Iliana Oris Valiente – Russia & Cuba
Iliana Oris Valiente’s journey from a child navigating the stark contrasts between Russia and Cuba to a professional thriving in Canada’s blockchain industry embodies the resilience and adaptability characteristic of many immigrants.
She says her experience mirrors the classic Canadian immigrant narrative, overcoming language barriers and job adaptation with determination.
Iliana’s interest in blockchain technology was piqued during international travel and solidified by her professional background in accounting and auditing. She sees the future of blockchain in its seamless integration into daily life, making sophisticated technology accessible without requiring user expertise.
Her work now focuses on the potential of borderless living and businesses, powered by Web3 technology, to reshape societal norms around work and global connectivity.
Through her story, she emphasizes the importance of embracing one’s unique background and the strengths that come from diverse life experiences, particularly in innovative fields like blockchain, where the ability to bridge different worlds is invaluable.
Iliana Oris Valiente, CPA, CA, is an accomplished corporate executive, innovation and emerging tech pioneer, startup investor, respected board member, published author, and sought-after global public speaker. With a clear vision and unwavering determination, she is a thought leader on a mission to build a future humans want to live in.
Iliana is currently the Managing Director and Innovation Lead at Accenture Canada, working with senior executives and boards to support their strategic transformation journeys. She leads multi-disciplinary teams across design, data, and technology, focusing on emergent areas such as metaverse/blockchain/web3, sustainability, AI, and cross-industry initiatives.
Iliana is widely recognized for her trailblazing contributions to the blockchain industry, having advised corporations, government leaders, regulators, and startups as a translator between the web2 and web3 worlds.
Her expertise and perspective have expanded, now encompassing overall technology and societal trends, particularly emphasizing the future of work, life, and human-centred approaches.
As a published author and frequent speaker at global conferences, Iliana has been featured in various media outlets, including television, radio, and print. Additionally, she’s an active board member at Sunnybrook Hospital, CPA Ontario, and DIACC and mentors startups through incubators such as CDL.
Iliana is a global citizen who speaks English, Russian, Spanish, and French and enjoys connecting dots (ideas and people). Through Iliana’s unique life experiences and contributions, she has developed an ability to see the bigger picture and drive toward meaningful outcomes