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 | Raja Abid, Ph.D.
Consultant,Performance practice
Normandin Beaudry
Raja has more than five years of experience in knowledge development in human resources management, corporate social responsibility, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). She joined Normandin Beaudry in 2021 to contribute to the firm’s societal commitment to reduce employment inequalities. Prior to joining NB, Raja was a researcher at the Observatoire québécois des inégalités and conducted applied research, notably as part of her Ph.D. in industrial relations. She was also a lecturer at Université de Montréal and a speaker at numerous national and international conferences.
Her expertise focuses on supporting organizations in creating inclusive and equitable workplaces. Her work includes developing DEI diagnostic and best practices tools and delivering adapted training to assess and reduce employment inequalities. Recognized for her analytical skills and rigorous work methods, Raja puts her background in finance at the service of a human-centric approach and the pursuit of sustainable and equitable organizational performance.
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 | Charmaine Alexander
Senior Advisor in Disability Management
Desjardins Insurance Charmaine Alexander is a Senior Advisor in Disability Management at Desjardins. As part of the Best Practice and Innovation team, Charmaine has more than 25 years of experience in group disability management. Her experience spans a variety of industries and includes working for employers as well as insurance carriers. Within her client base, Charmaine promotes a focus on prevention, and challenges employer groups to encourage their employees to take charge of their health. She believes the future of group disability plans will require a collaborative approach between all stakeholders. Charmaine partners with several organizations within Desjardins’ portfolio of clients to deliver educational presentations to employers, employees and union leaders across Canada with an aim to strengthen best practice in their management of disability claims. In July 2018, Charmaine became the first insurer-sponsored Mental Health First Aid Instructor with the Mental Health Commission of Canada. She continues to deliver this course to client organizations and their workforces. Charmaine holds a Fellow in Life and Health Claims (FLHC) from the International Claims Association. She also completed studies at York University (BA, English) and George Brown College (Nursing). |
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 | David Bartucci
Head, CAPSA CAP Guideline committee member
Head, Pension Operations and Regulatory Effectiveness, FSRA David Bartucci is the Head of Head, Pension Operations and Regulatory Effectiveness at the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA). He was formerly the Head of Stakeholder Relations and Special Projects . David first joined FSRA as the director of policy for pensions in 2019. He also spent nearly one year with the additional responsibility as the Director in FSRA’s Consumer Office. Prior to joining the Regulator, he spent more than a decade in progressively senior positions in the Ontario government. His past assignments included Treasury Board, Cabinet Office, and the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. During this time, he led the development of new funding programs and policy frameworks to support training, experiential learning for post-secondary students, and the negotiations of new Labour Market Transfer Agreements with the Government of Canada. |
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 | Mélinda Bastien, ASA
Principal, Investment consulting
Normandin Beaudry With over 17 years of experience, Melinda, a member of the Huron-Wendat Nation, has been with Normandin Beaudry since 2007. As an Associate of the Society of Actuaries, she contributes to the investment consulting and savings teams. In addition to being regularly consulted by service providers on trends and market needs in Canada's retirement savings sector, she has been leading Normandin Beaudry's sustainable investment team since 2017. Drawing from her experience with a diverse range of clients across multiple industries, Melinda is well-equipped to grasp the challenges organizations face when implementing practical and impactful sustainable investment approaches. Furthermore, she has lead equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives at Normandin Beaudry for the past 5 years. |
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 | Aaron Bennett
Chief Investment Officer
University Pension Plan (UPP) Aaron Bennett is UPP’s Chief Investment Officer and leads all aspects of UPP’s global investment strategy and operations. A seasoned portfolio manager, Aaron brings over 16 years of investment experience, with expertise in strategic asset allocation and responsible investing. Across his roles at Jarislowsky Fraser Global Investment Management, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, and mid-sized Canadian investment banks, Aaron has supported systemic and robust investment analysis, policy formulation and strategic implementation across portfolios and asset classes. Aaron holds a B.Sc Honours (Biology) from Queen’s University, an MBA from the Ivey School of Business Western University, and is a CFA Charterholder. |
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 | Valérie Blanchet-Guillot
Principal
Normandin Beaudry
Valérie Blanchet-Guillot, Principal with the Communication Practice, joined Normandin Beaudry in 2018. She has more than twelve years of experience in communication and project management, with extensive expertise in human resources. Valérie works closely with her clients to ensure that their internal communication strategy is properly planned out, coordinated, consistent and aligned with HR and organizational objectives. She has broad experience in the development and implementation of communication and change strategies, and in the area of consulting for simplifying complex terms for pension, group benefits and compensation plans.
Valérie has a Master in Multilingual Communication with a specialization in international relations from Belgium’s Université Libre de Bruxelles, a certificate in media analysis from Télé-université (TELUQ) and a bachelor’s degree in political communication from Université du Québec à Montréal. In recent years, Valérie has also followed several courses and training workshops on communication strategy, project management and change management. |
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 | Cara Bourdeau
Sr. HR Consultant
Western University Cara Bourdeau, senior human resources consultant (total rewards) at Western University in London, Ontario, provides leadership on the university’s pension program, integrating member advocacy, governance imperatives, and service provider advancements. Western’s program has considered ESG since 2007 and has recently enhanced its responsible investing approach. With a legacy spanning more than 50 years, Western’s two defined contribution pension plans currently serve 7,000 plan members. Cara has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Certificate in Human Resources Management from Humber College. She has completed the Canadian Securities Course and holds the Certified Human Resources Leader, Certified Employee Benefits Specialist and Registered Retirement Consultant certifications. Prior to joining Western Cara was part of the human resources teams at the CNIB and Foresters. |
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 | Jean-Philippe Bouton
Director
RBC Investor Services (RBCIS)
Jean-Philippe Bouton is responsible for several key client relationships in the Quebec and Maritimes regions at RBC Investor Services (RBCIS). He is responsible for developing stronger relationships with our clients, driving business growth and ensuring the continued delivery of client service excellence in the region. Jean-Philippe has 20 years of experience in business development and relationship management with large corporations. Jean-Philippe has been part of the RBC family since 2016 and has held various roles within the RBC Group in Europe (Capital Markets, Enterprise and SIT). Prior to joining RBCIS, Jean-Philippe worked as the Global Head of an important business segment at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. for about 10 years. Jean-Philippe prioritizes a "client-partner" approach and has built his career around strategic consulting initiatives for large corporations. Jean-Philippe holds an MBA with a major in International Finance and Financial Modeling from Brunel University, England. |
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 | Brian Carney, CIM
Portfolio Manager, Fixed Income
Mawer Brian Carney is a fixed income portfolio manager focused on global credit strategies at Mawer Investment Management Ltd., which he joined in 2023. Mr. Carney has over 30 years of experience in the investment industry. Most recently, he spent a decade as a portfolio manager at Canso Investment Counsel Ltd. From 2009-2012, he ran high-yield focused Big Rock Capital Management Inc. Prior to founding Big Rock, Mr. Carney worked at Merrill Lynch from 1997-2008. Brian started his career at Goldman Sachs in 1990. At Merrill and Goldman his responsibilities included corporate research, counterparty risk management, rating agency advisory, syndication, and trading. Mr. Carney has worked in New York, London, and Toronto. Mr. Carney received his Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Studies from the University of Notre Dame. He holds the Chartered Investment Manager designation from the Canadian Securities Institute. |
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 | Andrée-Anne Caron
Principal, Pension consulting
Normandin Beaudry Andrée-Anne has 14 years of experience in pension plan consulting services. She has experience working with a wide variety of pension plans from the private sector under various jurisdictions. Andrée-Anne supports pension committees, particularly in terms of risk management, annuity purchases and the development of funding strategies. At Normandin Beaudry, she is a member of the accounting standards expert group and is involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, particularly in the development and application of DEI expertise in pension plans.
