CANADA’S LEADERSHIP MOMENT

Speakers

• 
  CHRIS HADFIELD

  Astronaut | Business Leader | Tech Entrepreneur | Bestselling Author

  Colonel Chris Hadfield is an astronaut, business leader, hi-tech entrepreneur, five-time bestselling author, and global speaker on leadership, change, and managing life. Having commanded the International Space Station and directed companies, he has deep experience with best practices and tactics on guiding teams through extreme circumstances of complexity and change, while also recognizing the importance of sharing the marvels and wonders of science and spaceflight.

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  Formerly NASA’s Director of Operations in Russia, Hadfield spent more than three decades serving the military, NASA, and the Canadian Space Agency. Throughout his distinguished career, he has been a fighter/test pilot, flown three space missions, built two space stations, performed two spacewalks, crewed the Shuttle and Soyuz, and commanded the International Space Station. His many awards include the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Cross (twice), and the Order of Canada.

  Today, Hadfield serves as a director and advisor to multiple tech companies, including SpaceX and Virgin Galactic. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Waterloo, chair of the Open Lunar Foundation, and is assisting King Charles III with space business practices for the Sustainable Markets Initiative. Hadfield also co-founded the Space Stream at the Creative Destruction Lab tech incubator, which has created $1.6B of new business equity value in the past five years.

  Hadfield’s keynote presentations have been called “an astonishing display of visual storytelling” by Harvard Business Review, and his TED talk, “What I Learned from Going Blind in Space”, has been viewed over 20 million times. He is frequently featured on national and global media outlets, has taught a MasterClass, and is the co-creator and host of the internationally acclaimed BBC series, Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes? as well as co-host of National Geographic’s One Strange Rock documentary series.

  Hadfield is the author of five internationally bestselling books: two non-fiction, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth and You Are Here; a children’s book, The Darkest Dark, which has been adapted as an award-winning stage play for young audiences; and two fiction books, The Defector and The Apollo Murders, now under contract to become a television series. His third book in the Apollo Murders series, Final Orbit, will be released in October 2025.

• 
  JANICE STEIN

  Geopolitical & Global Economics Expert

  Whether it’s economics, geopolitics, or international security and terrorism, few people have a better understanding of global issues than Professor Janice Gross Stein.

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  Whether it’s economics, geopolitics, or international security and terrorism, few people have a better understanding of global issues than Professor Janice Gross Stein. Her dynamic presentations provide a unique perspective into what’s really happening around the world—from China to Russia to the Middle East and Europe—and what it means to her audiences. Professor Stein’s presentations not only connect the dots regarding key events, but provide a look at where things are headed, and where the potential dangers and opportunities may lie. Both realistic and hopeful, she leaves her audiences with a better understanding of current global issues, and a clear, compelling vision of the future.

  Stein is the Belzberg Professor of Conflict Management in the Department of Political Science and the Founding Director of the Munk School of Global Affairs at the University of Toronto. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and an Honorary Foreign Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

  Professor Stein was the Massey Lecturer in 2001, and a Trudeau Fellow. She was awarded the Molson Prize by the Canada Council for an outstanding contribution by a social scientist to public debate, and has received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Alberta, the University of Cape Breton, McMaster University, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She is a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario.

• 
  DR. JOHN IZZO

  Bestselling Author | Leadership and Business Visionary

  Dr. John Izzo helps companies maximize their potential from the ground up. For over 30 years, he has been a pioneer in employee engagement, leading change, shifting employee and consumer values, and corporate social responsibility, and is known for his hard-hitting practical content, his inspirational storytelling, and the lasting impact he has on organizations.

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  In his career as a professional speaker and business advisor, Izzo has spoken to over one million people, taught at three major universities, and advised over 700 top companies on activating corporate social responsibility and purpose worldwide. Some of those companies include Ford, 3M, Manulife, McDonald’s, SAPA, RBC, Lockheed Martin, Qantas Airlines, Humana, Microsoft, and the Mayo Clinic.

  Frequently in the media, Izzo has been profiled by the likes of Fast Company, PBS, CBC, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and Inc. magazine. He is also the bestselling author of nine books, including the international bestsellers Awakening Corporate Soul, Values Shift, The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die, The Five Thieves of Happiness, The Purpose Revolution, and Stepping Up.

  Izzo is a former faculty member of the University of British Columbia where he co-founded Blueprint, an NGO dedicated to changing the culture of men and boys. He served on the advisory board for Sustainable Brands for over a decade and is currently a board member for numerous non-profits in both Canada and the United States and a distinguished fellow at the Stimson Centre, a leading foreign affairs think tank.

