Events

• 8:00 am: Networking Opportunity and Hot Breakfast 
• 8:45 am: Opening Remarks by Michelle Branigan 
• 9:00 am: Smudging Ceremony by Valarie King
  
  Edebwed Ogichidaa Kwe-“She who speaks the Truth Warrior woman leader”. Mkwaa dodem. Bear Clan. New Credit doonjibaa. English name is Valarie King. She has lived on Mississaugas of the Credit all her life. She has been a skaabayis (helper) in the community and off reserve in various employment and volunteer or grass root positions. She is a mother to 7 children and a nookomis to 8 grandchildren. She and her family are carriers of songs and hand drum singers. For the last 30 years, she strived to bring the sacred bundles of traditional teachings back to the people. Ceremonies and rites of passages such as Grandmother moon ceremonies, fastings, traditional teachings workshops, drumming, singing, and feasts. She has been working with the Traditional medicines and opened Dancing Moon Holistic centre offering traditional programs for healing, herbal products to help with the connection to spirit. She does activism work for families of missing and murdered Aboriginal women and for the sacred water. She is a holistic counsellor, a Chartered Herbalist, has completed her ECE, Bachelor Arts in Health and Women Studies and a minor in Indigenous Studies and  her Masters in Indigenous Social Work. She is an instructor at McMaster and Laurier University teaching various Indigenous courses. She is part of Indigenous research projects with Guelph University.
• 9:15-10:15am: Panel: Forward Together: Sustaining the DEI Momentum in Modern WorkplacesIn recent years, especially following George Floyd’s death in 2020, conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have taken center stage in the corporate world. This pivotal moment accelerated a widespread commitment to DEI, with organizations across various sectors actively engaging in initiatives to enhance diversity and inclusion, from hiring specialized trainers to delving into the complexities of unconscious bias. Reflecting on the progress and challenges ahead is crucial as these efforts evolve. This panel brings together esteemed experts from diverse backgrounds, including education, trades, unions, and private and remote industries. They’ll share their insights on how DEI remains a crucial factor in their strategic planning, impacting financial outcomes and organizational development. Through a mix of their successful strategies and learning experiences, we aim to explore how companies can sustain and deepen their commitment to DEI, ensuring it remains a vital part of their culture and operations. 
  • Featuring Panelists:
    • Tee Albino, Human Rights Business Representative at IBEW Local 353
    • Susanna Zagar, CEO, Ontario Energy Board
    • Sara Phinney, Vice President Human Resources, Emera
    • Beth Buckmaster, Director, Client and Stakeholders Relations, Hatch Power
    • Moderator: Nirav Patel, Lead, HR & Stakeholder Relations at Atura Power

• 10:15-10:45am: Coffee Break
• 10:45-11:30am: Keynote Address – Dr. Shimi Kang  –  Resilience and Mental Wellness
  • An award-winning medical doctor, researcher, and expert on the neuroscience of adaptability, leadership, and motivation, Dr. Shimi Kang provides science-based solutions for health, happiness, and achievement. With 20 years of clinical experience and extensive research into the science that lies behind optimizing human intelligence, Kang’s unique approach applies contemporary concepts in neuroscience and brain health to today’s most pressing issues.
• 11:30am-12:00pm: Voices in Unity: Navigating the Currents of Change Through Visionary Allyship, Speaker: Muhammad Ahsan
  • It crucial that we delve into the complexities of intersectionality, privilege, systemic barriers, and the power of allyship to forge sustainable change. This session focuses on understanding the nuanced experiences shaped by intersecting identities, acknowledging our privileges to address systemic inequalities, and the importance of active allyship in dismantling entrenched structures that perpetuate discrimination. We will explore the detrimental role of silent bystanders in perpetuating injustice and the subtle yet impactful nature of microaggressions, emphasizing the need for proactive engagement and advocacy. This journey is not just about awareness but about moving towards active participation in creating a more inclusive and equitable world. Thank you for joining us in this crucial dialogue and for committing to being agents of change. 
• 12:00pm-12:10pm: Special Appearance
• 12:15pm: Lunch
• 1:05pm: Agent of Change Award Winner Presentation
• Concurrent Sessions
  • 1:30-2:30pm: Building a Culture of Respect – Workshop by Adriana Leigh
  • In this session, you will build your capacity to identify and name disrespectful behaviour, create respectful relationships, communicate across genders in diverse teams and learn how to have clear conversations about boundaries. This workshop helps you be better able to:
    • Articulate how respect is defined (focus on sexual & gender-based harassment and bias)
    • Identify respectful/inclusive and disrespectful behaviour
    • Apply new communication strategies to support yourself and your colleagues, listen better to others and address disrespect.
  • 1:30-2:30pm: Panel: No Hidden Agendas: Supporting Indigenous Education, Career Development, and Wellness in a Good Way
  • EHRC is honoured to host a panel discussion on education, employment, and well-being journeys for Indigenous youth and those seeking employment opportunities. We are privileged to welcome guests from a series of rural and remote First Nations communities, who will share their insights and experiences. This conversation aims to illuminate how to engage Indigenous youth in educational and skill-building initiatives, support environmentally sustainable projects within their territories, and much more. Our dialogue will not only focus on educational and career pathways. It will also offer a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of Indigenous individuals as they navigate their roles in Canada’s workforce. Join us for an enlightening session centered on relationship building to support shared success across the electricity sector!
    