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 | Andréane Chénier, PhD, CRSP
National Representative specializing in Health and Safety
CUPE Andréane Chénier, PhD, CRSP (Andie) is a CUPE National Representative specializing in Health and Safety. She assists CUPE members in Ontario with a wide range of occupational health and safety issues ranging from workplace violence and harassment to working alone, shiftwork to joint health and safety committees and psychosocial hazards. She is a certified instructor for Mental Health First Aid and for the Workers Health and Safety Centre and a trained neutral third party for conflict resolution.
Andréane/Andie has presented the public sector worker perspective as a representative on many committees, including the Ministry of Labour’s Prevention Council, as the Labour co-chair on the Section 21 committee for health care and as a member or director on various boards and committees of health and safety organizations. Andréane/Andie has participated in the research, writing and publication of health and safety tools to help workers find answers to their workplace problems. Prior to her work as health and safety specialist, Andréane/Andie was a scientific researcher working in a biological safety level 3 laboratory in the health sciences fields of HIV, immunology and cancer metabolism, a published author and presented her research at provincial, national and international conferences. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and a master’s degree in microbiology and immunology from the University of Ottawa and a doctorate in Biomolecular Sciences from Laurentian University. |
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| Daniel Conti
Principal
Harbourvest Daniel Conti joined HarbourVest’s investor relations team in 2018 and focuses on coordinating, monitoring, and enhancing relationships with new and existing Canadian investors and consultants. Dan joined the Firm from CI Institutional Asset Management, where he was most recently a vice president responsible for institutional business development and client service for consultants, pension plans, foundations, family and multi-family offices as well as banks and insurance company platforms. Prior to this, he was an investment counsellor for CI’s Private Counsel division. His prior experience includes roles for a single family office and a multi-family office in Eastern Canada. Dan received a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance and Economics from École des Hautes Études Commerciales de Montreal. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Financial Planning designations. Dan currently serves as co-director of the CFA Montreal Mentoring Program. |
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 | Joe De Dominicis
Senior Vice President, Health and Wealth Solutions
People Corporation Joe establishes and leads People Corporation’s member-centric strategy and the development and design of our digital and integrated suite of solutions. Joe establishes and oversees the development, design, and implementation of our digital and integrated suite of solutions that serve our clients. Joe has a successful track record of leading and growing consulting business. He has over 20 years’ experience as a strategic HR consultant with large multi-national consulting firms in various geographies and industries. He has expertise in digital health and retirement and savings arrangements including plan design, governance, risk, and financial. He’s actively involved in the industry, having served on the regional and national councils of the Association of Canadian Pension Management. He also worked with the Society of Actuaries building their Canadian office and was instrumental in elevating their brand in Canada |
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| Andrew Donelle
Senior Director, Deferred Income Plans
Department of Finance Canada
Andrew Donelle is a senior director in the tax legislation division at the Department of Finance Canada. He leads a team that is responsible for developing federal budget measures and income tax legislation that apply to all of Canada’s registered savings vehicles (including registered pension plans), retirement compensation arrangements, and Employee Life and Health Trusts. Donelle obtained a master’s degree in public administration from Carleton University and a master’s degree in tax law (LL.M.) from Osgoode Hall Law School. His 32-year career in “pension taxation” includes work at the Registered Plans Directorate of the Canada Revenue Agency, pension actuarial firms in Toronto and Kitchener, and his current position in the Tax Policy Branch at Finance Canada. |
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 | Tyler Downey
Secretary Treasurer
SEIU Healthcare Canada Tyler Downey is the current Secretary Treasurer of SEIU Healthcare Canada which is a healthcare union that represents 60,000 frontline healthcare workers in Ontario. The unions membership consists mainly of women with more than half being people of color and new immigrants.
Tyler has spent the last 18 years helping to lead the transformative work that has taken place at the union. He believes that an inclusive, member focused and innovative union is a force that can do so much good within society.
Tyler is also President of the newly formed SEIU Healthcare Training Center where he has successfully led the creation of the first of its kind union digital hiring hall. He is currently working on expanding the work of the training center to include supporting Internationally trained nurses pathway to employment in Canada.
Tyler serves as the President and Board Chair of the union sponsored award winning retirement plan MY65+. He also serves as Board trustee for the Nursing Home Pension Plan and the SEIU Local 1&2 Health benefits trust.
The one thing Tyler is most proud of, is his work to transform the union to become a leader in Organizational Equity & Inclusion. He has been committed and focused on supporting the unions drive to becoming an anti-racist and fully inclusive union.
Outside of his union work, Tyler is a volunteer board member with the Good Vibes Foundation and enjoys supporting community organizations working with youth.
Tyler is an avid golfer, loves to exercise and hang out in his backyard smoking bbq.
He currently lives with his wife of 28 years in Toronto, Ontario. |
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 | John-Paul Dowson
Director, Strategic Consulting
PDCI Market Access, A Division of McKesson Canada Inc. John-Paul is Director, Strategic Consulting at PDCI. He brings more than 25 years of experience working in the health and pharmaceutical sectors. Prior to joining PDCI, John-Paul was the Founder and Managing Director of Roubaix Strategies Inc.(RSI), a market access and negotiations consultancy. Prior to launching RSI, he spent the better part of a decade in market access leadership roles, negotiating drug reimbursement agreements for innovative pharmaceuticals in Canada. John-Paul’s experience and knowledge in market access and negotiation strategy covers an extensive scope of therapeutic and business areas, including strategic insights on how to obtain and maintain reimbursement in both public and private markets. At PDCI, John-Paul leads Pricing, Access and Data advisory services. A sought-after speaker, strategist, and thought leader, John-Paul brings a keen understanding of the inter-relationships between Canada’s public and private drug markets, and the emerging reimbursement pathways for negotiated agreements. |
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 | Noha El-Banna ODCC, CPHR, SHRM-SCP
Director, Human Resources, Education Organizational Development and Change Management
Alberta Pensions Services Corporation
Noha is a sought-out, trusted HR leader with over 30 years’ experience working with both public and private sector employers, helping organizations navigate complex business transformations and successfully manage through change. With extensive experience coaching and guiding leaders to successfully execute on their strategic agendas, She brings a passion for elevating the HR function and team and has specific experience in leading and influencing HR modernization and transformation programs across businesses, positioning HR as a true strategic business partner.