• 
  ERIC TERMUENDE

  Bestselling Author | Leadership, Culture & Future of Work Expert

  After years spent studying the world’s greatest places to work, Eric has deciphered what sets amazing leaders apart from the rest, and what it takes to build incredible teams that are resilient, innovative, and ready for the future.

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  Eric Termuende is a best-selling author, internationally recognized thought leader, and keynote speaker on all things future of work, leadership, workplace culture, and talent management. After years spent studying the world’s greatest places to work, he has deciphered what sets amazing leaders apart from the rest, and what it takes to build incredible teams that are resilient, innovative, and ready for the future.

  His research and insights have inspired category-leading companies like Amazon, Coca-Cola, Nationwide, IBM, Zoom, Nokia, John Deere, and Toyota, to name a few. Eric’s perspectives and accomplishments have also been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., and many other prominent publications.

  In addition to the hundreds of keynotes he has delivered around the world, Eric is an entrepreneur and leader in his own right. As co-founder of NoW of Work, Eric has been named one of the world’s Top 100 Emerging Innovators by American Express, making him a trusted resource as we collectively navigate the future of work together.

  Eric’s keynotes aren’t just engaging and insightful, they’re a fun, practical journey loaded with actionable takeaways that audiences can implement right away. Those that attend Eric’s keynotes often share that his refreshing, down-to-earth messaging not only gets them excited about the future, but also provides the practical tools and know-how to build teams and thrive in it.

   

• 
  DR. TALIA VARLEY

  Managing Director, Corporate Advisory Services, Cleveland Clinic Canada | Resilience & Wellness Expert

  Dr. Talia Varley, MD, helps leaders stay healthy so they can make better decisions and build stronger companies. She is the Physician Lead for Advisory Services at Cleveland Clinic Canada, where she combines medical expertise with management consulting experience to advise organizations on leadership health, performance, and resilience.

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  Dr. Talia Varley spearheads Cleveland Clinic’s Medical Director program, bringing Chief Medical Director expertise to non-healthcare organizations, backed by the global Cleveland Clinic enterprise. Alongside her leadership role, she maintains an active medical practice in addiction medicine and chronic pain, giving her a rare dual perspective on both clinical care and organizational health.

  Her career spans prestigious institutions including Harvard Business School, SickKids Hospital, and McKinsey & Company, where she led projects in organizational agility, employee experience, and corporate strategy. A published researcher and frequent contributor to The Globe and Mail’s Leadership Lab, Dr. Varley is known for translating complex health and organizational issues into actionable strategies for leaders and boards. Passionate about developing resilient leaders and healthier workplaces, she is widely recognized for her ability to bridge medicine, business, and leadership development.

   

• 
  SARAH BEECH

  CEO, Gallagher Benefits & HR Consulting Division - Canada | Day 1 Panel Moderator

  Sarah will be moderating The Forces Shaping Canada’s Leadership Moment Panel, on Nov 19th. She is an expert in leadership and the Canadian business landscape.

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  Since 2022, Sarah Beech has served as CEO, Gallagher
  Benefits & HR Consulting Division – Canada. She is currently a member of Gallagher Global Executive Leadership Team and leads the Canadian Executive Team. Sarah continually works to establish, implement, support and promote the Canadian Strategic Plan. She manages the P&L for Canada and is responsible for Canadian M&A activity. She also continues to actively spend time with clients as an executive sponsor.

  Sarah joined Gallagher as a merger partner in 2018. She was President and minority shareholder of Accompass Inc., which was acquired by Gallagher in 2018.

  Prior to Accompass, Sarah spent 21 years at Hewitt
  Associates in Toronto. Her expertise started in
  Employee Benefits, where she managed large accounts across all practices, and progressed to become the Canadian Managing Director.

  Sarah has been published and quoted in Benefits Canada, Globe & Mail, National Post, Toronto Star, Canadian HR Reporter and on CBC News.

• 
  DAVID KING

  Senior Managing Director, Robert Half | Day 1 Panelist

  David will be speaking on The Forces Shaping Canada’s Leadership Moment Panel, on Nov 19th. He is an expert on labour trends, workplace issues, retention, and their impact on competitiveness.

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  David King is a Senior Managing Director with Robert Half, a globally recognized leader in professional talent solutions and consulting services. In his current role he oversees Canada and South America, bringing a unique strategic vision to the business.

