2024 AGENDA

All times in ET

• 8:15 AM

  Registration and breakfast

• 8:55 AM

  Opening remarks from chairperson

  

  Nancy Tavares, MHRM, CHRL  

  Senior Director, People & Culture
  Paladin Security

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  Nancy Tavares, MHRM, CHRL  

  Senior Director, People & Culture
  Paladin Security

  Nancy is a senior Human Resources Leader with over 15 years experience across a range of industries including health & fitness, asset management, security and education including the establishment of Learning & Development departments for mid-sized companies. Currently, she serves as the Senior Director of People and Culture at Paladin Security, where she oversees all day-to-day operations of HR with a strategic focus on Talent Acquisition and Labour Relations. In addition, she is an instructor of Human Resources Management at George Brown College. Her educational background includes a Master’s degree in human resources management (MHRM), a psychology degree and CHRL designation. Nancy is a popular speaker of Human Resources related topics and has spoken at many North American conferences on topics such as wellness, HR metrics, talent initiatives and organizational change. Her goal is to bridge the gap between theory and practice in the field. Nancy is an awardee of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Toronto by Women We Admire for 2023.   

• 9:00 AM

  Panel: Wellbeing program success stories – Strategies that can make a difference

  Join leaders from a range of diverse industries as they share the details of their successful wellbeing programs. Hear real-world case studies and practical tips that you can implement in your workplace.

  • Wellbeing program case studies, including what worked and what didn’t work
  • Technology platforms that support workplace mental health
  • Calculating ROI (Return on Investment) for wellbeing strategies through wellbeing metrics
  • Adapting wellness programs while maintaining consistency.

  Moderator

  

  Leisse Wilcox

  Emotional Intelligence Consultant
  Leisse Wilcox Consulting

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  Leisse Wilcox

  Emotional Intelligence Consultant
  Leisse Wilcox Consulting

   

  Leisse Wilcox helps leaders and teams get out of their own way to get results.  

  An Emotional Intelligence Expert with a specialized focus on change management and values-based leadership, she helps you navigate chaos and change while building workplaces that people love to be in.  

  Trusted by brands like Yahoo! Finance, Telus, Aviva, NPR, CBC, Entrepreneur, and Financial Times, Leisse is known as “the Marie Kondo of your Unconscious.”  

  As an engaging and dynamic speaker, international performance coach, cancer survivor, and twice-bestselling author, she has a 100% proven track record of success coaching the entire C suite and high-achieving entrepreneurs since 2015.  

  Combining results-focused strategies with invaluable communication tools, she helps dismantle the blindspots and conquer the roadblocks in each of the cornerstone pillars of your world, that hold you back from peak performance. 

  Leisse is the EI Expert you want in your corner to shake up old approaches to workplace efficiency by putting people first – using practical and results-focused strategies for improving communication, emotional fortitude, and resilience. 

  When she’s not lighting up the stage, the page, or the internet, you can find her listening to Taylor Swift with her three tween daughters, road-tripping for tacos with her husband, or on the couch watching HBO with her dog.  

  Connect with Leisse now at LeisseWilcox.com, and get ready to live, lead, and succeed on your terms. 

   

  Panelists

  

  Carolyn Byer

  Human Resources Lead Canada
  Microsoft 

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  Carolyn Byer

  Human Resources Lead Canada
  Microsoft 

  A strategic leader with 20+ years of broad based and progressive experience in various human resources disciplines within Canada and globally. Creative and collaborative thinker who builds strategies that reimagine processes to inspire human resource excellence. Excel at helping business leaders build diverse and inclusive teams, and fostering the right culture so that employees can do their best work. Carolyn is also passionate about sharing insights about Microsoft’s culture transformation to help other organizations on their own journey. 