She won the Excellence of Innovation award by the Minister of Invocation of Alberta. Noha has led large-scale projects within many organizations in innovation and change process She is a certified facilitator for Change Management Methodology, Lean Six Sigma, EQi 2.0 Emotional Intelligence, MBTI, Predictive Index, Situational Leadership, Insights Discovery, 7 habits of highly effective people and Leading at the speed of trust. She has worked with a variety of industries including Government, Pharmaceuticals, UN, NGO, Multinational Consumer Goods, Oil and Gas. |
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 | Carl Elia, CFA
Vice President & Director, TD Asset Management Inc. Carl is a senior member of the Infrastructure Investments team, responsible for investment strategy and execution, operations and client servicing for the TD Greystone Infrastructure Fund. He has experience across infrastructure investing, private equity and investment banking. He was previously Vice President at a private equity firm and Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions at a major Global alternative asset manager. Post-MBA, Carl developed his career as an Associate in investment banking at various securities firms. Pre-MBA, he gained experience in business development at a multi-unit franchise operator. Carl holds a B. Comm. from the Toronto Metropolitan University and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. |
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 | Joe Farago
Executive Director, Private Payers and Investment
Innovative Medicines Canada Joe Farago is Executive Director, Private Payers and Investment at Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC). Joe leads IMC’s efforts to take a more proactive, research-based approach to ensuring tomorrow’s workforce has access to strong private market coverage that meets their needs. Joe recently discussed some of the most prominent findings from the association’s 2016-2019 analysis of Private Drug Claim Cost Drivers Report. The report examines the drivers of claims cost growth for private drug plan claims between 2016 and 2019, including the impact of OHIP+ changes in 2018 and 2019, based on IQVIA data. |
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 | Geoff Finnie
VP, Advanced Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
Manulife
Geoff leads the Advanced Analytics and Artificial Intelligence practice for Manulife Canada, focused on bringing solutions for Individual Insurance, Group Benefits and Manulife Bank. He has extensive experience in Financial Services from a diverse set of roles including Data & Analytics, Business (Wealth and Retail), Strategy, and Risk. He loves talking about innovative ideas and bringing them to life. |
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 | Peter C. Fisher
Senior Managing Director, Partner, and Equity Portfolio Manager
Wellington Peter is a portfolio manager on the Dividend Growth Team. He manages equity assets on behalf of our clients, drawing on research from Wellington Management’s global industry analysts, equity portfolio managers, and team analysts. He manages Global, US and non-US portfolios in the Dividend Growth style. He works in our Boston office. Prior to joining Wellington Management in 2005, Peter worked as an equity research analyst at MFS Investment Management. Peter earned his MBA from the University of Chicago and his BA in economics from Davidson College. |
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| Bonnie Foley-Wong
Sustainable Investment Leader, Canada
Mercer (Canada) Limited Bonnie Foley-Wong leads Mercer’s Sustainable Investment team in Canada, supporting institutional investors to achieve their sustainability and impact goals. Bonnie is an investment professional with 25 years of experience, gained in North America and Europe, spanning professional services, banking, asset management, and impact investing. She is the former Head of Investment Strategy at the Equality Fund, and previously founded Pique Ventures and Pique Fund, a fund focused on leadership diversity and women-led ventures. She has also held roles as a real estate investment banker with ABN AMRO, and as a corporate finance advisor with Deloitte. Bonnie served on not-for-profit Boards focused on serving women business owners and on building sustainable, local economies. She is the recipient of a YWCA Women of Distinction Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and is the author of Integrated Investing. |
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| Jordan Fremont
Partner
Bennett Jones LLP Jordan advises on pension, benefits and compensation plan design, compliance, governance, administration, regulatory investigations, disputes and business transactions, including downsizings, spin-offs, mergers and acquisitions and wind-ups. He is also regularly engaged to advise on executive employment matters and employment-related tax issues.
Jordan frequently speaks at and contributes to professional and industry conferences and events, and he is a long-time industry volunteer, having held several leadership positions with the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute (CPBI), both with CPBI’s Ontario Regional Council and as a member of the CPBI's National Board of Directors. Jordan is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Pension Office of the Anglican Church of Canada, a trustee for the Anglican Church's pension and benefits plans, a member of the Benefits Canada Pension & Investment Advisory Board, a member of the Executive of the Pension and Benefits Section of the Ontario Bar Association, and a member of the Federal Council of The Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM).
Jordan has been recognized for his work in the area of pensions & employee benefits by The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Chambers Canada, and Best Lawyers in Canada. He is a member of CPBI, ACPM, the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, the Canadian Bar Association and the Pension and Benefits, Taxation Sections of the Ontario Bar Association.
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 | Addie Greco-Sanchez
President
AGS Rehab Solutions Inc Addie Greco-Sanchez is the founder and president of AGS Rehab Solutions Inc., a leader in disability management and assessment services since 1999 that has grown into a successful company with a head office in Mississauga and a large network of professionals across Canada. Selected as one of PROFIT/Chatelaine’s Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs, Addie is a passionate and expert advocate for mental health in the workplace and frequent national speaker on the topic of how companies can safeguard employees’ psychological health. She is co-author of the book, The 5-Minute Recharge, 31 Proven Strategies to Refresh, Reset and Become the Boss of Your Day. |
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 | Michael Guichon
Managing Director, Investments
CC&L Financial Group Michael is Managing Director at Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group, focusing on investment process, risk, and team structure. Prior to joining the firm in 2020, Michael held positions in portfolio management and investment research with Point72 Asset Management, Pointstate Capital, and Morgan Stanley Investment Management. He has experience in sellside research from his time with UBS. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Columbia University. |
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 | Farrell Hall
Chief Inclusion & People Officer
Story Media Group
Farrell is the Chief Inclusion & People Officer at 9 Story Media Group, based in Toronto. He joined the organization in September 2021. He’s the inaugural DEI leader at this Canadian children’s media production company. He is in charge of leading and implementing the DEI strategy at 9 Story Media, which includes igniting the cultural shift needed to accomplish this mission. His work encompasses all aspects of influencing leaders, supporting employees, and advising on authentic inclusion in the creative process.
As of January 2023, Farrell also took on executive leadership of the Human Resources function and added oversight of this important employee-centric portfolio in addition to his DEI work. The global HR teams at 9 Story Media Group report into him, He was previously employed at the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto where he held the role of Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He’s held other DEI roles within the Ontario Public Service as well as HR leadership roles in the not-for-profit and the corporate sectors.
