Hello, I'm
David Elisma.

Senior technical system advisor

Architecting Sovereign Digital Platforms for the AI Era

I bridge the gap between complex AI architectures, design systems, and business strategy. My focus is on building sovereign, accessible, and secure digital ecosystems that drive modernization, growth, and public trust.

Sovereign AI & RAG Architecture
Enterprise Design Systems
Growth Engineering
Inclusive Design (WCAG 2.2 AA)

Experience

2023 - Present

Front-End Architect & Developer Advocate

Canadian Digital Service (CDS) / ESDC

Front-end Architect for AI-Answers and the Canada.ca Design System. Bridging the gap between technical teams and policy requirements.

2019 - 2023

Front-End Architect, Canada.ca Design System

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (DTO)

Technical lead for the Canada.ca Design System. Spearheaded the move to Jamstack and Design Tokens.

2010 - 2019

Senior Web Publisher & Developer

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

Managed the end-to-end lifecycle of the department's web presence. Led digital modernization and ROT reduction.

Blog

How to use AI to improve IT operations in the Canadian public sector Read more

Understand the implications of the U.S. CLOUD Act on Canadian privacy laws and how to navigate data sovereignty in 2026. Read more

Contact

I'm always open to discussing new projects, creative ideas or opportunities to be part of your visions.

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Let's collaborate to innovate and secure the digital future.