Session Speakers
Brenda Robinson
October 11th
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9:00am - 10:15am (Mount Boucherie Room)
Dealing With Difficult "Customers" - Within and Outside your Organization
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Brenda is a speaker, trainer, writer and consultant. She has been addressing groups for over twenty years on topics related to communications, humour, leadership, laughter, positive working skills and wellness in general. Brenda received her Bachelor of Arts from Brandon University in Brandon, Manitoba (Major in English) and her Masters of Education from Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C. in 1998. Join Brenda to listen, laugh and learn about other people, about yourself and about other stuff we may need and want to know.
Cassie Campbell
October 9th
9:15am - 10:30am (Keynote - Shuswap/Pennask/Skeena Room)
7 Steps to Consistent Leadership
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Cassie Campbell-Pascall draws on her accomplishments as the former captain of the gold medal winning Canadian Women's Olympic Hockey Team to explore the themes of consistent leadership, teamwork, motivation and determination. A lively, passionate and engaging speaker, she knows firsthand about the key roles that teamwork, determination and great leadership play at the most challenging times. She also focuses on breaking down barriers in a male dominated world of NHL Broadcasting.
Cheryl Otto
October 9th
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11:00am - 12:15pm (Breakout Session 1 - Mount Boucherie Room)
Most excellent practices in workplace harassment & bullying investigations: what all leaders need to know?
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1:15pm- - 2:30pm (Breakout Session 2 - Mount Boucherie Room)
Most excellent practices in workplace harassment & bullying investigations: what all leaders need to know?
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Cheryl is the CEO and founder of OOPS Inc. She is a seasoned and proactive human resources lawyer, workplace investigator and mediator whose commitment has always been on effecting positive change, the resolution of issues, and making a difference. With her focus on the prevention of workplace harassment, discrimination, bullying and interpersonal conflict, Cheryl has consulted with and provided invaluable and cost-effective services to hundreds of businesses and organizations across Canada and the US in order to avoid unnecessary litigation. She offers extensive experience in the development and execution of policies, strategic planning, educational/training initiatives, investigations and effective and successful resolution of workplace complaints. OOPS Inc. is a one-stop-shop for all things related to a respectful workplace and has an expert team of Educators, facilitators, he taters, investigators, violence experts, HR and Communications specialist, and professional coaches working together to deliver and integrated solution to conflict in the workplace.
Darel Baker
October 10th
3:00pm - 4:15pm (Breakout Session 6 - Mount Boucherie Room)
3 Keys to Successful Leadership: Vision, Alignment, Execution
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Darel Baker is a 4th generation Albertan. Darel has worked in leadership positions in the Public, Not for Profit and Private prior to co – founding Keldar Leadership in 2003. An active Rotarian and someone who truly enjoys others growing and developing, Darel interacts with hundreds of leaders annually through all areas of his life. Darel is married to his business partner Kelly and has two grown daughters who are both going about making the world a better place. Darel enjoys travel and getting outside in his spare time for some hiking in the summer and some downhill skiing in the winter. Keldar Leadership was formed to help companies and organizations become more productive. The focus is 100% on selecting and developing the very best people for each position so that they can reach their potential in a rewarding and positive environment.
Dave Ericson
October 9th
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3:00pm - 4:15pm (Breakout Session 3 - Selkirk Room)
The Sustainability of Employee Benefit Plans
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Dave Ericson is the Principal Consultant at Hillcrest Financial. Hillcrest is based in Calgary and serves municipal clients across Western Canada and the Arctic.
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Dave has spent over two decades honing his expertise in group benefits and retirement consulting. Over his years in underwriting, communications, and account management, Dave has learned that the key to a great benefits package is communication, and he applies that knowledge in his day-to-day work. As the Principal Consultant at Hillcrest, Dave oversees the design and implementation of client benefit and retirement programs.
Dr. Gord McIntosh
October 11th
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9:00am - 10:15am (Shuswap/Pennask/Skeena Room)
What is Black & White… and Grey All Over!”