Farrell is equipped with Human Resources training and holds the Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation along with a degree in Business. He shares that his passion for People, Equity and Human Rights drive him forward every working day. |
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 | Toni Harrington MSW., MSc.,D.Sc.(c)
Senior Leader, Workplace Intervention and Clinical Services
Homewood Health Toni is a senior leader at Homewood Health within Workplace Intervention and Clinical Services. As an Assistant Vice President, Toni is responsible for providing the vision and leadership required to align and implement strategic planning, and deliver and evaluate quality, accessible, sustainable and integrated mental health and addictions programs across the country. For over two decades, Toni has dedicated her work to change the trajectory of health for working Canadians by ensuring optimal and accountable care through evidence based occupational and organizational health practices. Toni holds a Bachelor and Masters of Social Work from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Toni also hold a Masters of Occupational Health Science from McGill University and currently a doctoral candidate at Queen’s University with an anticipated graduation in 2024. |
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 | Mark Hartlen
President
HRPA Health and Wellness Trust Mark is a retired police officer with over 38 years of service with the Halifax Regional Police. In the spring of 1986 Mark graduated from Dalhousie University and in the fall of 1986, he started his policing career. Serving the public and looking after people has always been a passion for Mark. He has worked as a manager reaching the rank of Superintendent and finished his career serving as the union president for six years. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Halifax Regional Police Association and is a Senior Advisor for The Newly Institute. He has been a trustee for over twelve years on the HRPA Health and Wellness Benefit Trust. Mark enjoys hockey at a slower pace these days and many other sporting activities. Time with his wife Kathy and family is important. His wife is a retired nurse and his three children are all public servants. |
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 | Theodor Heldman
Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Risk
WISE Trust Theo Heldman is a financial services executive with over 25 years of experience in the investment management industry. He joined WISE Trust in September 2021 as Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and assumed the role of CFO and Vice President, Risk, in April 2023, reporting directly to the CEO. Theo previously held senior roles at Invesco Canada, a global asset management organization, and i3 Advisors Inc., an entrepreneurial and innovative wealth management firm.
Theo is passionate about building teams and organizations. He cultivates collaborative environments and engages teams in exploration and discovery that shifts mindsets and enables talent to shine and drive organizational results. Theo currently serves as a Board Member of Burgundy Asset Management’s Independent Fund Governance Committee and was previously Chair of the Portfolio Management Association of Canada’s Tax Committee. Theo has the Institute of Corporate Directors designation (ICD.D), and holds both the Chartered Professional Accountant (CA, CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto.
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 | Liz Horvath
Manager, Psychological Health and Safety Opening Minds
Mental Health Commission of Canada Liz is on a mission to make work a great part of life for as many people as possible. She is well known for her empathy, interpersonal skills, and expertise in physical and psychological health and safety. Liz currently leads a team of amazing people dedicated to helping organizations with psychological health and safety training and auditing. Her expertise has been built through decades of helping organizations design and implement successful health and safety systems, first as a health and safety manager in manufacturing facilities, and later as a consultant helping organizations in numerous industries, including manufacturing, construction, utilities, mining, education, municipal operations, health care, and emergency response. |
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 | Vincent Houle
Associate Principal Consultant
Linea Solutions Vincent is an Associate Principal Consultant at Linea Solutions and has been in the Pension and Benefits administration industry for nearly 20 years. He has been a strategic partner for a variety of funds, large and small, in North America, guiding them through their modernization journey. He has led multiple exciting initiatives such as defining modernization strategies and roadmaps, re-engineering outdated processes, procuring new Pension Administration Systems, integrating ancillary tools such as Portals, CRM, Workflows, Electronic Content Management, and provided oversight on system implementations. All these initiatives are very complex and not only have a huge impact on your plan’s members but will affect a significant number of stakeholder groups in your organization, Vincent has gained significant experience in maximizing the effectiveness of such modernization initiatives by ensuring all stakeholders are involved at the right level, at the right time and that no one is left behind. Vincent holds a degree in Actuarial Mathematics from Concordia University and has obtain a Change Management certification from Prosci. He is also actively involved in the industry, currently being the Chair of the Strategic Initiatives Committee for the Association of Canadian Pension Management. |
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 | Leyla Imanirad
Chief Empowerment Officer
Pension Bar Leyla is the founder & CEO of Pensionbar, a pension technology & communication company. Her vision is to demystify the pension maze and improve retirement outcomes for individuals through innovative and user-friendly tools. She is a tech professional with 15 years of experience delivering solutions across different verticals in the financial industry.
In her previous role at an investment manage firm, she worked on developing predictive models, investment strategy analysis and portfolio construction tools. As a practitioner, she believes in harnessing the power of artificial intelligence while being cognizant of its limitations. As a communicator, she enjoys raising awareness about the AI technology and its impact on our collective future. She has a master’s degree in computer & biomedical engineering from the University of Toronto. |
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| Kally Kastaniotis
Stratège Client
HUB International Kally Kastaniotis est une stratège chevronnée en matière d’avantages sociaux, comptant plus d’une décennie d’expérience dans l’industrie. Forte d’un MBA et portant une attention particulière aux tendances et aux innovations du marché, elle adopte une approche stratégique pour optimiser les programmes d’avantages sociaux, veillant à ce qu’ils évoluent de pair avec les besoins des organisations et de leur personnel. La mission de Kally est de permettre aux entreprises de fidéliser les meilleurs talents grâce à des stratégies d’avantages sociaux innovantes et percutantes.
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 | Kyle Kolasingh
Director and Head of Market Services Solutions
RBC Investor Services
Kyle Kolasingh is Director and Head of Market Services Solutions at RBC Investor Services. He oversees lender management for the RBCIS Securities Finance program and is leads a cross-product technical sales and relationship management team covering securities lending, foreign exchange and cash management products.
He has been with RBCIS since 2010 and previously worked for RBC Financial Caribbean. Over the past twelve years Kyle has held various positions including Corporate Actions and Entitlements, Risk & Investment Analytics and Proposal Management. Based in Toronto, Kyle works closely with beneficial owners and internal partners in the provision of securities financing products and solutions to the Bank’s clients and prospective clients.
Kyle is the Coordinator and a Board member of the Canadian Securities Lending Association (CASLA), represents the association at the Global Alliance of Securities Lending Associations (GASLA), and is Chair of the International Securities Lending Association (ISLA) Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Steering Group.
He holds a Bachelor of Administrative Studies with Honours in Finance from York University. |
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 | Nelson Lam
Senior Vice-President, Equity and Alternative Investments
Trans-Canada Capita
Nelson oversees all externally managed mandates across public equities and alternative investment strategies, including real estate, infrastructure, private equity, private debt and hedge funds. He is a longstanding member of the Investment Committee (IC), and an active member of TCC's Executive Committee. Prior to joining the team in 2009, Nelson worked as a consultant and director of investments for several institutions. He brings over 25 years of experience in establishing investment policies, selecting and monitoring third-party investment managers, as well as making asset allocation decisions. Nelson holds a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Mathematics from Concordia University. He is also a CFA charterholder. |
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| Sarah Lapointe
Avocate
Edmond Harnden LLP Sarah graduated from the University of Ottawa French Common Law Program and practices management side labour and employment law as a partner with Emond Harnden LLP. Fully bilingual, she provides ongoing support and strategic advice to employers on a variety of employment and labour law issues such as contracts, policy development, workplace investigations, employment standards, terminations of employment, collective agreement administration, human rights, and workplace accommodations. She represents employers before administrative tribunals and courts, including in relation to labour arbitrations, wrongful dismissal claims and proceedings before the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal.
