THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING
Thank you to everyone who attended the Conference! We hope you found it enlightening, engaging and informative. Want to look into who was speaking? Take a look at who our speakers were.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Conference! We hope you found it enlightening, engaging and informative. Want to look into who was speaking? Take a look at who our speakers were.
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER
Jordan Witzel
Jordan Witzel
CATEGORY | LEADERSHIP
Jordan Witzel is a first year medical student at the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary, pursuing a new career after spending 20 years in broadcasting and communications. Jordan previously worked as a communications specialist in the office of the Vice-President of Research at the University of Calgary where he co-hosted and produced the Now Innovating podcast. Before that, Jordan was a broadcast meteorologist at Global News in Calgary and CTV News in Winnipeg. Jordan holds a masters in Applied Meteorology from Mississippi State University and continues to consult privately on climate and weather. He also holds both a sociology degree from Athabasca University and a communications diploma from the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Jordan dedicates much of his personal efforts as a minor hockey coach and community advocate for mental health.
Jordan Witzel is a first year medical student at the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary, pursuing a new career after spending 20 years in broadcasting and communications. Jordan previously worked as a communications specialist in the office of the Vice-President of Research at the University of Calgary where he co-hosted and produced the Now Innovating podcast. Before that, Jordan was a broadcast meteorologist at Global News in Calgary and CTV News in Winnipeg. Jordan holds a masters in Applied Meteorology from Mississippi State University and continues to consult privately on climate and weather. He also holds both a sociology degree from Athabasca University and a communications diploma from the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Jordan dedicates much of his personal efforts as a minor hockey coach and community advocate for mental health.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Doug Griffiths & Heather Thomson
Doug Griffiths & Heather Thomson
CATEGORY | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CATEGORY | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Doug Griffiths, Chief Community Builder, and Heather Thomson, Consumer Behaviour Expert, have improved the quality of hundreds of communities across North America with their 13 Ways team. 13 Ways is dedicated to helping communities grow and thrive through speaking, consulting and rebranding as part of an overall community growth strategy. The dynamic duo along with their team of community, strategy and design experts, have created several tools and services to help communities realize how small changes can be of significant impact.
Doug Griffiths, Chief Community Builder, and Heather Thomson, Consumer Behaviour Expert, have improved the quality of hundreds of communities across North America with their 13 Ways team. 13 Ways is dedicated to helping communities grow and thrive through speaking, consulting and rebranding as part of an overall community growth strategy. The dynamic duo along with their team of community, strategy and design experts, have created several tools and services to help communities realize how small changes can be of significant impact.
Doug Griffiths is a wildly popular community strategist and author of two best selling editions of “13 Ways to Kill Your Community”. He has supported, guided and inspired hundreds of communities to create effective change. Whether through speaking and presentations, or through advising and consulting, he is dedicated to helping communities across North America find their own pathway to success. He grew up on a ranch outside a small town where he learned the value of hard work, critical thinking skills, and the value of community. Griffiths has an Executive MBA, and Honors B.A Philosophy Degree, as well as his Bachelor of Education, all from the University of Alberta where he has taught community and municipal leadership courses for elected officials and administration. He deliberately retired from politics in January 2015, after serving for 13 years, to return to his passion for community building.
Doug Griffiths is a wildly popular community strategist and author of two best selling editions of “13 Ways to Kill Your Community”. He has supported, guided and inspired hundreds of communities to create effective change. Whether through speaking and presentations, or through advising and consulting, he is dedicated to helping communities across North America find their own pathway to success. He grew up on a ranch outside a small town where he learned the value of hard work, critical thinking skills, and the value of community. Griffiths has an Executive MBA, and Honors B.A Philosophy Degree, as well as his Bachelor of Education, all from the University of Alberta where he has taught community and municipal leadership courses for elected officials and administration. He deliberately retired from politics in January 2015, after serving for 13 years, to return to his passion for community building.
