Join the conversation with 15+ diverse local and across Canada speakers, who are EDI experts, storytellers and/or community leaders believing in purpose-led leadership. This is a two day engaging and thought-provoking event where we discuss topics that truly matter.
WHY:
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with inspiring individuals, expand your perspectives, and contribute to **positive change**. Get ready to dive deep into **meaningful conversations** with diverse individuals who are passionate about making a difference.
Event Topics Include:
Our event aims to create an inclusive and open environment. **Expert speakers** from various fields will share their insights and experiences, sparking **engaging dialogues** that challenges conventional thinking. Explore various **topics of significance**, ranging from personal growth and social change to innovation and sustainability. The outline of each day’s events are listed below:
Day 1: May 13: Theme: What do we Need to Understand About Ourselves to Be an Authentic Leader
- Power and Privilege from a NO SHAME, NO BLAME Approach
- Truth and Reconciliation: Healing from a Heart Centered Approach
- Circle Discussions on Resiliency + Courage = Not Safe for Everyone
- Cultivating a Culture of Psychological Safety, Belonging and Allyship
- Panel Discussions: In between Worldviews
- Networking Circle Discussions: Let’s Chat: Hearing from Diverse Lens
- Pod Discussions: Practical Discussions on Communication and Recruitment Tips
Day 2: May 14: Theme Putting Learnings into Action to Be Authentic Leaders
- Authentic Leadership: Diverse Perspectives on Leadership Part 1
- Authentic Leadership: What is our Culture? Part 2
- Embracing the Tension
- Authentic Leadership in Action
- Pod Discussions: Leadership Development
- Networking Circle Discussions: Let’s Chat: Hearing from Diverse Lenses
- Fireside Chat Importance of Mentoring, Sponsorship and Allyship
- Activity: Mentoring, Sponsorship, and Allyship
Audience:
Corporate/government/non-profit employees, entrepreneurs, and community members who are passionate about making a difference professionally and personally through intention conversation and transformative actions.
Outcomes of Event:
- To identify transformative actions and the support required to take action
- To identify ways to be comfortable in “tension” and how to build our inner confidence to support change
- To ensure we reflect individually and collectively
- To identify how we can support each other in community
Format:
- Presentations
- “Pod” discussions
- Activities
- Networking
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with inspiring individuals, expand your perspectives, and contribute to **positive change**. Mark your calendars and join us for **Conversations That Matter**!
Meet Our Speakers:
Alex Ibbotson, Strategic Organizational Culture Consultant, Facilitator, Business, Policy, & Indigenous Advisor
Alex recently published an thesis researching diversity equity and inclusion in the US and Canadian avalanche industries with a goal to increase snowmobile-based representative leadership in professional avalanche education. Authenticity is at the core of her values-based leadership style. Alex is inspired by her female Métis ancestors who have been documented in history as minority allys and social justice heroins.
Amal Alhuwayshil, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Keynote Speaker, Trainer and Facilitator
Born and raised in Saudi Arabia, Amal was covered head to toe since third grade and in a fixed marriage at the age of 18. She moved to Canada in 2013 and have transmuted the pain into her power. Today, she’s an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Speaker, Trainer and Facilitator, Trauma-informed Leadership Coach, TEDx Speaker and the Founder and CEO of I’m All Courage. She has been recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 when she had just turned 30, got featured on Nasdaq as a Woman Leader to Watch, and had the privilege of being a guest on Oprah Winfrey’s show. She is also a Trauma-informed Leadership Coach, and have guided over 100 women and non-binary leaders, both established and emerging, through transformative inner work to find their voice, take courageous action and unlock their full potential for power, pleasure and impact.
Amanda Engen, Smartsettle Community Project Lead, Educator, Facilitator
Amanda is Dene Tha/Metis from Northern Alberta. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work with an Indigenous Specialization and a Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution from the University of Victoria. Amanda currently works as an Academic Advisor in post-secondary education.
Ayeana Mills, Social Entrepreneur, Community Activist, Bookkeeper, and Skincare/Self Care Expert
With her diverse range of skills and experiences, she brings a unique perspective to her entrepreneurial ventures. Ayeana is also a Social Activist, that is dedicated to diversity and inclusion in all spaces, community building and fostering collaboration. Ayeana’s passion for collaboration is evident in her commitment to championing synergies that foster teamwork and mutual growth, that enables people to work together and achieve their goals collectively. With her innovative thinking and dedication to diversity and inclusion, Ayeana is actively helping to create an equitable and inclusive world for everyone.
Barri Harris, CFO, Business Leader, Change Architect
As a former CFO, business leader, and change architect, Barri has spent more than 20 years transforming the way people work across public and private sectors. She has led and guided transformative change within multiple industries, including: high-tech, health care, entertainment, and transportation.
Dr. Candy Khan, Advisor, Coach, Consultant
Equity and Diversity Specialist, International Best Selling Author, Inclusion Champion
Chantha Nhem, Coach, Mentor, Consultant
Chantha is a certified Business & Professional performance ICF ACC Coach specializing in strategies for early career talent and women in technology career growth. With a background in business administration, leadership, process innovation, talent strategy and engagement, she empowers individuals to navigate their career paths with purpose. Her passion lies in fostering professional development excellence, career growth & transitions, and building inclusive work cultures.