  

  Manisha Mistry

  Senior Director of HSSE & DEI
  CSA Group

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  Manisha Mistry

  Senior Director of HSSE & DEI
  CSA Group

  For two decades, Manisha Mistry has solidified her reputation as one of Canada’s leading health and safety professionals. In her role as Senior Director of Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE), Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at CSA Group she works to create a safe and inclusive environment for employees across all locations worldwide.

  Manisha leads a high-performing team of health and safety professionals to manage a global, multi-site HSSE management system registered to the ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 standards, while supporting the continuous evolution of CSA Group’s ‘safety-first’ culture. She also spearheads CSA Group’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) program. In this role, she focuses on bringing together the organization’s many diverse stakeholders with the aim of establishing a safe and inclusive environment for all global employees.

  Manisha holds a Bachelor of Applied Science specializing in Occupational Health & Safety from Ryerson University and a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) designation. She is best described as an authentic life-long learner who keenly supports employees on their own personal and professional development journeys.

  In 2022, Manisha was selected as an Excellence Awardee for the BGIS Award for Safety Leader of the Year and was selected by Canadian Occupational Safety as one of many Top Women in Safety for 3-years running. She sits on the Board of the Women in Occupational Health & Safety Society (WOHSS), which is dedicated to support, educate, and help facilitate the advancement of women in the Health and Safety field. In addition, she is an Advisory Board Member on the Council for Inclusive Work Environments (CIWE) of The Conference Board of Canada.

  

  Debbie Ovsenny

  Vice President, HR Operations
  Metrolinx

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  Debbie Ovsenny

  Vice President, HR Operations
  Metrolinx

  Debbie Ovsenny is a senior HR leader with expertise in HR service delivery, total rewards, HR technology, and health & wellness programming. With a commitment to driving positive change in organizational cultures by advocating for policies and practices that prioritize the well-being of employees, Debbie is committed to fostering environments where individuals thrive both personally and professionally. 

  With innovative approaches and the ability to leverage the latest research to create impactful solutions that resonate with employees at all levels, Debbie has led the design and implementation of comprehensive wellness programs that address the multifaceted needs of diverse workforces. In her current role as VP of HR Operations at Metrolinx, Debbie leads a team of high-performing professionals who support disability management, employee wellness, an HR shared service, and HR technology and continues to spearhead initiatives that elevate the employee experience

  

  Rachel Wong

  Vice President Total Rewards & HR Technology
  Symcor

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  Rachel Wong

  Vice President Total Rewards & HR Technology
  Symcor

  Rachel Wong is currently the Vice President, Total Rewards & HR Technology, at Symcor Inc.  Over the past 18 years, she has held various positions primarily in Total Rewards, across a number of industries, with experience successfully implementing HRIS modules, redesigning incentive plans, and leading corporate-wide compensation and benefits projects.  Rachel is a Certified Human Resources Leader and a Certified Compensation Professional.  She earned her Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of Toronto.  Rachel is an avid traveler, love travelling around the globe with her family, and cheerleader for her son’s soccer matches in the summer. 

• 9:50 AM

  Fireside chat: Reducing the risk of musculoskeletal conditions and chronic disease

  Have you tailored your workplace wellness program to meet post-pandemic needs? Every year, MSK conditions result in employees missing work and cost the Canadian economy an estimated $22 billion a year. Join Dr. Dwight Chapin, award-winning chiropractor for the Toronto Argonauts and advisor for the Globe and Mail, and Caroline Brereton, CEO of the Ontario Chiropractic Association, for a discussion on the benefits of a proactive approach to workplace wellness to manage and prevent chronic health issues. 

  

  Caroline Brereton

  CEO
  Ontario Chiropractic Association

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  Caroline Brereton

  CEO
  Ontario Chiropractic Association

  Caroline Brereton joined the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) as CEO in June 2018. Throughout her tenure, she has remained committed to building strong partnerships that positively impact Chiropractors and their patients in Ontario. This commitment aligns with the OCA’s vision: Caring Chiropractors for Healthier Ontarians.  

