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Chartered Professionals in Human Resources
| 2024 Conference Speakers |
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DAY 1- October 2, 2024 The Future is Superhuman Today, we are undergoing a paradigm shift. The growth and adoption of new technologies, like Generative AI, is at a dizzying pace. At the same time, the baseline expectations of our stakeholders, customers and employees keep rising. How we can harness the power of technology to achieve extraordinary feats – not at the expense of our humanity, but by amplifying it.
As a globally recognized innovation strategist and bestselling author, Shawn Kanungo works at the intersection of creativity, business, and technology. He spent 12 years at Deloitte working closely with leaders to help them better plan for the opportunities associated with disruptive innovation. In his high energy keynotes, Kanungo draws on his extensive experience to provide audiences with an optimistic roadmap for the future; one that embraces unexpected approaches to innovation to remain competitive and relevant. Since leaving Deloitte, Kanungo has worked with hundreds of organizations on their journey to digital transformation. He’s led complex projects incorporating artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, behavioural economics, Web3, and more. Today, Kanungo is a Partner with Queen & Rook, where he advises leading organizations and executives on disruptive trends and invests in early-stage ventures. Kanungo is the first innovation expert to have a streaming special, released on Apple TV and Prime Video in August 2023. It complements and shares the name of his bestselling debut book, The Bold Ones, a playbook for individuals to become bolder and push their careers and organizations forward. It has been touted as one of McKinsey’s top decision-making books for leaders. Kanungo’s work has also been featured in the Globe and Mail, The Guardian, CBC, and CTV. A prolific content creator, Kanungo’s content on innovation has garnered millions of views across LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook. He’s been recognized by Edify magazine as one of their “Top 40 Under 40” and was called the “best virtual keynote speaker I’ve ever seen” by Forbes in 2021. Breakout Sessions The Future of Work: Employment Law Considerations in the Age of AI The discourse around Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) and its use in the workplace is a hot topic, and discerning its impact – whether beneficial or detrimental – is an issue that many employers are having to face. This session will include an insightful discussion on the intersection of AI and the workplace, including:
At the end of this session, participants will learn:
The goal is to assist participants in understanding the common legal issues to be aware of when their workplaces are utilizing AI tools, and what risks human resource professionals need to be aware of when using these tools for their own work.
Amy Gibson is a partner in the MLT Aikins labour and employment practice group in Saskatoon. She represents and provides guidance to provincially and federally regulated employers on a variety of labour and employment matters.
She provides employers with strategic advice and representation regarding union certification drives, collective bargaining, collective agreement interpretation, labour disputes, workplace policies, discipline and discharge, employment
contracts, occupational health and safety, 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. She also acts as chief negotiator in collective bargaining.
Jianna Rieder is an associate in the MLT Aikins labour and employment practice group in Regina. She provides advice on all matters relating to labour and employment law for both unionized and non-unionized workplaces. Her work extends to advising on employment standards complaints, human rights issues including discrimination and accommodation, employee termination and discipline and drafting employment agreements. How HR Creates Value: The Culture and Performance Equation Imagine an organization where employees come to work, grow, stay and create outstanding results on things that really matter. Upon entering the building you can feel the energy. The sense of kind, compassionate, dedicated staff is palpable throughout. People are respectful and energized. They seem to be having fun and respect one another. They always greet outsiders in a pleasant and upbeat way. There is a “Buzz” in the organization. As for the business, customers consistently rave about the solutions, products, experience and employees who serve them. Results, commitments, and innovation are always met and exceeded. When you are on the team, you are the envy of the community. “I hear it’s a great place to work” is a common comment when others find out where you work. Is this a dream? Culture inside organizations is a common topic for CEOs. When the end result is what has just been described, it is “Valhalla” for CEOs. It is the objective of many others. Sadly, it just isn’t very common. In fact, it is quite uncommon. When it is achieved it creates a competitive advantage that is not only hard to find, but almost impossible to replicate. The results are outstanding, and they are sustainable over long periods of time. Greg brings an uncommon focus on a critical three-way relationship - The Triad. This is the dynamic relationship between the CEO, the CHRO, and the HR Team. Having all three pillars working in concert creates the recipe for energy and accomplishment. The uncommonly complex combination of behaviours, programs, learning, and development becomes the trademark of success for the organization. The “Culture” conversation is one that can be discussed with pride rather than being avoided because it is seemingly unsolvable. The conversation is uncommon and complex…is purpose-driven, and values based. Sound exciting? Attend this workshop to begin to understand:
 Greg Honey brings more than 30 years of experience as an HR Professional and Leader navigating the transformation needs of organizations and setting a course to deliver “high performance”. Over the past 23 years, Greg served as the EVP and CHRO at Farm Credit Canada (FCC). Now retired from FCC, Greg is the Principal and Founder of his own company CultureLab. CultureLab exists to inspire people inside organizations, their leaders, and the entire organization. Inspiration is achieved through transformation technology, processes, and HR systems that enable people to live into their purpose while creating the value needed to serve and satisfy customer needs. Greg coaches CEOs and Leaders to set the atmosphere on the team that ultimately leads to that imagined future that everyone wants to experience at work. He advises and coaches CHROs on how to partner with their CEO to bring value and achieve the uncommon. The technology, processes, and behaviours are a complex problem that the HR team takes on with confidence and excitement when they have the knowledge, skill, ability, and expertise to manage the individual parts…and the combined system. Understanding and Embracing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for HR professionals In this presentation, I will provide context on the origins of EDI and discuss how it can successfully transform organizational cultures. While EDI has become part of the practice of almost every organization in the government and nonprofit sectors, we are still needing to move beyond awareness initiatives to embrace deep cultural transformation. From how to collect data in your organizations to how to evaluate the impact of EDI programs, I will provide specific tools that have proven successful.
Leadership in an Era of Moral Polarization Moral leadership - and the idea of doing the ‘right’ thing in business - has long been talked about as if it were simple. Be professional, follow the code of conduct, and all will be okay. That may have been the case in days gone by, and, in this edge of your seat keynote, business ethicist and TEDx speaker Morgan Hamel makes a strong case that changing stakeholder expectations, paired with the power of social media, have changed the game. Sharing a compelling real-life story from her time as CEO of online ethical fashion marketing company The Garment Inc., Morgan invites audiences to consider where ‘moral polarization’ is showing up in their organizations, and how well equipped they are to navigate it. Morgan Hamel is an ethicist, TEDx speaker and the President of MH Partners Inc., a boutique consulting firm adept at helping leaders and their organizations navigate a new era of business ethics and reputation risk. With a master’s degree in ethics from Utrecht University in the Netherlands, 11 years spent working in the ethics office of a large organization and real-life polarization experience as the founder and CEO of an ethical fashion marketing firm that generated over $1M in responsible sales in its first corporate year, Morgan brings together the academic, corporate and entrepreneurial aspects of business ethics in a way that doesn’t exist elsewhere. CLOSING KEYNOTE SPEAKER Keep Moving Forward: How to Overcome Obstacles and Become Unstoppable Each day, we encounter personal and professional challenges that demand both energy and perseverance. Kendal Netmaker shares Indigenous strategies to help anyone facing challenges in their daily and professional life. Netmaker utilizes the power of storytelling to explore the daily challenges we encounter in both personal and professional spheres. Drawing from his own remarkable journey “from poverty to podium”, as documented in his bestselling book Driven to Succeed, Netmaker imparts valuable insights and lessons from his ancestors. This energizing presentation aims to inspire and guide attendees towards a mindset shift, enabling them to refuel, recharge, and reenergize their resilience for ultimate success in all aspects of life. Audience outcomes:
An award-winning entrepreneur and author, Kendal Netmaker is a master storyteller who uses his natural gift to help people shift their mindset and find the success they seek. He speaks professionally to thousands of people worldwide on resilience, leadership, and the power of telling your story, weaving his real-life experiences into motivating lessons that empower and build more resilient leaders and organizations. From Sweetgrass First Nation, Netmaker and his siblings were raised by their single mother. Life wasn’t easy growing up on the reserve surrounded by poverty and few opportunities, but one moment changed his life forever. In grade five, he and his best friend shared a love of sports, but his family couldn’t afford extracurricular activities. So, his friend’s family stepped in. They paid the fees and drove him to his games and practices. It wasn’t until he was older that Netmaker understood exactly what this family did for him, and how different his life would have been without them. It’s this that has motivated him throughout his life and drives him still to this day. Today, Netmaker is a leading entrepreneur whose passion to succeed is contagious. He is the founder of Neechie Gear, a lifestyle apparel brand that gives back a percentage of their profits to help underprivileged youth take part in sports. Netmaker has won over 25 business awards, including being named one of Canada’s “Top 40 Under 40” and being runner-up at the YBI Global Entrepreneur of the Year. He is also the author of Driven to Succeed: From Poverty to Podium. DAY 2- October 3, 2024 OPENING KEYNOTE SPEAKER Interactive Mental Fitness This signature session provides attendees with thought-provoking tools and routines to train their minds to work for them instead of against them. Participants are left with proven techniques to clear mental clutter, defuse high-stress situations, rev up personal performance, and heighten long-term (and sustained) health and happiness.
