Affordable housing, Partnership, Advocacy
Building simple, decent, and affordable housing, Stewart Hardacre, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada, discusses how they empower change and break the cycle of poverty. Defining the housing need in Canada, he traces the application and selection process as well as the Habitat for Humanity Canada funding. As they offer a ‘hand up’ to hundreds of Canadians across the country, Stewart Hardacre explains how the real magic is what happens after the ‘Habitat’ experience.
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Destination Marketing
“Waterfronts can be a very powerful catalyst for change in a community.” Executive Director of Discover Saint John, Ross Jefferson, discusses city character and destination marketing. With waterfront cities acting as a ‘gateway’, he shares the connection between economic development and tourism, and how the public/private partnership model of Discover Saint John is a benefit to all involved. Ross Jefferson reveals the biggest challenges and biggest opportunities he faces in destination marketing, and how he approaches each head on. Learn where the dollars come from. Learn what the tough questions are. And learn how Saint John is quickly becoming a top tier destination.
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Design, Print, Campaigns
“Communication is always the key.” Kim O’Connell, General Manager for Artistic Minds Inc (AMi), and print production dynamo, talks about the inner workings of an internal print agency and how they support some of the biggest fast food agencies in North America – KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut. In the print industry for 35 years, Kim O’Connell shares thoughts on direct mailing, coupons, trade printers and outsourcing. She offers insight into the age-old debate of traditional marketing versus social media and how AMi, a non-profit agency, stays competitive.
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Services, Shelter, Support
As CEO or YWCA Canada, Paulette Senior offers a unique perspective on the gains women have made across the country. Tracing through the 140 year history of this rooted organization, she talks about the organizations need to be relevant in women’s lives, now and in the future. Launching into a riveting discussion on current advocacy work, Paulette Senior brings up several YWCA Canada points of focus such as housing, and equal pay. Discussing policy development, programs and services, we take a closer look at the YWCA and what is being offered across the country. Focusing on their annual Rose Campaign, Paulette Senior talks about the necessity for educating the public on violence against women and how they use the campaign to bring both awareness and education to the forefront. Learn about the YWCA Canada app and what it has to offer. Learn what they are doing for women in leadership. And learn why YWCA Canada really is, as their motto says, a turning point for women.
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Public Benefit Initiatives
Creating an opportunity for collaboration, the Centre for Social Innovation’s founder and Executive Director, Tonya Surman, talks about how they came to be and what they do. Offering offices, desks, and collaboration, the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI) opened its doors in 2004 and hasn’t looked back. Naming several collaborators in the process of CSI’s growth, Tonya Surman reveals the challenges along the way and how she overcame them. She talks about the process of creating the Community Bond and the purchase of their new permanent home at 720 Bathurst Street. Opening a third location in Regent Park, Tonya Surman discusses the growth of CSI, their direction, and how we all can be Agents of Change.
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Connection, Engagement, Celebration
How are you contributing to the strength of Canada? Gillian Hewitt Smith, Executive Director and CEO of the Institute of Canadian Citizenship (ICC), discusses Canada, its newest citizens and what the ICC is doing to bring them together. With a broad portfolio in community leadership, Gillian Hewitt Smith shares the value of volunteering and what she gets out of giving – listing several volunteer resources along the way. Defining the role of ICC she talks about the community citizenship ceremonies and how they have impacted her personally.
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Psychosis, Diagnosis, Breakthroughs
Working towards a better quality of life. Dr. Paul Garfinkel, former CEO & President of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), talks about the progress within the mental health community and what his role has been. Tracing his progressive positions throughout his career, Dr. Paul Garfinkel reviews the development of CAMH and the adding of “addiction” to mental health. As he defines the term ‘psychotic’, Dr. Paul Garfinkel discusses the challenges in a diagnosis and the roles are various mental health professionals.
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Developing Excellence in Associations
As President and CEO of the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE), Michael Anderson has been developing excellence in associations for over a decade. Revealing challenges and opportunities, he talks about the CSAE, how it’s changed and where it’s heading. Including professional and trade associations, Michael Anderson looks at board, staff and member perspectives. He talks about association innovation, governance, and expectation as well as the role of the volunteer. Learn how to engage members. Learn how to develop priorities. And learn how the CSAE can help.
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Liberating Marginalized Youth
74.3 percent of adult prisoners were adult offenders. Battling this statistic is Frederick Dryden, Executive Director of Liberty for Youth and Top 40 Under 40 winner. Targeting marginalized, at-risk youth, he defines several of the Liberty for Youth programs and how these programs provide life-saving skills and necessary support.
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Championing Tomorrow's Entrepreneurs
She’s in the business of entrepreneurship. Vivian Prokop, the CEO of the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF), shares the secret to their 94 percent success rate. Defining the parameters of the successful program, she traces the process of a CYBF entrepreneur applicant and outlines the stepping-stones to their destined success.
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Innovative, Competitive, Collaborative
With 100,000 students and 10 campuses across the Greater Toronto Area, Seneca College is a major player in the arena of post secondary education. David Agnew, President of Seneca College, discusses the evolution of college and how the face of higher education is changing. Helping navigate the various degrees, certificates, and diplomas being offered by today’s educational institutions, he reviews the competitive landscape,– and how Seneca is playing a leading role.