  Caroline began her career in Ontario in 1987. She delivered direct care as a registered nurse and a midwife in her early career. She has contributed to the delivery of quality health care in Ontario in a range of executive leadership roles across the acute and community care continuum. She led the implementation of the University of Toronto’s Mississauga Medical Academy and the complex Shared Service West Organization transformation.  

  In addition to her clinical and leadership experiences, Caroline holds an MBA from Queen’s University and is a graduate of the Rotman Advanced Health Leadership Program.  

   

  

  Dr. Dwight Chapin

  Clinic Director
  High Point Wellness Centre

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  Dr. Dwight Chapin

  Clinic Director
  High Point Wellness Centre

  Dr. Dwight Chapin is an award-winning chiropractor, owner of a large multi-disciplinary wellness clinic, Team Chiropractor for the Canadian Football League’s Toronto  

  Argonauts, onsite clinician and Health Advisor for The Globe and Mail, and author. He has co-authored workplace wellness e-learning modules for the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety-CCOHS, was awarded the 2018 Chiropractor of the Year by the Ontario Chiropractic Association, and is a two-time Grey Cup champion as a member of the Toronto Argonauts’ medical staff. 

  In his first book titled, Take Good Care: 7 Wellness Rituals for Health, Strength & Hope, he brings the science of prevention to life with a behind-the-scenes look at the self-care formulas of 21 influential Canadians. 

• 10:20 AM

  Fireside chat: How to create a psychologically safe workplace

  Silent employees? Your workplace might not be psychologically safe. Join us to hear about how you can cultivate open communication and psychological safety in your organization.     

  • How to measure psychological safety in your organization 
  • What are the risk factors for poor workplace psychological health?  
  • Practical strategies and HR initiatives that encourage open communication and risk-taking 

  

  Deborah Gillis

  President & CEO
  CAMH Foundation

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  Deborah Gillis

  President & CEO
  CAMH Foundation

  Deborah Gillis has over 30 years of leadership experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Since 2018, she has served as President & CEO of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Foundation, where she leads the world’s largest fundraising campaign for hospital-based mental health research and care. Under her leadership, CAMH Foundation is transforming Canadians’ understanding of mental illness, in the workplace and society. During her tenure, Deborah has launched initiatives to mobilize Canada’s business community around workplace mental health, to address gender gaps in mental health research, and to raise awareness of the most stigmatized issues in mental health. 

  Prior to joining CAMH Foundation, Deborah spent 12 years at Catalyst, the pre-eminent organization focused on women’s advancement in business leadership, where she was the first internal successor and only person from outside the United States to serve as President & CEO. 

  Beginning her career in the public sector, Deborah gained unique insight into policy and regulatory processes while working across five departments for two provincial governments. She successfully navigated the transition from government to the private sector, working for two global professional services firms, advising SMEs and public sector clients on human capital strategies. 

  Deborah has been recognized for her advocacy and leadership with numerous awards, including two honorary doctorates and the prestigious New York Foreign Policy Award. In 2016 she was named as one of Canada’s top 10 Most Powerful People in Business. As someone who has benefitted from the support of mentors, Deborah believes in paying it forward. In 2018 she established a scholarship for “Rising Women Leaders” pursuing business or STEM education. Deborah received her MA from York University in 1989. 

   

  

  Lauren Johnson

  Journalist
  Key Media

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  Lauren Johnson

  Journalist
  Key Media

  Lauren Johnson is a journalist for HRD at Key Media, where she specializes in the latest HR news and trends. Prior to joining Key Media, she gained experience in the UK and US writing everything from trending and breaking news to investigative and feature stories. She holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the University of Florida .

