Speakers

Mary Ann is known as the “godmother of psychological health and safety.” She helps employers, governments, unions, teams, and associations to resolve issues related to mental health, psychological safety, conflict, and performance. She has served as co-chair of the Technical Committee for the Canadian Standard on Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, a member of the Mental Health Commission’s Workforce Advisory Committee, a member of the Employment Standards Committee, and is a director at Workplace Strategies for Mental Health.

Paul is the Scientific Director of the Occupational Cancer Research Centre and a Professor with the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health. He is an epidemiologist whose research focuses primarily on occupational disease and exposures. He has been a member of many national and international expert panels and Committees such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer, UN Environment Program, US National Toxicology Program, US Institute of Medicine, and the Canadian Cancer Society.

Toby has worked with First Nations communities for more than 25 years as a safety professional, manager, and instructor. His experience as a National Construction Safety Officer Instructor has shaped a practical approach to safety that combines industry standards with cultural understanding and community priorities. Toby’s leadership is rooted in long-term relationship building and the belief that Indigenous communities should lead the systems that protect their people at work and in daily life.

Alan is a multifaceted singer, songwriter, actor, author and storyteller, best known as a founding member of the iconic Canadian folk-rock band, Great Big Sea. Since forming in 1993, the band’s music has sold over one million copies in Canada. In addition to his solo albums, Alan is a four-time published author and a film and television actor-producer with multiple major credits. In recognition of his contributions to the musical traditions of his home province and commitment to local charitable initiatives, he is a member of the Order of Canada, a member of the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador, and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Steven is a Professor at the University of Waterloo whose work is guided by a simple belief: work shouldn’t hurt. He leads research and innovation projects that help organizations prevent workplace injuries through better understanding of human movement, physical workload, and musculoskeletal risk. By combining biomechanics, ergonomics, and emerging technologies such as computer vision and wearable sensors, his team develops practical solutions that translate scientific evidence into safer work. His work has informed industry practices, injury-prevention programs, and health and safety initiatives across Canada and internationally.

Arif is associate scientific director and scientist at the Institute for Work & Health and associate professor at University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health. He researches how the future of work, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), affects worker health, safety, and well-being. Arif’s research draws from strategic foresight methods to examine signals of change to the nature of work. He directs the federally funded Partnership on AI and the Quality of Work (PAIQ) in collaboration with a national team of researchers and stakeholders.

Lee’s remarkable journey from an entry-level role to his current position as Head of Innovation and Change at Waitrose & Partners and previously as Head of Innovation at Walmart Canada, showcases his profound understanding of both tactical and visionary aspects of transformation. With a wealth of experience spanning from testing and scaling immediate innovations to leading the development of forward-thinking incubators, he has consistently demonstrated a strong focus on driving change through people. Lee has a deep understanding of the complexities and human barriers to innovation within large organizations. His career is marked by both incremental improvements and significant breakthroughs, establishing him as a knowledgeable and insightful speaker capable of guiding others in effectively navigating change.

Lori is a strong advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. A seasoned professional with over two decades of expertise in career development, she has worked on both the front line and in management in the non-profit sector to effect systemic change, opening doors for marginalized individuals seeking equitable employment. Lori currently serves on a number of advisory committees with industry stakeholders at both the national and provincial level.

Martha is a Leadership Coordinator with Yukon-WITT, developing and facilitating leadership training for skilled tradespeople since 2024. Her programs are built on a straightforward idea: retention in the trades is often a leadership and culture issue, and the people closest to the issues need to be part of solving it. Martha has worked and led crews in the trades her entire career: culinary, commercial fishing, and a Red Seal in carpentry that took her from high end custom homes to building infrastructure in the high Arctic.

Janet leads national efforts to advance excellence in workers’ compensation through collaboration, data stewardship, and knowledge exchange among Canada’s provincial and territorial boards and commissions. With over three decades of leadership experience in the public sector, including over 20 years in the workers’ compensation realm, Janet brings a deep commitment to service, innovation, and building strong interjurisdictional partnerships. Janet holds a master’s degree in leadership and is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medal.

A member of Mattagami First Nation, Trina is a well-known strategist of Indigenous corporate inclusion across multiple industries in Canada, and an award-winning practitioner for her commitment to supporting Indigenous career development, an honour bestowed by the Canadian Educational and Research Institute for Counselling. Trina helps employers and Indigenous communities connect to create strategic pathways for Indigenous peoples to enjoy meaningful careers in Canadian workplaces. As an adult educator, she provides customized learning experiences infusing Indigenous worldview concepts with practical knowledge application for human resources competency and community relationship building.

Alison manages the LauncHER into Trades initiative at First Peoples Development Inc., focusing on supporting women apprentices in achieving their Red Seal certification and increasing female participation in the trades in Manitoba. She is a passionate advocate for women in the trades industry and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Manitoba Construction Sector Council, dedicated to empowering and supporting female professionals as they navigate and thrive in a traditionally male-dominated field. Alison focuses on creating meaningful events and opportunities that foster connection, collaboration, and growth.

Rob is a senior subject matter expert in Criminal Code accountability for workplace fatalities and serious injuries. His work sits at the intersection of safety culture, organizational dynamics, operational discipline, and the future of safety assurance. His Criminal Code work addresses one of the central barriers to enforcement: translating complex organizational failures into concrete, observable evidence that can support disciplined investigation, Crown analysis, and accountability.

Alex has more than a decade of diverse industry experience, from conducting safety audits to teaching comprehensive safety courses, to providing health and safety advice to employers in Newfoundland and Labrador. For Alex, workplace safety is not just a profession—it is a deeply personal mission. In August 2013, his brother Kris was tragically killed on the job. This profound loss fundamentally shaped Alex’s approach to safety education. He is dedicated to educating and empowering employers and supervisors, equipping them with the vital tools and mindset needed to truly protect the workers under their care.