Program

Registration

Time to register, grab a coffee and croissant and start making new friends! 

Chair's Welcome Introduction

Welcome remarks by the chair 

Lydia Di Francesco, CEO and Workplace Wellness Specialist &

Businesswoman of the Year 2023

Fit + Healthy 365

Leaders as Role Models for a More Resilient Workforce 

• Understanding why investing in your top performers is crucial in today’s evolving workplace 
• Developing new leaders

Steve Ashton, Vice President – People & Organization Development, IWK  

Terra Penrose, CHRO, Stelia Aerospace  

Don MacLean, Chief, Halifax Regional Police 

Robert Armstrong, Regional Director – HR Atlantic Region, Public Services & Procurement Canada 

Moderated by Jody Bayers, Director of HR Advisory, Royer Thompson

Relax and Unwind  

In just ten minutes, you’ll be guided through a calming mindfulness practice designed to help you recharge and refocus. This session will include gentle breathing exercises and a short meditation, allowing you to let go of stress and cultivate a sense of calm. Join Lydia Di Francesco to refresh your mind and enhance your conference experience!

Attracting and Retaining Foreign Workers in Atlantic Canada

• What impact is technology and demographics having on talent attraction and retention? 
• Understanding the complexities of hiring foreign workers—the benefits, challenges, and best practices to ensure a smooth integration into your workforce

Blessing Njoku, Senior HR Director, City of Saint John  

Daniel Ohaegbu, Co-Founder, WorkSource Alliance 

Kristen Shaw, Director - HR, OSCO Construction & 

Recipient of Newcomer Employment Champion 2024 

 Morning Coffee and Networking Break

Stop. Pause. Start followed by Coffee and Refreshments Break   

 Rapid Fire Session: Addressing Key Workplace Challenges

Join us for a dynamic rapid-fire session, where each topic will be covered in three slides and five minutes of focused discussion.  

Championing Workplace Menopause

• Understanding  the impact of menopause in the workplace

Combating Burnout

• Recognizing the signs of burnout and its effects on productivity 

Tackling Unconscious Bias 

• Strategies to promote fairness and inclusivity in the workplace 

Implementing a Holistic Approach to Employee Wellbeing 

• What is today’s workforce looking for in terms of benefits, flexible working and culture? 
• Adopting a wellness and benefits blueprint to attract talent  

Ryan Embrett,  SVP – People & Culture, NSLC  

Anna Marenick, VP – People & Culture and Belonging,  NS Health

Kelley Hiltz-Cameron, Director of People & Culture, Shannex  

Brittany Stein, Regional Director, Wellbeing & Safety at Horizon, Horizon Health  

Moderated by Theresa Rose, BDM, GreenShield

Networking Lunch Break

Turing the Spotlight on Financial Wellness

• How has the current economic climate changed the way that employees look at benefits? 
•  Addressing the needs and expectations of a multi-generational workforce – the challenges and opportunities w 
• How are employers responding to this shift? 
• Case study examples –what’s working, what’s not? 

Embedding Accountability into Your DE&I Outcomes 

• What measures exist to hold leadership accountable for DEI outcomes?
• What impact does DEIB have on recruitment and retention? Is this quantifiable? 
• Unconscious bias – what is it and how does it fit into the puzzle? 

Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard, Senator, Senate of Canada   

Kerri Plexman,  Managing Partner, Talent & Culture, BDO Canada 

Tracey Jones-Grant, Managing Director of Diversity & Inclusion, Halifax Regional Municipality 

Humanizing Artificial Intelligence for a More Efficient and Innovative Workplace 

Discover how AI and automation can alleviate work overload by optimizing HR processes, allowing your team to focus on strategic initiatives

Afternoon Refreshments Break

Please join ONE session from the following:

1. Supporting Employee Financial Wellbeing to Enhance Attraction & Retention and Drive Better Business Outcomes

2. Keeping Teams Engaged in a Hybrid Working Environment 

3. Driving Engagement and Retention, 

4.Health & Wellbeing 

5. Culturally Inclusive Benefits to Attract Top Talent 

6.  Building Future Leaders: Aligning Talent Attraction, Retention and Development 

Building a People-First Culture to Drive Engagement and Retention 

• What does a people-centric workplace culture look like and why is it more important than ever before? 
• Identifying warning signs of attrition 

Colleen McCarville, VP of Human Resources, Killam REIT   

Chris Hattie, AVP - People & Culture, Mount Saint Vincent University 

Lynette Mitchell, Director, Pay Programs & Employee Experience, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Moderated by Estaban Sanchez Botero, Marketing Strategist, Career Beacon

Chair’s closing remarks 

Top take-aways from the day!

Lydia Di Francesco, CEO & Employee Wellness Specialist, Fit+ Healthy 360 

 Cocktail Reception  

 *Please note this session is available for human resources professionals from employers only