Miguel Aguayo (M.S.W., R.S.W),  Manager, Employer Outreach Secretariat, Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services

Miguel is the Manager of the Employer Outreach Secretariat in the Ontario Disability Support Program Branch (ODSP) and is responsible for the implementation of the unit’s four pillars, which includes engaging employers in dialogue that helps the government enhance employment opportunities for people with disabilities, review and selection of projects requesting funding through the Employment Innovations Fund, development of an employer awareness campaign, and recognizing employer champions that have demonstrated track records of hiring people with disabilities. 

• Panel Discussion # 4 - Ensuring our Workforce is as Reflective as the Population we Serve

Complete speaker biography

Brian Benn, B.Sc. (Kinesiology), M.Ed. (Adult Education) brings with him twenty-five years of experience in the fields of Adult Education, Health & Physical Education, Group Facilitation, and Organizational Development.

Brian is the Regional Manager for the Learning and Development (L&D) Branch, Centre For Leadership and Learning (CFLL) in Eastern Ontario. The L&D designs, and delivers a complete range of educational courses for public sector employees in the provincial, federal and municipal sector.

• Workshop Session # 2 - Career Pathing in the 21st Century

Complete speaker biography

Vijay R. Bhashyakarla, Chair, GoverNEXT, Government of Nova Scotia

Vijay Bhashyakarla is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Department of Health, Nova Scotia. Vijay is also the new Chair of GoverNEXT and one of its founding members. Currently, Vijay is involved in multi year business planning for GoverNEXT. This year the focus will be on ‘Building Bridges’ and the focus for the next two years will be ‘Leadership and ‘Planning for Growth’. Apart from this Vijay is also the Membership Chair for Canadian Evaluation Society, Halifax Chapter. Vijay’s education includes a Masters in Public Administration and a Diploma in Health Administration from Dalhousie University. Vijay also has Bachelors in Physiotherapy.

• Panel Discussion # 5 - Engaging Employees in the Public Service: Best Practices, Future Possibilities

Complete speaker biography

Bruce Campbell, Executive Director, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Bruce Campbell is  Executive Director (since 1994) of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Beyond his administrative responsibilities, he has written widely on public policy issues and is a frequent media commentator. For many years he coordinated Centre's Alternative Federal Budget project. He is author, or editor, of four books including:  "Straight Through the Heart: How the Liberals Abandoned the Just Society  (1995)," published by Harpercollins, and "Living with Uncle: Canada-US  Relations in a Age of Empire (2006)" published by Lorimer. He is currently writing a book on North American integration.

• Workshop Session # 1 - Changing How Work is Done and Delivered

Complete speaker biography

Bob Chartier, Public Sector Leadership Practitioner, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and The National Managers' Community Council

Bob Chartier is a federal public servant working in partnership with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and The National Managers Community Council. He teleworks from his home in Calgary and spends most of his time on the road working with public servants from all departments. His passion is building learning organizations and promote a leadership culture that recognizes leadership at all levels. His work has been recognized both inside government with the Head of the Public Service Award in 2000 and outside government where he has been invited to be part of the faculty of the Royal Roads University Personal Leadership in the Public Sector program.

• Seven Ideas that Could Change Public Sector Leadership: Howling from the Cubicles

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Karen Ellis, Vice President of Public Service Renewal and Diversity Branch, Public Service Human Resource Management Agency of Canada

Karen Ellis was appointed Vice-President, Public Service Renewal and Diversity at the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada on September 18, 2006. Prior to this appointment, Ms Ellis was Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure and Environment) at the Department of National Defence, a position she had occupied since December 2002.

Ms Ellis has broad experience leading diverse workforces and organizations undergoing significant changes, and managing complex issues, in both policy and operational environments.

• The Importance of Public Renewal

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Andrew holds a BA Degree in Bi lingual Letters (English & French) with a minor in Communication Techniques obtained from the University of Douala.

Andrew also holds a Diploma in General Administration from the National School of Administration and Magistracy (Ecole Nationale d’Administration et de Magistrature ENAM - Yaoundé) Currently serves as Service Head in charge of Reception and Routing in the Central administration of the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reform (Secretariat General)  since June 2005.

