Learn from the Testing Experts
Panel Discussion Speakers

Rob Virdee
Senior Consultant, NVP Software Solutions
Rob is a seasoned quality engineering leader with over two decades of experience spanning diverse industries and technology domains. He has driven meaningful impact in QA process improvement, test automation strategy, innovative solution R&D, and the development of high-performing Agile teams.Currently serving as Vice-President of TASSQ, Rob brings a rare combination of deep technical expertise and people-centric leadership — coaching executives and teams alike while guiding organizations through DevOps, MLOps, and AI quality engineering transformations.
He is a recognized practitioner in AI-enhanced SDLC delivery and pioneering AI model quality frameworks grounded in rigorous quality engineering principles.Rob holds dual B.Sc. degrees in Computer Science and Information Management Systems from the University of Ottawa, a Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching from Royal Roads University, and carries the Certified Agile Coach (ICP-ACC) designation from ICAgile, alongside CSM and CSPO certifications. His leadership philosophy centers on fostering psychological safety, agility, and a growth mindset — enabling teams to deliver sustainable, high-value software at scale.
Ian Howlett
Co-founder, Larkwin
Ian is Vice President at Innosphere SDG, a software engineering consultancy and staffing firm based out of Guelph, ON. With deep roots in development, data, and quality practices, he is at the forefront of integrating AI tooling into modern quality engineering and test automation practices – helping teams build smarter, ship faster, and scale with confidence.


Syed Faeez Sultan
Associate Director, Iris Software
Faeez Sultan is a seasoned technology and business leader with over 18 years of experience driving digital, QA, and AI-led transformation across telecom, banking, fintech, and retail domains. Currently serving as Associate Director of Engineering at Iris Software, he leads large-scale Generative AI programs for Bank of Montreal, managing global teams and delivering enterprise-grade AI solutions that align with business, security, and cloud governance goals. Known for his strong blend of engineering leadership and strategic account management, he has consistently secured multimillion-dollar engagements, built high-performing teams, and positioned innovative platforms as enterprise standards.
Throughout his career, Faeez has demonstrated a strong track record of transforming quality engineering functions into automation-first, AI-enabled ecosystems. In previous roles at VeriFone, TELUS International, and Xavient, he led large QA transformations, established Centers of Excellence, and scaled teams significantly while improving efficiency, reducing defects, and accelerating delivery timelines. His expertise spans automation strategy, performance engineering, DevOps, cloud technologies, and AI-driven solutions, complemented by strong stakeholder management and sales acumen.
Puneet Randhawa
Director, Quality Engineering, StachAdapt
Puneet Randhawa is a Quality Engineering leader focussed on building high-performing teams and elevating quality as a strategic function. She leads QE with a focus on clarity, ownership, and scaling systems that enable teams to move fast without compromising quality.
With experience across industries from IoT to AdTech, Puneet brings a pragmatic, first-principles approach to solving complex problems and aligning engineering execution with business impact. She is deeply committed to developing leaders, mentoring the next generation of QA professionals, and creating environments where people can do their best work.








