"Your Ego is Not Your Amigo" 

• Discover strategies for eradicating entitlement with tools which change the energy of entire group meetings from “Why we can’t” to “How we could";
• Develop highly effective mental processes in their teams that hold all team members accountable to their results;
• Comprehend a list of questions that can be implemented immediately and used for self-reflection and awareness; 
• Understand engagement from an entirely different perspective, one that is based upon listening to the highly accountable employees;
• Compelling research showing that current leadership strategic direction and foundational philosophies regarding change management, engagement, accountability and leadership development are flawed and causing significant waste in the workplace; and  
• Uncover modern approaches to engagement and change management strategies.

Cy Wakeman is a drama researcher, global thought-leader, and New York Times best-selling author who is recognized for cultivating a counter-intuitive, reality-based approach to leadership. Backed by over 20 years of unparalleled experience, Wakeman’s philosophy offers a new lens through which employees and executives alike, can shift their attention inward, sharpen their focus on personal accountability, and uncover their natural state of innovation simply by ditching the drama.

As a highly sought-after conference headliner, Cy Wakeman holds a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation from the National Speaker’s Association, placing her within the top 3% of speakers. Wakeman has published three books, the latest of which is No Ego: How to Cut the Cost of Drama, End Entitlement and Drive Big Results (2017). Cy also hosts her own No Ego podcast, a Facebook Watch show, Life’s Messy, Live Happy, and adds weekly video content on YouTube to address leaders’ biggest challenges in the workplace. For more information, please visit Realitybasedleadership.com or follow Cy on social at @cywakeman.

"MLT Aikins Law Panel"

In this open forum legal session, you will have the opportunity to ask burning questions on COVID-19 and engage with a panel of experienced lawyers from MLT Aikins, one of the top Western Canadian law firms. Fortune Magazine acknowledges MLT Aikins as one of its Go-To Law Firms.

Topics may include, but are not limited to: 

• COVID-19: Safe work environments, right to refuse work, and OHS compliance and complaints
• Duty to accommodate in the context of COVID-19
• What to do if a worker refuses to return to the office
• Mandatory vaccination and an employer's right to require an employee to advise on vaccination status

To support the Conference schedule and encourage substantial information sharing in the session, you are encouraged to email your prepared question (in brief form) no later than Friday, March 19, 2021 to Leanne Pawlyshyn, at lpawlyshyn@cphrsk.ca. Pre-prepared questions will be forwarded directly to the panel of experts. Questions will also be accepted in the session. 

John Agioritis, Partner

John Agioritis represents clients on all types of regulatory infractions and criminal matters, including federal and provincial occupational health and safety legislation. He has assisted employers of all sizes including small closely held companies to large, publicly traded multinational international entities navigate their way through occupational health and safety investigations and prosecutions in various industries. John also provides pro-active advice on due diligence measures designed to meet and exceed occupational health and safety obligations. He has appeared before the Saskatchewan Provincial Court, Alberta Provincial Court, the  Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench, Alberta Court of Queen's Bench and the Court of Appeal for Saskatchewan.

Jana Linner, Partner

Jana focuses on labour and employment and human rights law, representing public and private sector employers in a wide variety of industries. She provides practical strategic advice on all matters relating to federal and provincial labour and employment law, including, among other issues, collective agreement negotiation and interpretation, employment standards, the drafting and implementation of employment contracts and workplace policies, advising on disciplinary matters and terminations, navigating human rights, harassment and accommodation situations, and defending employers facing litigation. She regularly acts for unionized and non-unionized employers and has extensive experience representing rural and urban municipalities on labour and employment matters. Jana has represented clients at all levels of Saskatchewan courts, as well as the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board, arbitration boards and various administrative boards and tribunals. She clerked with the Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench.

Amy Gibson, Lawyer

Amy Gibson carries on a general labour and employment practice. She advises employers on a variety of labour issues, including union certification drives, collective agreement interpretation, labour disputes, workplace policies, discipline and discharge, employment contracts, OH&S, workers’ compensation, labour standards and human rights. She has experience with a variety of court and administrative proceedings as well as representing clients before the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board and in Canada Labour Code unjust dismissal adjudications.  

"The Role of HR in Cyber Security" 

Cyber Security is listed by the World Economic Forum as one of the Top 10 risks over the next 10 years. As we expand our ability to access information to work from home we also expand the risk. Our greatest assets are now our greatest risks. In this session, Eugene Ng will discuss how the pandemic is shaping the cyber security landscape, how it is impacting our employees directly, and what the role HR professionals play in helping improve cyber security for our companies and employees.

Presented by Eugene Ng, CISSP

Eugene Ng is MNP’s Cyber Security Leader for Eastern Canada. A member of the firm’s Enterprise Risk Services team, Eugene identifies security technology, products and services that give clients a competitive advantage.

Eugene oversees research and development activities and formulates long-term vision and strategies at the executive management level to help the firm better serve clients. He provides a full range of cyber security services and solutions to medium-sized and large enterprises, delivering strong advice to help clients make business decisions relating to technology.