  For 30 years, David has led a distinguished and accomplished career with Robert Half. He has held senior leadership positions in both Eastern and Western Canada as well as Brazil and Chile. David has also played a key role in enhancing the partnership with Protiviti, Robert Half’s consulting subsidiary, establishing new levels of client service excellence. His perspectives and insights on workplace issues and labour trends are often featured in major media outlets and executive keynotes, and he provides curriculum guidance to leading educational institutions across the country. Under David’s direction, Robert Half has established itself as a trusted advisor to businesses internationally, helping clients at all stages of growth establish high-performing teams and thriving organizations.

  David holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Memorial University of Newfoundland and currently chairs the Dean’s Advisory Board for its Faculty of Business and Administration.

  Founded in 1948, Robert Half is the world’s first and largest specialized talent solutions firm. The company has more than 300 locations worldwide and offers hiring and job search services at roberthalf.ca.

• 
  JEFF HALES

  Co-Chief Investment Officer, Focus Wealth Management | Day 1 Panelist

  Jeff will be speaking on the "The Forces Shaping Canada’s Leadership Moment" Panel, on Nov 19th. He is an expert on interest rates, investment environment and growth opportunities in Canada.

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  Jeff is responsible for Focus Wealth Management’s public equity strategies and private market funds. His passion for investing began in high school and continues to grow to this day. Researching new companies, industries and markets is a perfect challenge for his analytical mind, feeding a hunger for knowledge and desire for continuous learning and development.

  Jeff also believes that being a business owner himself provides perspective around strategy, leadership, capital allocation, talent development and other important issues facing our portfolio companies. Prior to joining Focus, Jeff co-founded alternative asset manager Alignvest Capital, and worked for several outstanding organizations including Gluskin Sheff, Birch Hill Capital and Goldman Sachs.

  Jeff received the Governor General’s Academic Medal upon graduating from Wilfrid Laurier University and is a CFA charterholder.

• 
  CORY JANSSEN

  CEO & Co-Founder, AltaML | Day 1 Panelist

  CEO & Co-Founder, AltaML | Day 1 Panelist Cory will be speaking on The Forces Shaping Canada’s Leadership Moment panel, on Nov 19th. He is an expert on how AI and innovation can fuel Canada's competitive edge.

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  Cory Janssen is the CEO and Co-Founder of AltaML, one of North America’s largest developers of vertical AI and agentic solutions. Previously, Cory co-founded Investopedia, a financial education site that provides content and tools to help educate individual investors. Founded in 1999, Investopedia became one of the most popular financial sites on the web and was sold to Forbes Media in 2007. He is also a director at VerticalScope Inc., and sits on several private-company advisory boards.

• 
  MATT EVANS

  SVP, Commercial & Private Banking, National Bank | Day 1 Panelist

  Matt will be speaking on The Forces Shaping Canada’s Leadership Moment panel, on Nov 19th. He is an expert on how geopolitics and supply chain resilience are affecting Canadian businesses.

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  With over fifteen years of experience in leadership positions within the financial sector, Matt Evans is currently responsible for the strategic growth of National Bank in the Ontario region.

  Prior to being appointed National Bank’s Senior Vice President, Commercial & Private Banking 1859, Ontario, he notably served as Senior Vice President, Enterprise Strategy for CWB Financial Group, and President & CEO, CWB Wealth.

  As CFA charterholder, Matt has extensive expertise in corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations and wealth management.

• 
  KELLY MCDOUGALD

  Executive Advisor, PEO Leadership | Day 2 Panel Moderator

  Before becoming an Executive Advisor at PEO Leadership, Kelly McDougald spent over 40 years leading transformation across telecom, gaming, and human capital sectors, including senior roles at Nortel, Bell, and as CEO of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, helping businesses and leaders achieve high-growth success.

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  Kelly ‘s extensive leadership experience includes more than 40 years in diverse sectors serving as a Senior Executive, CEO, Corporate Director, Advisor and Coach.  She is deeply passionate about driving growth for both businesses and leaders.

  Kelly started her career in the telecom sector with both Nortel and Bell Canada.  She led functional groups including Corporate Strategy, Marketing, R&D, and Business Development. She also served as the President of a Canadian Nortel subsidiary, TTS Meridian Systems.

  Following her career in telecom, Kelly assumed the position of CEO of the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). From there Kelly applied her skills leading the national Career Solutions Practice at Knightsbridge Human Capital Solutions, and as an Executive Advisor for entrepreneurs with the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).

