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Chartered Professionals in Human Resources
| 2025 Conference Speakers |
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Accommodations | Registration | Schedule | Speakers | Sponsors | Tradeshow | Venue DAY 1- October 8, 2025 OPENING KEYNOTE In this age of artificial intelligence, how will work evolve beyond ChatGPT? As the world adopts AI, organizations will struggle to find their competitive edge. After all, using the same groundbreaking platforms will result in the same groundbreaking results — ultimately leading to a lack of differentiation between competitors. Individuals and industries must learn to differentiate themselves in the age of AI — or be disrupted. Amidst the noise, three foundationally distinct skills — wonder, vision casting, and connection — are emerging. In this experiential 60-min keynote, Jay Kiew will share how trailblazing organizations are driving disruption in the age of AI. He will also unpack Compass, a leading change navigation playbook, to equip audiences with the strategies needed to skillfully navigate the evolution of work. The transformation audiences will experience:
This keynote is perfect for:
Jay Kiew Jay Kiew is a change navigation strategist and world-renowned keynote speaker with more than 13 years of strategy and human capital experience. He has created more than $2B of impact for 400+ executives by designing, developing, and delivering organizational transformation, but his story extends far beyond the professional arena. Kiew is a half-blind cancer survivor, whose life is a testament to resilience in the face of adversity. His remarkable blend of professional expertise and personal resilience equips leaders to hack through the thick of change and disruption. Kiew spent his corporate career working at Deloitte, TELUS, and ADP, where he led mission-critical strategic transformations. This included a $150-million primary care health policy reform, $13-million tech transformations, doubling app users from 1 to 2 million, and scaling 15 product lines to $35 million in 12 months. At the age of 19, Kiew became the world's youngest Distinguished Toastmaster. He has since been featured in the Financial Times, Globe and Mail, Financial Post, Ivey Business Journal, Change Leadership, and more. He also sits on the Project Management Institute’s Board of Directors for the Canadian West Coast Chapter. Kiew holds an MBA from the Ivey Business School and is a Prosci-certified PMP and Insights psychometric practitioner. LUNCHEON KEYNOTE Create unstoppable momentum through problem-solving, consistent action, and purpose-driven leadership. In today’s fast-moving world, it’s easy to feel stuck, stalled, or overwhelmed. But lasting momentum isn’t something we wait for — it’s something we build. In this energizing keynote, aviator, entrepreneur, and leadership expert Chris Wilson shares how to shift from stalled to soaring using his practical approach to momentum-based leadership. Through powerful stories and actionable strategies, Chris shows how to turn real-world challenges into growth opportunities, build consistency in the face of chaos, and lead with clarity — no matter your role or starting point. This keynote delivers the tools and mindset needed to generate forward movement, take ownership, and drive results both personally and professionally.
Chris Wilson As a former commercial Helicopter pilot and aircraft maintenance engineer, Chris is no stranger to pressure, making fast decisions in remote, high-risk environments where the margin for error is zero. Today, he brings that same calm-under-fire mindset to leadership development. As a keynote speaker, founder, and two-time bestselling author, Chris blends cockpit decision-making with grounded leadership insights, helping teams and organizations navigate uncertainty and perform under pressure. Chris has been trusted by globally recognized organizations, including TED, UC Berkeley, the University of British Columbia, the Project Management Institute, the YMCA, and Junior Achievement. His TED talk reached one of the largest live audiences in Canada, and he’s delivered keynotes across Canada and the U.S.A., with his content reaching people worldwide. At the core of his message is Dare to Fly—a simple, powerful framework for leading through complexity. Whether in the air or the office, Chris equips people to set the course, take the controls, and navigate forward—building momentum when it matters most. BREAKOUT SESSIONS Leveraging AI to Increase Productivity This practical session will introduce attendees to straightforward, effective ways to use AI tools to improve productivity. Participants will learn how AI can help automate routine tasks, better manage workloads, and free up time for important strategic and relationship-building activities. Real-world examples and practical tips will demonstrate how AI can be implemented responsibly and effectively within your organization. Learning Objectives:
Key Takeaways:
Randy Klassen, BSPE, CFRE Randy Klassen is a seasoned fund development consultant and founder of TR Leadership, specializing in practical applications of AI to enhance productivity for non-profit and HR professionals. With 17 years of experience as a YMCA CEO and nearly four decades in nonprofit leadership, Randy combines strategic insight with real-world solutions. He has presented extensively on AI productivity, including sessions at the YMCA NAYDO Conference (St. Louis, May 2025), Faith-Based Conferences (Edmonton, 2024 & 2025), AFP Regina (April 2025), AFP Edmonton (2025), New York State YMCA’s (October 2024), and YMCA South America Webinar (September 2024). Randy’s engaging presentations empower professionals to leverage technology for improved efficiency, strategic impact, and enhanced organizational outcomes. The Power of People Analytics: Fostering a Culture of Data-Driven HR In today’s fast-evolving workplace, HR leaders can no longer rely solely on intuition to make critical workforce decisions. The ability to leverage people analytics is a critical competency that drives strategic impact, improves employee experience, and aligns HR with business objectives. This session will demystify people analytics and demonstrate why HR professionals should adopt a data-driven approach to stay competitive. We’ll break down the Learning Objectives:
Key Takeaways:
Emmanoella Val-Kanu, CPHR With over 18 years of experience in the human resources space, Noella has built a career at the intersection of people strategy and business performance. She has held key roles in both traditional HR leadership and management consulting across diverse sectors, in both Canada and Nigeria, developing a deep understanding of workforce dynamics and organizational effectiveness. Noella is passionate about leveraging data to uncover patterns and insights, present the "talent story for decision making, ensuring the alignment of people strategies with business objectives. Recognizing that the future of HR lies in analytics, she has successfully led initiatives that enhance workforce planning, talent management, and organizational culture through evidence-based decision-making. An advocate for continuous learning, Noella actively contributes to industry conversations on the evolving role of HR, particularly in fostering a data-driven culture. Whether working with executive leadership teams or mentoring HR professionals, she is committed to empowering organizations to harness the power of people analytics for sustainable growth and impact. Noella is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and holds a Master’s degree in People Analytics. Outside of work, Noella serves on the board of a local non-profit, with a focus on empowering visible minority women. She loves to read on diverse self-help topics that broaden her mind and help her in achieving the most desired balance in life. She is also a creative person who has loved to dance since she was a child. In her spare time, she enjoys decorating small spaces and spending quality time with her husband and two children Wise Practice in Indigenous Retention Over the course of the proposed session, we will share findings from the Wise Practice in Indigenous Retention project that Sequoia Collaboration & Consulting conducted in 2025 with three employer partners in the non-profit sector. This project endeavours to understand specific barriers to Indigenous retention and promotion within organizations, and ameliorate those barriers through capacity-building, policy change recommendations and data-driven decision making. Learning objectives:
Key Takeaways:
Lauren Remple Lauren is a program manager and human resource professional committed to contributing to a more equitable and inclusive world. She has over 16 years of experience in human resources, Indigenous engagement and equity, diversity and inclusion predominantly within the post-secondary, telecommunications and energy sectors. Lauren is Cree and of mixed- European ancestry and is a proud citizen of Alexander First Nation in Treaty 6 territory. Lauren uses a values-centric and intersectional approach to program development and project management and is guided by the ethical principles of reciprocity, responsibility, relevance and respect. Lauren holds a Master of Arts in Global Leadership from Royal Roads University, where her work focused on furthering the adoption and implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. Lauren has lived in Treaty 7 territory, Region 3 of the Métis Nation in Alberta, in Calgary for her entire life. She and her partner enjoy spending time outdoors with their two children and two golden retrievers HR Horror Stories: Legal Lessons from the Employment Crypt In the dark corners of Saskatchewan workplaces, legal horrors lurk, just waiting to haunt the unprepared… Nobody wants to be part of an HR Horror story! The wrong HR decisions can lead to legal liability, reputational damage, and workplace chaos. This session will discuss tales of real HR nightmares and the legal consequences. From wrongful dismissals, investigations, misconduct and discipline, this session will explore how HR can prevent these “scary” tragedies and save the day. Topics will include discussion on:
At the end of this session, participants will learn valuable and practical lessons to navigate those difficult and tough HR situations, such as employment contracts and terminations, various approaches to discipline, and conducting thorough investigations. The goal is to assist participants in navigating HR concerns as they arise in their workplace. Participants will gain an understanding of an employer’s legal duty in navigating a broad range of issues and gain practical advice to be prepared and prevent any HR nightmares becoming a reality. This session will provide participants with the resources to prevent legal liability and properly respond and advise on a variety of employment issues. Real examples from case law will be presented to provide insight into the do’s and don’ts in navigating these issues and practical tips to avoid the nightmares of employee complaints and litigations.
