Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Richard Van Camp
Author | Storyteller | Mentor
Featured Panelists
Conference Emcees & Panel Moderators
Featured Panel Moderator
Executive-in-Residence
Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS)
Author | Storyteller | Mentor
Featured Panel Moderator
Executive-in-Residence
Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS)
Ahmad Majid is of Iraqi descent and his family came to Canada from Kuwait to escape the unrest during the First Gulf War in 1990. After volunteering at different settlement organizations such as the Saskatoon Open Door Society and Saskatchewan Intercultural Association, he found employment with the Saskatoon Open Door Society in the Employment Services Unit in 2014. During this time he performed the role of an Employment Counselor and a Team-Lead where he took pride in working directly with newcomers in their search for employment and as well guiding and supporting his staff to ensure the best service possible. He is been working as the Executive Director of SAISIA for the last year and a half and is passionate about working collaboratively with all the settlement organizations in Saskatchewan with the collective goal of continuing to elevate the settlement services for newcomers in the Province.
April Sora has spent the better part of her career working and volunteering in the immigrant and refugee sector both in Toronto and Saskatoon. She has also worked for the federal government in various roles including Senior Development Officer, Human Resources Advisor and Employment Equity Consultant. She now works for the City of Saskatoon as the Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant.
April is proud of her Japanese Canadian history and the legacy of the resilience and strength of her ancestors. This is the background that informs her work and her life.
On the fun side, every Monday and Friday night you can find April practicing taiko (Japanese drumming) with the Saskatoon group, Living Sky Taiko.
Michele Geres has worked with the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce since 2017. As the Director of Programs, Michele works with industry stakeholders to develop training offerings that educate business on the current Saskatchewan landscape and equip employees with the tools they need as the nature of work evolves. She has led a variety of projects throughout her career, including the successful Training & Employment Network program and regularly contributes to policy development and Chamber advocacy efforts. Michele holds an Arts degree from the University of Regina, achieved her designation as a Property Management Administrator, and is currently working on her Project Management Professional designation. She is born and raised in Saskatchewan and is dedicated to making Saskatchewan the best place to live, work, and invest.
A Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS) alumnus and former Interim Director of the Population Public Health (PPH) in the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), Neal Kewistep has spent most of his career fostering relationships with government, community-based organizations, Indigenous organizations and educators. As an Executive-in-Residence, he provides added capacity to the school in terms of Indigenous research, facilitating in the Indigenous Leadership Program, and teaching, and collaborates on curriculum development for a new Indigenous Governance graduate certificate. In addition to his time with the provincial health authority, Neal has served as the Director of Operations for the Native Counselling Services of Alberta, as a Community Development Advisor with Yellow Quill First Nation, and has provided consulting services to the Saskatoon Tribal Council and the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. He has also served as a board member on the Good Food Junction and the Speakerbox Aboriginal Advisory Group, as an advisory committee member for the Saskatoon Community Foundation and the Saskatoon Urban Aboriginal Strategy. In 2017, CBC awarded Mr. Kewistep as one of its “Future 40 under 40” for his work in leading change within the health care system.
One of the first Indigenous graduates from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School, Mr. Kewistep holds a Master of Public Administration degree and has a bachelor’s degree in Indigenous Studies from First Nations University of Canada. In addition to his formal education, he counts his traditional training from elders as being as relevant in teaching him the role of a servant leader.
An educator with 16 years of classroom experience and a Master’s degree in Curriculum Studies, Aaron is currently a Program Coordinator with the SIEC. Aaron works with the SIEC team on programs such as Spotlight on Careers, and he works closely on the development of SaskMoney—a financial literacy program and website to help educators integrate financial literacy seamlessly into their instruction. Career education and financial literacy programming are perfect vehicles for Aaron’s interest in leading practical professional development and maximizing student engagement and motivation.