  Leveraging her broad experience, Kelly now supports high-growth companies, CEOs and their teams, through PEO Leadership, as an independent Board Director (ICD.D), and as a coach and facilitator.

• 
  MEGHAN SHERWIN

  President, Keilhauer | PEO Leadership Member

  Meghan is the President of Keilhauer, a market leader in sustainable commercial furniture. Meghan joined Keilhauer in 2017 as the vice president of marketing, sustainability and customer service and was named to her current position in 2023.

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  Before establishing herself as a forward-thinking leader at Keilhauer, Meghan spent over 20 years delivering award-winning advertising across global Fortune 100 brands such as Kraft, Samsung, Gillette and MasterCard. As a key strategic partner for some of the world’s most innovative brands, she was responsible for the strategy on key business initiatives into high-growth and emerging technologies. Meghan led Kraft’s first Influencer eCRM platform, launched Samsung’s first experience retail environment and led one of the most successful digital launches in P&G history with Gillette North America.

  Featured by Google, Queen’s University and Rotman School of Business, she has been twice awarded “Outstanding Judge” by the Global Web Marketing Association, was an active member of the BIFMA North American Marketing Council and was the co-chair of the Canadian Marketing Association Customer Experience Council. She is an active advisor and delegate of the United Nations Office for Partnerships Round Table on Circularity and Sustainability in Interiors, and earned a global award in Civic Engagement for her non-profit organization that advocates for safer streets by 8-80 Cities.

• 
  CRAIG MCLELLAN

  Founder & CEO, ThinkON | PEO Leadership Member

  Craig McLellan is the Founder and CEO of ThinkOn, a Canadian cloud services provider specializing in secure data management and sovereign cloud infrastructure.

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  With over 25 years of experience in technology innovation across North America, Craig is widely recognized as a pioneer in cloud computing and a leading advocate for data sovereignty in Canada.

  Under his leadership, ThinkOn has become one of Canada’s fastest-growing technology firms, earning recognition from Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50™ and The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business. ThinkOn was also named VMware’s Sovereign Cloud Partner for Canada—reflecting its commitment to protecting Canadian data under Canadian jurisdiction.

  Craig plays a vital role in national conversations around digital trust, cybersecurity, and public policy. He has been outspoken about the risks posed by foreign legislation like the U.S. CLOUD Act and is an active proponent of procurement policies that prioritize Canadian-controlled infrastructure.

  He has served on advisory boards for a number of global technology companies including VMware, Veeam, and Hitachi, where he provides strategic insight informed by a deep understanding of enterprise and government needs.

  Through his leadership at ThinkOn, Craig continues to advance a vision for a secure, sovereign digital future for Canada—one where innovation is paired with responsibility, and data remains under Canadian control.

• 
  KEVIN TODEREL

  General Manager, RMUS Canada | PEO Leadership Member

  Kevin is the General Manager of Rocky Mountain Unmanned Systems (RMUS) CANADA, specializing in remotely piloted robotic systems for aerial, marine, and land deployment.

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  As head of Gap Wireless’s UAV division in 2016 Kevin was a commercial UAS pioneer and key part of the first DJI Enterprise partner in Canada. Under Kevin’s leadership, GAP become the largest DJI Enterprise partner in Canada as well as a DJI Service Award winner before being acquired by RMUS in 2019. As General Manager at RMUS he has also been instrumental in building partnerships with leading robotics companies like DJI, Boston Dynamics, Parrot, OceanAero, Teal, and Deep Trekker, and delivering solutions to most of Canada’s largest UAV fleets. RMUS was responsible for implementing the first active Drone in a Box platform in Canada with one of Canada’s largest utilities, and has launched Drone as a First responder Trails with 5 Canadian agencies.

  Kevin is no stranger to high-growth environments with 20 years experience in 15 countries, including 6 years based in Asia, working with leading companies to help them develop new markets and launch new products. He holds an MBA in marketing from INSEEC in Paris, a post baccalaureate diploma in Asia Pacific Management from Capilano University in Vancouver, and a BA in Psychology from Carleton University in Ottawa. Kevin currently resides in Mississauga Ontario and travels frequently to RMUS’s offices in Calgary and Montreal.

• 
  ANDREW VIOLA

  Partner, ForwardPath | Day 2 Panel Moderator

  Andrew brings 17 years of experience in the technology and consumer electronics space to his role as Partner at ForwardPath. Throughout his career, he has focused on empowering people and organizations to maximize the potential of technology solutions and emerging trends.

