human oversight. AI should enhance how we make decisions, not replace accountability or introduce unnecessary risk into the business.

Culturally, I’m pushing the organization to rethink how we solve problems—using AI to accelerate thinking and execution, not substitute it. And I lead by example, whether through internal deployments or building WiQ, by showing what practical, outcome-driven use of AI actually looks like.
 

What is the key to success for someone just starting out as a CISO?

Have big ears and big eyes to understand what is really happening in your team, and where the business/market is going.  

Then surround yourself with an ecosystem (in and outside of your organization) to help you gain clarity and execute. 
 

How do you measure success as a leader?

I measure success by the impact I have on people—their growth, their sense of purpose, and how fulfilled they feel in the work they do every day. It’s about creating an environment where individuals can see the connection between what they do and why it matters, and where they feel energized rather than drained by that pursuit.

I also believe success is reflected in a person’s ability to evolve. Careers aren’t linear, and I value creating the conditions for people to develop existential flexibility—the confidence and capability to adapt, take on new challenges, and redefine themselves over time.

Ultimately, success isn’t just what we build as an organization—it’s who people become in the process.
 

What is the value of being a member of Gartner C-level Communities?

The community is what I cherish most.  

Gartner C-level Communities 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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