Darrien McWatters,
She came out as transgender in 2018 and began my transition from male to female and has worked in the wine industry all her life. She was a volunteer firefighter with the Summerland Fire Department from 1998-2021, then chose to resign to allow more time for 2SLGTBQIA advocacy work and EDI work in the community and with BC Hockey and Hockey Canada. She was appointed to the new BC Hockey EDI workgroup in 2023, and has served on the board for Kelowna Pride Society, South Okanagan Similkameen Pride and now is the VP of Advocacy Canada based in Kelowna. She continues to play in the net with the Kelowna Trash Pandas as well as officiate with BC Hockey, having just attended her third BC Championships for U18 Female hockey.
Harriet Tinka, Chartered Professional Accountant, Confident Expert, Transformational Speaker
Passionate about fostering inclusive workplaces, I specialize in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion to create happier, healthier, and more productive teams. With tailored strategies, I empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to thrive and contribute their unique perspectives, cultivating environments where every team member feels valued and respected.
Irma Vartanian, Trainer, Facilitator, Mentor, Coach
Irma is a seasoned leadership coach, and trainer specializing in empowering corporate leaders and public sector professionals to enhance their leadership and communication skills within diverse environments. As a certified Diversity Executive and licensed practitioner in Global DISC and Growth Zone methodologies, Irma delivers tailored and effective solutions for multicultural teams and stakeholders. Her expertise extends to providing specialized training for women leaders and guiding individuals through negotiation challenges in situations marked by diverse and polarized convictions. Irma, an accomplished leadership coach and trainer, is a sought after speaker for events aiming to foster DEIB.
Joel Marriott, Entrepreneur, Connector, Community Builder
Joel Marriott, an indigenous 60 scoop survivor, hails from White Bear First Nations and Carry the Kettle First Nations. Their organization, TOP, prioritizes community development and economic empowerment as essential for national success. Through initiatives such as promoting healthy homes and clean energy, TOP strives to enhance both lives and environmental well-being.
Mary Mason, Business Relations, Community Planning and Development
Mary is a Canadian born entrepreneur with roots from the Marshall Islands, Japan, England and Scotland. With such a diverse background, Mary views the world with a unique lens, and is passionate about preserving the planet and nature surrounding us. She strongly values diversity, equity and inclusion as someone who has first handedly experienced the good and bad in work scenarios, and uses this to share her voice toward positive change.
Mauricio Rojas, Connector, Facilitator, Advancing Social and Emotional Well-Being
I have had more lives than a cat. From Business to Nonprofits. From the Nightclub to the Monastery. From Mexico to Canada, and everything in between. Fueled by fifteen years of dedicated study, practice, and facilitation of evidence-based techniques to advance social and emotional well-being, I’m on a mission to build bridges and cultivate harmony in every space. With a knack for fostering inclusivity and growth, I design opportunities for creating meaningful connections that nourish individuals, organizations, and communities.
Nicole Middleton, Team Development, Coaching, Manager
As a previous business owner Nicole started to understand the power of philanthropy and empathy in the work place. Changing her career path to incorporate these values, she went on to doing careers as a Job Placement Advisor, Team Manager, Writer, and Motivational speaking to help individuals and organizations build a foundation with similar objectives.
Samantha Wedlund, Entrepreneur, Educator, Visionary
Samantha moved from Jamaica to Canada. Arriving in a new country, Samantha faced numerous challenges and had to take on several jobs to support her education fees and raise a family. Her resilience and determination paved the way for a career in the beauty industry. She now is a successful business owner of Success 21 Hari Salon. As an educator, Samantha shares her award-winning knowledge with aspiring stylists, empowering them to explore new opportunities in the beauty industry. Her passion for teaching is a cornerstone of her professional philosophy.
Shane Lapp, Research & Design, Self-Governance
With 20 years of experience in systems engineering, renewable energy, leadership roles in multiple successful startups, a Master’s in Community Eco-Psychology, and 4 years of R&D on regenerative community frameworks, Shane brings in-depth insight into soul-centric businesses and communities.
Shannan Roberts, Author, Fostering Connections, International Relations
Originally from the Northwest Territories and Northern Ontario and with over 20 years of international business, marketing and trade missions under her belt. Shannan pairs her diverse international experience with her passion for helping community-minded businesses find customers and develop partnerships across the globe. She has worked extensively in the space of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Shannan is an international best-selling author, co-founder of Northern Youth Leadership, and has experience supporting entrepreneurs across many sectors of the economy.
Sxwpilemaát Siyám (Chief Leanne Joe), Transformative Economic Reconciliation, Educational Consulting
Sxwpilemaát Siyám, also known as Chief Leanne Joe, of the Squamish Nation, is one of sixteen Hereditary Chiefs of the Squamish Nation and the first female Chief of her Lackett Joe Family. Sxwpilemaát Siyám holds space in many organizations, focusing her work on Economic Reconciliation. One of her roles is as Transformative Storyteller for Economic Reconciliation, with Simon Fraser University, Faculty of Environment, Community Economic Development.
Thi Dao, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Future of Good
Future of Good is a Canadian digital publication and learning media organization that covers social impact for change-makers and leaders who want to do good better. Throughout her career, Thi has been a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion – specifically BIPOC women and non-binary people. This is why Thi is proud to work with communities and partners to leverage the Future of Good platform so that she can be a part of amplifying voices that are unheard and therefore matter.