  • Panelists: 
    • Roger Daybutch, Anishinaabe Elder for Mississaugi First Nation, Robinson Huron Treaty Territory 
    • Ricki Lea Ferrigan, Emergency Mangement Coordinator and lifelong community-member of Mississauga First Nation, Robinson Huron Treaty Territory

     

• 2:30-3:00pm: Networking Break
• Concurrent Sessions
  • 3:00-4:00pm: Panel Discussion- Navigating the Landscape – Personal Journeys and Industry Frontiers 
    • Today’s panel discussion promises to be a profound exploration of the lived experiences of our distinguished panellists, each bringing their unique perspective to the forefront. Our session is dedicated to uncovering the layers of progress and the hurdles that persist in the realm of DEI, through the lens of those who navigate these challenges daily. As we dive into the narratives of our speakers, we’ll traverse a spectrum of experiences — the victories that inspired change, the setbacks that demanded resilience, and the ongoing struggles that call for our collective action. This dialogue aims to celebrate the milestones achieved and confront the complexities and obstacles that continue to impede full inclusivity within our industry. The courage to share personal stories opens the door to deeper understanding and empathy, paving the way for actionable insights. We invite our panellists to reflect on their journeys, the evolution of DEI initiatives they’ve witnessed, and the vision they hold for a more equitable future. Equally, we turn our attention to the systemic changes needed, exploring how we, as an industry, can better support, uplift, and integrate the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion into our core operations. 
      • Shivani Chotalia, Director, Development and Partnerships, NRStor
      • Femi Obadeyi, Senior Manager/Controller, Atura Power
      • Muhammad Ahsan, DEI Specialist, EHRC
      • Carol Dayment, Director Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Emera
      • Moderator: Jeanette Southwood, VP Corporate Affairs and Strategic Partnership Engineers Canada
  • 3:00-4:00pm: Panel: Designing for Accessibility in the Modern Workplace
    • With one in five adults in the workforce navigating disability, it’s clear that fostering an accessible and inclusive work environment is not just necessary—it’s imperative. The shift towards remote and hybrid work models has further highlighted the critical need for workplaces catering to everyone’s needs, ensuring no one is left behind. Today, we’ll explore actionable strategies and practical steps that DEI leaders can employ to seamlessly weave accessibility into the fabric of their diversity and inclusion efforts. Our panelists, experts in accessibility and inclusion, will share their insights, experiences, and recommendations to help organizations create a workplace that truly welcomes all. 
      • Max Brault, Vice President, People & Change, Accessibility Consulting at BDO Canada – National Advisor and Advocate for Accessibility and the Accessibility Canada Network 
      • Maureen Haan – CEO, Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) 
      • Leah Riddell, Founder and Owner. SignAble Vi5ion) 
      • Moderator: Mark Chapeskie 

• 4:00 – 4:15pm: Closing Remarks
• 4:15 – 6:00pm: Cocktail Reception

Environmental Stewardship: A donation to Forests Ontario has been made on behalf of EHRC for the planting of resilient, native trees help combat the impacts of climate change, and improve the health and longevity of our forests.

Event Accessibility: Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) is committed to making Agents of Change 2024 a fully accessible and inclusive event for all its speakers, panelists, and attendees. We understand the importance of creating an environment that accommodates our community’s diverse needs. To this end, we are pleased to offer American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation services, ensuring our programming is accessible to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Additionally, we will provide a Quiet Room designed to offer a peaceful and sensory-friendly space. 

We strive to remove barriers to participation and are dedicated to facilitating an inclusive experience for everyone. If you require any specific accommodations or anything that might prevent you from participating fully in Agents of Change 2024, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact Muhammad Ahsan at [email protected] with your accessibility needs or any questions. Our team is here to support you and ensure that your experience at our event is as seamless and enjoyable as possible. 

Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre
8500 Warden Avenue
Markham, Ontario

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