Niagara Networks & Industry Collaborative 2026

Daniel Lirette is the Founder and CEO of FloraTrack AI, a Canadian ag-tech company focused on helping greenhouse growers streamline scouting, IPM, and inventory workflows. With a background in agronomy, sales, and applied AI, he has led the development of tools that combine computer vision, smart glasses, and real time data capture to reduce manual work and improve decision making in controlled environment agriculture.

Daniel has been recognized as part of the Top 100 AI Companies in Canada and has received multiple national entrepreneurship honors, including Top 30 Under 30, Top 20 under 40, and finalist recognition in the Startup Canada Global Pitch Competition. He has collaborated with research institutions such as Université de Moncton and Niagara College on plant health studies, and has participated in government and industry roundtables on innovation in agriculture.

He works closely with greenhouse operators across North America to bring practical, scalable technology into daily growing operations, with a focus on improving efficiency, crop health, and operational visibility.

Kate Agar, MEd, HBA (English), OCT, OCELT, is an experienced language instructor and educational leader with more than 15 years of experience across diverse learning environments. She began her career in the private sector at a Toronto independent school, first as a teacher and later as the school’s principal. After several years in school leadership, she transitioned into post‑secondary education, joining Niagara College as an instructor in the ELTE and OSLT programs. She now serves as Manager, Newcomer Programs, where she oversees programming that supports newcomers in developing the communication and professional skills needed for success in Canada.

Kate earned her Honours Bachelor of Arts in English and Concurrent Education from Lakehead University in 2008, followed by a Master of Education in 2010—all while working full‑time as an ESL instructor. This combination of academic training and hands‑on experience informs her practical, student‑centered approach to teaching and program development.

In addition to her work at Niagara College, Kate has facilitated professional development for educators across the sector. She has delivered training sessions for instructors at LINC Home Study and led multiple workshops for English language instructors through TESL Niagara. She also presents on the practical applications of AI in education, including her session at the TESS Conference in November, themed Reinventing Education for a Resilient Future, followed by her workshop at the 2025 Innovations in Education Conference hosted by the McPherson Institute at McMaster University in December. Her sessions equip instructors with classroom‑ready strategies for integrating emerging technologies into their teaching.

Dr. Rahul Kumar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Studies at Brock University. He teaches and researches in the areas of postsecondary and adult education, focusing on how generative artificial intelligence is reshaping teaching, learning, and academic integrity. His work aims to support educators and institutions in maintaining trust, fairness, and quality while adapting to technological change. Through publications, editorial work, and international presentations, he has advanced scholarship and policy on these issues and aims to guide the responsible adoption of AI in education worldwide. Prior to academia, he worked in the IT industry for 22 years.