Talk Auto
Presented by Canadian Black Book
More event details and additional speaker announcements will be released soon.
- TalkAuto 2026 The TalkAuto2026 Schedule
- Main Stage
Tariffs, Free Trade & the Changing Manufacturer Landscape
What Will Canadians Buy, Finance, & Value? The Dealer of 2030
Matthew Growden is a strategist, creator, and respected voice at the intersection of automotive, technology, and innovation. As the creator of The Change Optimist, he helps industry leaders navigate disruptive change, from AI and electrification to evolving consumer behavior and global competition.
Known for his engaging style and thought-provoking insights, Matthew is a sought-after keynote speaker who challenges audiences to rethink assumptions and embrace the opportunities shaping the future of automotive.
Matthew Growden is a strategist, creator, and respected voice at the intersection of automotive, technology, and innovation. As the creator of The Change Optimist, he helps industry leaders navigate disruptive change, from AI and electrification to evolving consumer behavior and global competition.
Known for his engaging style and thought-provoking insights, Matthew is a sought-after keynote speaker who challenges audiences to rethink assumptions and embrace the opportunities shaping the future of automotive.
Amy Fleming is President & CEO of Mazda Canada and a 30+ year automotive industry veteran. Since joining Mazda in 2006, she has held senior leadership roles across sales, marketing, fixed operations, and customer experience, becoming the company's first Chief Operating Officer before being appointed CEO.
A champion of culture, performance, and people development, Amy helped shape Mazda Canada's mission, values, and dealer performance strategy, contributing to Mazda’s recognition as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers in 2026, and multiple industry awards for dealer satisfaction and communications.
Amy is passionate about developing future leaders and actively mentors through Empowering Auto and Accelerate Auto. She has been named one of Automotive News' 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry twice and was recognized on Automotive News Canada's 2025 Canadians to Watch list.
Amy Fleming is President & CEO of Mazda Canada and a 30+ year automotive industry veteran. Since joining Mazda in 2006, she has held senior leadership roles across sales, marketing, fixed operations, and customer experience, becoming the company's first Chief Operating Officer before being appointed CEO.
A champion of culture, performance, and people development, Amy helped shape Mazda Canada's mission, values, and dealer performance strategy, contributing to Mazda’s recognition as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers in 2026, and multiple industry awards for dealer satisfaction and communications.
Amy is passionate about developing future leaders and actively mentors through Empowering Auto and Accelerate Auto. She has been named one of Automotive News' 100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry twice and was recognized on Automotive News Canada's 2025 Canadians to Watch list.
Trevor Longley was named President, Canada, at Stellantis North America in October 2025, overseeing the company’s operations across the country.
With more than two decades in the Canadian automotive industry, he joined Stellantis after 10 years with Nissan Motor Corporation, where he most recently served as president of Nissan Canada. His experience includes senior leadership roles in sales, marketing, aftersales, dealer network management, and customer quality at Nissan, as well as roles with Yokohama Tire, Canadian Tire, King-O-Matic Industries, and Mister Transmission. Longley holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western University.
Trevor Longley was named President, Canada, at Stellantis North America in October 2025, overseeing the company’s operations across the country.
With more than two decades in the Canadian automotive industry, he joined Stellantis after 10 years with Nissan Motor Corporation, where he most recently served as president of Nissan Canada. His experience includes senior leadership roles in sales, marketing, aftersales, dealer network management, and customer quality at Nissan, as well as roles with Yokohama Tire, Canadian Tire, King-O-Matic Industries, and Mister Transmission. Longley holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western University.
Brendan Sweeney is the inaugural President and CEO of the Pacific Manufacturing Association of Canada (PMAC). Brendan has nearly two decades of experience working with leading automotive companies in Canada.
Prior to joining PMAC Brendan served as the Managing Director of research centres such as the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing at Western University and the Automotive Policy Research Centre (APRC) at McMaster University. He holds graduate degrees (MA & PhD) from Queen’s University and an undergraduate degree from McMaster University.
Brendan Sweeney is the inaugural President and CEO of the Pacific Manufacturing Association of Canada (PMAC). Brendan has nearly two decades of experience working with leading automotive companies in Canada.
Prior to joining PMAC Brendan served as the Managing Director of research centres such as the Trillium Network for Advanced Manufacturing at Western University and the Automotive Policy Research Centre (APRC) at McMaster University. He holds graduate degrees (MA & PhD) from Queen’s University and an undergraduate degree from McMaster University.
Nancy Cappadocia is Managing Director of iA Auto Finance. She brings extensive financial leadership experience to the role, including nearly six years as Head of Finance at iA Wealth and senior finance positions with Altamira Financial Services and Altamira Investment Services.
She also served as CFO of iA Clarington. Based in Oakville, Ontario, Nancy’s career spans more than three decades in financial services.
Nancy Cappadocia is Managing Director of iA Auto Finance. She brings extensive financial leadership experience to the role, including nearly six years as Head of Finance at iA Wealth and senior finance positions with Altamira Financial Services and Altamira Investment Services.
She also served as CFO of iA Clarington. Based in Oakville, Ontario, Nancy’s career spans more than three decades in financial services.
Ryan Thompson is the Managing Partner of Ernie Dean Chevrolet Buick GMC in Alliston, Ontario.
He has more than 20 years of experience in automotive retail and also shares his perspective on the car business through @generalmotorsdealer, creating content focused on dealerships, sales, marketing, and the evolving automotive industry.
Ryan Thompson is the Managing Partner of Ernie Dean Chevrolet Buick GMC in Alliston, Ontario.
He has more than 20 years of experience in automotive retail and also shares his perspective on the car business through @generalmotorsdealer, creating content focused on dealerships, sales, marketing, and the evolving automotive industry.
Miranda Pyette is a leading automotive advertising professional with more than 25 years of experience. She began her career at Sun Media’s Toronto Sun before spending many years at AutoTrader, where she built deep expertise in dealer marketing.
She later moved client-side as Director of Marketing for a large Ontario dealer group, gaining firsthand insight into dealership needs. In 2017, she launched Miranda Pyette Automotive, focusing on ad spend analysis and customized cost-saving strategies.
As social media became an increasingly powerful and efficient channel, Miranda shifted the business toward high-performing organic content across major platforms. The company has since grown into Purpose Automotive Inc., reflecting its expanded vision and continued growth in the automotive digital marketing space.
Miranda Pyette is a leading automotive advertising professional with more than 25 years of experience. She began her career at Sun Media’s Toronto Sun before spending many years at AutoTrader, where she built deep expertise in dealer marketing.
She later moved client-side as Director of Marketing for a large Ontario dealer group, gaining firsthand insight into dealership needs. In 2017, she launched Miranda Pyette Automotive, focusing on ad spend analysis and customized cost-saving strategies.
As social media became an increasingly powerful and efficient channel, Miranda shifted the business toward high-performing organic content across major platforms. The company has since grown into Purpose Automotive Inc., reflecting its expanded vision and continued growth in the automotive digital marketing space.