Heather Thomson specializes in analyzing consumer behavior and trends as a consultant with 13 WAYS Inc. She is on a mission to re-energize communities, acting as Executive Director of the University of Alberta’s Centre for Cities and Communities. Heather is a mom of two boys, and is currently working on her Master of Arts in Behavioural Economics. She serves on the Edmonton Downtown Business Association Retention and Recruitment Committee where she mentors the next generation of business innovators; because strong businesses are the building blocks of strong communities. Heather’s been a regular contributor on CBC Radio, Global News, CTV and Post Media Publications.
Heather Thomson specializes in analyzing consumer behavior and trends as a consultant with 13 WAYS Inc. She is on a mission to re-energize communities, acting as Executive Director of the University of Alberta’s Centre for Cities and Communities. Heather is a mom of two boys, and is currently working on her Master of Arts in Behavioural Economics. She serves on the Edmonton Downtown Business Association Retention and Recruitment Committee where she mentors the next generation of business innovators; because strong businesses are the building blocks of strong communities. Heather’s been a regular contributor on CBC Radio, Global News, CTV and Post Media Publications.
Lou Doiron
Lou Doiron
CATEGORY | OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES
Lou Doiron has an instinctive and strategic passion for being innovative, inventive, original and resourceful, hardwired to pursue goals until they are achieved, a person whose work ethic is as much a matter of conscience as it is a matter of completing tasks.
Since 2001 his career has revolved around deploying and honing skills leading publicly held or private equity backed entities and teams in the areas of business strategy and development, business and systems integration, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, integrations, and consolidation activities, mainly in the energy and construction sectors across North America. He has served on numerous industry association, volunteer, advisory and corporate boards in private, public and government entities. He has extensive experience in start-ups in Canada and the USA as an entrepreneur and investor.
Lou Doiron has an instinctive and strategic passion for being innovative, inventive, original and resourceful, hardwired to pursue goals until they are achieved, a person whose work ethic is as much a matter of conscience as it is a matter of completing tasks.
Since 2001 his career has revolved around deploying and honing skills leading publicly held or private equity backed entities and teams in the areas of business strategy and development, business and systems integration, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, integrations, and consolidation activities, mainly in the energy and construction sectors across North America. He has served on numerous industry association, volunteer, advisory and corporate boards in private, public and government entities. He has extensive experience in start-ups in Canada and the USA as an entrepreneur and investor.
KEYNOTE PANEL
KEYNOTE PANEL
Kate Ashton
Kate Ashton
CATEGORY | HUMAN RESOURCES
CATEGORY | HUMAN RESOURCES
As the Director of Consulting Services for Salopek & Associates, Kate leads a team of HR and Business Consultants across Canada. She has over 18 years experience functioning as a senior Human Resources professional within organizations across a variety of different industries including health & wellness, technology, hospitality, luxury retail, not for profit and the energy sector.
As a strategic partner she provides guidance and support advising business leaders on optimizing the workplace experience and becoming an employer of choice. Kate has extensive professional experience providing superior consultation and support to leadership groups on issues related to Employee Relations, Employment Law, Workplace Investigations, Change Management, Employment Branding and Talent Management including Performance Management, Employee Engagement, Recruitment and Retention.
Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social & Cultural Anthropology from the University of Calgary along with her CPHR and Change Management professional designations.
As the Director of Consulting Services for Salopek & Associates, Kate leads a team of HR and Business Consultants across Canada. She has over 18 years experience functioning as a senior Human Resources professional within organizations across a variety of different industries including health & wellness, technology, hospitality, luxury retail, not for profit and the energy sector.
As a strategic partner she provides guidance and support advising business leaders on optimizing the workplace experience and becoming an employer of choice. Kate has extensive professional experience providing superior consultation and support to leadership groups on issues related to Employee Relations, Employment Law, Workplace Investigations, Change Management, Employment Branding and Talent Management including Performance Management, Employee Engagement, Recruitment and Retention.
Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social & Cultural Anthropology from the University of Calgary along with her CPHR and Change Management professional designations.
Chris Broughton
Chris Broughton
CATEGORY | HUMAN RESOURCES
CATEGORY | HUMAN RESOURCES
Chris is the Principal Consultant with UpSourced HR, a company he founded 4 years ago. Since then, he has worked with numerous organizations in Southern Alberta, and across Canada, to help support their HR needs.
Chris has focused his career working for organizations that want to invest in their people, and has been fortunate to gain invaluable experience in many areas of these growing organizations. He has been working in the Human Resources profession for over 15 years. Chris attended both the Lethbridge College and the University of Lethbridge, earning a Bachelor of Management, majoring in Human Resources and Labour Relations. He is currently a Chartered Professional in Human Resources, Senior Professional in Human Resources, and a certified Professional Investigator. Experience includes workplace investigations, collective bargaining, employee relations, health & safety, and policy/procedures.
Chris is the Principal Consultant with UpSourced HR, a company he founded 4 years ago. Since then, he has worked with numerous organizations in Southern Alberta, and across Canada, to help support their HR needs.
Chris has focused his career working for organizations that want to invest in their people, and has been fortunate to gain invaluable experience in many areas of these growing organizations. He has been working in the Human Resources profession for over 15 years. Chris attended both the Lethbridge College and the University of Lethbridge, earning a Bachelor of Management, majoring in Human Resources and Labour Relations. He is currently a Chartered Professional in Human Resources, Senior Professional in Human Resources, and a certified Professional Investigator. Experience includes workplace investigations, collective bargaining, employee relations, health & safety, and policy/procedures.
Sheri Brake
Sheri Brake
CATEGORY | HUMAN RESOURCES
CATEGORY | HUMAN RESOURCES
Sheri is a longstanding Chartered Professional in Human Resources with 20+ years of HR experience in diverse organizations and industries. She is joint Principal of AccessHR, a Calgary-based, full service, HR consulting firm.
Sheri specializes in strategic HR consulting, leader development, workplace mediation., workplace investigation, organization development and design, policy development and facilitation. Sheri works closely with a large and diverse client group throughout Western Canada to bring custom solutions to their HR needs.
In addition to her CPHR designation Sheri holds a master’s degree in Industrial Relations (MIR) from Queen’s University, a bachelor’s degree in Commerce (B.Comm.) from Dalhousie University, and certificates in workplace trust, project management, coactive coaching, facilitation, and workplace investigations.
Sheri is a longstanding Chartered Professional in Human Resources with 20+ years of HR experience in diverse organizations and industries. She is joint Principal of AccessHR, a Calgary-based, full service, HR consulting firm.
Sheri specializes in strategic HR consulting, leader development, workplace mediation., workplace investigation, organization development and design, policy development and facilitation. Sheri works closely with a large and diverse client group throughout Western Canada to bring custom solutions to their HR needs.
In addition to her CPHR designation Sheri holds a master’s degree in Industrial Relations (MIR) from Queen’s University, a bachelor’s degree in Commerce (B.Comm.) from Dalhousie University, and certificates in workplace trust, project management, coactive coaching, facilitation, and workplace investigations.
SPEAKERS
SPEAKERS
Larae Pierson
Larae Pierson
CATEGORY | LEADERSHIP
As a Professional Certified Coach, Larae Pierson specializes in Leadership and Business Coaching. She is a thought partner, guiding leaders to explore their minds, pinpoint challenges, explore possibilities, and uncover barriers to being their most legendary self, all while challenging them to make brave choices. She believes thoughts become things, and she works with people who want to grow, lead, and take risks. Larae is known as purposefully persistent, highly curious, nimble, solution-oriented, and a bringer of energy (with a pinch of fun). She believes in taking a whole-person approach to coaching, because let’s face it: business is personal, and personal is business - neither is isolated. To be a leader worth following, it takes digging deep both personally and professionally to create positive change.