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 | Chris Lee
Vice President, Employee Experience and Internal Communication
Gallagher Communication Chris Lee is Vice President, Employee Experience and Internal Communication Practice at Gallagher Communication. In this role he helps employers build immersive and experiential internal brands for their employees. Chris is the Executive Vice President on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Business Communicators Toronto Chapter, and has also served on numerous other boards. Chris hosts a podcast called Why Does It Feel So Wrong to be Human at Work? He has also published articles in numerous publications, and is often featured as a speaker on communications, brand, and employee experience. |
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 | Alex Leung
Head of Infrastructure Research & Strategy
UBS Asset Management
Alex Leung is the Head of Infrastructure Research & Strategy Alex Leung is the Head of Infrastructure Research & Strategy, which forms part of Real Estate & Private Markets within UBS Asset Management. Alex joined UBS-AM in April 2018. In his current role, he conducts macro and fundamental research on the infrastructure markets, identifies investment opportunities, and develops new investment strategies. Alex is a member of the Investment Committee of UBS’s infrastructure equity and energy storage strategies. He also regularly publishes in-depth research reports on the infrastructure industry and is a frequent contributor to media outlets.
Prior to joining UBS Asset Management, Alex was a Vice President at Sanford C. Bernstein, a boutique sell-side equity research firm. During his eight years there, he held various positions within the research and trading departments in Hong Kong and New York. He was responsible for analyzing investments in publicly traded equities across the global energy, utilities, and industrial sectors.
Alex holds Series 7 and Series 63 licenses |
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 | William Lindsay
Senior Disability Management Advisor for the Disability Management and Prevention team
Desjardins Insurance
As part of the Best Practices and Innovation team, William brings with him more than 16 years of experience in the field of group disability management. His experience spans a variety of industries and includes working for different insurance carriers. Fully bilingual, his role is to create a true partnership that delivers the best in customer service and disability prevention and management which includes, among many other things, presentations to employers with the goal of strengthening their understanding of Disability Management and incorporating the most recent Best Practice to their internal absence management processes.
William completed his studies at Concordia University (BSc Exercise Science, Specializing in Athletic Therapy). |
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 | Dr. Christine Maheu, RN, PhD
McGill University and Co-Director, Research lead, Cancer and Work Christine Maheu is an associate professor at the Ingram School of Nursing at McGill University and senior cancer program researcher at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, oversees an extensive program of research initiatives in cancer survivorship. A leader in fear of cancer recurrence, return to work after cancer, transition post-cancer follow-up from tertiary to primary healthcare, and coping mechanisms, among other crucial aspects of post-cancer issues. Dr. Maheu has received awards for excellence in the field of nursing research and psycho-social oncology. She co-led the development of FORT and has empirically tested her approach for group psychotherapy for the management of fear of cancer recurrence. In 2016, Dr. Maheu and Maureen Parkinson, a vocational rehabilitation counsellor at BC Cancer, joined forces as co-directors to create the Cancer and Work website, a bilingual platform in French and English. This reliable resource garners more than one thousand visits per week and is acknowledged internationally for its expertise in employment matters following cancer. The website functions as the platform for the pioneering "iCanWork Intervention," a pilot program that assists employers, healthcare providers, and cancer patients in surmounting obstacles associated with return to work after cancer and sustaining employment. With 1,0000 weekly visits, the Cancer and Work website is an invaluable resource for research and dissemination of information. It is integrated into MUHC's (McGill University Health Centre) Opal app for cancer survivors and is recognized as a valuable resource by the international group on cancer survivorship care and endorsed by the Canadian Cancer Society. Dr. Maheu's latest project aims to develop an AI-generated virtual oncology multidisciplinary vocational rehabilitation led model to enhance cancer survivors’ likelihood to sustain employment after cancer. This multifaceted initiative involves refining the AI model, creating a user-friendly virtual assistant interface, and rigorously testing and validating its effectiveness in supporting cancer survivors through their vocational rehabilitation journey following cancer (Phase 1). The subsequent phase aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of the virtual assistant in facilitating the support of individuals living with cancer to return to work and sustain employment and considering the user experience and the overall impact on cancer survivorship care (Phase 2). Given the increased acceptance of virtual healthcare highlighted by the recent pandemic, leveraging AI-powered virtual counseling emerges as a scalable solution to address the shortage of professionals capable of providing support to cancer survivors during their return to work. This innovative approach holds the potential to offer personalized assistance, making work-focused cancer survivorship support more accessible and manageable for individuals touched by cancer, the healthcare providers, and employers. |
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 | Janine McInnis
Associate Vice President
HUB International Janine’s career began in HR where she has held a variety of roles in her 20+ year tenure. Janine has been a benefits consultant for over 10 years. As an experienced benefits consultant, Janine works with large national clients to ensure their company benefits plan support their objectives and their people. Janine holds her business degree from Saint Mary’s University, with a major in human resources management. Janine has her Chartered Professional Human Resources (CPHR) designation and has also held various leadership roles with the CPHR Association in Nova Scotia. She most recently finished her 5-year term with the CPHRNS Board. Janine has also obtained her Group Benefits Associate (GBA) designation and completed the Life Licensing Qualification Program (LLQP). |
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 | Sue McNamara, CFA
Senior Vice President, Head of Credit, Fixed Income; Head of Responsible Investing
Beutel Goodman Head of Credit with the Beutel Goodman Fixed Income team, Sue is a portfolio manager and strategist with additional responsibilities for credit analysis and product design. Sue also leads Responsible Investing for the firm, overseeing the governance and consistent application of Beutel Goodman’s responsible investing approach. Beutel Goodman is a signatory of the UN-sponsored Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and supports the main goals of the Paris Agreement, as well as the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD). Sue has provided her expertise to different industry bodies committed to sustainable investing, such as the Canadian Bond Investors’ Association ESG Working Group; Climate Engagement Canada Industry Leaders Advisory Panel; and the Bank of Canada Canadian Fixed Income Forum — Sustainable Finance Virtual Network. Selected as part of Benefits and Pensions Monitor’s inaugural Hot List in 2023, she is a regular speaker at major conferences across North America, including the RBC Capital Markets Sustainable Debt Symposium; the Responsible Investor Canada Conference; and the CIBC Government Finance Conference. As Head of Credit, Sue has also authored research papers on the growing segment of sustainable bonds, including her Insight piece: “What Colour is my Bond?” With more than 30 years of investment experience, Sue has worked as a research analyst for several large brokerage houses, including BMO Nesbitt Burns, and is both a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and a CFA charterholder.