• African Perspectives: Engaging Employees in the Public Service - Best Practices and Future Possibilities

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Laura Garton, Director, Human Resource Management Research, Conference Board of Canada

Laura Garton is Director of Human Resource Management Research at the Conference Board of Canada. She leads a team of research professionals and network managers who provide evidence based insight to over 400 HR executives of major Canadian organizations. Recent research projects include a report on the state of diversity representation and best practices in organizations across Canada as well as a benchmarking report on HR trends and metrics. Current projects include a series of diversity seminars across Canada highlighting innovative practices in attracting, retaining and motivating a diverse workforce. Laura will also lead a global diversity summit in May 2007 where Conference Board Councils from Europe and the U.S. will meet to share experiences and challenges.

• Panel Discussion # 4 - Ensuring our Workforce is as Reflective as the Population we Serve (Introduction)

Complete speaker biography

• Panel Discussion # 1 - An Evolving Talent Landscape: Demographic Realities of a 21st Century Workforce

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Franca Gucciardi is Executive Director & CEO of the Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation in Toronto. CMSF gives the top undergraduate scholarships to the country’s most promising young leaders. Franca’s association with CMSF goes back to 1990 when she was selected in the first class of National Scholars. CMSF works to identify and support talented students who show promise of leadership and a strong commitment to service in the community.   Previously, Franca was the Director of the Millennium Excellence Award Program of the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation. Franca designed and implemented the program in the fall of 1999.

• Panel Discussion # 2 - Engaging a New Generation of Leaders: Lessons Learned from the Non-profit Sector

Complete speaker biography

• Panel Discussion # 2 - Engaging a New Generation of Leaders: Lessons Learned from the Non-profit Sector

Shirley Hoy was appointed Acting Chief Administrative Officer and Acting Chief Financial Officer for the City of Toronto on June 27, 2001. Shirley Hoy was appointed Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Toronto on November 6, 2001. Her title was changed to City Manager on April 15, 2005 as part of a reorganization of the City's administrative structure.

• Closing Remarks

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Jean Irvine is the Director of Human Resources at The Scarborough Hospital  one of Canada’s largest urban community hospital.

Jean has a Bachelor of Commerce in Hotel and Food administration and is a Certified Human Resource Professional .She has broad based human resources experience working in several service related industries such as Carnation Foods, Wendy’s restaurants, Purolator Courier, Seven Eleven food stores, entering the Health care field in the late 1980’s.

• Panel Discussion # 3 - The Future of the Public Service: Talent Management Strategies

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Karla Kreamer, Co-Chair, Saskatchewan New Professionals' Network, Government of Saskatchewan

Karla Kreamer is the co-chair of the New Professionals’ Network (NPN) in Saskatchewan and a member of the steering committee of the joint IPAC/TOPS New Professionals’ conference, “Mind the Gap: The Changing Face of the Public Service.” Karla began volunteering with the NPN in October 2003 and became co-chair in June 2005. The NPN has offered a variety of events including: The Fundamentals of Project Management; two roundtable discussions – Ethics and Values in the Public Service and Networking; and several “Lunch and Learn” sessions including “An Interactive Discussion of the Role of the Public Servant”.

• Panel Discussion # 5 - Engaging Employees in the Public Service: Best Practices, Future Possibilities

Complete speaker biography

Jennifer Laidlaw is a Director at the Archives of Ontario and has been with the OPS since 1999.

Jennifer played an early and important role in the development of an enterprise-wide Integrated Talent Management approach for the OPS. In 2005, as Project Lead, she was instrumental in the development of the framework and tools which comprised Phase One of a staged approach to Talent Management at the OPS – Assessing, Developing and Deploying Talent.

• Panel Discussion # 3 - The Future of the Public Service: Talent Management Strategies

Complete speaker biography

William Lahey was appointed Deputy Minister of Environment and Labour, effective June 1, 2004. He is also a law professor at Dalhousie University (on leave) where he continues to teach and participate in research in the area of health system law and policy

A former clerk to the Supreme Court of Canada and Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, Mr. Lahey holds a bachelor of arts degree from Mount Allison University, a bachelor of law degree from Oxford and master’s degree in law from the University of Toronto. He also has seven years of previous experience working for the Government of Nova Scotia, including terms as Assistant Deputy Minister of Health, Director of Corporate Services with the former Department of Human Resources (now the Public Service Commission) and as a Solicitor in the Department of Justice.

• Workshop Session # 1 - Changing How Work is Done and Delivered

Complete speaker biography

• Workshop Session # 1 - Changing How Work is Done and Delivered

Complete speaker biography

Carol Layton was appointed Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal (PIR) on October 24, 2005.