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10:45am - 12:00pm (Keynote - Shuswap/Pennask/Skeena Room)
It Depends! Situational Leadership in Local Government
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Dr. McIntosh has thirty-nine years of management, educator and consultancy roles with local government. He has conducted 1,200 governance, strategic and leadership sessions involving 140,000 elected and appointed officials. Gordon received the Professional Award of Excellence as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) responsible for the 470 Gulf Islands in the Georgia Basin and has served as President of the Local Government Management Association in BC. Doctor McIntosh’s research focuses on local government leadership, in particular the CAO and the political/administrative interface. Current faculty roles include the Universities of York, BC, Alberta, Victoria and Cape Breton as well as the Uongozi Institute of Leadership for a Sustainable Development in Africa. Dr. McIntosh is passionate about local government and is constantly learning as he facilitates leadership, strategic or governance sessions with elected officials and professionals. He has conducted over 1,200 sessions throughout Canada and overseas and looks forward to sharing insights so we can make a leadership difference in local government.
Dr. Shimi Kang
October 10th
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9:15am - 10:30am (Keynote - Shuswap/Pennask/Skeena Room)
Navigating opposing realities: 21st Century Stress & Future-ready intelligence ( or adaptability)
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11:00am - 12:15pm (Breakout Session 4 - Shuswap/Pennask/Skeena Room)
Navigating opposing realities: 21st Century Stress & Future-ready intelligence ( or adaptability) - A deeper dive
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An award-winning medical doctor, researcher, and expert on the neuroscience of innovation, leadership, and motivation, Dr. Shimi Kang provides science-based solutions for health, happiness, and achievement in the workplace, classroom, and at home. With almost 20 years of clinical experience and extensive research in the science that lies behind optimizing human intelligence, Kang provides practical tools to cultivate the key 21st century skills of resilience, connection, creativity, and more.
Kang is the former medical director of child and youth mental health for Vancouver and currently a clinical associate professor at the University of British Columbia. She is also the founder of Dolphin KIDS: Future-ready Leaders, an organization that offers positive mindset and social-emotional life skills programs to students, teachers, and parents around the world.
As a thought leader, Kang’s work has been featured in major media outlets around the world, including BBC World News, NPR, Al Jazeera, South China Morning Post, CBC, and Washington Post. Her featured blogs have also appeared in The Huffington Post, Psychology Today, US News & Report, and TIME magazine.
Kang is also the author of two books — The Self-Motivated Kid and the critically acclaimed The Dolphin Parent: A Guide to Raising Healthy, Happy, and Self-Motivated Kids, which was a #1 Canadian bestseller and won the 2015 US News International Book Award. Her upcoming book, The Tech Solution, will provide neuroscience-based strategies to optimize technology’s incredible benefits while minimizing its many drawbacks.
An entertaining and experienced speaker, Kang has presented at events ranging from the world’s largest conferences to customized workshops for small groups. She has shared the stage with cutting edge scientists, movie stars, CEOs, professional athletes, and global leaders. Her TEDx presentation on the power of adaptability has been viewed more than a million times.
Kang has been honored with five national awards in mental health and the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in Health. She is also the proud recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her years of outstanding community service.
Hugh Pelmore
October 9th
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1:15pm - 2:30pm (Breakout Session 2 - Shuswap/Pennask/Skeena)
Can’t We Just All Get Along? Enhance Workplace Culture, and Get your Team Back On Side
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3:00pm - 4:15pm (Breakout Session 3 - Shuswap/Pennask/Skeena)
Can’t We Just All Get Along? Enhance Workplace Culture, and Get your Team Back On Side
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Hugh is the founder of ARETE safety and protection inc. and is recognized as one of the most knowledgeable and experienced workplace conflict management and violence prevention experts in Canada. He has personally facilitated thousands of customized workplace bullying, harassment and violence prevention training sessions throughout North America, in virtually every industry sector. Hugh is often requested as a desired speaker on a variety of subjects related to violence and conflict at professional conferences and conventions throughout North America. He has also been an expert guest on local and national TV, radio, and print media.
