Bayview Yards, Ottawa, ON
Registration and Networking
Introduction from the Chair -
The Leadership Question We Cannot Avoid Anymore
Welcome remarks by the chair and an introduction to the day. A grounding welcome that frames the day's central question: what does it actually take to lead people well 2026? A candid opening on trust, burnout, accountability, courage, and the widening gap between organizational messaging and employee reality.
Heidi Hauver, Vice-President of People, Ranovus
Why People Leave. Why People Stay: What Great Places to Work Understand About Trust, Leadership & Loyalty
Forget engagement scores and employer branding slogans. This session explores the real reasons employees disengage, stay silent, or walk away and what leaders are doing differently to create cultures people genuinely want to belong to and the emotional reality of work.
Hugh Gorman, CEO, Colonnade BridgePort
Moderated by Heidi Hauver, Vice-President of People and Culture, Ranovus
Aligning People, Purpose & Performance in Uncertain Times
Culture is no longer a ‘soft’ conversation. It is directly tied to retention, resilience and organisational trust. This session explores how leaders across Ottawa’s public sector, healthcare, technology, education, and civic institutions are building cultures that can withstand fatigue, rapid change, and growing employee expectations
Paul Horton, CHRO, Recollective
Sue Ivay, CHRO, Calian Group
Katherine Murray, CHRO, Bank of Canada
Morning Coffee and Networking Break
Time to refuel and continue networking!
Beyond the Career Fair: Rethinking Talent Pipelines for an AI-Disrupted Workforce
As AI reshapes what ‘work-ready’ means, this session looks at a new model of experiential learning: intensive team sprints, self-directed projects and career-development programs designed to surface the human skills AI can't replace.
Gabriel Ramsay, Experiential Learning Specialist, Kady Diarrassouba, Communications Student and Anne-Marie Roy, Supervisor, Industry Engagement & Development, University of Ottawa
Pause, Breathe, Reconnect
A guided stretch and nervous-system reset session designed to combat conference fatigue and model sustainable leadership in practice
Dr. Valerie Hertzog, Managing Director & Wellness Coach
Benefits That Actually Matter: Rethinking Wellbeing, Flexibility & Employee Value Beyond Salary
Today’s workforce expects more than compensation. Employees are increasingly evaluating employers based quality of leadership.
Donna Burnett Vachon, Director of Change and OD, Hydro Ottawa
Glenda Boldt, VP – People and Culture, Lee Valley Tools
Marie-Lynn Bromilow, VP, Total Reward, EllisDon
Moderated by Jennifer Burns, Partner, DBA
Networking Lunch Break
It is time for lunch - and you have earned it.
Technology to Support Workplace Efficiency without Replacing People
AI is changing recruitment, workforce planning & employee experience. But trust, empathy and ethics remain human responsibilities, so how can employers can integrate AI & human connection.
Meagan Collins, Manager, Analytics & Data Science
Treasury Board of Canada
Wendy Cukier, Founder, Diversity Institute, Toronto Metropolitan University
Sonya Shorey, President & CEO, Invest Ottawa
Moderated by Julia Duffy, Principal, AlignedHR
Leading Across Different Mindsets: Rethinking Leadership for Cognitive Diversity
This interactive session will unveil how different people think and work, and why traditional leadership approaches do not always meet everyone's needs. How can you can adapt your skills to foster inclusion, engagement, and success. This will be followed by 10 minutes of reflection and sharing
Virginie Cobigo, Professor, University of Ottawa & Executive Director, Open Collaboration for Cognitive Accessibility
What Employees Need Now: Beyond Policy Statements
Do employees feel safe, respected, heard, and able to succeed - and the move from performative DEI efforts toward genuine belonging.
Richard Sharpe, Director, Black Equity Branch, Ontario Treasury Board Secretariat
Scott Cantin, ED, Public Service Pride Network Secretariat, Government of Canada
Amy Gow, Director of People and OD, CHEO Foundation
Moderated by Katie Pye, BD Manager – Growth and Client Services, GreenShield
Afternoon Networking Break
Time to refuel and continue networking!
Choose ONE issue and join an employer-only roundtable to discuss strategies, challenges and opportunities*
Pause, Move, Reconnect
A guided stretch and nervous-system reset session designed to combat conference fatigue and model sustainable leadership in practice
Dr. Valerie Hertzog, Managing Director & Wellness Coach
Leading the Fragmented Workforce
Today’s organizations are increasingly fragmented: remote and onsite, unionized and non-unionized, Gen Z and late-career employees, digital-first and relationship-driven. How do leaders create cohesion without forcing sameness?
Kathryn Hancock, Regional Head of HR (Canada), IPH Limited
Stefanie Hosick, VP, HR, Kinaxis
Blessing Okon, Director, Talent Acquisition, Lumentum
Annie Corriveau, Vice President of Human Resources, Brookstreet Hotel and Marshes Golf Club
What Today Told Us About the Future of Leadership
Key insights, emerging themes, and final reflections from the day
Heidi Hauver, Vice-President of People and Culture, Ranovus
* 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