PIR is the Ontario government central agency for infrastructure planning and priority setting, growth planning and infrastructure financing and procurement. PIR also has responsibility for the government’s strategic asset review and overseeing several key government agencies – the recently created Ontario Infrastructure Projects Corporation (“Infrastructure Ontario”) and its affiliate - the Ontario Strategic Infrastructure Financing Authority, the Ontario Realty Corporation, the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.

• Opening Remarks

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Jane Lewis joined P&G 22 years ago, after graduating from Queen’s University with both Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts degrees.  She had assignments in Finance and Logistics before moving to Human Resources in 1991.   Within Human Resources, Jane progressed through various assignments of increasing responsibility in several areas including organization design, organization capability and employee relations.  Jane was appointed Country Human Resources Manager in 2002 for P&G Canada.

• Panel Discussion # 4 - Ensuring our Workforce is as Reflective as the Population we Serve

Complete speaker biography

Michelle Lucas is a Communications Director with Communications Nova Scotia, the provincial government's full service communications agency. With a Bachelor of Public Relations degree from Mount Saint Vincent University, Michelle began her career in the health sector. After three years at The Nova Scotia Hospital, Michelle joined the Communications Nova Scotia team in 2001. During this time, she has provided strategic communications support to the Departments of Agriculture and Fisheries and Health, and is currently assigned to the Nova Scotia Public Service Commission. Michelle has been a volunteer member of the GoverNEXT Steering Committee since 2005 and leads the GoverNEXT communications task team.

• Workshop Session # 1 - Changing How Work is Done and Delivered (Session Moderator)

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With almost two decades of research and facilitation experience in human resources management, Judith MacBride-King is a recognized expert in the human resources and management fields. Up until very recently she was the Director of Human Resources Management Research and Director of Research and Strategic Initiatives at The Conference Board of Canada.   In August 31, 2005, after a successful career at the Conference Board, she left the organization to pursue consulting, speaking/facilitation, and research opportunities.

• Panel Discussion # 1 - An Evolving Talent Landscape: Demographic Realities of a 21st Century Workforce

Complete speaker biography

Margaret MacDonald is currently the Assistant Deputy Minister, Treasury and Policy Board. Margaret has been with Treasury and Policy Board since 2002. Prior to joining TPB, Margaret was a senior solicitor with the Department of Justice, and was legal advisor to a number of government departments, including the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Finance. Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Margaret practised for five years with a private law firm.

Margaret is a graduate of St. F. X. University,and Dalhousie Law School and a member of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and the Canadian Bar Association.

• Workshop Session # 1 - Changing How Work is Done and Delivered

Complete speaker biography

Since March of 2005, Suzanna has been the Administrative Officer at the President’s Office (Public Service Management) in Tanzania.  Her work focuses on public policy monitoring and evaluation.  In her position as Administrative Officer, Suzanna conducts surveys on the implementation of Public Service policies, laws, and regulations as well as reviews Public Service policies and regulations.

Her other work experiences include being a Parliamentary associate clerk (intern), working at the National Microfinance Bank in Morogoro, Tanzania, and being a refugee councillor and welfare researcher for the Tanzania Red Cross Society in Kigoma, Tanzania.

Suzanna Joackim Magoti has an Honours B.A. in sociology from the University of Dar es Salaam.

• African Perspectives: Engaging Employees in the Public Service - Best Practices and Future Possibilities

Complete speaker biography

• Panel Discussion # 1 - An Evolving Talent Landscape: Demographic Realities of a 21st Century Workforce

Complete speaker biography

Ron J. McKerlie joined the Ontario Public Service as Chief Information and Information Technology Officer and Chief Strategist Service Delivery effective October 11, 2005.  Ron's mandate is to facilitate modern government through the efficient and effective deployment of Information and Information Technology solutions and create and implement a first class service strategy for the provision of information, products and services to Ontarians.

• Workshop Session # 1 - Changing How Work is Done and Delivered

Complete speaker biography

Suzanne Millar, City of Toronto

Suzanne Millar is currently employed by the City Clerk’s Office with the City of Toronto.  She is a member of the Meeting Management Initiative, a major change project with the ambitious goal of ensuring the City's decision-making process is as open and transparent as possible.  After living abroad in Germany and Ireland and travelling the world, she decided to return to Canada to pursue a “real” career, much to her parents’ relief.   She went on to do a Master of Public Administration from the Queen’s School of Policy Studies and has been working for the City of Toronto ever since.  She is the Head of Fundraising and Treasurer on the Mind the Gap Planning Committee.