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 | Brad Millson
General Manager
IQVIA Brad Millson is General Manager of the Real World Solutions consulting group at IQVIA. He leads the strategic operations and development of our market access strategy and real-world evidence-based analytical solutions for the pharmaceutical industry and its stakeholders. He joined the company in 2013, bringing his global expertise in pharmaceutical brand management, strong medical science training, and strategic problem solving across government and private sectors to the organization. Brad is recognized as a thought leader for his expertise in RWE, health outcomes research and market access. |
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 | Marianne Nguyen
Program Director, Decumulation
Sun Life Marianne Nguyen [she/they] is a Program Director, Decumulation at Sun Life. She leads the decumulation program strategy and execution to give Canadians the confidence they need to prepare for and actualize their retirement lifestyle. Marianne has more than a decade of experience in government affairs, policy and strategy development, and communications in the public and private sector. In her previous role as Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs, she led Sun Life’s government relations and advocacy efforts to develop better retirement outcomes for all Canadians and to increase Canadians’ access to mental health supports. Before that, Marianne served as Senior Policy Advisor to former Finance Minister Charles Sousa, where she developed and implemented several significant policy initiatives, including establishing a new financial services regulator. Marianne is passionate about social transformation initiatives that promote diversity, equity and inclusion. She is a Co-Chair of the Sun Life Pride Network Canada and a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Toronto program. In addition, as a member of the Mental Health Research Canada Board, Marianne supports the mission to improve the lives of all Canadians by advancing mental health knowledge. |
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 | Siobhan O’Brien
Partner
Hicks Morley Siobhan O’Brien is partner in Hicks Morley’s Ottawa office and the firm’s Eastern Regional Lead. Siobhan is an employment, labour and human rights lawyer. She provides strategic, practical and cost-effective advice to employers from coast to coast on a variety of workplace issues. In addition to appearing before courts, human rights tribunals, arbitrators, and labour boards, Siobhan routinely provides advice on wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights law, grievance arbitration, labour relations, collective bargaining and strike management. This work has included advice and assistance to employers regarding notice terminations and dismissals for cause, policy development, restructuring, employment standards, accommodation, attendance management, collective agreement interpretation, discipline and dismissal, management rights, pregnancy/parental leave and restrictive covenants. In addition to being exceptionally responsive and accessible, she is dedicated to understanding her clients’ particular business needs and is committed to recommending the best possible course of action. |
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| Sophie Ouellet
Vice-présidente, développement des affaires
Sun Life As Vice-President, Business Development, Sophie Ouellet is responsible for Sun Life’s sales and service team across Canada. Sophie also works with Clients and their advisors to ensure our strategic direction is aligned with the needs of the Canadian marketplace.
Since joining Sun Life in 2011, Sophie has held a number of key roles within the Group Benefits Business Development team, including Regional Vice-President (RVP) for the Quebec and Eastern Ontario Region. Prior to joining Sun Life Sophie held various positions in Health and Benefits at Aon Hewitt.
Sophie holds a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science from Laval University and is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.
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| Kim Page
Director, Private Pension Plans Supervision
OSFI Kim Page has over 25 years experience in the pension industry, including 12 years at OSFI and 10 years working in the pension practice of a major consulting firm.
She is currently the Director of the Private Pension Plans Supervision team at OSFI. She is responsible for supervising federally regulated private pension plans and pooled registered pension plans to ensure they are meeting minimum funding requirements and are complying with legislative and supervisory requirements. Kim has a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science from Laval University and holds the designation of Associate of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (ACIA) and the Society of Actuaries (ASA).
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 | Haripaul Pannu, FCIA, FSA
Deputy Superintendent of Pensions
Government of Alberta Haripaul Pannu is the Deputy Superintendent of Pensions of Alberta. His office is responsible for the oversight and regulation of over 600 pension plans which have assets in excess of $145 billion. Haripaul has been with been with Government of Alberta for the past nine years. His prior roles include Senior Manager, Risk Management; Acting Deputy Superintendent of Pensions; and Director, Pension Policy. Haripaul has been involved with many aspects of pension plan regulation and policy. He was part of a team that was involved in developing the Joint Governance of Public Sector Pension Plans Act, which transitioned three public sector plans to regulation under the Superintendent of Pensions. Prior to joining the Government of Alberta, Haripaul worked at Alberta Pensions Services Corporation and as a actuarial pension consultant with several consulting firms. He has over 25 years of pension experience and is a Fellow, Canadian Institute of Actuaries and Fellow, Society of Actuaries. Haripaul has a B.Sc. from the University of Alberta and a M.Math from the University of Waterloo. |
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 | Kelly Patrick
Head of Equities & Portfolio Manager, International and Global Equities | ISC Member
Jarislowsky Fraser Kelly Patrick is Head of Equities and Portfolio Manager, International and Global Equities. He is a member of the Investment Strategy Committee, which ensures adherence to Jarislowsky Fraser’s long-standing investment philosophy and disciplined process. Kelly has 18 years of industry experience; he has co-managed global equities at JFL since 2012 and was previously a research analyst at the firm. Mr. Patrick joined the firm as a global research analyst in 2006 and was named a Partner in 2009. Before joining Jarislowsky Fraser, he was a portfolio manager at a private investment firm based in Montreal. |
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 | Maureen Parkinson, M.Ed., CCRC
Vocational and Rehabilitation Counsellor, BC Cancer (also a cancer survivor)
Co-Director, Content lead, Cancer and Work Maureen Parkinson has worked for over 25 years as the Provincial Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor at BC Cancer. She is the co-lead and content lead for www.cancerandwork.ca. a website designed to inform cancer survivors, employers and health care providers on how to help cancer survivors stay, return to and find work. She is a sessional instructor for Pacific Coast University teaching Cancer and Worker Support as part of the Return to Work Coordinator Program. She has co-authored a commission paper for the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology called Cancer and Work: A Canadian Perspective and wrote Cancer and Work: A Practical Guide for Cancer Patients. She has a Masters in Counselling Psychology, is a Canadian Certified Rehabilitation Counsellor, and completed the Certified Return to Work Coordinator Program through the National Institute for Disability Management and Research |
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 | Giuseppe Pietrantonio, CFA
Associate Client Portfolio Manager - Multi-Asset & Currency Management
CIBC Asset Management Giuseppe Pietrantonio is a member of the CIBC Client Portfolio Manager team. Mr. Pie-trantonio partners with all CIBC distribution channels to deliver targeted thought leader-ship, education, and investment advice and perspective to clients and consultants.
Mr. Pietrantonio started his career with CIBC Asset Management in 2011. In his most re-cent position, he was a Manager on the Trading Systems team where he developed and implemented a currency management system. Prior to that, he held the positions of Port-folio Analyst and Corporate Actions Coordinator.
Mr. Pietrantonio holds a MBA degree and a BComm degree in Finance from Concordia University. He is also is a CFA charterholder and a member of the CFA Society of Montreal. |
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 | Bryan Pilsworth
President & CEO, Portfolio Manager – Canadian Equities
Foyston Gordon & Payne
Bryan joined FGP in 2007 as a senior analyst covering the Telecom and Financial sectors. In 2012, he assumed portfolio management responsibilities for FGP’s small cap Canadian equity mandates and held that position until 2017. Following a period of co-management with John Berry, Bryan became the lead portfolio manager of FGP’s all-cap Canadian equity mandates in 2018 in addition to his role as President & CEO of the firm. He is also a member of FGP’s Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Investment Committee. He is also a member of FGP's Responsible Investment Committee, contributing to the development of the firm's ESG incorporation approach.