As a Professional Certified Coach, Larae Pierson specializes in Leadership and Business Coaching. She is a thought partner, guiding leaders to explore their minds, pinpoint challenges, explore possibilities, and uncover barriers to being their most legendary self, all while challenging them to make brave choices. She believes thoughts become things, and she works with people who want to grow, lead, and take risks. Larae is known as purposefully persistent, highly curious, nimble, solution-oriented, and a bringer of energy (with a pinch of fun). She believes in taking a whole-person approach to coaching, because let’s face it: business is personal, and personal is business - neither is isolated. To be a leader worth following, it takes digging deep both personally and professionally to create positive change.
Brenda Robinson
Brenda Robinson
CATEGORY | MOTIVATIONAL
Brenda is a speaker, trainer, writer and consultant. She is the founder and president of The Robcan Group. Her Bachelor of Arts was earned at Brandon University and her Masters of Education at Simon Fraser University. She has been addressing groups for over thirty years about communications, humour, laughter, positive working skills and wellness in general. Her workshops and presentations are in high demand. She has authored four books and created an Audio CD set to help people to develop these skills. Brenda grew up on a farm close to Minnedosa, Manitoba and continues to stay connected to her family there. She now lives in Sherwood Park, Alberta. Brenda has five children and 6 grandchildren. Brenda believes that we are on a life-long learning journey. It should be enriching, exciting, interesting and above all, it should be fun!
Brenda is a speaker, trainer, writer and consultant. She is the founder and president of The Robcan Group. Her Bachelor of Arts was earned at Brandon University and her Masters of Education at Simon Fraser University. She has been addressing groups for over thirty years about communications, humour, laughter, positive working skills and wellness in general. Her workshops and presentations are in high demand. She has authored four books and created an Audio CD set to help people to develop these skills. Brenda grew up on a farm close to Minnedosa, Manitoba and continues to stay connected to her family there. She now lives in Sherwood Park, Alberta. Brenda has five children and 6 grandchildren. Brenda believes that we are on a life-long learning journey. It should be enriching, exciting, interesting and above all, it should be fun!
EMCEE
Trevor Moore
Trevor Moore
Trevor Moore is a keynote speaker, mindset coach, master of ceremonies, event host, and above-average podcast guest.
Who spends his spare time... on stage as a professional stand-up comedy magician, working corporate events, golf tournaments, conferences, and award galas from coast to coast. His hands may be quick; however, his wit is often quicker.
As a conference emcee & host, Trevor always keeps stage transitions refreshing, upbeat and engaging. he seamlessly weaves event agendas together, with his intimate, interactive, and dynamic stage presence.
Trevor is a born storyteller and natural conversationalist, whose signature conference "fireside chats" are always interesting, entertaining, and thought-provoking.
At home, he is known as a fun guy, family man, dog grandpa, mental health advocate, chronic pain warrior, coffee enthusiast, professional crastinator, aviation nerd, and a horbl spellr!
Trevor Moore is a keynote speaker, mindset coach, master of ceremonies, event host, and above-average podcast guest.
Who spends his spare time... on stage as a professional stand-up comedy magician, working corporate events, golf tournaments, conferences, and award galas from coast to coast. His hands may be quick; however, his wit is often quicker.
As a conference emcee & host, Trevor always keeps stage transitions refreshing, upbeat and engaging. he seamlessly weaves event agendas together, with his intimate, interactive, and dynamic stage presence.
Trevor is a born storyteller and natural conversationalist, whose signature conference "fireside chats" are always interesting, entertaining, and thought-provoking.
At home, he is known as a fun guy, family man, dog grandpa, mental health advocate, chronic pain warrior, coffee enthusiast, professional crastinator, aviation nerd, and a horbl spellr!
