ABOUT


Wellbeing Summit Canada is bringing together senior HR leaders from some of the country’s top organizations to share in-depth knowledge, develop new strategies, and take the next steps in building healthier, happier workforces.  Join us for a day full of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and case studies on essential topics like fostering mental and physical wellness, managing stress, avoiding burnout, adapting to change, and building employees’ sense of security and belonging.  Now’s the time to take a step back and see how you can build a better, more supportive work environment that helps your employees thrive. Register today and be part of this essential discussion on wellbeing in the workplace.

Why attend?

  • User Icon

    Learn about holistic wellbeing strategies that can make a difference in your organization and improve your workforce engagement

  • Chat Icon

    Harness mindfulness and psychology to improve mental wellbeing, boost productivity, and create a better workforce culture

  • Idea Icon

    Find out how you can integrate wellness into the workplace and maximize the benefits and uptake of benefits and services

2023 SPEAKERS


Sean Pieris
Sean Pieris

Vice President HR
CloudMD

Lilian Riad-Allen
Lilian Riad-Allen

Senior Director, Workplace Health, Safety, and Wellness
LCBO

Payal Beri
Payal Beri

Founder & CEO
RK Empathy

Jim Chung
Jim Chung

Chief Medical Officer
Air Canada

Lianne Clarke
Lianne Clarke

Principal, Vice President, Wellness & Disability Innovation and Growth
Cowan Insurance Group

Leigh-Ann Ing 
Leigh-Ann Ing 

Director, Global Wellness and Benefit Strategy
OMERS

Jason Gotwalt
Jason Gotwalt

Sr. Vice President of Growth and Partnerships
Headversity

Steven Greenberg
Steven Greenberg

Host, Your Next Job
CBS

Sandra Lennon
Sandra Lennon

Director, Wellness & Benefits 
Starbucks Coffee Canada 

Melissa Alvares
Melissa Alvares

Senior Vice President, Marketing & Growth
CloudMD

Dr.Khush Amaria PhD, CPsych
Dr.Khush Amaria PhD, CPsych

Senior Clinical Director
CloudMD

Erin Dick
Erin Dick

Assistant Vice President, Wellbeing
Aon Canada

Paul Dhillon
Paul Dhillon

Director, Total Rewards
Hootsuite

Ariadne Ducas
Ariadne Ducas

Founder & Chief Mindfulness Officer
Kairos

Julie Gaudry
Julie Gaudry

Head, Group Insurance
RBC Insurance

Sonia Grenier
Sonia Grenier

Assistant General Manager; HR, Diversity & Inclusion Chair
Marriott Hotels Quebec Business Council

Lisa Morrow
Lisa Morrow

Managing Director, Global Total Rewards
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan

Greg Smith
Greg Smith

Partner
Lighthouse NINE Group

Adelaine Thomas
Adelaine Thomas

Mental Health Disability Specialist
Manulife

2023 AGENDA


All times in ET
  • Registration and breakfast
  • Opening remarks from chairperson
    Greg Smith
    Greg Smith

    Partner
    Lighthouse NINE Group

  • Welcome remarks and Keynote introduction from the Event Partner
    Sean Pieris
    Sean Pieris

    Vice President HR
    CloudMD

  • Keynote – Developing new workplace wellbeing strategies

    With many challenges facing employees in today’s workplace and younger generations of workers entering the workforce with increased expectations for support, it is critical for companies to develop comprehensive wellbeing frameworks for employees. This keynote will share detailed insight into the creation and evolution of Air Canada’s workplace wellbeing strategy.    

    • Leveraging technology to deliver seamless access to inhouse wellbeing resources through portals and apps  
    • Creating a community of wellness and support through internal social media  
    • Understanding the importance of engagement through roadshows, union partners, and integration of EFAP services, wellbeing offerings and benefits
    Jim Chung
    Jim Chung

    Chief Medical Officer
    Air Canada

  • The Puzzle of Poor Workplace Health & Wellness: Why aren’t employees engaging with your programs?

    Employee wellness has taken top priority as stressors like inflation, layoffs and never-ending viruses are all leading to increased stress in the workplace. All HR needs to do is implement wellness initiatives and provide these resources to employees, right? Not so fast. Employers have continued to make significant investments in workforce wellness benefits and programs, yet there is a disconnect in the employee’s view. A recent Gallup Poll found fewer than one in four employees feel strongly that their organization cares about their wellbeing—the lowest percentage in nearly a decade.   Even with a solid wellness program in place, employees aren’t always using wellness benefits when they truly need them. If employees aren’t utilizing the resources they need, how can HR help to push them in the right direction without overstepping boundaries? It starts with understanding their perceptions, developing inclusive programs and then radically changing how you are communicating them. 