Jerry Berry
October 10th
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11:00am - 12:15pm (Breakout Session 4 - Selkirk Room)
Organizational Culture: Leadership's Most Important Task
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1:15pm - 2:30pm (Breakout Session 5 - Selkirk Room)
Organizational Culture: Leadership's Most Important Task
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Jerry Berry, Principal Advisor, is a management consultant, facilitator and educator specializing in local government issues. He was formerly the City Manager for the City of Nanaimo for 22 years having worked for that City for 28 years. During Jerry’s tenure as Manager, the City of Nanaimo received significant recognition and won numerous awards; particularly in strategic planning, environmental protection, community participation and innovative use of technology. He has a particular interest in local government education, and received the President’s Millennium Award from the Local Government Management Association of BC for his contributions to the field. The Municipal Finance Authority and the North Central Municipal Officers’ Association (North Central Chapter) also presented Jerry with the Al Brockley Leadership Award for his long-standing work developing and supporting local government leaders. Jerry received the Distinguished Membership Award for 2010 from the Local Government Management Association of BC “For outstanding contribution to Local Government in British Columbia, and for promoting and upholding the LGMA ideals of professional management and leadership excellence“.
José Dino
October 9th
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11:00am - 12:15pm (Breakout Session 1 - Shuswap/Pennask/Skeena Room)
Getting ready for what’s next: What HR leaders need to know about HR technology and the future of work
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With over than 20 years of experience in the HR world, José has seen his share of change, and he continues to be a passionate advocate for using technology to enable the strategic potential of human resources professionals.
He joined TELUS as a business development manager and soon moved into strategic HR leadership roles. Through his work as a catalyst for the transformation of the TELUS HR function, he has emerged as an international thought leader in organizational development, strategic planning, business process outsourcing, talent management, human resource operations and employee self-serve technology (e.HR).
In 2006, he shifted his focus to the client side and currently oversees sales and marketing, key accounts and product development for TELUS Employer Solutions.
José holds two undergraduate degrees from the University of British Columbia and certificates from the University of Michigan and Simon Fraser University.
When he is not meeting with clients or speaking at conferences around the world, he can be found watching his daughter play softball for the University of Hawaii, coaching his son’s baseball team, listening to jazz or enjoying a glass of excellent BC wine with his wife.
Julien LePage
October 10th
8:00am - 9:00am (Breakfast Introduction Session)
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10:30am - 11:00am (Coffee Break - Drop in Session, South Terrace)
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12:15pm - 11:15pm (Lunch Break - Drop in Session, South Terrace)
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2:30pm - 3:00pm (Coffee Break - Drop in Session, South Terrace)
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4:15pm - 6:30pm (Free Time - Drop in Session, South Terrace)
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Owner of Circles of Rhythm and lead facilitator of these sessions, Julien Lepage, is a passionate inspirational speaker with a message of HOPE through Diversity. With over 10 years supporting adults who experience life with a chronic and persistent mental illness or addiction, Lepage has found a way to combine his passion as a professional musician and social worker within the health care system, non-profits, and in the corporate world. Nominated for CTV’s Inspiring Albertans, Julien authentically leads others with passion for building meaningful communities across Western Canada via Circles of Rhythm through the Integrated Community Drum Circle (ICDC).
Karen Bowen
October 10th
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1:15pm – 2:30pm (Breakout Session 5 - Shuswap/Pennask/Skeena Room)
The EQ of Leadership
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3:00pm-4:15pm (Breakout Session 6 - Shuswap/Pennask/Skeena Room)
The EQ of Leadership
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Principal at ManagerKnowHow, Karen provides comprehensive leadership curriculums and interventional organizational development including her flagship Strategic Planning workshop. Karen holds a BA in English, a Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education, and a Masters in Leadership through Royal Roads University. Karen is committed to lifelong learning and development; her additional certifications include mBIT Certified Coach, Emotional Intelligence Trainer and Coach, Power+Systems, Clear Leadership Facilitator, Human Systems Dynamics Practitioner, MBTI Practitioner, Graphic Facilitator and True Colors Facilitator. Formal learning combined with over 25 years of experience working as a leader and consultant allow Karen to deliver innovative leadership learning programs and powerful organizational interventions. Translating a somewhat mysterious world of personal and organizational values, emotional intelligence, leadership skills, team dynamics, and culture change into metrics, measurable trends, concrete strategy and practical objectives is a unique skill that Karen brings to her work. Karen has worked with a diverse business field from front-line employees to mid and executive level leaders fostering positive workplace culture and organizational effectiveness. A passionate outdoor athlete as well as a practicing fitness and yoga instructor; Karen practices a holistic approach to life and leadership.