Stephanie Yang Morris Stephanie practices in the firm’s labour and employment practice group. She represents both provincially and federally regulated employers with a focus on labour, employment, and human rights. In addition to her time with MLT Aikins, Stephanie served as in-house legal counsel with the Brandt Group of Companies. She also worked at SaskTel as legal counsel and the HR director of industrial relations, compensation, and benefits. Drawing from her in-house experience, Stephanie provides practical and strategic advice regarding everything from day-to-day advising to assisting employers with drafting workplace employment policies and employment contracts, discipline and discharge, navigating workplace accommodations, collective bargaining, restructurings, occupational health and safety and human rights matters. Stephanie has appeared before all levels of Courts in Saskatchewan, the Canada Industrial Relations Board, the Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, and human rights tribunals (but her toughest negotiations are usually with her 6-year-old daughter, Makena and 5-year-old son, Ty). Stephanie is a proud mom, professional snack dealer, doer of cartwheels, and killer of houseplants. When she is not cleaning, building the next Lego masterpiece with her kids, she enjoys skiing, kitchen dance parties, and ruining nice walks with golf. CLOSING KEYNOTE SPEAKER Life isn’t getting simpler. The demands are real, the roles we carry are many, and the pressure to keep it all together rarely lets up. But what if instead of waiting until we break, we built lives designed to hold us steady—before the storm hits? This keynote is about more than managing burnout—it's about designing a life that makes space for complexity. Anchored in Wellness invites you to step back from the noise and ask: What am I building beneath me to keep me grounded when things get hard? We’ll explore what it means to cultivate real wellbeing: not as a list of to-dos, but as a foundation you can return to. You'll learn how to recognize early signs of strain, strengthen your support network, and take intentional steps toward a life that’s sustainable, connected, and aligned with your values. This session isn’t focused on organizational wellness policies—it’s about you. But as we build our own wellness anchors, we naturally create healthier cultures around us. Because how we show up ripples out. When we’re grounded, we create space for others to thrive too. Whether you’re navigating stress, craving more alignment, or ready to lead your life with intention, this keynote is a call to come home to yourself—and build something sturdy enough to anchor you through life’s complexity.
Steven Langer Steven is a highly-rated international keynote speaker and expert in creating the conditions for a healthy workplace culture. He is also a lead curator for an international wellness magazine, and has appeared on several podcasts and publications. Steven works with organizations to amplify their organizational wellness, design healthy workplace cultures, and empower teams to reach their optimal potential. Steven brings actionable strategies to create the conditions for a healthy workplace culture and sustainable personal and professional wellness. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, on the verge of burnout, or simply seeking a more sustainable lifestyle, Steven's message will empower you to live your life with greater intention, and help you to optimize your workplace culture. DAY 2- October 9, 2025 OPENING KEYNOTE SPEAKER The Inclusion Shift: Beyond Buzzwords to What's Next Despite the headlines focusing on companies scaling back their inclusion efforts, the broader reality tells a different story. Seven out of eight organizations remain committed, including more than 200 Fortune 500 companies that are refining their Leaders must look beyond the headlines and understand why some of the most profitable companies continue investing in inclusion. Shareholders make decisions based on performance, and these organizations are not staying the course out of obligation but because it improves business outcomes. Companies that embed inclusion into their talent and leadership strategies see stronger retention, higher engagement, and better innovation. The smartest companies are not abandoning inclusion but evolving it. They are shifting from performative efforts to strategic, measurable approaches that create a win-win for employees and the business. This session explores what’s working, what’s outdated, and what’s next. HR leaders will leave with a practical framework to align inclusion with business objectives and long-term workforce planning. Key Learning Objectives:
Elise Ahenkorah Elise Ahenkorah is an award-winning strategist helping organizations build high-performing, people-first cultures where talent thrives. As the founder of Inclusion Factor, she advises Fortune 500s, governments, and nonprofits on how to build representative teams, create fair and future-ready talent systems, and strengthen performance through culture and learning. With deep expertise in change management, HR, and workforce inclusion, Elise brings a data-driven lens to today’s most pressing challenges—an aging workforce, immigration shifts, intergenerational teams, and evolving employee expectations. She designs practical strategies that close skill gaps, boost retention, and drive measurable results across the employee lifecycle. Elise is the 2025 recipient of the WXN Global Alliance of Inclusive Leadership (GAIL) Award and the Town of Oakville Chamber of Commerce Award, recognized globally for her leadership in workplace transformation. Known for her approachable style and sharp insights, she makes complex workplace issues feel human, sparking the kinds of conversations—and decisions—that build stronger, more resilient organizations." BREAKOUT SESSIONS Artificial Intelligence vs Human Interaction - How The Past, Present, and Future of AI Changes the Game in the Workplace In this dynamic two-part session, participants will gain a foundational and forward-looking understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its implications for the workplace.