• Panel Discussion # 1 - An Evolving Talent Landscape: Demographic Realities of a 21st Century Workforce (Session Moderator)

Complete speaker biography

• Panel Discussion # 2 - Engaging a New Generation of Leaders: Lessons Learned from the Non-profit Sector

Complete speaker biography

Heather Orr, Director of Programming, Victoria New Professionals, Government of British Columbia

Heather Orr is the Director of Events for the Victoria New Professionals and the Chair of the joint TOPS/IPAC new professionals’ conference, “Mind the Gap: The Changing Face of the Public Service.”   Heather began volunteering with the Victoria New Professionals group in 2005, and since then has been a key member in delivering events such as : The Art and Science of Networking, Cookies for a Cause, Team Players: Leaders in the Making, Mentoring the Leaders of Tomorrow, and Corporate Courtesies.

• Panel Discussion # 5 - Engaging Employees in the Public Service: Best Practices, Future Possibilities

Candy Palmater, Mi'Kmaq Liaison Officer, stand-up comic, activist, and recovering lawyer, Nova Scotia Department of Education

Candy has practiced both Aboriginal and labour law during her career as a lawyer and has many years of experience in the public sector.

Candy has been providing training in Aboriginal and diversity issues for more than a decade. She currently delivers corporate training on Aboriginal Perceptions to the Nova Scotia civil service as well as a number of private sector clients.

• Panel Discussion # 4 - Ensuring our Workforce is as Reflective as the Population we Serve
• Opening Remarks on March 2nd.

Complete speaker biography

After graduating from the University of Western Ontario with a B.A. Hons. and an M.A. in history, Sevaun moved to Washington, D.C. where she spent several years working in international relations – most recently, as a consultant for the World Bank Group, and prior to that, as the International Programming Director for Presidential Classroom, North America’s leading civic education organization. 

Sevaun returned “home” to Canada in 2002 and, after working at the University of Toronto in donor and community relations, joined the Ontario Public Service as Executive Assistant to Deputy Minister and Associate Secretary of Cabinet, Michelle DiEmanuele in May 2004.  Sevaun is currently Director of the Youth and New Professionals Secretariat – established in October 2005 within the Centre for Leadership and Learning, where she is leading the development of a strategy to attract, recruit and retain current and future generations of public servants.

• Panel Discussion # 2 - Engaging a New Generation of Leaders: Lessons Learned from the Non-profit Sector (Session Moderator)

Complete speaker biography

• Panel Discussion # 2 - Engaging a New Generation of Leaders: Lessons Learned from the Non-profit Sector

Complete speaker biography

Gerry Phillips was appointed Minister of Government Services by Premier Dalton McGuinty in June, 2005.

Mr. Phillips first entered provincial politics in 1987 when he was elected to represent Scarborough-Agincourt in the Ontario legislature. Mr. Phillips was re-elected in 2003, and was appointed by Premier McGuinty to serve as the Chair of Management Board Committee of Cabinet.

• Investing in Tomorrow's Workforce Today: The Ontario Public Service Human Resource Plan

Complete speaker biography

• Panel Discussion # 3 - The Future of the Public Service: Talent Management Strategies

Complete speaker biography

Gabriel Sékaly, Executive Director, Institute of Public Administration of Canada.

Gabriel was appointed Executive Director of IPAC in August 2006.  Founded in 1947, IPAC is an association of public servants, academics and others interested in public administration.  IPAC’s mission is to promote excellence in public service and IPAC strives to advance the theory and practice of public management and governance.  (www.ipac.ca)

• Panel Discussion # 5 - Engaging Employees in the Public Service: Best Practices, Future Possibilities (Session Moderator)

Complete speaker biography

• Workshop Session # 2 - Career Pathing in the 21st Century

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Evan Soloman, CBC Television Broadcaster, Journalist and Author

Two time Gemini award winning writer and broadcaster Evan Solomon spends his professional life exploring the world of innovation, advances in technology, changing business paradigms, and creative approaches to managing and solving the complex challenges of sustainability in the 21st century.

A long-time print and broadcast journalist, Evan is the co-host of the two weekly news and current affairs shows CBC News: Sunday and CBC News: Sunday Night.