Marc Champagne is a best-selling author, podcast host, keynote speaker, and mental fitness strategist who helps corporate teams and individuals enhance their mental well-being. Leveraging insights gained from over 350 interviews and studying leading minds such as Kobe Bryant, Maya Angelou, Coco Chanel, and Stephen Hawking, Marc trains people to ask better quality questions so they can clear out mental clutter, release pent-up stress, expand their clarity, and rev up performance. Breakout Sessions Cultivating Mental Resilience in the Face of Technological Disruption
In this session, we'll explore proactive strategies to equip our teams with the mental resilience needed to navigate the massive technological shifts on the horizon. Through guided discussion and targeted questions, I'll facilitate an interactive dialogue aimed at uncovering practical approaches to fortify the collective mindset of our organizations. Together, we'll identify actionable steps that can be implemented today to safeguard mental well-being and lay a foundation for future readiness.
 As the author of the best-selling book Personal Socrates: Better Questions, Better Life and host of the top-50 ranked podcast Behind The Human, Marc Champagne has spent over a decade studying the mental fitness practices of some of the world’s most successful and brilliant thinkers. He specializes in training teams to integrate tailored mental fitness practices designed to help them clear out mental clutter to overcome overwhelm, calmly navigate high-stress situations, and enhance their creativity, clarity, and focus.
Borderless Talent- How to Excel in International Hiring and Avoid Pitfalls
Adaeze Aja, Associate Lawyer | McDougall Gauley LLP Are you an HR professional working through the challenges of hiring foreign talent in Saskatchewan? Join our insightful session as we explore the complexities of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) and the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process. We will cover exemptions and eligibility criteria , legal considerations to help you avoid common pitfalls, tips on hiring and retaining foreign workers, and practical scenarios that provide actionable takeaways for ensuring immigration compliance. Key Takeaways:
 Ada is an associate at the Regina office of McDougall Gauley LLP practicing immigration law and other practice areas. She began her legal career in 2007 after her call to the Nigerian Bar and practiced as an in-house counsel for over a decade with a major oil and gas company in Nigeria. Following her move to Canada in 2019, Ada recertified and was called to the Saskatchewan Bar in 2023. She is actively involved in several community and professional initiatives where she volunteers her time and expertise to cater to the evolving needs of Saskatchewan’s diverse demographics. Ada is energized by interacting with people, exploring nature and travel. Compensation: Keeping Up in an Ever-Evolving Function Compensation professionals are continually being challenged to provide increased value and support for the recruitment and retention of employees, while keeping control of costs. The changing economy, increasing salary pressures and new areas of benefits will be discussed along with their impact on the Total Rewards being offered by organizations. 
Gary Mearns has had an extensive lifelong career in the field of Human Resource Management during which time he led the human resources function of three large organizations. During his career, he also held specialist roles in recruitment, compensation and labour relations. Gary owns and manages GMA Consulting, a boutique consulting firm specializing in labour relations assistance to small and medium sized organizations. He has also been the Principal Consultant, Human Resources, for Morris Interactive since 2019 during which time he has been involved in a variety of human resources projects. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Mr. Mearns received both his undergraduate degree in Commerce and his MBA from the University of Saskatchewan. He achieved his Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation in 1997, the Senior Human Resource Professional designation in 2012, and a Fellow of the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (FCPHR) in 2023 as recognition for his contribution to the HR field over his career. His human resources knowledge has also been applied in the classroom, where Gary instructed various extension classes over an eight-year period for SIAST’s Human Resources Diploma program and as a Sessional Instructor in the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan since 2016. He was a mentor for almost 15 years for human resource management students in the Edwards School of Business at the U. of S. and has been a speaker on various human resource topics before local, provincial and international audiences. Gary’s work in the human resources field was recognized in 2006 when he was awarded the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal. Gary has been an active volunteer in many organizations over his career, having been a founding board member and past-president of the Saskatoon Crime Stoppers program, board member and past-president of the Saskatoon Human Resources Association, board member and past-president of the University of Saskatchewan Alumni Association, board member and past-president of the Co-operative Superannuation Pension Plan, board member and past-president of the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Saskatchewan, and a past-president of his church board. He also coached minor league basketball for six years. Gary and his wife have enjoyed a 46-year marriage, and they have two grown sons. His interests include travelling, watching sports, and reading. Revolutionizing HR: Unveiling the Power of Generative AI Tailored for HR professionals, this talk aims to clarify the capabilities and implications of Generative AI, while debunking widespread myths. We delve into the heart of Generative AI, differentiating between reality and misconceptions, and addressing common apprehensions. Discover the transformative role of AI in recruitment, employee engagement, and performance analysis, and how it redefines HR practices. A significant focus of the session is on ethical considerations and bias mitigation, ensuring fairness and integrity in AI applications. What Participants Will Learn:
The session wraps up with an interactive Q&A, ensuring participants leave with a thorough understanding of AI's potential in HR and the knowledge to make informed decisions on shaping a responsible AI-enabled future in the workplace.