Akosua is the Executive Director of First Work. Prior to joining the organization, Akosua worked as a senior public affairs professional, primarily focused on policy affecting marginalized communities and youth. During her tenure with the Provincial Minister of Children and Youth Services, Akosua led the Youth Justice and Youth Opportunity policy and also worked directly with multiple agencies, as well as frontline staff, to advocate for marginalized youth. As a senior policy advisor with the Provincial Minister of Finance, Akosua effectively advised on policy and legislation spanning a diverse portfolio, including labour, children and youth services, community and social services, correctional services, and Indigenous relations. With over six years of experience in government, combined with seven years as the board representative for the Region of Peel Women’s Centre – Interim Place, Akosua is an established driver of effective policy-making, communications, public and government affairs, and community engagement. Akosua currently sits on the board of the Canadian Coalition of Community-Based Employability Training.
Norman Amundson is a professor emeritus from the University of British Columbia, and has worked in the career development field for over 40 years. During this time he has been involved in a number of national and international career development projects and has published many books and articles, including his award-winning book “Active Engagement”. Many of his books and workbooks have been translated into over a dozen different languages. Norm is a developer of “Active Engagement” as well as a co-developer of “Hope-Action Theory and Practice”. In his work he emphasizes the importance of creativity, imagination, storytelling, dynamic action, metaphors and hope. Dr. Amundson has presented his work at many national and international conferences in more than 30 countries. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Umea, in Sweden and has been recognized by many national and international professional associations for his leadership and contributions in the career development field. His workshops and presentations are practical, engaging and interactive.
Derrick is the Project Manager for First Work, joining in February 2021. Drawing upon over 10 years of public, not-for-profit, and charity sector experience, Derrick approaches his work with a firm understanding of the challenges intrapreneurs and organization leaders face when creating systemic change and leading with their identity first. Derrick is deeply opinionated in public policy, health management and foreign aid. Outside of work, Derrick is an avid world traveller, technology lover and all things eater. Although as a foodie, you won’t find Derrick taking a pic of his meal too often. It’s already made its way into his stomach – guaranteed!
Mark Antczak is Anxiety Canada’s in-house Registered Clinical Counsellor and Clinical Educator. His primary role is facilitating the online Mindshift Anxiety Groups and supporting anxiety talks and workshops. He brings a decade of experience working with mental health in various environments and populations by providing individual and group counselling, mental health education programming, and conducting research while completing his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at the University of British Columbia. He’s found great fulfillment providing support and treatment over the years to University students, youth in Vancouver’s DTES, first responders, and cancer survivors.
As a Career Service Consultant with the Government of Saskatchewan, Carolyn brings a diversity of experience to the field of Career Development. She has contributed 8 years of front-line work as a Career Development Practitioner in both the non-profit and public sectors. Working for the Career Services branch with the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training, Carolyn supports her clients with identifying their strengths and employability needs while empowering them to take meaningful steps toward reaching their career goals. Carolyn uses the PRIME employability assessment tool as an essential piece of her practice; the tool is instrumental in providing her clients with links to goal setting, interventions, and action planning. Carolyn also serves as a PRIME Trainer, working as part of a team to provide training, coaching, and support to Career Services staff as they learn about the PRIME tool and implement it in their practice.
With over 10 years of tenure at Conestoga College, Lisa Bauman has worn many hats: Program Manager, Faculty, Career Coach, Peer Services and Curriculum Consultant. In 2015, she completed her MEd from the University of Calgary.
Donnalee is the Managing Director of the Canadian Career Development Foundation and co-author of In Motion and Momentum+. She has led a wide range of award-winning PanCanadian, provincial and territorial career initiatives. Her work has been featured in Canadian media, including a CBC documentary on Generation Y. She has presented at several conferences worldwide and was honoured to be the opening keynote of the Premier of Manitoba s Skills Summit (2013). Donnalee is passionate about the career development field and works to bring its potential to the workforce development goals of governments, employers, communities and individuals.