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The Business of Retail
Touching millions of Canadians across the country, Diane Brisbois, the President & CEO of the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), defines the role of the RCC and its many functions. Taking front line action in advocacy, policy development, research, and training, Diane Brisbois shares details on recent lobbying efforts and the merchant response. Revealing benchmarks and evaluations and recent successes, she talks about the RCC’s foray into education with www.retaileducation.ca. Discussing cross-border shopping, online retailers and American retailers entering the Canadian space, find out what retailers are doing to be competitive. Learn what the three biggest contributors are to the cost differences in Canada and the USA. And learn what the upcoming challenges are in the retail space.
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The Business of Art
“The Arts make us human.” Ann Webb, Executive Director of the Canadian Arts Foundation, Founder of the Reel Artists Film Festival, and Publisher of Canadian Art magazine speaks about art in Canada – emerging and long standing. Revealing her challenges and passion in the arts, Ann Webb traces her career path through some of Canada’s most revered cultural institutions. Naming several ‘Art Stars’, she discusses art coming out of Canada. Ann Webb discusses the success of the Reel Artists Film Festival, a venture which she founded in 2004, while outlining the year over year success this community festival has experienced.
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Chief Bargains Officer
Who doesn’t love a bargain? President and Chief Bargains Officer of The Bargains Group, Jody Steinhauer talks about the wholesale industry and the development of retail discount in Canada. Discussing the apparel industry, major chains, and the coming of American retail into Canada, Jody Steinhauer offers insight into the business of merchandise in North America.
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Social Action, Social Change, Social Justice
Looking back on Alan Borovoy’s long and distinguished career, from law school to social action, he recalls his contributions to social improvement and the struggles along the way. Landmark stories ranging from the First Nations in Kenora, to the FLQ and War Measures Act, to the Earnst Zündel trial, help define his career of over 40 years.
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Supply Chain, Sourcing, Partnerships
Employing almost 750,000 Canadians across the country in various industries and occupations, Supply Chain is an essential sector in the Canadian economy. Kevin Maynard, Executive Director of the Canadian Supply Chain Sector Council, discusses the Supply Chain industry and it’s roles within Canada. He addresses the challenges of global sourcing, demand planning, and the impact of increasing fuel costs. Having a massive spectrum of labour forces involved in Supply Chain, Kevin Maynard talks about their efforts to recruit and retain employees. He focuses on some of the Council’s Programs and Partnerships to interest new recruits, and guide them into accreditation programs and professional designations.
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Tobacco, Public Policy, Legislation
“The tobacco fight is trench warfare”, says Gar Mahood, Executive Director of the Non-Smokers Rights Association and recipient of the Order of Canada. Countering the tobacco industry’s ‘denormalization’ strategy, Gar Mahood sheds light upon the tobacco epidemic in Canada. Playing a lead role in public policy strategy, he discusses the impact on Canada, and the position of provincial and federal governments.
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PR, Image, Media
How well maintained is your organization’s public image? Executive Director of the Canadian Public Relations Society, Karen Dalton talks about the strategic management of relationships with stakeholders. Giving positive and negative examples, Karen Dalton talks about the impact of social media, masquerading advertisers, crisis management, and the public’s trust in PR. Discussing PR development on a global scale, she reveals how Canadian PR associates rank and if we differ from Americans.
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Founder of College Pro Painters
College Pro Painters founder, Greig Clark talks franchises, venture capitalism, and advisory boards and how the success in each area is all about getting the right people. As he traces his career back to starting the popular franchise College Pro Painters, he talks about the learning curve of building the business and how he knew it was time to leave. 15 years after entering the arena of venture capitalism, Grieg Clark discusses what he learned: evaluating the players, analyzing the financial proposal, and indicators of success or failure. Offering tips on how investees and entrepreneurs work with a venture capitalist, he explains the importance of continuous process improvement.
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Hunger, Poverty, Social Assistance
’39% of adults go hungry at least once a week,’ states The Daily Bread Food Bank’s Annual Poverty Report. Join Gail Nyberg, Executive Director of the Daily Bread Food Bank, in discussing the issues of hunger and poverty in Toronto. Helping to define the food bank visitor, she talks about the diversity of clients, needs and services that are being met through the Daily Bread, and why it’s not just a food bank.
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Fundraising and Major Gifts
She still wants to change the world. Carol Seidman, former CEO of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and Fundraising Consultant, is passionate about doing good in the world. From fundraising techniques to donor stewarding, Carol Seidman discusses corporate and individual giving in the charity business today. She compares the governance between profit corporations and not-for-profits discussing what makes them so similar, including the controversial CEO salaries.
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Executive search, Not-for-profit expert
You don’t want to acquire a racehorse to pull a plow. Jack Shand, Management Consultant and President of Leader Quest – an Executive Search firm – offers insight into the competition for talent and the demand that is still to come. Jack Shand shares the issues facing not for profits today and the war for talent. He offers advice on the measurable returns on management hires, as well as the growing trend of executive movement into the not for profit.
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Children's Mental Health
One in five children have a diagnosable mental illness. This is one of the statistics that Peter Moore, Executive Director of the Kinark Child and Family Services, mentions. Established in 1916 and treating 10,000 cases a year, Kinark is the largest mental health agency in Ontario. Working to defeat the stigma and shame associated with it, Peter Moore discusses the role parents, and the community plays in a child’s well being. He describes some of the centers, programs and services offered through Kinark, such as Autism Services, Youth Justice services, and Therapeutic recreation. Peter Moore also talks about their recent initiative to reach out to remote, northern communities and the complexities involved with that initiative.
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Jeff MacInnis
Patricia Moser
Diane Craig
Barbara Hall
Randall Craig
Rose Reisman
Alan Borovoy
Steve Paikin