• 10:45 AM

  Networking coffee break

• 11:10 AM

  Breakout session – Discuss new wellbeing strategies with your peers

  

  Nancy Tavares, MHRM, CHRL  

  Senior Director, People & Culture
  Paladin Security

  ×

  

  Nancy Tavares, MHRM, CHRL  

  Senior Director, People & Culture
  Paladin Security

  Nancy is a senior Human Resources Leader with over 15 years experience across a range of industries including health & fitness, asset management, security and education including the establishment of Learning & Development departments for mid-sized companies. Currently, she serves as the Senior Director of People and Culture at Paladin Security, where she oversees all day-to-day operations of HR with a strategic focus on Talent Acquisition and Labour Relations. In addition, she is an instructor of Human Resources Management at George Brown College. Her educational background includes a Master’s degree in human resources management (MHRM), a psychology degree and CHRL designation. Nancy is a popular speaker of Human Resources related topics and has spoken at many North American conferences on topics such as wellness, HR metrics, talent initiatives and organizational change. Her goal is to bridge the gap between theory and practice in the field. Nancy is an awardee of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Toronto by Women We Admire for 2023.   

• 11:40 AM

  Panel: Neurodiversity: Unleashing unique brilliance

  Jump into the world of neurodiversity and how it can be a catalyst for extraordinary achievements. Learn how to cultivate a workplace where neurodivergent individuals thrive, contributing their talents and fresh perspectives.

  • Strategies for recruitment, support, and career development that support neurodiversity
  • Programs that recognize the unique strengths and abilities neurodivergent individuals bring to the workplace
  • Tailoring working environments and practices to accommodate the specific needs and preferences of neurodivergent individuals
  • What type of support and flexibility should employers provide?

  Moderator

  

  Christi Scarrow

  Partner
  LighthouseNINE

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  Christi Scarrow

  Partner
  LighthouseNINE

  Christi Scarrow is a consultant, executive coach, keynote speaker and a best-selling author of the book Truth Warriors. As a Partner at Lighthouse Nine Group, she leads the Insights & Organizational Accountability practice and supports clients in the areas of leadership development, high performing teams, strategy and sales effectiveness. She works with multinational clients and small businesses across many diverse industries. She is passionate about creating clarity, connection and accountability to enable a world based on truth. 

  Panelists

  

  Roxanne Derhodge

  Founder
  Roxanne Derhodge Consulting

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  Roxanne Derhodge

  Founder
  Roxanne Derhodge Consulting

  Roxanne Derhodge is a registered psychotherapist, corporate consultant, keynote speaker, trainer and author. She works with her clients to develop a keen sense of their resilience. When leaders start to focus on “Return on Relationships”, the companies’ ROI takes care of itself. She works with corporations to help senior leaders develop their leadership styles by enhanced connections to themselves. Understanding of the needs of their employee keeps people healthy and more productive at work, will decrease the skyrocketing costs of absenteeism, arbitrations, incidental absences, as well as short-term and long-term disability claims. 

  Understanding your core authenticity blocks to leadership will enable deeper connections and in turn, stronger relationships with employees. In being a more connected, authentic leadership team, you will have an ongoing pulse of the mental health and wellness of your employees. Mental Health and Wellness Expert: With over 20 years’ experience, Roxanne works with senior  leadership to enhance their resilience so they can more effectively manage the various levels of the organization. She will help improve their capacity to understand the style of their leadership and how their stress response may impact their ability to lead effectively. Corporate Consultant/Trainer: As an executive with the largest health and wellness firms in North America for 15 years, she is able to utilize her expertise as a psychotherapist to assist companies with their corporate strategies in mental health.  

  Keynote Speaker: She is a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and has presented at national conferences to companies and associations on mental health and wellness and what it takes to Create the Space for Positive Change in their organization.  

  Author: She has written an Amazon Best Selling Book, A Therapist Insider’s Guide on Relationships 

  

  Kristin Light

  Employee Engagement ​ & Change Management Specialist 
  ONxpress

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  Kristin Light

  Employee Engagement ​ & Change Management Specialist 
  ONxpress

  ​Engagement strategist, vintage dancer, published author and award-winning speaker, Kristin Light has split her eclectic career between the boardroom and the ballroom.  