Tony Bonen provides the overall strategic leadership and management of LMIC. He brings expertise in managing research and providing policy guidance on a range of economic issues. In this role, he collaborates with colleagues across government, academia and the private sector to deliver high quality labour market information. Prior to joining LMIC, he led the development and integration of housing price and macroeconomic stress test models for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Other areas of research expertise include: climate change economics, analysis of the US pension and retirement system, and economic policy and geopolitical analysis affecting member countries of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Tony holds a PhD in Economics from the New School for Social Research, a Masters in International Political Economy from the Brussels School of International Studies, and a Bachelor’s in Economics and Political Science from Carleton University.
Dr Roberta Borgen (Neault), CCC, CCDP, GCDF-I, is President of Life Strategies Ltd., Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia, and Project Director for the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF). An internationally award-winning career development thought leader, Roberta brings extensive experience as educator, counsellor, and consultant. She supports diverse individuals in their career development journey, organizations struggling with inclusion and engagement of a diverse workforce, and counsellors developing their cultural competencies.
Lindsey Dahl is a CPHR with over 14 years of professional HR experience. Her current role is a HR Business Partner with the Public Service Commission in Saskatoon. On the side of her role, she is contracted part-time with the Enough Already project which aims to provide education and support to end workplace sexual harassment. Lindsey completed her Bachelor of Commerce Degree at the University of Saskatchewan in 2007, majoring in Human Resources. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Conflict Analysis and Management from Royal Roads University. She has a strong interest in dispute resolution and empowering workplaces to embrace and manage conflict as it arises in order to create a healthy workplace culture.
Khodi Dill is a Bahamian-Canadian writer, spoken word artist, and anti-racist educator from Saskatoon. Centering equity at the heart of his work, Khodi hopes that his work will engage people of all ages in social justice and the arts. Dill is the author of the picture book Welcome to the Cypher, introducing young people to the transformative power of rap music. His forthcoming picture book Little Black Lives Matter is now available for pre-order everywhere. For more information, visit thegreygriot.com.
Evan Doepker is President and Chief Executive Officer at Doepker Industries Ltd., a highway trailer manufacturing company headquartered in Annaheim, Saskatchewan. Evan was born and raised in Saskatchewan and is an active member of the business community.
Susan Ewart is the Executive Director for the Saskatchewan Trucking Association. As proactive trusted advisors, the STA is a knowledgeable membership association that represents the collective interests of the truck transport industry through authentic advocacy and education. I have had a 30 year plus career in business/entrepreneurship with a background in insurance. In 2015, I was awarded the National Woman of Distinction Award for my contributions to the Insurance Industry. I enjoy helping others solve business challenges and put those skills to use daily working for the trucking industry in Saskatchewan. In my spare time, I enjoy baking and decorating cookies with my daughter for her bakery.
Rich Feller is Professor of Counseling and Career Development at Colorado State University, Past-president of the National Career Development Association, OneLifeTools co-founder, YouScience consultant and JCTC Coach Certification training senior trainer.
Sharon Ferriss is the Senior Director, Marketing and Communications with CERIC, where she provides leadership in the development of all communications strategies for CERIC’s network of projects and programs. She has 20 years of experience as a marketing and communications professional, primarily in non-profit organizations, as well as having worked as a journalist for print and television. Sharon has had senior roles with the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC) and the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA). She holds a Bachelor of Journalism, an MBA in marketing and non-profit management, and is an Accredited Business Communicator (ABC).
OneLifeTools co-founder and CareerCycles Practice Leader Mark Franklin is the award-winning co-author of Who You Are Matters!, teaches at the University of Toronto and consults on embedding reflective practice, gamification and technology-supported delivery into curriculum and programming.