Honoured as one of CIO Magazine's "Top 10 HR Executives in Tech," Melina Gillies is a certified HR Executive, bringing two decades of HR and consulting experience to the forefront. With both public, private and government experience, she is a sought-after speaker on remote and hybrid engagement strategies, board relations, and the use of generative AI at work. As the Chief People and Experience Officer at FlexNetworks, headquartered in Saskatoon, Melina offers globally-informed insights tailored to local needs. Her "duty of care" philosophy prioritizes a human-first approach, enabling organizations to navigate the complexities of the modern work landscape effectively. A passionate advocate for neurodiversity, Melina leverages her own experience with combination ADHD to champion the power of diverse thinking in the workplace. When she’s not driving HR innovation, Melina travels North America in her travel trailer with her family, co-hosting the popular "RV Canucks" podcast.
CLOSING KEYNOTE SPEAKER Mental Health: The Good, the Bad, and the Funny The stigma surrounding mental illness leads to unnecessary suffering and stops people from seeking help. Higher rates of stress and burnout have left people grappling with how to be healthy, hopeful, and engaged. It’s time to talk, but discussing mental health doesn’t have to be heavy or burdensome. In fact, it can feel inspiring, empowering, and even joyful. Comedian and Bell Let’s Talk ambassador Jessica Holmes breaks down the stigma by using heart and humour to share her experience with depression. She weaves comedy, characters, and music to bring understanding and hope to a serious subject, describing how she went from successful entertainer who opened for Oprah Winfrey to couch potato who slept more than a cat! Holmes shares the lessons she wrote about in her heartwarmingly funny book, Depression The Comedy: A Tale of Perseverance, to motivate your team to prioritize their well-being. Your team will learn:
Holmes’ story, which has a deeply happy ending, leaves audiences with a better understanding of mental illness, more empathy for those suffering with it, and that wonderful feeling you get from a good laugh.
Beloved comedian Jessica Holmes has brought the house down opening for giants such as Ellen DeGeneres, Russell Peters, Jerry Seinfeld, and Oprah Winfrey. She has performed at Just For Laughs and The Second City, and starred in the comedy series, The Holmes Show and Royal Canadian Air Farce. Her hilarious take on life’s challenges as well as her unique knack for impersonating celebrities have audiences in stitches. Holmes, like millions of North Americans, has struggled both with post-partum depression and, as she puts it, “regular, run-of-the-mill, garden-variety depression”. Striving to help end the stigma around mental health issues, she openly shares her personal stories with the humour she’s known for, bringing light to what can often be a dark topic. Holmes’ funny and inspiring book, Depression The Comedy: A Tale of Perseverance, takes readers deeper into her mental health journey with validation and warmth. She is also grateful to help further reduce the stigma around mental illness as a Bell Let’s Talk celebrity ambassador. Holmes’s greatest joy is helping people take simple, sustainable steps towards fulfillment and well-being, one laugh at a time. Follow Holmes on Twitter and Instagram at @happyfeetholmes.
CONFERENCE EMCEE Kevin Lim
Behind the mic, over the radio, on-stage and on-camera, Kevin Lim has been entertaining, storytelling and connecting with audiences for nearly 20 years. |
Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Saskatchewan (CPHR Saskatchewan)
#210, 3501 8th Street East / Saskatoon, Sask. / S7H 0W5
tel: 306.242.2747 / email: info@cphrsk.ca
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