Bryan graduated from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario (MBA) and from Carleton University (BComm). He was on the Dean's Honour List at both universities. Bryan is also a CFA charterholder. |
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 | Dimitri Poliak
Principal
Normandin Beaudry Dimitri Poliak is a Principal with Normandin Beaudry and provides leadership and guidance for Investment, DC and Savings clients. He has over 15 years’ experience helping multinational organizations strategically manage pension programs and M&A activity. Dimitri is a member of the investment research team and advises clients on strategic direction, fiduciary duty, risk management, plan utility, program design as well as investment manager research. Dimitri is Vice Chair of the CPBI Ontario Council, has served on the FSCO (now FSRA) DC Advisory Committee and has been an advocate for the evolution of DC plans into programs that meet organizational goals today and into the future. Dimitri also holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation and a bachelor of science with honors in actuarial science from the University of Toronto.” |
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| Kevin Press
Principal
Kevin Press Communications Kevin Press has more than 25 years experience in journalism, communications and marketing. He began his career in the benefits and pension industry as a magazine editor in 1996. Following that, he served a combined 17 years in marketing and communications roles at Sun Life Financial and RBC Insurance. Kevin served as a CPBI volunteer on both the Ontario Regional Council and National Board, from 1999 to 2013. |
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| Martin Prevost
co-fondateur et Directeur
Neuroplus Martin Prévost has been a practitioner and then a manager in the field of employability and educational support for people with disabilities for more than 30 years, ten of which were devoted solely to people with autism. He has worked with private companies as well as in the community and education sectors. He has also been a rehabilitation consultant for public and private insurers. Martin Prévost has participated in the development and implementation of three intervention models for employment support. He is also a recognized speaker, panelist and trainer.
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 | Dr. Sandra Primiano, Ph.D., Psy.D.
Vice President, Research, Quality and Clinical Practice
Homewood Health Dr. Primiano, VP of Research, Quality and Clinical Practice oversees the development and maintenance of high standards for clinical care while also driving research initiatives to improve treatment outcomes and patient experiences. Sandra has worked in different mental health roles for over 15 years and in the EFAP industry more than 8 years in different leadership positions as well as offering direct client services, developing clinical programs, facilitating workshops. Dr. Primiano graduated from the Université du Quebec à Montréal (UQAM) with a Ph.D. and Psy.D. in Clinical and Experimental Psychology. She previously worked as a Psychology Consultant for Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), where she supported the delivery and coordination of evidence- informed mental health services in the (11) Operational Stress Injury Clinics across Canada. |
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 | Blair Richards
CIO
Halifax Port ILA/HEA Pension Plan
Blair Richards is currently the Chief Investment Officer for the Halifax Port ILA/HEA Pension Plan. He previously served this organization as Chief Executive Officer (20 years), Board Chair (7 years), and Chair of numerous sub-committees. In 2019 Mr. Richards was appointed Director, Worker’s Compensation Board of Nova Scotia and in 2022 to Chair of their Investment Committee. He currently serves three separate Boards crossing the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.
Mr. Richards holds a Bachelor of Arts (Dal ’91), a Master of Business Administration (SMU ’97), and multiple certifications including from 2000 to 2018 a Fellowship with the International Society’s Certified Employee Benefit Specialist. An industry veteran, he has held various positions with associations such as the CPBI, ACPM, and the IFEBP. |
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 | Kim Ross
Manager, Benefit Services
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) With more than 25 years of experience in the group benefits industry, Kim has an extensive background in benefits administration and consulting, group insurance, and most recently as a plan sponsor in the public sector. In her role at the TTC, Kim is responsible for the development, management and communication of benefit programs, while managing the vendor relationships and service provider contracts. Kim draws on her unique background to provide senior management and other stakeholders with expert advice on the benefit programs and works in partnership with Labour Relations during union collective bargaining and grievance arbitration. Kim holds the Certified Employee Benefits (CEBS) designation, is an active member of the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute (CPBI) and sits on the CPBI Ontario Regional Council. |
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 | Noam Sela
Senior Vice President, Pension Services & Technology
OMERS As the Senior Vice President of Pension Service & Technology, Noam Sela is responsible for the operational teams in the Pensions division at OMERS. This includes responsibility for over 300 employees in three areas: (1) our Member Experience team, which is the front-line and back-office support for our over 600,000 members; (2) Our Employer Experience team, which partners with and supports our over 1,000 employers; and (3) our Products and Technology team, which builds, maintains and monitors our Pension systems.
Noam joined OMERS as a pension Lawyer on secondment from a large Toronto law firm in 2010, and returned on a full-time basis in 2012. Between 2012 and 2019 his primary role was as a member of the Pension Legal team, along with part time responsibilities for general corporate support, as well as the role of Privacy Officer for OMERS. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Noam was knee-deep in the emerging world of technology as a web developer, and is thrilled to be in a position to apply his varied experiences over the years across Pension operations at OMERS. |
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 | Dimitar Shapov, CFA
Vice President, Portfolio Manager – Emerging Markets
Burgundy Asset Management LTD Dimitar joined Burgundy in April 2017 as an Investment Analyst focusing on U.S. large-cap equities. In July 2020, Dimitar transitioned to Emerging Markets equities and in July 2021, he was appointed a Vice President of the firm. In October 2022, Dimitar assumed the role of Co-Portfolio Manager of the Emerging Markets strategy alongside Ching Chang. Prior to Burgundy, he spent six years with Barclays, most recently as a Vice President in the Investment Banking Division, Metals and Mining Group. Dimitar earned an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from Queen’s University in 2010 and his Master of Finance degree from the University of Cambridge in 2013. He was awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 2019. |
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| Sherry Sheffman
Director, Strategic Communications
BC Pension Corporation Sherry Sheffman is the director of strategic communications at BC Pension Corporation. She leads a team that provides both strategic communications and reputation management to BC’s five public sector pension plan boards of trustees with the goal of inspiring plan members’ trust in the Plans and the boards that steward them. Sherry is a seasoned communicator. Before joining the corporation 12 years ago, she served as a senior public consultation specialist for Enbridge, the director of public affairs for BC Ferries, and had responsibility for communications and community relations for Terasen Gas (now FortisBC). Her career began in Toronto as a publicist and as she moved west, she gained experience as an editor and business reporter. Committed to her profession and her community, Sherry has been on the steering committee for the University of Victoria Certificate Program in Public Relations, and the professional development chair for the Canadian Public Relations Society–Vancouver Island Board of Directors. She was a longstanding volunteer for the Victoria Foundation. Sherry holds a master’s degree in corporate communications from Fairfield University in Connecticut. |
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 | Kim Siddall
National Vice President, Account Management, Mid-Large Business