Andrea Fruhling is a Certified Organizational Coach (UBC), Founder of Doubleknot Works, and a Mentor Coach & Instructor for UBC’s Organizational Coaching certification program. Andrea develops and delivers programs for career practitioners, industry leaders, and organizations all over the world, helping them find engaging and impactful ways to work with the people they support. Training programs explore the Hope-Action Theory from a practical, actively engaged perspective, with organizational coaching perspectives. Andrea’s most recent course, the Certification in Hope-Action Theory & Practice, has been co-taught with Norm Amundson and Spencer Niles to students from Singapore, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Canada, and beyond.
Andrea has delivered keynote presentations and workshop sessions for numerous national and international conferences and career development associations in the past year. Andrea’s work is practical and engaging with a focus on creativity, active, strengths-based learning, team engagement, and hope.
Tamara joined PetroLMI as communications advisor in 2019 to oversee the organization’s broad communications strategy and activities.
Tamara progressed into the role of project manager for the two-year Future Skills Centre – Skills Match – The Energy Fit project, to develop leading-edge tools and resources to support transitioning oil and gas workers.
Prior to joining PetroLMI, Tamara served as a communications specialist with a post-secondary institution and as a communications advisor with organizations in the energy sector.
Tamara supports the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) in a variety of volunteer roles and has won awards for brand representation and website development in online publishing.
Jacquelene Halliday is Gabriel Dumont Institute Training & Employment’s (GDI T&E) Provincial Access Manager. She is an active Board Member on the Spinal Cord Injury Saskatchewan (SCI Sask) Board of Directors and the SCI Canada Board of Directors.
For over 15 years, Jacquelene Halliday has been delivering labour market services to Saskatchewan Métis people. Her unique perspective on career development comes from a combination of education in Human Resources from Athabasca University and years of experience as an Employment Counsellor, Employment Services Manager, and currently the Provincial Access Manager. Her ongoing dedication to career development includes developing strategies to support the positive client-driven approach to ensure the client, counsellors, managers, Gabriel Dumont Institute, and community partners benefit from GDI T&E’s client-focused approach and the usage of PRIME. Not only does Jacquelene have a passion for helping people, but she has a love for nature. Jacquelene likes to explore the Porcupine and Wild Cat Hills by kayaking, hiking, camping and fishing with her trusty dog, Jäger in tow.
Stacy Hanson is completing her 27th year as an Educator. She began her career as a physical education teacher and 10 years later moved into Student Services as a high school counsellor. Stacy obtained her Social Work degree in 2004 and has spent the last 16 years counselling students with academic, career and personal issues. Stacy has always been passionate about mental health and has become certified in Mental Health Literacy, Brain Story, Mental Health First Aid, Violent Threat Risk Assessment 1 and 2, Applied Suicide Intervention and she has recently become certified in Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education (UBC).
Michelle Hardy has been a Program Coordinator with the Saskatoon Industry Education Council for the past four years. With a Bachelor of Education and a Master’s in Educational Administration, Michelle was a secondary school home economics teacher for ten years before transitioning to her role with the SIEC. Michelle facilitates specialized programming such as Skill Sets, Spotlight on Careers, and Connected: Young Women Exploring Careers, which provide experiential learning opportunities for youth as they explore pathways to their future. Michelle loves seeing students grow as they develop an understanding of their potential and discover their future path.
Julie Hauser is a Senior Programs and Partnerships Officer at the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. In this role, Julie works with her colleagues at FCAC to engage and collaborate with stakeholder groups from the public, private, and non-profit sectors across the country to help to help strengthen the financial literacy of individuals and families.
Julie participated in the cross-country and virtual consultations that led to the development of the first financial literacy strategy, as well as the renewed National Financial Literacy Strategy that was launched last July. This work gave her insight into the needs of vulnerable populations and showed her the benefits that have been achieved by collaboration and sharing of best practices.
Julie has held several positions at the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada for the past 12 years, and prior to that worked at the Bank of Canada, the International Development Research Centre and Environment Canada.
She holds a combined honours Bachelor of Journalism and Political Science degree from Carleton University.