    • Review of the CloudMD 2023 Canadian Employee Survey on perceptions of workplace health & wellness programs 
    • Understand the 8 essential elements of a wellness program that your employees will actually use (and love) 
    • How to create the right communication & awareness strategy for your program to succeed and get results 
    Melissa Alvares
    Melissa Alvares

    Senior Vice President, Marketing & Growth
    CloudMD

  • Morning coffee and networking break
  • Case study: Implementing iCBT in the workplace to improve mental health and disability outcomes

    With ever-increasing numbers of employees suffering from stress and burnout leading to decreased productivity, absence and/or disability, Internet-delivered and therapist-assisted Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) has proven to be an effective tool to build organizational resilience, treat mental health conditions and help employees return to work sooner. This session will share detailed outcome data on how iCBT can make a measurable difference in the lives of your people. 

    • What is iCBT and what are some of the mental health issues that it can help treat? 
    • It works. iCBT clinical results from over 60,000 cases across Canada 
    • Best practices and considerations when incorporating iCBT into your disability program 
    • Data and outcomes from a successful iCBT return-to-work program 
    Adelaine Thomas
    Adelaine Thomas

    Mental Health Disability Specialist
    Manulife

  • Fireside chat: Upskilling Leaders – How HR can empower leaders and workforce mental health

    In order to promote wellbeing in organizations, leaders need to “put their mask on first” and ensure that they are leading by example when it comes to mental and physical health.This session will examine how to make your leadership team a catalyst for workplace wellbeing to ensure psychological safety and a healthy work environment. 

    • How can companies hold leadership accountable for wellbeing initiatives? 
    • Identifying training gaps to promote wellbeing awareness among leaders 
    • Enabling inclusivity by helping leaders to facilitate learning and development 
    Jason Gotwalt
    Jason Gotwalt

    Sr. Vice President of Growth and Partnerships
    Headversity

    Leigh-Ann Ing 
    Leigh-Ann Ing 

    Director, Global Wellness and Benefit Strategy
    OMERS

  • Fireside chat: Promoting financial wellbeing in the workplace

    Financial problems can be one of the biggest causes of stress and can have a significant impact on stress levels and overall well-being. Supporting employees’ financial wellbeing is one of the best ways to create a sense of security and belonging, and companies need to ensure that they can deliver this support to remain competitive. This session will look at how employers can develop a financial wellness program and measure its success to identify areas for improvement.   

    • Assessing employee and organizational needs and challenges   
    • Making sure your employees have the right information, planning resources, and tools    
    • Effectively promoting and rolling out a workplace financial wellbeing program   
    Teresa Smith
    Teresa Smith

    Partner Director, Human Insights and HCM Strategic Advisory Group
    UKG

    Lilian Riad-Allen
    Lilian Riad-Allen

    Senior Director, Workplace Health, Safety, and Wellness
    LCBO

  • Lunch and networking break
  • Case study: Creating a sense of belonging to help your teams reach their full potential

    Hybrid workplaces, advancing technology, and an always-on work culture are having a profound impact on employees. The factors can combine to contribute to a feeling of isolation, leading to a real and growing problem that affects both individuals and organizations. This session will address these issues and help integrate practical solutions to develop a culture where employees feel valued and benefit from a sense of belonging and purpose. 

    • How to create connected, driven, and high-performing teams by creating a sense of belonging 
    • Implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives to develop a supportive and engaging work environment  
    • Identifying team members in need of support and integrating them into the organization
    Payal Beri
    Payal Beri

    Founder & CEO
    RK Empathy

  • Panel: Developing a holistic wellbeing strategy

    Workers in today’s environment require a modern approach to wellbeing to help them overcome a variety of challenges and reach their full potential. And leading companies are realizing that building resilience takes more than a particular program or perk. When organizations embrace an approach that supports the whole person experience, their efforts in building employee resilience are more successful. The panel will examine different insights and approaches that companies can take to help employees not only weather change but navigate it effectively. 

    • Leveraging every day leadership practices like communication, visibility and involvement to enhance resilience and wellbeing 
    • Understanding the connection between mental and physical health and overall happiness and productivity 
    • Recognizing how supporting social connections with colleagues and leaders plays a critical role in a holistic wellbeing strategy 
    • Harnessing the benefits of alternative health practices and naturopathic medicine to support wellbeing 

     

    Moderator
    Steven Greenberg
    Steven Greenberg

    Host, Your Next Job
    CBS

    Panelists
    Lianne Clarke
    Lianne Clarke

    Principal, Vice President, Wellness & Disability Innovation and Growth
    Cowan Insurance Group

    Sonia Grenier
    Sonia Grenier

    Assistant General Manager; HR, Diversity & Inclusion Chair
    Marriott Hotels Quebec Business Council

    Erin Dick
    Erin Dick

    Assistant Vice President, Wellbeing
    Aon Canada

  • Afternoon coffee and networking break
  • Case study: Choosing the right benefits for your organization

    To remain competitive in the job market, it is vital that HR leaders review and update their benefits programs to ensure that they are meeting the needs of their employees and maximizing their investment. This session will examine which benefits and wellbeing offerings can have the most positive impact on your workforce. 

