Join us on November 21^st for the TRG Annual General Meeting and a unique TED-style talk event -“Lightning Talks”. Hear from five incredible speakers on how they’ve paved the way to get where they are at today and provide you with mentoring advice and guidance by sharing unique experiences and examples. These lightning talks are short presentations intended to stimulate the exchange of new ideas, inspire conversations and allow for a quick mentoring opportunity.  

SCHEDULE

3pm-3:30pm – Annual General Meeting

3:45pm-5pm – Lightning Talks – Each speaker will do a 10-15 minutes short presentation

5pm-6pm – Networking

OUR SPEAKERS

 

George Zegarac, Chief Executive Officer, Waterfront Toronto

George Zegarac is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Waterfront Toronto. He joined the Corporation in 2019 following a distinguished 33-year career in the Ontario Public Service in addition to a short period with the Federal Government at the beginning of his career.

During his time with the provincial government, George served in eleven different portfolios including, Ministries of Infrastructure, Environment, Health and Education. He was a Deputy Minister for 11 years in five different portfolios.

While he was the Deputy Minister for Ontario’s Ministry of Infrastructure, he helped negotiate the tri-government funding agreement to support Waterfront Toronto’s Port Lands Flood Protection Project. George led the development of Ontario’s 10-year infrastructure plan and managed one of the largest real estate portfolios in the nation.

Aside from his experience working on waterfront-related initiatives, George also played a vital role in the creation of new agencies including the Ontario Clean Water Agency, Local Health Integration Networks and Northern Ontario Medical School.

His contributions to public service have been acknowledged with two Amethyst Awards, Ontario’s highest honour awarded to members of the public service, and the Carleton 2018 Bissett Distinguished Alumni Award for distinctive contributions to the public sector.

George holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Carleton University, an Honours B.A. Degree in Economics and Political Science and is a graduate of Western University’s Ivey Executive Program.

Sunil Johal, Director of Business Growth Services, City of Toronto

Sunil Johal is responsible for economic development with the City of Toronto, as the Director of Business Growth Services. He leads a team of 60 professionals working to drive business activity, attract investment and support entrepreneurship locally, nationally and internationally.

From 2012 to 2019 he was Policy Director at the University of Toronto’s Mowat Centre. He is frequently invited to advise governments and international organizations about disruptive technologies and regulatory and policy issues. In February 2019, he was named Chair of the Expert Panel on Modern Labour Standards by the federal Minister of Labour.

Before joining the University of Toronto in 2012, Sunil held senior executive and policy roles with a range of federal and provincial departments. He joined the federal civil service through the Recruitment of Policy Leaders initiative in 2003.

Sunil is regularly asked to speak about the future of work, technology and social policy at conferences in Canada and abroad. He has contributed expert commentary and advice on policy issues to a range of organizations and media outlets, including the G-20, World Economic Forum, Brookings Institution, Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, CBC Radio and Television, The Washington Post, The Guardian and the OECD.

Joseph Silva, Director of Strategies and Partnerships, York Region

Director of Strategies and Partnerships in York Region’s Community and Health Services Department.  His portfolio includes policy development, community partnerships, and strategic communications for the sector. Immediately prior, Joseph was Deputy Treasurer and director at York Region’s Finance Department, where he oversaw the delivery of financial services and the modernization of business processes.  He spearheaded efforts to strengthen talent and mature policy capacity, establishing an internship program and introducing a CPA Pre-Approved Program at the Region, one of the few in the municipal sector.  A Chartered Professional Accountant with academic background in economics, education and public administration, Joseph brings several years of public sector experience, having started his career as an economist working for Finance Canada and then taking on progressive positions in the Ontario Public Service.  He volunteers with the United Way Greater Toronto, having served on the agency’s campaign cabinet and as Co-Chair of the GenNext network.

Laurie LeBlanc, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Colleges and Universities

Laurie LeBlanc was appointed Deputy Minister of Colleges and Universities in August 2019. Previously, she was Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, a role she has held since September 2013.

Laurie has more than 30 years of experience in the Ontario Public Service in a variety of policy, communications and operations positions, including Deputy Minister of Aboriginal Affairs; Assistant Deputy Minister of Employment and Training in the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities; Assistant Deputy Minister for the Policy and Strategic Planning Division in the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services; and Assistant Deputy Minister in Cabinet Office Communications. She has also held Director positions at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, including Communications and Urban Affairs and Stakeholder Relations.

Laurie has a Master’s degree in political science and a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University, and is a graduate of the Queen’s University Public Executive Program.

MODERATOR

Susanna Zagar, Chief Strategy and Analytics Officer, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and Incoming IPAC TRG Board President and Chair

As the Chief Strategy and Analytics Officer, and Chief Corporate Services Officer, Susanna Zagar has a broad mandate to drive change, sharpen organizational focus, and ensure transparency of results. 

People leadership has been a cornerstone of Susanna’s professional success in a career defined a commitment to public service, global engagement, and lifelong learning. She holds a BA from Simon Fraser University and is a graduate of Executive Programs at both Western School of Business and McGill University in addition to having attended the Harvard Business School. Susanna also recently achieved her ICD.D designation through the University of Toronto Rotman School ofManagement Institute of Corporate Directors Program. Prior to joining the WSIB, she held executive roles in a variety of provincial portfolios including justice, aboriginal affairs, labourand employment, and infrastructure.

Health and Safety have been a primary focus of Susanna's life for more than two decades. She sits on the Board of Governors for the Canadian Council of Occupational Health & Safety and is a provincial appointee to Ontario's Prevention Council. In addition to representing Canada at the International LabourOrganization (ILO) in Geneva, Susanna has held an ongoing role as a Judge for Canada's Safest Employer Awards.

Susanna has been an IPAC member for more than a decade and joined the Board of Directors of the IPAC Toronto Regional Group in 2018.