  Today, Kristin is channeling her lived experience to drive change from within Canada’s corporate world – specializing in employee engagement and DEIB for the Metrolinx-led ONxpress transportation venture, where she is currently leading a federal grant-funded project to create a neuroinclusion and suicide prevention program for Canada’s construction industry.  

  As a vivacious showgirl and co-founder of multiple successful companies, she was perhaps the last person you’d expect to be dealing with multiple physical, mental, and cognitive disabilities. But following a brush with suicide that left her confined to a psychiatric ward, she now speaks out to provide real insight and practical strategies that demystify the facts surrounding mental illness and neurodivergence including inspirational (and often hilarious) stories from her own personal and professional life.

   

• 12:25 PM

  Networking lunch

• 1:20 PM

  Panel: Minimizing burnout across your organization

  Reports of burnout have reached an all-time high, and a staggering 57% of American & Canadian workers report feeling stressed on a daily basis.

  In this session, panellists will share proven strategies for reducing employee burnout.

  • How to identify the early warning signs of burnout at the individual, team and organizational level
  • Managerial practices and leadership styles to reduce employee burnout
  • Tips for rolling out effective workload management and one-on-one meeting programs
  • Sustainable strategies for preventing burnout recurrence, including organizational culture shifts, employee development programs, and continuous feedback mechanisms.
  • Tech platforms that help to predict, assess, address and measure stress, anxiety and burnout

  Moderator

  

  Julie Lafleur

  Founder
  JulieLaf Optimal Energy

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  Julie Lafleur

  Founder
  JulieLaf Optimal Energy

  With over 20 years of experience in the technology industry, Julie Lafleur is a corporate burnout survivor turned wellness practitioner. She works with individuals to help them optimize their wellbeing and gain inner peace as well as with corporations to help high achieving teams learn about tools and techniques to manage stress.  Julie also works closely with The WIT Network, a global women in technology Not for Profit organization, leading their wellness programs. She is a Certified Clinical EFT Tapping Practitioner (Emotional Freedom Techniques), Reiki Practitioner, a student of Eden Energy Medicine, MindBody and HeartMath® techniques as well as a Certified Mental Health First Aider. Last but not least, Julie is a proud Mom of 2 sporty boys as well as 2 adorable fur boys! 

   

  Panelists

  

  Cate Collins

  Leadership Consultant
  Powerful Journey Consulting

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  Cate Collins

  Leadership Consultant
  Powerful Journey Consulting

  Cate admits to letting her underwear get too tight so much, so she suffered a severe burn out some years ago. She has made it her life’s work to support like-minded leaders and teams prevent burnout or once knee deep in it, how to navigate it. Cate is a resilient international speaker, trainer, retreat facilitator and coach. Here extensive mental health background helped her create her 4 rooms formula (Your mentally fit room, your emotionally fit room, your physically fit room, and your spiritually fit room) that has been a powerful strategy to enhance retention, build morale, provide more psychological safety and much more. 

  She had the privilege of working with thousands of leaders and their teams across the globe. Cate was handpicked to train with Jack 

  Canfield, Chicken Soup for the Soul and The Success Principles author and is a national board member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. Her book The Powerhouse in you: How to Lead with greater resilience, courage and confidence was #1 on Amazon.  Some of her clients include the US Army, HRPA, not-for-profit organizations, healthcare, associations, and many other powerhouse companies. 