Mark has previously worked as an accountant, IT technician, project manager, and strategic business consultant. While doing this boring corporate work, he spent his free time playing in punk rock bands and teaching himself how to brew beer at home. Mark and his homebrew friends opened Rebellion Brewing in 2014. Rebellion has gained international attention for their innovative, award-winning beers, while resonating with the local community through their charity work, advocacy efforts, and championing for all things Saskatchewan.
Jake Hirsch-Allen builds public private partnerships between North America’s governments, workforce development organizations, colleges and universities, and LinkedIn Talent Solutions. Jake is learning to be an ally to groups such as newcomers and refugees, indigenous populations, the formerly incarcerated and people with disabilities.
Jake speaks regularly on the changing nature or future of work and learning and is currently passionate about skills-based hiring and learning. Jake is a Director on the Boards of the Canadian Council for Youth Prosperity, Information and Communications Technology Council, and the Canadian Club. Jake founded Lighthouse Labs, Canada’s foremost software development bootcamp and Hacking Health. A former intellectual property and international criminal lawyer, Jake was also Chair of the Technology Committee of the Global Education Platform, taught Global Health at McMaster University and clerked at the Supreme Court of Israel.
Jocelyn Hofmann, Senior Financial Literacy Coordinator at READ Saskatoon. Jocelyn has worked at READ Saskatoon for 4.5 years, and in those years the financial literacy program has expanded to reach people from all across the province. Along, with facilitating workshops, Jocelyn also trains staff from non-profit/community organizations throughout Saskatchewan to facilitate financial literacy workshops to their own clients or program participants. The workshops are focused on financial literacy education, information, and connecting people to services in the communities that they live in.
As Executive Director of the Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF), Sareena works in Canada and internationally to strengthen the reach and impact of the career development sector by moving from ideas to action in areas of public policy, research and development, capacity building, and advocacy. Sareena is on the Board of the International Centre for Career Development and Public Policy and, in 2014, was awarded the International Gold Medal for Leadership in Career Development.
For over 30 years, Dorothy Hyde has been involved in the Saskatoon community in human services career development and adult education. She is the Executive Director of Radius Community Centre for Education and Employment Training, a non-profit that provides employment programs, employee development programs, and support services to families with children and youth with disabilities.
Dorothy believes in “walking the walk” and is a lifelong learner as demonstrated by such activities as playing trumpet in the Saskatoon Community Band and trying her hand at jazz. She is a community advocate and volunteers as a mentor with Leadership Saskatoon and is the current chair for the Canadian Citizen’s Advisory Committee for Corrections for the Saskatoon Regional Psychiatric Centre. Family is very important to Dorothy and her most energizing life moments are found with her children and her spirited 4 grandsons. Dorothy strives for an optimistic future that builds a community that is supportive, respectful and provides opportunities for community inclusion for all.
Riz Ibrahim is the Executive Director of CERIC. Riz works with CERIC’s cross-sectoral Board and Advisory Committees to develop strategic and functional partnerships that enhance the body of knowledge for Canada’s career professional communities. Additionally, Riz oversees all areas within CERIC’s mandate including the Cannexus National Career Development Conference, the CareerWise and OrientAction content websites, the peer-reviewed Canadian Journal of Career Development (CJCD), and a host of internal and external projects including national surveys of Canadians’ perceptions about career planning and about career development and the workplace.
Tanveer Islam’s professional experience spans a variety of sectors, including labour market policy and data analytics in government, financial advising in the banking sector, academic research in economics at the University of Saskatchewan, and consulting and project management in the non-profit sector. Tanveer has led stakeholder teams globally (France, Belgium, Thailand and Vietnam) to foster business and export linkages. Tanveer has two master’s degrees in Economics and has published research papers in international journals and conference proceedings. He regularly conducts economic analysis to inform government and industry labour market forecasts and brings a welcomed expertise in understanding and articulating the impact of local and global economy on Saskatchewan’s labour market.