    • Evaluating different employee benefits and how to manage diverse needs 
    • Updating your healthcare and risk benefits to ensure the welfare and productivity of employees 
    • Evaluating time off policies to offer competitive, flexible arrangements 
    Paul Dhillon
    Paul Dhillon

    Director, Total Rewards
    Hootsuite

  • Fireside chat: A conversation on harnessing mindfulness to decrease stress, manage uncertainty, and increase innovation

    With the constant flow of information and change that bombards us every day, employees can easily become overwhelmed and succumb to stress. Mindfulness is one of the most powerful workplace tools for employees at all levels to improve work-life balance, avoid burnout, and create their best work. This conversation will cover how to successfully harness the power of mindfulness and some of the measurable benefits that it can deliver including a short mindfulness experience

    • Why mindfulness matters to innovative organizations
    • How to effectively address work-life balance at both the organizational level and individual level 
    • How to integrate a mindfulness program – best practices for continuing the learning and takeaways to start immediately
    • Short mindfulness experience and Q&A 
    Ariadne Ducas
    Ariadne Ducas

    Founder & Chief Mindfulness Officer
    Kairos

    Payal Beri
    Payal Beri

    Founder & CEO
    RK Empathy

  • Panel: Successfully integrating wellbeing in your company

    Studies have shown that although a high percentage of workers have access to workplace wellbeing programs, in many cases these programs suffer from low usage and engagement. Many employees cite the fact that they are simply too busy to invest the time required to participate. How can companies encourage uptake and make the most of their investment? This session will look at some of the common obstacles and identify techniques for fully integrating wellbeing into your workplace. 

    • Starting at the top – encouraging managers to adopt new behaviors so they can lead by example 
    • Helping employees develop a personalized wellbeing plan with the services that will benefit them the most 
    • Providing employees with extra time to integrate new wellness offerings into their routine
    Moderator
    Julie Gaudry
    Julie Gaudry

    Head, Group Insurance
    RBC Insurance

    Panelists
    Lilian Riad-Allen
    Lilian Riad-Allen

    Senior Director, Workplace Health, Safety, and Wellness
    LCBO

    Sandra Lennon
    Sandra Lennon

    Director, Wellness & Benefits 
    Starbucks Coffee Canada 

    Lisa Morrow
    Lisa Morrow

    Managing Director, Global Total Rewards
    Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan

    Janet Young
    Janet Young

    Director of Well-being and Health Services
    Telus

  • Closing remarks from chairperson
    Greg Smith
    Greg Smith

    Partner
    Lighthouse NINE Group

2023 SPONSORS


Event Partner

  • CloudMD

Gold Sponsors

  • Aon
  • Headversity
  • RBC Insurance
  • UKG

Exhibitors

  • Progyny
  • Sprout

Associate Sponsor

  • Virgin Pulse

2023 VENUE


Old Mill

  • 21 Old Mill Road Circular Drive Entrance Toronto, Ontario M8X 1G5
  • Parking:

    Onsite self parking available at a charge of $2 per hour/maximum of $12 per day. Easy subway access just a 2-minute walk from the Old Mill Subway Station.

FLOORPLAN

Floorplan

TRAVEL PLANS

Preferred Accommodations 

Hotel room rates are subject to all applicable taxes and fees. Rooms are subject to availability in each hotel from February 27 to March 2. We recommend that you book as soon as possible or 45 days before the event at the latest.

OLDMILL TORONTO HOTEL

9 Old Mill Road Toronto, ON M8X 1G5

Book your group rate via by calling line +1 416-232-3703. Quote that you are attending the HRD Wellbeing Summit Canada and use the group name HRD Wellbeing Summit Canada to avail the discounted rate until January 30, 2023.

Room rate: $350 plus tax CAD per room/night 
Check in: 3pm Check out: 12pm 
Email:  [email protected] 
Dial-in +1 416-232-3703 

OLDMILL TORONTO HOTEL

BEST WESTERN PLUS TORONTO AIRPORT

5825 Dixie Rd Mississauga, ON L4W 4V7

Book your group rate via by calling line +1 905-670-8180. Quote that you are attending the HRD Wellbeing Summit Canada and use the group name HRD Wellbeing Summit Canada to avail the discounted rate until January 27, 2023. 

Room rate: $145 plus tax CAD per room/night 
Check in: 3pm Check out: 12pm 
Reservation Link: Book your group rate for HRD Wellbeing Summit Canada
Dial-in +1 905-670-8180 

BEST WESTERN PLUS TORONTO AIRPORT

STAY INN BOTIQUE HOTEL

560 Evans Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M8W 2W1

Book your group rate via by calling line +1 416-259-7899. Quote that you are attending the HRD Wellbeing Summit to avail the discounted rate until January 27, 2023. 

Room rate: $220 CAD per room/night 
Check in: 3pm Check out: 11am 
Dial-in +1 416-259-7899 

STAY INN BOTIQUE HOTEL

Thanks for taking part in the HRD Wellbeing Summit Canada 2023

Missed this year’s event? Register your interest to participate in the next Wellbeing Summit Canada 2024

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