Empowering Indigenous Voices in Tech: Denis Villeneuve’s Mission at Kyndryl

From Law Enforcement to Tech Leader: Denis Villeneuve's Journey to Foster Indigenous Talent

Indigenous-SME Business Magazine recently interviewed Denis Villeneuve, the Cybersecurity & Resilience Practice Leader for Canada at Kyndryl. Denis shared his journey as a cybersecurity professional and tech leader, emphasizing the importance of boosting Indigenous representation in the cybersecurity field. He discussed the strategies Kyndryl is implementing to foster a diverse and inclusive workforce, including partnerships with educational institutions and community outreach programs. Denis’s work with Kyndryl’s Indigenous Working Group and his advocacy for organizations like Indspire underscore his commitment to empowering Indigenous youth in tech. His efforts aim to bridge the gap between Indigenous communities and the tech industry, ensuring diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of cybersecurity innovations.

Denis Villeneuve (pronounced “vil·nuv”) is the Cybersecurity & Resilience Practice Leader for Canada at Kyndryl. Denis has worked in the security industry for over 15 years, delivering complex, multi-year security solutions and services for some of the largest and most diverse clients in Canada. He holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree in Marketing from the University of Ottawa and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).


How has your journey been within the tech and cybersecurity field and what inspired you to take on the role of Cybersecurity & Resilience Practice Leader for Canada at Kyndryl?

My journey within tech and cybersecurity has been a transformative experience, driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to security. My family background is in law enforcement, but I took the cybersecurity route instead. My first introduction to cybersecurity was straight out of university in my role with a major database and technology company where I’d bring concepts and points of view around Maximum Availability Architecture and Maximum-Security Architecture to the Government of Canada Public Safety, Justice and Transportation accounts.  

As the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, Kyndryl modernizes and manages mission-critical systems in Canada and around the globe. I was inspired to take on the role of Cybersecurity & Resilience Practice Leader for Canada because of the opportunity to lead a team dedicated to protecting our Canadian digital infrastructure and empowering businesses through resilient technology solutions and services.

Image Courtesy: Marc Pilon & Denis Villeneuve from Kyndryl with members of the Indigenous Team Kyndryl sponsored for the CyberSci Competition.

Can you elaborate on the importance of increasing Indigenous representation within the Canadian tech and cybersecurity landscape, and what strategies are you advocating for at Kyndryl?

Increasing Indigenous representation within Canadian tech and cybersecurity is crucial for fostering a diverse and inclusive industry. This is important because diverse viewpoints and capabilities enable us to look at different ways of solving the issues at hand. We can look back at examples in history where Indigenous communities lent their unique skills in support of a shared goal, like when Navajo code talkers helped send secret communications on the battlefield in World War II. You never know when an opportunity or a strength like that can be leveraged or a new point of view could help solve a complex problem. 

At Kyndryl, we advocate for strategies that support Indigenous talent development, such as partnerships with educational institutions and community outreach programs, to ensure that Indigenous voices are heard and valued. For example, Kyndryl Canada recently sponsored the Indigenous team at the CyberSci National Finals in Ottawa and I had the great pleasure of seeing young Indigenous cybersecurity talent compete at a high level.


What programs or initiatives have you found most effective in supporting Indigenous youth, and what role do you play in these initiatives?

From my perspective, programs that focus on mentorship, skills development, and providing access to technology often prove to be most effective in supporting Indigenous youth. My role as Co-Chair of Kyndryl Canada’s Indigenous Working Group allows me to look for opportunities to support and collaborate with organizations that are already doing this work. The position also gives me an opportunity to actively participate in the initiatives we develop, offering guidance to the participants, and ensuring they have the resources they need to succeed in the tech industry. 

I’ve personally been a big supporter of Indspire, an organization that is committed to educating, connecting and investing in Indigenous youth so they will achieve their highest potential. Kyndryl also supports Indspire, providing scholarships to Indigenous students to pursue higher education and careers in STEM and IT.  


From your perspective, what are the key benefits of fostering a diverse range of perspectives and voices in corporate tech environments, particularly in cybersecurity?

The tech industry is no different from any other industry. Diversity in perspectives, voices, and experiences leads to more creativity and innovative solutions, a better understanding of different customer needs, and a stronger, more resilient industry. It’s about bringing together varied experiences to create a holistic approach to problem-solving.  


What are some of the most significant challenges you face in your efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the tech industry, and how do you address them?

We know that women, racialized communities, neurodivergent people, Indigenous peoples, and people with disabilities are underrepresented in the tech workforce in Canada as a result of intersectional and systemic barriers to entry and advancement. One of the biggest challenges we face in promoting diversity in tech is overcoming those systemic barriers that limit access to education and employment opportunities for underrepresented groups. This results in a very small pool of diverse candidates for the positions we’re hiring for.

To address this, collaboration is key. Public-private collaborations and partnerships with post-secondary institutions can play a vital role in creating more opportunities and pathways for diverse talent in the tech sector. These partnerships can leverage the combined resources and expertise of the group to design and implement policies and programs that create real impact when it comes to diversity and inclusion initiatives, such as mentorship, training, scholarships, and grants. Systemic change doesn’t happen overnight – we need to work together to foster a more inclusive tech industry that reflects the diversity of Canada.


As you continue your work in advancing these causes, what future projects or goals are you most excited about, and how do they aim to further enhance Indigenous participation and success in tech?

Looking to the future, I am most excited about projects that aim to bridge the gap between Indigenous communities and the tech industry. These include initiatives to promote IT and cybersecurity skills development, as well as programs that support economic development and reconciliation efforts. I also look forward to cultivating a level of trust and confidence with Indigenous communities where we can work together toward creating and investing in successful Indigenous-owned and Indigenous-led companies, whether on-reserve or not. Especially as many communities move toward the creation of urban reserves with office space, I see enormous potential for integration with IT and tech through satellite offices and off-site hubs.

The goal is to create pathways across Canada for Indigenous participation and success in tech, ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to contribute to and benefit from technological advancements.

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