• Keynote Address

Complete speaker biography

Tabatha Soltay, Vice-Chair, Environment Canada Youth Network

Tabatha Soltay is the National Vice-Chair of Environment Canada’s Action Network (ECAN), an organisation providing opportunities for new and young employees to develop their career, learn more about the department and meet like-minded employees. She brings much of her excitement and knowledge to ECAN from TOPS, Tomorrow’s Ontario Public Service, where she was a founding executive member.

• Panel Discussion # 5 - Engaging Employees in the Public Service: Best Practices, Future Possibilities

Complete speaker biography

Jennifer Stewart, Executive Events Lead, Tomorrow's Ontario Public Service (TOPS), Ontario Ministry of Government Services

• Panel Discussion # 5 - Engaging Employees in the Public Service: Best Practices, Future Possibilities

Complete speaker biography

• Workshop Session # 2 - Career Pathing in the 21st Century

Complete speaker biography

Lynda Tarras is responsible for developing and implementing an integrated Talent Management Strategy for the BC Public Service designed to create a strong, flexible and nimble workforce that is recognized nationally and internationally for public service excellence.

• Panel Discussion # 3 - The Future of the Public Service: Talent Management Strategies

Complete speaker biography

Inspector Sandy Thomas is the Manager of the Uniform Recruitment Section of the Ontario Provincial Police, having achieved the rank of Inspector in April 2006.

During her 23-year career with the Ontario Provincial Police, Inspector Thomas has held a number of challenging and diverse positions including:

• 10 years of front-line policing with the Perth Detachment
• Uniform Recruiter
• Manager, OPP Quality Assurance Unit
• Manager, Policy Section of the Operational Research and Development Bureau
• Executive Officer for the Deputy Commissioner of Strategic Services Command

• Panel Discussion # 1 - An Evolving Talent Landscape: Demographic Realities of a 21st Century Workforce

Complete speaker biography

Ms. Vanstone was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of the Nova Scotia Department of Environment & Labour in November, 2004. During this period, Ms. Vanstone was instrumental in the design and implementation of the Competitiveness and Compliance Initiative to improve the quality of regulatory systems across the department. She also leads the province-wide regulatory reform initiative.

• Workshop Session # 1 - Changing How Work is Done and Delivered

Complete speaker biography

• Workshop Session # 2 - Career Pathing in the 21st Century

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David began his professional career in July 2004 with the British Council Uganda as Information Trainee. Due to his excellent performance, he was awarded more contracts with the British Council Information Centre as a Customer Services Assistant, Administrative Assistant with Uganda British Alumni Association under the Education Services Department and as a Literature Festival Support Officer with the Programmes Department. Since 1st November 2005 David has been employed by the Government of the Republic of Uganda under the Ministry of Public Service as an Information Scientist. He recently won the Ministry of Public Service Best Performer’s Award for 2006.

• African Perspectives: Engaging Employees in the Public Service - Best Practices and Future Possibilities

Complete speaker biography

Wyatt has been supporting the policy division of Aboriginal Affairs since 2002, growing from policy analyst to intergovernmental affairs coordinator and now in his current capacity as interim director.

Despite considering himself a true Nova Scotian, he'll always call the Listuguj Mi'gmaq First Nation in Quebec home. A graduate of Acadia University, Wyatt "applies his knowledge and skills toward improving government relations with thprovince's 13 First Nations and improving its understanding of how to work better with Nova Scotia's Mi'kmaq community. Having had the chance to try various government hats on in the past, clearly, the provincial hat fits best. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who enjoys their work more! Wyatt lives in Halifax, is a proud GoverNEXTer and is honored to sit on the initiative's executive.

• Panel Discussion # 4 - Ensuring our Workforce is as Reflective as the Population we Serve (Session Moderator)

Complete speaker biography

Andrew Whittington, Manager, Organizational Development, Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities

Since 1999, Andrew has been an internal Organizational Development Consultant to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities, where he now manages the Organizational Development Unit.   The work of his Unit includes coordinating the Ministries’ leadership and management development programming, facilitating other learning and capacity-building initiatives, planning and coordinating talent management activities, consulting on change management, and facilitating conflict-resolution and trust-building processes.

• Panel Discussion # 3 - The Future of the Public Service: Talent Management Strategies (Session Moderator)

Complete speaker biography