  

  Dana Hurst

  Director, Wellness
  BGIS

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  Dana Hurst

  Director, Wellness
  BGIS

  Dana Hurst is a seasoned professional in the health and wellness industry, bringing over 17 years of expertise to her role as the Director of Wellness at BGIS. Her dedication to fostering healthy and thriving work environments has made her a respected figure in the field. Dana holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree from the University of Western Ontario, along with a postgraduate diploma with high honours in Workplace Wellness and Health Promotion from Centennial College. A champion for mental health advocacy, Dana has demonstrated her commitment to creating mentally resilient workplaces. She is a certified Mental Health First Aider through the Mental Health Commission of Canada and has completed the Mental Health Leadership in the Workplace Certification from Shepell and Queen’s University. Under Dana’s leadership, in 2022, BGIS was awarded two industry awards. Canada’s Safest Employer Award for Best Wellness and Psychological Safety Program. This award recognizes an organization that excels in promoting and protecting employee psychological safety (mental health) and overall wellness, including fitness, nutrition and health factors. And Benefits Canada’s The Workplace Benefits Award for Mental Health Program for employers with greater than 5,000 employees. This award recognizes an organization that has developed an innovative and effective mental-health program or initiative to support and encourage the psychological well-being of its employees. 

  As a frequent speaker, she shares her knowledge, offering insights into the latest trends and strategies in health and wellness. With a passion for cultivating positive workplace cultures, Dana continues to be a driving force in championing holistic wellness within BGIS, enhancing team member health and well-being. 

  

  John Stix

  Chief of Staff & Brand
  Fibernetics

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  John Stix

  Chief of Staff & Brand
  Fibernetics

  As a culture transformation expert, John has created and introduced the “I’m In” mantra and values into Fibernetics, which has resulted in increased innovation, creativity, productivity, and growth. He has also shared his expertise and insights on positive workplace culture, identity branding, and authentic leadership at global events, publications, and podcasts, including a White House initiative and a meeting with Pope Francis. John is passionate about helping other leaders and organizations establish and sustain cultures that empower others and achieve excellence.

• 2:10 PM

  Case study: Promoting physical wellbeing in the workplace and beyond

  This session will outline ways to successfully promote physical wellbeing, particularity in remote and hybrid environments. You will hear proven strategies for deploying and evaluating successful wellbeing programs.  

  • Four ways to promote physical wellness in the workplace  
  • Examples of successful physical wellbeing strategies  
  • How to get employees and managers engaged in physical wellbeing programs  
  • Ensuring that each team member gets what they need from the program 

  

  Sandra Cunha

  Vice President of People & Culture
  MOVATI Athletic 

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  Sandra Cunha

  Vice President of People & Culture
  MOVATI Athletic 

  Sandra’s career has spanned recruitment, training, and communications roles in the fitness and quick-service restaurant industries, but a passion for learning and people development has always been what drives her. As part of Tim Hortons HR and Corporate Wellness team and later Operations Training, she developed facilitator certifications and employee engagement programs. Sandra helped Tim Hortons build learning plans for new initiatives and/or compliance for the company’s thousands of restaurant locations internationally. In 2017 she joined MOVATI Athletic’s Learning and Development Department and later moved to the People and Culture team where she built the Talent Acquisition group, as well as introduced the internal communications and employee engagement functions. Today, as MOVATI’s Vice President of People and Culture, Sandra sees herself as an advocate first for the company’s 2000 field-based and 150 corporate employees, championing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, as well as investments in employee learning and development.  

• 2:35 PM

  Networking coffee break

• 3:00 PM

  Panel: Successful mental wellbeing strategies to support and empower employees

  Compassionate leadership and psychological safety are key to supporting employees without stigma. Join us to explore best practices in suicide prevention, combating workplace depression, and managing workplace wellbeing effectively  

  • How can organizations proactively identify and address factors that contribute to workplace mental health issues and suicidal ideation?
  • What does it mean to be a compassionate leader, and how can this approach positively impact the mental well-being of employees?
  • What are the best practices for identifying signs of depression and suicidal thoughts in employees?
  • What policies and procedures should be in place to address such situations, while respecting privacy and sensitivity? 

  Moderator

  

  Leisse Wilcox

  Emotional Intelligence Consultant
  Leisse Wilcox Consulting

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  Leisse Wilcox

  Emotional Intelligence Consultant
  Leisse Wilcox Consulting

   

  Leisse Wilcox helps leaders and teams get out of their own way to get results.  