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  Andrew has played a key role in launching numerous high-profile products, including the Microsoft Surface portfolio of devices, Windows 11, Microsoft 365, Copilot, Copilot+ PCs, Xbox Consoles, and major gaming titles such as Call of Duty Black Ops 6.

  At ForwardPath, Andrew is committed to helping leaders improve their processes and offerings while providing a guided approach to Al adoption. His expertise bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical business applications, making him a valuable resource for organizations navigating digital transformation.

  Outside of his professional life, Andrew has been with his wife Tiffany for 20 years and married for 10. Their daughter Kennedy (7) and son Thompson (5) keep them entertained and active. Andrew maintains a balanced lifestyle centered around technology while spending plenty of time outdoors with family and friends. Cars and sports are his passion points and provide an easy way to start a conversation with him.

• 
  JULIE WEST

  SVP, Business Improvements & Compliance, & CIO, Kinectrics | Day 2 Panelist

  Brings over 25 years of technical and leadership experience in the nuclear and electricity sectors; focuses on driving continuous improvement, innovation, and regulatory excellence to advance clean energy and safety across global projects.

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  Julie West is the Senior Vice President of Business Improvements and Compliance & CIO at Kinectrics.  Kinectrics provides life cycle management solutions to the nuclear and electricity industry, working with customers to fight climate change and save lives through clean electricity generation and medical isotope production.

  Julie has held diverse technical and management positions with increasing levels of responsibility for more than 25 years.  With Kinectrics since 2001, she has provided industry leadership in the areas of licensing and safety case development for novel applications across a broad variety of technologies including reactors, tritium processing, hot cells and waste facilities.  Julie has led projects supporting Ontario Power Generation, Bruce Power, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica in Romania, and Atomic Energy of Canada.

  Julie is known for being an advocate for continuous improvement and excellence, actively supporting professional development and innovation to add value to both individuals and organizations.   Julie serves on the Board of the Atlantica Centre for Energy, and formerly served on the Board of the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) as Chair, Regulatory Affairs Advisory Committee.  Julie is a licensed professional engineer in the province of Ontario and is a graduate of Chemical Engineering from the University of New Brunswick.

   

• 
  JEAN-FRANCOIS MARTEL

  Director Construction Projects, Laframboise Group | PEO Leadership Member | Day 2 Panelist

  Spent over 30 years delivering large-scale industrial and energy projects across North America, driving operational efficiency, digital transformation, and team mentorship in the oil, pulp and paper, and renewable energy sectors.

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  Jean-Francois Martel is a senior project and construction leader with a proven track record for successfully delivering complex multi-disciplined projects in the heavy industrial and energy sectors throughout North America.

  J-F’s focus includes improving operational efficiency, increasing volume and capacity from both the fabrication and the construction perspectives, promoting and enabling change and digital transformation and mentoring employees.

  Born and raised in Quebec, Jean-Francois completed his BSc Eng from the University of New Brunswick in the early 1990’s.  For the following twenty-seven years he worked on and led owner managed construction projects in the oil industry, pulp and paper and renewable energy sectors. In 2020, J-F made a switch to the contractor side of projects. He now leads the project group for LGL, a dynamic, medium sized heavy industrial contractor/fabricator with facilities in both Canada and USA.

  While attending UNB, JF met Stephanie. They recently celebrated their thirty-third wedding anniversary.  Having relocated their family to follow career opportunities over the years, they have finally settled down in Summerstown, Ontario.  They have two adult children and two young grandsons.  Outside of work, J-F can be spotted traveling, riding motorcycles, renovating, and supporting Stephanie’s cut-flower business.

• 
  LISA ANDERSON

  VP, Marketing & Communications, Tiree | Day 2 Panelist

  Brings over 18 years of leadership experience in infrastructure advisory and project management; focuses on aligning brand, business strategy, and market intelligence to drive organizational growth, transformation, and long-term success at Tiree.

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  Lisa Anderson is Vice President of Marketing & Communications at Tiree, a Canadian leader in advisory and project management for complex infrastructure projects. Since joining Tiree in 2006, Lisa has held progressive leadership roles across project delivery, business development, and corporate strategy, contributing to the firm’s sustained growth and evolution.

  A strategic and collaborative leader, Lisa oversees an integrated team responsible for marketing, communications, and proposals—aligning business strategy, market intelligence, and brand to position Tiree for continued success across new and existing markets. Known for her ability to translate vision into execution, she plays a key role in shaping Tiree’s growth, driving organizational transformation, and strengthening its reputation as a trusted partner in infrastructure delivery.