This session will also feature a mini-interactive quiz – “The curious case of the job hunter, AI, and how he didn't get the job”, designed to challenge assumptions and spark discussion about AI’s role in hiring and decision-making.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to
Alex Fallon Alex has over 20 years of experience, has been a CEO for two multimillion-dollar companies in Saskatchewan, and a keynote speaker for large conferences. Alex has worked for a long time in a lot of places. His first job was in London, England, for a Swedish technology company; his second job was in Tokyo, Japan, for the British Government. He did the corporate thing at Cameco Corporation, he did the government thing with the Government of Saskatchewan, he’s been a CEO (twice), and he's a successful entrepreneur. His first book of poetry, “All I have is words”, has been a best seller at McNally’s, and he’s currently writing his first play. Alex is the British Honorary Consul to the Province of Saskatchewan; he’s been awarded the Sovereign Medal and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal. He is Founder and Chair of the Western Canada Economic Forum. Alex has a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Law, but wishes he had done a history degree. Has completed an AI certification course at Oxford University and regularly speaks on the news, radio, and writes for print media. In 2024, Alex founded Artificial Intelligence Saskatchewan (AiSK)to act as the hub for AI in Saskatchewan. He is the founder of AiRT: The Canadian AI Art Awards and sold the first piece of AI art in Saskatchewan!
Kaitlyn Hebert She served as the Privacy Officer for a Canadian tech startup, where she built their privacy management program from the ground up. She also supports the growth of AI in Saskatchewan by participating on the Advisory Board with AiSK, and is keen to assist others in embracing AI across their business strategy and data governance model-- building trust through data. As Director of Privacy at INQ ("ink") Consulting, she leads and develops privacy assets for the Privacy: Ready program, assisting organizations of all sizes and sectors with a wide range of data related projects. Sustainable Improvement: A Remedy for Change Fatigue Does the idea of yet another “organizational change” make you or others want to run screaming from the building? People in many workplace enterprises are tired of change, and extensive change fatigue has accumulated in every sector. This fatigue negatively impacts our employment experiences and hinders what HR and other leaders are able to “rally” when it’s important to move forward in different ways. Many, many people are hungry for actual improvements, not merely more change. Join me to better understand the social psychology behind sustainable improvement with practical pearls for moving forward. This session is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of:
You will also have opportunity to engage with colleagues to generate some concrete ideas you could potentially test in your workplace.