  An Emotional Intelligence Expert with a specialized focus on change management and values-based leadership, she helps you navigate chaos and change while building workplaces that people love to be in.  

  Trusted by brands like Yahoo! Finance, Telus, Aviva, NPR, CBC, Entrepreneur, and Financial Times, Leisse is known as “the Marie Kondo of your Unconscious.”  

  As an engaging and dynamic speaker, international performance coach, cancer survivor, and twice-bestselling author, she has a 100% proven track record of success coaching the entire C suite and high-achieving entrepreneurs since 2015.  

  Combining results-focused strategies with invaluable communication tools, she helps dismantle the blindspots and conquer the roadblocks in each of the cornerstone pillars of your world, that hold you back from peak performance. 

  Leisse is the EI Expert you want in your corner to shake up old approaches to workplace efficiency by putting people first – using practical and results-focused strategies for improving communication, emotional fortitude, and resilience. 

  When she’s not lighting up the stage, the page, or the internet, you can find her listening to Taylor Swift with her three tween daughters, road-tripping for tacos with her husband, or on the couch watching HBO with her dog.  

  Connect with Leisse now at LeisseWilcox.com, and get ready to live, lead, and succeed on your terms. 

   

  Panelists

  

  Sara Fromstein

  Director of Belonging & Social Impact
  DECIEM: The Abnormal Beauty Company

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  Sara Fromstein

  Director of Belonging & Social Impact
  DECIEM: The Abnormal Beauty Company

  Sara Fromstein is the dedicated Director of Belonging and Social Impact at DECIEM: The Abnormal Beauty Company. Over the past decade, Sara has actively embedded inclusivity in the core of organizational culture across various sectors, including beauty, tech, travel, finance, and retail. Driven by a passion for nurturing belonging and championing positive social change through empathic leadership, she remains steadfast in her commitment to shaping a world where every person can feel seen, heard, and valued.

  

  Reshma Sukdhoe

  Director Safety, Health, Wellbeing & Disability Management, Canada & Bermuda
  The Salvation Army

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  Reshma Sukdhoe

  Director Safety, Health, Wellbeing & Disability Management, Canada & Bermuda
  The Salvation Army

  Reshma is a driven and passionate H&S leader who has made a positive impact on safety and sustainability at various organizations she’s worked at for over 21 years. She is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), successfully completed a bachelor’s in business management and chemical engineering and holds various international certifications in Safety Management. 

  Reshma has a unique combination of global knowledge and experience as an agile and forward-thinking EHS leader with over two decades experience in the mining, chemicals and explosives manufacturing, utilities, and not-for-profit sectors in Africa and North America 

  Her key areas of expertise include strategic leadership, corporate governance, risk management, H&S Management Systems, Strategy development, Process Safety, Safety Engineering, Project Management, Psychological Health, and Safety. 

  She is a hands-on leader and influencer focused on results through excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Reshma is passionate about supporting mental health initiatives, wellbeing promotion and providing a psychologically safe workplace.  

  Since immigrating to Canada in 2016 Reshma has held various roles at The Workplace Safety and Preventions Services (WSPS), The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) and currently leads the Health and Safety Department as the Territory Director of Health Safety Wellbeing and Disability Management at the Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda. She also served on the board of the Women in Occupational Health and Safety Society (WOHSS) from April 2019-2021 as a Director at Large and was identified by Canadian Occupational Safety as one of our Top 40 Women in Safety in Canada for 2020 and 2021 for her contributions to health and safety through leadership and mentoring. 

• 3:50 PM

  Panel: Energizing, engaging and supporting remote workforces

  Join us for a dynamic session where we will dive deep into the strategies that reduce isolation, provide support for remote employees, and establish essential work routines that prevent overwork.

  • Effective onboarding strategies tailored to the unique psychosocial needs of remote employees
  • Helping remote employees form meaningful connections, including the implementation of buddy systems and peer support networks
  • Creative and social virtual activities that go beyond typical meetings to foster camaraderie and rapport among remote workers
  • Innovative approaches to team-building in the virtual realm.