Michelle Devlin
October 9th
3:00pm- 4:15pm - (Breakout Session 3 - Mount Boucherie Room)
Tackling Conversations About Mental Health in the Workplace
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Engage, inspire, develop; a few words used by clients to describe Michelle’s approach to leadership. Michelle offers customized programs supporting corporate culture and leadership development. Michelle specializes in developing fundamental leadership skills and Workplace Respect, just to name a few. She is an accomplished facilitator, speaker and workshop leader who is passionate about fostering and building leadership skills within organizations. Clients admire her enthusiasm and energy.
Pete Alexander
October 10th
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11:00am - 12:15pm (Breakout Session 4 - Mount Boucherie Room)
How to Stop Stress From Killing You
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1:15pm- - 2:30pm (Breakout Session 5 - Mount Boucherie Room)
How to Stop Stress From Killing You
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A seasoned professional with over 30 years of Sales and Marketing experience, Pete has battled the negative effects of stress head-on and has developed the LIGHTEN™ stress relief model that motivates his peers to take action in only a few minutes per day. His friendly, humorous demeanor and customized approach relates well to his audiences, ensuring meeting planners get full value for their organizations.
Sean Fitzpatrick
October 9th
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11:00am - 12:15pm (Breakout Session 1 - Mount Boucherie Room)
It’s Time to Reevaluate your Employee Engagement Program
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1:15pm- - 2:30pm (Breakout Session 2 - Mount Boucherie Room)
It’s Time to Reevaluate your Employee Engagement Program
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With a vision for creating better workplaces everywhere, TalentMap’s CEO and
Founder, Sean Fitzpatrick, ensures that clients are met with successful survey
experiences from start to finish – emphasizing post-survey action planning
throughout. By working across multiple industries with organizations of all sizes, Sean
has gained unique insight into how organizations can improve as they grow. In
addition to leading TalentMap, Sean has authored several articles on measurement in
the workplace and is an avid speaker on improving employee engagement.
Sean has a wealth of experience developing and implementing employee engagement
programs. Sean has worked with such firms as: Calgary Airport Authority, City of
Edmonton, Canadian Western Bank, Legal Aid Alberta, SaskWater, City of Kelowna,
CBC Radio, Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations (SAHO), EPCOR Utilities,
Canada Post just to name a few. His extensive experience across multiple industries
with various organizations of all sizes gives him a insight into how organizations work
and how they can improve and change as they grow.
Veronica Ukrainetz
October 10th
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3:00pm- - 4:15pm (Breakout Session 6 - Selkirk Room)
Feeling Sandwiched? Accommodating Employees with Family Related Challenges
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Veronica Ukrainetz is the principal and founder of Ukrainetz Workplace Law Group, a boutique employment law firm based out of the Okanagan which provides strategic legal and human resources support for employers throughout British Columbia. Veronica has practised management side labour, employment and workplace related human rights and privacy law for over 20 years. She provides the full scope of advice and services from hiring through to ending employment. As well, she negotiates collective agreements, provides workshops and training, carries out workplace investigations and provides related legal advice and guidance. Veronica also represents the firm’s clients before the courts, tribunals and boards. Veronica’s in-depth and sophisticated understanding of the laws applicable to the workplace, the complex dynamic of workplace relationships and her extensive knowledge of related human resources matters enables her clients to benefit from productive, respectful relationships with their employees.Veronica has a BA in English literature, a Minor in Law in the Liberal Arts (U of Calgary) and a Law Degree (Dalhousie). Veronica has worked as a server, camp cook, freelance writer, restaurant manager, and a human resources manager. She is in the process of pursuing her Mediation & Conflict Resolution certificate with JIBC.