Ruth Kinzel, PhD, CPHR Ruth found her way to Organizational Development while part of a workplace that handled it badly in the early 1980s. The experience proved there’s far too much at stake not to do this well. How we work together directly impacts business success, employee well-being, employer reputation, and ultimately those whom the business serves. Ruth's sense that the quality of work life and business success are interdependent told her there had to be better ways to create the right conditions for business success and employee well-being. Why then, do most organizational development initiatives fail? Ruth needed to know the answer and how to do it effectively, which led her to train as a scholar-practitioner. Two weeks into graduate school, Ruth felt like she’d come home! It was thrilling to learn models, concepts, and names for the things that go on in the spaces between people that she’d always noticed but didn’t know how to make sense of. Thirty-five years later, Ruth is as passionate as ever about helping to create healthy human systems in service of business excellence. Ruth has a PhD in Applied Social Psychology and extensive training from the NTL Institute for Applied Behavioural Science, as well as being a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR). For decades, she served as a faculty member in Royal Roads University’s Conflict Analysis & Management Graduate Program, a Professional Affiliate of the U of S Department of Psychology, and a faculty member in Executive Education at the Edwards School of Business. Ruth is also a seasoned MBTI practitioner, and a long-standing mentor in the Betty-Ann Heggie Womentorship Program and volunteer instructor for Leadership Saskatoon. Whatever the context, Ruth brings together relevant and robust theory, research, and practice to help those she serves to address real issues, of real concern, to real people, in real time. Ruth deeply loves Saskatoon and our province, was raised to contribute to community, and is a life-long learner. She enjoys stimulating conversation, the arts, compelling ideas, and shared laughter. Her now adult children have, and continue to be, remarkable teachers. Home and the garden are her sanctuary. Thriving Not Surviving: Building the Foundations of Sustainable Wellness Do you ever feel like, no matter how much effort you put into your workplace, things just don’t seem to improve? Like you’re spinning your tires, and burnout is creeping in? Workplace culture isn’t shaped by policies alone—it’s built through everyday interactions, habits, and the small but intentional choices made by everyone on the team. In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore practical wellness strategies that go beyond surface-level initiatives. Together, we’ll examine what actually works, how to tell if wellness efforts are making a real impact, and what it takes to create intentional, sustainable change. Often, the most powerful shifts aren’t drastic overhauls but subtle, well-placed adjustments that ripple through an organization, transforming the way teams connect, collaborate, and thrive. Everyone has the ability to influence workplace wellness. This session will equip you with evidence-based tools to foster a culture where wellness isn’t an afterthought—it’s the foundation of a thriving team.
Steven Langer Steven is a highly-rated international keynote speaker and expert in creating the conditions for a healthy workplace culture. He is also a lead curator for an international wellness magazine, and has appeared on several podcasts and publications. Steven works with organizations to amplify their organizational wellness, design healthy workplace cultures, and empower teams to reach their optimal potential. Steven brings actionable strategies to create the conditions for a healthy workplace culture and sustainable personal and professional wellness. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, on the verge of burnout, or simply seeking a more sustainable lifestyle, Steven's message will empower you to live your life with greater intention, and help you to optimize your workplace culture. Navigating the Duty to Accommodate This session, led by two employment lawyers, will provide essential knowledge on the duty of employers to accommodate employees with disabilities. Participants will explore the legal obligations under human rights and employment law, with a focus on understanding how accommodations should be implemented in the workplace. The session will also delve into case law and real-world examples, offering practical insights on navigating potential challenges and minimizing legal risks when handling accommodation requests. Learning Objectives and Takeaways:
Karyn Kowalski Karyn Kowalski primarily practices in Labour and Employment Law. Called to the bar in 2017 after convocation from the University of Saskatchewan with a law degree and a commerce degree from the Edwards School of Business.
Sarah Wingerak Sarah Wingerak primarily practices in Labour and Employment Law. Called to the bar in 2020 after convocation from the University of Saskatchewan with a law degree and a psychology degree. CLOSING KEYNOTE SPEAKER The Power of Giving and Receiving Feedback Gen Y’s are hungry for feedback. Like other generations, they want to know how they are performing at work. Unfortunately, research tells us that many managers often don’t know how to give feedback effectively. Gen Y’s often complain that their performance reviews are too vague and infrequent to be effective. Without proper training, organizations run the risk of seeing their Gen Y’s disengaging or quitting altogether because of infrequent or ineffective feedback. Learning how to give and receive feedback is at the cornerstone of effective managing and leading for all generations.
Dr. Karyn Gordon Dr. Karyn Gordon is on a mission to inspire people to dream big and learn how to achieve those dreams. She is one of North America’s leading authorities on understanding and motivating Generation Y. A bestselling author and media personality, Gordon has delivered more than 1000 keynotes to more than 500 million people from 15 countries. Karyn has presented her keynotes to Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, government agencies, and professional organizations. She has helped them foster the necessary communication and emotional intelligence skills needed to drive success at work and at home. 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
People Leading Business.™
