Message From the President (2025-2026)
It’s been a pleasure serving as the Chapter’s President this past year. Overall it’s been a successful year, and we are in an excellent position for next year. This past year as a board we reconfirmed our mission, vision, and strategy. Our goal is that you, the members of our chapter, are satisfied with being a member, have access to a wide range of valuable and affordable learning and CPE opportunities, and enjoy meaningful ways to network and engage within the ISACA community. Our annual members survey is live throughout this month and we welcome your input on what you would like to see for the future.
Towards this goal we’ve been refining the programs and events of our chapter to activities that are enjoyable, free, easy to attend, provide CPEs where possible, and keep members up to date with technology and current trends. Our quarterly networking events have been well received, our rolling webinars are a free and easy way to continue learning, and we’ve expanded our AGM to a full day this year. Thank you to this year’s AGM Conference sponsors for their support in helping up provide a free event with plenty of CPEs and an enjoyable networking event afterwards. I’d also like to thank the various experts and speakers who have presented at our webinars, events, and conference. Expert speakers are the lifeblood of our chapter’s learning, and we extend an invite to any of our members who may be interested in presenting on their field of expertise through a webinar or other forum – just reach out to us.
The chapter is in a very healthy financial position, and over the upcoming year we plan to make more investments in learning and certification courses to the benefit of our members, particularly focused on new certifications and technologies. Over the pandemic we saw a shift in demand for how people want to learn, moving away from in-person learning opportunities towards digital options. Over time demand for the different certifications has changed, with smaller numbers from some certifications and the introduction of new certifications by ISACA, such as those related to Artificial Intelligence. With this changing landscape our board budgeted and spent prudently over the past few years, and coupled with growing membership, conference sponsorship, and positive exchange rate factors we have again maintained a healthy surplus. In the coming year we’ll plan to amend our bylaws to create a role for AI Certifications, and make investments to launch study groups, and eventually certification courses and training.
We have also continued to strengthen our support for students in the National Capital Region. This marks the second year we’ve given away the Robert Weisman Memorial Scholarship, this year expanding it to two recipients, from Ottawa University and one from Carleton. We’ve also partnered this year with Ottawa University students in the Digital Transformation and Innovation (DTI) program, inviting them to our AGM to host a panel discussion, and we’ll look to make further investments in collaborating on study group and certification pathways for their students.
Lastly, most of all I would like to thank the board member volunteers who contributed time, ideas, and energy this year. Your participation is what enables the Chapter to deliver meaningful learning opportunities and strengthen our professional community.
Cheers,
Glen Barber
President, ISACA Ottawa Valley Chapter