People Corporation Kim is responsible for team leadership, consulting operations and client service delivery for medium and large sized groups in across Canada, and consults to a number of group benefits clients. She has worked in the insurance and benefits consulting field for more than 20 years with roles in both a carrier and advisory capacity. Her expertise includes drug plan management, absence and disability management and strategic plan design. She is a contributing writer to Benefits Canada since 2013, and is a frequent contributor to thought leadership in the employee health benefits space. |
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| Rebecca Smith
Director, Group Life and Disability Services
Medavie Blue Cross
Rebecca brings more than 25 years of disability management experience and progressive leadership to her role as Director of Group Life and Disability Services at Medavie Blue Cross. In this senior management position, she is responsible for a number of disciplines including rehabilitation services, new business onboarding, sales support and business analysis. Rebecca draws on an extensive background in claims management, quality assurance and training. She began her career as a claims assessor for the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, gradually working her way up to top management posts with leading insurance carriers in Ontario. Before Rebecca joined Medavie Blue Cross in 2010, she was Director of Group Disability Claims for another major insurer. |
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 | Scott Sweatman
Partner
Dentons LLP Scott helps clients establish and sustain pension, benefit and deferred compensation plans, providing counsel on regulatory compliance, pension, governance and funding issues, as well as the impact of mergers and acquisitions on these plans. From a tax perspective, he works with clients to develop executive and deferred compensation plans, and advise them on issues around stock options, retiring allowances, profit sharing and corporate reorganizations. Scott also assists professional athletes in establishing retirement compensation arrangements. He also acts as an arbitrator in public sector pension plan disputes. Scott also assists national and multi-national clients, as well as multi-employer plan sponsors, with provincial, federal and Income Tax Act compliance. For over fifteen years, he worked as a senior consultant with two major multi national actuarial and accounting firms. With this experience, he is uniquely positioned to provide strategic legal consulting advice in tandem with professionals from the actuarial and accounting professions. Scott is the past Co-Chair of the Alberta-British Columbia Joint Expert Panel on Pension Standards, working with five of Alberta and British Columbia’s leading experts in pensions to review pension legislation in the two provinces and make recommendations to both governments for fundamental reforms to pension legislation. He is past national and regional chair of the Canadian Pension & Benefits Institute, past chair of the Pension, Benefits and Compensation Section of the Canadian Bar Association (British Columbia), past chair of the Corporate Counsel Section of the Canadian Bar Association (British Columbia), former member of the Pension Advisory Council to the British Columbia Government, and former member of the Trustee Act Modernization Committee of British Columbia. Scott also served on the Board of Directors of NAV Canada from 2010 to January, 2022, Canada’s national private sector civil navigation services provider which has pension plan assets in excess of $7 billion. He is a past member and also past chair of NAV’s Pension Committee and past member of their Corporate Governance Committee. Scott is recognized in the 2011- 2023 editions of The Best Lawyers in Canada in the area of Employee Benefits Law & Real Estate Law. He is also recognized by Chambers Global (2013- 2021) and Chambers Canada (2016-2020) as a leading lawyer in the area of Pensions & Benefits. Scott is consistently recommended by the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Pensions and Employee Benefits. He has been practising law since 1987.
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| Tom Valks
Retired, Chief Investment Officer, Pension Fund and Investment Management
University of Ottawa Tom Valks’ career spans over 30+ years of investing for pension fund and other institutional portfolios. He recently retired as Chief Investment Officer of the University of Ottawa Pension Fund and Investment Management. Before that, he was a senior investment manager and member of the national leadership team with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, where he among others led the real asset investment portfolios for a $30+ billion portfolio. Earlier in his career, Tom managed U.S. and global equity portfolios with Montrusco Bolton and its predecessor company Bolton Tremblay. Tom is currently a board member and chair of the investment committee at the Ottawa Community Foundation, pension plan committee member at the Canada Medical Association, and Finance and Audit Committee member at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. He is a CFA charter holder, has a CPA designation and is a graduate from the HEAO-School in The Netherlands. |
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 | Sandra Ventin
Associate Vice President, Benefits & Health
Gallagher Canada Everything Sandie does is a testament to the fact that details are important and relationships matter – from her strategic questions, to her appreciation of the nuances of a company’s culture, to her understanding of each client’s individual goals. She has made a career out of fostering close relationships with her clients, and going above and beyond. She has been delivering multi-faceted results for our clients since 1999. Prior to her role here, she had experience in similar roles at a large insurance company and in HR at one of Canada’s largest banks. Sandie continues to provide benefits solutions for many multi-national, fortune 500 companies as well as mid-sized, independently owned Canadian companies. Sandie represents Gallagher by frequently speaking at industry events and is an advisory member to several pharmaceutical partners. Sandie has a BA in Psychology from McGill University, and holds both a CHRP designation and Life Insurance Agent’s License (FSCO). |
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 | Barbara Walancik-Hatch
Counsel
Dentons LLP Barbara Walancik-Hatch) is counsel in the Employment and Labour group in Dentons’ Toronto office, practicing in pension and employee benefits law. She has advised private and public sector sponsors, boards of trustees, administrators, and employee organizations on a wide range of matters, including cyber and information security, risk management, regulatory compliance, restructuring, plan administration and wind-ups. Barbara has also assisted on pensions and benefit matters in corporate transactions, including asset and share transactions. Barbara has experience in pension and benefits litigation, having appeared before the Superior Court of Justice, various appellate levels and the Financial Services Tribunal. |
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| Aaron Walker-Duncan
Vice President, Board and Communication Services
BC Pension Corporation Aaron Walker-Duncan is the Vice President, Board and Communication Services for the BC Pension Corporation. He is responsible for formulating the strategic direction and delivery of support and services to the BC public sector pension plan boards of trustees supported by the corporation. This includes leading the Board Services, Plan Communications, and Policy teams.
Aaron has held various roles within the corporation since 2004. Prior to this, he was a benefits consultant with Deloitte in the United Kingdom where he advised clients on executive pension arrangements, acted as a professional trustee and managed pension issues associated with organizational insolvencies.
Aaron has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University and an ICD.D designation through the Institute of Corporate Directors. Aaron has also completed the advanced pension education program from Humber College and has a certificate in Advanced Trustee Management Standards.
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 | Murray Wright
Associate Partner, Retirement & Benefits Solutions
Telus Health Murray Wright leads the Canada wide Pension Risk Management and Data Analytics teams at TELUS Health. He is also a consulting actuary with more than 15 years of experience providing regular advice to a variety of pension plans. Murray joined TELUS Health in 2019 after moving to Canada from the UK. Prior to working in Canada he was Deputy Chief Actuary for a global asset and risk management consultancy. Murray sits on the Project Oversight Groups for the Canadian Institute of Actuaries on mortality improvements and pension mortality base tables, and previously served on the CIA’s Big Data/AI Pension Subcommittee . Murray holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Edinburgh. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
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