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Practical over theoretical
We design every program around real workplace tasks. Participants leave with skills they can apply on Monday morning — not abstract concepts they have to figure out on their own.
Home/About
About CSBAA
Building AI workforce capability for Canadian organizations.
The Canadian Small Business AI Association is a membership-based professional association dedicated to workforce AI capability, industry certification standards, and responsible AI adoption across Canadian business and public institutions.
Our Mission
"To advance practical AI capability, establish professional standards, and connect the organizations and professionals shaping Canada's AI-ready workforce."
Vision
A Canada where every organization has the knowledge, governance, and human capability to adopt AI responsibly and effectively.
Our Values
What we stand for.
These principles guide how we build programs, govern the association, and show up for our members.
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Member-led governance
Our standards, programs, and priorities are shaped by the organizations and practitioners we serve. CSBAA is accountable to its membership, not external shareholders.
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Accessible by design
AI capability should be available to every Canadian organization, regardless of size, sector, or technical background. We build programs that meet people where they are.
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Responsible adoption
We hold ourselves and our members to high standards of ethical, accountable AI use — including privacy, transparency, and human oversight of AI-generated outputs.
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Continuous relevance
The technology changes. Our programs change with it. Members are always trained on current tools, current practices, and current Canadian regulatory context.
Association History
Building Canada's AI training profession since 2024.
2024
Foundation
CSBAA was established by a founding group of Canadian industry and training leaders who recognized the growing gap between AI tool availability and practical workforce capability.
2025
Certification Launch
The four-level CSBAA certification pathway was introduced, establishing a national standard for professional AI credentials recognized by member organizations across Canada.
2026
National Expansion
Membership grew to include over 50 Canadian organizations. The inaugural CSBAA National Conference brought together 300+ practitioners, executives, and policy leaders.
What we do
We deliver professional AI certification, member training programs, policy engagement, and industry events that help Canadian organizations build practical AI capability. Our work spans workforce development, governance standards, and national advocacy.
Who we serve
Our members include Canadian businesses, professional associations, public institutions, healthcare organizations, and the practitioners and leaders responsible for AI adoption and workforce development within them.
How we train
Programs are instructor-led, cohort-based, and delivered live online. Each course produces practical deliverables — toolkits, automations, assistants, or roadmaps — that participants put to work immediately. Members receive discounted access to all programs.
Governance
Governance & Leadership
CSBAA operates under a member-elected Board of Directors and transparent governance framework. Our committees drive programming, policy engagement, and member services.
Board of Directors
Dr. Sarah Chen
Chair, Board of Directors
Former VP Technology, Canadian Financial Services
Michael Okonkwo
Vice-Chair
Director of Innovation, Ontario Health
Isabelle Tremblay
Secretary-Treasurer
Partner, Tremblay & Associates Management Consulting
James Park
Director, Programs
Head of Learning & Development, Rogers Communications
Dr. Amara Osei
Director, Policy & Standards
Associate Professor, University of Toronto
Lena Hartmann
Director, Membership
CEO, Hartmann Workforce Solutions
Standing Committees
Programs Committee
Oversees certification curriculum, quality standards, and program development
Policy & Standards Committee
Engages with government, regulators, and industry on AI governance frameworks
Membership Committee
Member recruitment, benefits design, and organizational engagement
Events Committee
Annual conference, regional summits, and professional development programming
Association principles
- Member-led governance and transparent decision-making
- Practical instruction over abstract theory
- Professional standards, governance, and responsible use
- Inclusive access to AI capability for all Canadian organizations
- Evidence-based curriculum grounded in workplace application
Conflict of Interest Policy
All Board members and Committee Chairs are required to declare actual or perceived conflicts of interest annually and in advance of any relevant vote. Directors with a conflict recuse themselves from discussion and voting on the matter. A full Conflict of Interest Policy is available to members upon request.
Faculty & Instructors
The people who deliver CSBAA programs.
All CSBAA programs are delivered by practitioners with direct industry experience. Instructor qualifications are reviewed annually by the Programs Committee.
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Dr. Marcus Webb
Lead Instructor — AI Practitioner & Workflow Specialist
Credentials
Ph.D. Computer Science (University of Waterloo), Certified AI Practitioner (CSBAA), 14 years applied ML and enterprise automation experience
Dr. Webb spent a decade leading AI integration projects at major Canadian financial institutions before transitioning to full-time applied AI education. He developed the original CSBAA-101 and CSBAA-202 curricula and leads the majority of public certification cohorts.
CSBAA-101 · CSBAA-202
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Priya Nair
Senior Instructor — AI Agent Builder
Credentials
M.Sc. Information Systems (UBC), AWS Certified AI Practitioner, 9 years enterprise architecture and agentic systems
Priya led digital transformation at a national retail chain before joining CSBAA as a senior instructor. She specializes in agentic AI design, RAG systems, and practical deployment for non-engineering teams. She developed the CSBAA-303 curriculum.
CSBAA-303
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James Okafor
Senior Instructor — AI Transformation Professional
Credentials
MBA (Schulich School of Business), PROSCI Change Practitioner, 17 years organizational consulting and change management
James advises Canadian enterprises on AI readiness, governance design, and workforce transition. He brings an organizational — rather than technical — lens to AI strategy, and leads the capstone CSBAA-404 cohort for senior leaders and executives.
CSBAA-404
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Dr. Sarah Chen
Curriculum Advisor & Guest Instructor
Credentials
Ph.D. Organizational Psychology (McGill), Board Chair CSBAA
Dr. Chen contributes to responsible AI curriculum design across all levels and periodically delivers guest sessions on AI ethics, leadership, and workforce transition. As Board Chair, she ensures all programs align with CSBAA's standards mandate.
All programs — curriculum oversight
Contact
Contact CSBAA
Reach our membership team for questions about joining, member training, certification programs, events, or general association inquiries.
Member services
Membership inquiriesmembership@ciai.ca
Program registrationprograms@ciai.ca
Eventsevents@ciai.ca
Policy & standardspolicy@ciai.ca
Most programs delivered live online across Canada
945 Syscon Rd, Burlington, ON, L7L 5S3