Program

Thursday October 30, 2025

Bayview Yards, Ottawa, ON

8.10 – 9.00

Registration and Networking

9.00 – 9.10

Introduction from the Chair

Welcome remarks by the chair and an introduction to the day.

Heidi Hauver, Fractional VP, People & Culture | Executive Advisor & Mentor

9.10 – 9.35 Fireside Chat:

Aligning Leadership and Corporate Vision to Become an Employer of Choice

What role does HR play in aligning leadership strategy with corporate goals? Hear how an award-winning Ottawa-based employer has adopted a bold, people-first approach to empower leaders, drive growth and become an employer of choice and give top performers the tools to lead with impact?

Michael Johnson, President & CEO, Multiview

Moderated by Heidi Hauver, Fractional VP, People & Culture | Executive Advisor & Mentor

9.35 – 10.15 Leadership Panel

Resilient Teams, Agile HR: Practical Strategies to Help your HR Teams Thrive

How can HR teams embed agility into daily practices to navigate uncertainty?
What steps can we take to create psychological safety?

Keira Torkko, Chief People Officer, Assent

Ann Clancy, Chief Talent Officer, CHEO

Kiran Hanspal, ADM, HR, Public Services and Procurement Canada

Karen Bateh, VP, People & Culture, CBC/Radio-Canada

Moderated by Ryna Young, Regional Head, Executive Search and DE&I Lead, KBRS

10.15 – 10.40

Morning Coffee and Networking Break

Time to refuel and continue networking!

10.40– 11.05 Building the Talent Pipeline

Gaining Managerial Buy-In for Hiring Co-op Students
Co-op programs are a strategic way to develop future-ready talent and close skills gaps. Yet, securing managerial support can be a hurdle. Hear from Ottawa employers who’ve successfully championed co-op hiring.

Danica Scapillati, Campus Recruitment Advisor, Deloitte
Bishakha Verma, HR & PD Coordinator, PCL

Nicole Lachapelle, HR Specialist Advisor, Public Safety Canada

Moderator Chantal Yelle, Team Lead, BD & Partnerships, University of Ottawa

11.05 – 11.15

Recharge break and guided meditation

Sarah Boardman, Coach, Light Stone Coaching

11.15 – 12.00 Talent Strategy Panel

From Crisis to Capability: Solving the Talent Challenge

Navigating hybrid work fatigue & retention issues
Upskilling, reskilling & internal mobility strategies
Immigration & inclusive hiring
Cross-sector partnerships for emerging talent pipelines

Kin Choi, VP of HR, Algonquin College

Pamela LeMaistre, CHRO, City of Ottawa

Marshia Akbar, Director, BMO Newcomer Workforce Integration Lab

Lisa Nowostawski, Director of HR, Welch LLP

Moderated by Jay Gosselin, Founder, 3C Training Team Building and Training

12.00 – 1.00

Networking Lunch Break

It is time for lunch - and you have earned it.

1.00 – 1.40 Workplace Belonging Panel

From Policy to Culture: Putting the ‘Belonging’ into DE&I

Going beyond DEI: what belonging means for retention
Designing employee networks and peer communities

Awad Ibrahim, Vice-Provost, ED&I Excellence, University of Ottawa

Candace Labelle, Sr. Director – Talent Programs, Calian

Neha D’Souza, Chief Operating Officer, Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall

Moderated by Tadiwa Muradzikwa, Director of People, Culture & Belonging, Youth Services Bureau

1.40– 2.05 Expert Insights

The Human–AI Partnership: Augmentation, Not Replacement

AI in recruiting, L&D, and internal mobility
Managing risk and bias in AI adoption
Policy, transparency, and trust

Jodie McLeod, CHRO, Atomic Energy of Canada

Julie Lavergne, Founder and CEO, 8Ball Clarity

Moderated by Chris Dore, Professor and Coordinator of the Business of the Business Management and Entrepreneurship (BME) Program, Algonquin College

2.05 – 2.10

Recharge break and guided meditation

Sarah Boarman, Coach,Light Stone Coaching

2.10– 2.30

Holistic Wellness Practices that Works in Multi-Generational Workplaces

What is ‘holistic Wellbeing’ and how can best address all pillars of employee health?
Strategies for shaping policies that address different demographics and priorities
Designing inclusive benefits that reflect new wellness priorities

Donna Burnett Vachon, Director, Change and OD, Hydro Ottawa

2.30 – 2.55

Afternoon Networking Break

Time to refuel and continue networking!

2.55 – 3.35 Peer-to-Peer Roundtables

Choose ONE issue and join an employer-only roundtable to discuss strategies, challenges and opportunities*

Building Future Leaders: Aligning Talent Attraction, Retention and Development
Building Resilient Teams in Multigenerational and Hybrid Workplaces
Strategies for Supporting Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing
AI and HR – Tools and Strategies for Increasing Efficiency
Strategies for Building Lasting Inclusion - beyond 'box ticking
Benefits, Perks and other Reward that ALL employees value

3.40 – 4.05 Closing Rapid Fire Take-Away Session

Enticing Gen Z into the Workplace: Future-Forward Culture in Action

Fast, fierce and packed with insight, five punchy 5-minute presentations where HR leaders share what it really takes to attract and retain Gen Z talent. Don’t blink!

Nathalie Guthrie, Director of HR, CENGN

Katrina Moss, Sr. Mgr, Leadership Coaching, StackAdapt

Andriana Della Serra, Senior People BP, Knak

Caroline Bastien, Strategic Workforce Strategy & Culture, EDC

Judia Neida Joseph, Student, Telfer School of Management

4.05 – 4.15

Chair’s Closing Remarks

Top take-aways from the day!

Heidi Hauver, Fractional VP, People & Culture | Executive Advisor & Mentor

* Note: These are employer-only discussion groups and providers will not be permitted to register or attend these sessions

Program subject to change *Provisional Date