Program

Thursday October 10, 2025

Bayview Yards, Ottawa, ON

8.00 – 8.45

Registration and Networking

8.45 – 8.50

Introduction from the Chair

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

8.50 – 9.30 Leadership Panel

HR at the Helm: Bringing People Strategy into the Boardroom

Making the business case: HR as a strategic growth partner
Speaking the language of the board: metrics that matter
Aligning DEI, talent, and risk within strategic planning
Empowering CHROs as executive decision-makers

Speakers to be confirmed

9.30 – 9.55 Expert Session

Wage Equity & Transparency: A New Era in Compensation

Why wage transparency matters in 2025 and how it’s shifting organizational culture
Tools and technologies to audit pay equity effectively
Legal considerations for wage disclosure and compliance in the public and private sectors
Communicating pay structures with empathy and clarity

9.55 – 10.15

Morning Coffee and Networking Break

Time to refuel and continue networking!

10.15 – 10.55 Talent Strategy Panel

From Crisis to Capability: Solving the Talent Challenge

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

10.55 – 11.20 Gold Partner Insights

Benefits, Perks and other Rewards that Matter

What employees want now: financial health, flexibility, and empathy
Evolving benefit plans to reflect life-stage and workforce diversity
Assessing common concerns being raised with HR leaders - squeezing finances, budgeting/saving in uncertain times, more workplace communication – and finding solutions to address these concerns

11.20 – 11.30

Recharge break and guided meditation

11.30 – 12.10 Engagement Panel

Building Resilience and Adaptability in Teams

Foundations of Resilient HR: What frameworks help teams handle ambiguity, pressure, and disruption with confidence?
From Burnout to Bounce Back: Supporting HR staff emotionally and professionally during prolonged periods of change
Agile HR Practices: How iterative models (like Agile and design thinking) can reshape policy-making, recruitment, and L&D
Scenario Planning in Talent Strategy: Building a flexible, future-ready workforce

12.10 – 1.10

Networking Lunch BreakI

It is time for lunch - and you have earned it. Time to make new friends.

1.10 – 1.50 Workplace Belonging Panel

From Policy to Culture: Creating Cultures of Belonging

Going beyond DEI: what belonging means for retention
Designing employee networks and peer communities
How storytelling drives belonging and inclusion
Leadership accountability: who owns belonging?
Measurement tools: what gets measured gets improved

1.50– 2.15 Expert Insights

Human-Centered AI in HR: Unlocking the Opportunity

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

2.15 – 2.35

Afternoon Refreshment and Networking Break

Time to refuel and continue the networking!

2.35 – 3.15 Peer-to-Peer Roundtables

Choose ONE issue and join an employer-only roundtable to discuss strategies for overcoming challenges and capitalizing on opportunities*

Building Future Leaders: Aligning Talent Attraction, Retention and Development
AI for a More Resilient Workplace
Strategies for Supporting Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing
Upskilling and Reskilling to Future-Proof Your Workforce
Reward and Benefits to Attract & Retain Top Talent
Managing Workplace Menopause
Conflict Resolution – strategies and procedures

3.15– 3.55

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
Gen Z’s expectations: purpose, mental health, and work-life integration and how wellbeing impacts recruitment

3.55 – 4.20 Closing Rapid Fire Take-Away Session

Enticing GenZ into the Workplace with a Forward-Thinking, People-First, Company Culture

5 short sessions, 5-minute presentations; hear what the trailblazers are doing to stand out in the crowd to win the hearts and minds of GenZ!!

4.20 – 4.30

Chair’s Closing Remarks

Top take-aways from the day!

* 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