Prior to joining MNP, Eugene co-founded a successful cyber security company that won many industry awards. There, he held the position of Chief Innovation Officer and was involved in the design and high-level strategic security vision with some of Canada’s largest corporations. Eugene has attended numerous events to understand the marketplace and upcoming technologies and has been a guest speaker, most notably a panel speaker at the Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies to discuss cybercrime with some of Canada’s most respected government agencies.

Eugene is a graduate of the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. He holds the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) designation and is a PCI Qualified Security Assessor.


"Ignoring the Imposter in the Room- Hint: The Truth Helps" 

As one of only eight female Canadian big city Mayors, Sandra Masters will share her story of becoming one of, very few.  With women accounting for half of our Canadian population and still underrepresented in both political and professional leadership positions, Mayor Sandra Masters has defied many of these “glass ceilings” on her journey to becoming the first elected female Mayor of Regina. Her story of perseverance, hard work, dedication and passion is sure to inspire!

Presented by Sandra Masters, Mayor City of Regina

Mayor Sandra Masters is the City of Regina’s 35th Mayor and the first elected female into the office. Sandra grew up in the prairies and has called Regina home for more than 20 years. An Alumni of the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Commerce, she has an undergraduate degree with a double major in Human Resource Management & General Business. Her professional career has included agricultural financing, commercial real estate sales and financing, retail sales management - notably missing is HR experience. She has also been an active volunteer in the community, from gymnastics judge, volleyball coach and referee, board member of Hockey Regina to Chairing the Board of a municipal corporation.

Devoted Mom to four grown children and grandmother of one … and counting.  Daily discussions with her granddaughter provide a grounding perspective on things that are important in work and life.  Her personal mantra “Show up, Work Hard” has proven itself time and again. 

Bold and driven to achieve, she continues to be one of … very few women. Throughout her career she has been one of two licensed commercial realtors in the province, the sole female commercial lender in a team of 12, one of a handful of Canadian agriculture credit managers and one of only eight Canadian large city female mayors.  Fun Fact: female mayors lead fewer than 20% of all Canadian municipalities.


"What HR Needs to Know About Employee Fraud"

This session will provide the HR professional with information on the pitfalls of internal fraud matters.  The session will define the differences between fraud and theft and the likelihood of it occurring in the workplace.  The session will engage the participants with real-life examples of fraud that demonstrate the need for carefulness and precaution when dealing with these matters.  The session will provide the best practices for policies and decision making where unethical conduct is uncovered and provide statistics from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners to assist the HR professional and the Finance department in deterring unethical conduct.  HR Professionals need to be aware of how action or inaction could affect the outcome of civil and criminal litigation.

Presented by Michael McCormack, Senior Manager Forensic & Litigation Support Services

Mike is a senior manager in the Forensic and Litigation Support Service line of MNP LLP. He is responsible for investigations across Canada. He works with private corporations and public organizations on employee misconduct, including fraud and theft investigations, risk assessments, due diligence and harassment in the workplace cases. Mike is designated as a Certified Forensic Investigator. Before joining MNP, Mike served for 24 years at the Ottawa Police Service as a Detective Sgt in Financial Crimes and Proceeds of Crime.

Mike is responsible for forensic delivery across Manitoba and Saskatchewan and is MNP’s investigator for harassment, sexual harassment and unethical acts by employees across Canada. Mike has worked with law firms and private clients to deliver culture reviews, harassment investigation and investigational procedures training.

"50 Shades of Beige" 

Successful organizations understand that being able to communicate cross culturally in the workplace leads to enhanced productivity, performance, and employee engagement. Managing diversity drives profitability, leads to innovation, and promotes an inspiring workplace culture.

Audiences will learn:

• Cultural differences in communication: Indirect vs. direct speaking styles;
• Individualistic and collective cultures: How values change the way we communicate;
• Effective day to day communication when English is a second language;
• Non verbal communication: Why the “unspoken” word is the most important of all;
• How global companies lose millions in revenue due to a lack of understanding of cultural differences; and
• How to use the VAK model of Communication (visual/audio/kinesthetic) using the cross cultural advantage.
  
  

Presented by Tina Varughese, Cross-Cultural Communication & Diversity Expert

An Indo-Canadian daughter of first generation East Indian parents, Varughese says her cultural background allows her to find “the best of both worlds” and shed light, knowledge, and, most importantly, universal humour into the changing workplace. Her highly entertaining, interactive, and practical keynotes leave attendees inspired to think, behave, act, and communicate with intention.

For fifteen years Varughese worked with immigrants in her roles with the Province of Alberta’s immigration office. She also ran her own successful relocation and settlement firm. Varughese draws from her experiences as an entrepreneur, mother, daughter, wife, sister, and friend when delivering keynotes on diversity and inclusion — topics that resonate with her both professionally and personally. 

Varughese has been named one of “Canada’s Top 10 Notable Speakers” by Ignite Magazine for her ability to break down barriers and create a comfortable, inclusive, and fun space for attendees. She was the face of diversity, literally, having been chosen to participate in Dove’s campaign for Real Beauty, representing beauty in diversity.

The past-president of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (Calgary), Varughese is a contributing writer for the Human Resource Institute of Alberta’s Network magazine, Calgary Real Estate News, and Home to Home magazine. She was also profiled in Alberta’s Venture Magazine.

Thank You to the 2021 Sponsors!