Program

Thursday April 10, 2025

Mississauga, Toronto West

8.00 – 8.40

Registration and Networking

8.40 – 8.50

Introduction from the Chair

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

8.50 – 9.30 Leadership Panel

Nurturing Your Leadership for a More Resilient Workforce

Understanding the Competitive Landscape: why investing in your top performers is crucial in today’s evolving market and dynamic workplace
Developing tools and strategies that identify and meet the needs of both current and prospective leaders

Janet Joubran, Chief People Officer, KFC Canada

Kelly Davis, Chief People Officer, Gowling WLG

Stephanie McDonald, Chief People, Culture & Transformation Officer, MDA Space

9.30 – 9.55 Gold Partner Session

Honing Recruitment Strategies to Future-Proof Your Workplace

9.55 – 10.05

Relax and Unwind

In just ten minutes, you’ll be guided through a calming mindfulness practice designed to help you recharge and refocus. This session will include gentle breathing exercises and a short meditation, allowing you to let go of stress and cultivate a sense of calm.

10.05 – 10.30

Championing Menopause in the Workplace

In this session hear how you can leverage new data and influence leaders to champion menopause in the workplace. Where to start? What obstacles need to be overcome? How can a menopause strategy lead to change within the organization? Top tips for championing menopause in your workplace!

Deborah Ovsenny, VP, HR Operations, Human Resources, Metrolinx

10.30 – 10.55

Morning Coffee and Networking Break

Time to refuel and continue networking!

10.55 – 11.35 Health & Well-Being Panel

Implementing a Blueprint for a Holistic Approach to Employee Wellbeing

What is today’s workforce looking for –benefits, flexible working and culture: what’s ‘top of mind’ for the new generation of employees?
Connecting the dots between mental and emotional wellness & social and financial support systems

Jim Chung, Chief Medical Officer, Air Canada

Darlene Dsouza, Vice -President – Talent,Compass Group

Patricia Antonio, Director, Human Resources Canada, Kellanova

11.35 – 12.00

Combating Workplace Burnout

In this session learn more about the impact of workplace burnout on the workplace, how to identify triggers and symptoms of burnout and the impact that an anti-burnout strategy has on employee health and organizational wellbeing.

12 – 1pm

Networking Lunch BreakI

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

1pm – 1.40 Belonging Panel

Embedding Accountability into Your DE&I Outcomes in Changeable Times

What measures exist to hold leadership accountable for DEI outcomes?

What impact does DEIB have on recruitment and retention? Is this quantifiable?

Connecting the dots between DEI and belonging – you can have diversity without equity and belonging!

Abhishek Sarathy, AVP DEIB, Canadian Tire

Amanda Lewis, Global Director of DEI, Scotiabank

Michelle Loo, Chief DEI Officer, Linde

Farrell Hall, Chief Inclusion Officer, 9Story

1.40– 1.50

Relax and Unwind

1.50 – 2.30 Technology Panel

Demystifying Artificial Intelligence for a More Efficient Workplace

Discover how AI and automation can alleviate work overload by optimizing HR processes, allowing your team to focus on strategic initiatives. This session will also explore the advantages and challenges of leveraging AI in the recruitment process.

Margot Lackenbaur, CHRO, BDO Canada

Manisha Paliwal, AVP, Enterprise Change Enablement, Definity

Sidra Tareen, Global Learning Technology Solutions Partner, AstraZeneca Canada

2.30 – 2.50

Afternoon Coffee and Networking Break

2.55– 3.35 Roundtable Peer-Peer Roundtables

Choose that ONE burning issue and join an employer-only roundtable:*

1. Supporting Employee Financial Wellbeing to Drive Attraction, Retention and Business Outcomes

2. Strategies for Supporting Employee Mental Health and Wellbeing

3. Culturally Inclusive Benefits to Attract and Retain Top Talent

4. Driving Engagement and Retention

5. Keeping Teams Engaged in a Hybrid Working Environment

6. Building Future Leaders: Aligning Talent Attraction, Retention and Development

3.40 – 4.20 Closing Panel

Building a People-First Culture to Drive Engagement and Retention

What does a people-centric workplace culture look like today?
Developing a framework for understanding what your employees really want
Quantifying the impact of your people-first strategy

Janine Pajot, Chief People Officer, Bayer Canada

Linda Iriah, Vice President – HR, IPSOS

Joey Walters, Vice President – HR, Schneider Electric

Danielle Sanagan, Interim, CHRO & VP People Services, Trillium Health Partners

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