  Moderator

  

  Lauren Johnson

  Journalist
  Key Media

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  Lauren Johnson

  Journalist
  Key Media

  Lauren Johnson is a journalist for HRD at Key Media, where she specializes in the latest HR news and trends. Prior to joining Key Media, she gained experience in the UK and US writing everything from trending and breaking news to investigative and feature stories. She holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the University of Florida .

  Panelists

  

  Sonia Grewal

  Director, People & Culture
  Ontario Online Learning Consortium

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  Sonia Grewal

  Director, People & Culture
  Ontario Online Learning Consortium

  A People and Culture Executive, Sonia supports evolving organizations in building and maintaining strong cultures, celebrating what is working and addressing what is not. Attracting and retaining top talent is a challenge in our modern world – by prioritizing inclusivity and belonging through human-centred design, Sonia implements dynamic people programs that resonate with unique human traits and experiences. In turn, her contributions empower professionals to unlock their own potential and contribute rewardingly to their teams and communities. 

  

  Aneika Ince-Mercer CTDP, CCMP

  Associate Vice-President of Leadership Development
  CAA Club Group

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  Aneika Ince-Mercer CTDP, CCMP

  Associate Vice-President of Leadership Development
  CAA Club Group

  Aneika Ince-Mercer has accumulated over twenty years of training and development experience working with companies, such as Sprint Canada and TELUS Mobility. She is currently the Associates Vice President of Leadership Development at CAA Club Group.
  Aneika is an energized, dynamic public speaker who infuses passion, knowledge, and her own personal experience into every interaction. She brings to the corporate environment experience in leadership, communication, sales and service training, and change management.
  Over the past few years, she has dived deeper into the important space of diversity, equity, and inclusion on a personal and professional level. By unpacking her own life experiences, and raising three children, Aneika has a solid belief in the power of belonging and believes that it is at the core of every human being’s physical and mental wellbeing. She is dedicated to supporting her organization, by providing training, tools and platforms to all leaders and associates, through this continuous journey.

  

  Greg White

  Director Partnerships & Strategic Alliances
  Virgin Pulse

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  Greg White

  Director Partnerships & Strategic Alliances
  Virgin Pulse

  Greg White leads the Canadian office for Virgin Pulse where he is focused on improving employee health and building positive corporate cultures. Pioneering digital health programs in Canada, Greg has worked with many of Canada’s top 100 companies to change lives for good. 

  Founded as part of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group, Virgin Pulse offers a breadth of best-in-class solutions to maximize employee engagement and performance initiatives that drive measurable and positive outcomes for employees and business.  

  Greg earned his Kinesiology degree from McMaster University and MBA from the Goodman School of Business. 

• 4:35 PM

  Closing remarks from chairperson

  

  Nancy Tavares, MHRM, CHRL  

  Senior Director, People & Culture
  Paladin Security

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  Nancy Tavares, MHRM, CHRL  

  Senior Director, People & Culture
  Paladin Security

  Nancy is a senior Human Resources Leader with over 15 years experience across a range of industries including health & fitness, asset management, security and education including the establishment of Learning & Development departments for mid-sized companies. Currently, she serves as the Senior Director of People and Culture at Paladin Security, where she oversees all day-to-day operations of HR with a strategic focus on Talent Acquisition and Labour Relations. In addition, she is an instructor of Human Resources Management at George Brown College. Her educational background includes a Master’s degree in human resources management (MHRM), a psychology degree and CHRL designation. Nancy is a popular speaker of Human Resources related topics and has spoken at many North American conferences on topics such as wellness, HR metrics, talent initiatives and organizational change. Her goal is to bridge the gap between theory and practice in the field. Nancy is an awardee of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Toronto by Women We Admire for 2023.   

• 4:40 PM

  Networking Drinks Reception