7:30 a.m. | Registration, Breakfast, Networking and Exhibitor Booths
8:30 a.m. | Welcoming Remarks
Hosted by: Liz Choi
Chair of the Board of The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and CEO of Education Canada Group
8:45 a.m. | Session 1: Breakfast Keynote – The Business Case of Inclusion
Keynote Speaker: Rosemary Sadlier
Founder of Black Canadian Network
About this Session:
The Business Chase of Inclusion: Globalization, technological disruption and shifting demographics is rapidly changing our workforce. How do we futureproof our business now and attract, engage and retain high-quality and diverse candidates? Keeping in mind, yes, hiring diverse teams is important but inclusive and equitable workplaces that support them is key. Join us during Black History Month to hear from Rosemary Sadlier, a key influencer in bringing Black History Month to Canada in 1995.
Read the full session description.
Sponsored by:
9:30 a.m. | Wellness Break
9:45 a.m. | Session 2: The Evolving World of DEI: A Conversation About How The Workplace and Workforce is Changing
Panelists:
Manny Atwal
CEO of Manitoba Liquor And Lotteries
Amanda Kinden
Founder and Owner of Oh Doughnuts
Larry Vickar
President of Vickar Auto Group
Moderated by: Denise Tardiff
Manager, Manitoba Collaborative Indigenous Education Blueprint
Read more about our panelists.
About this Session:
Our CEO panelists will engage in a candid conversation about their efforts to embed diversity, equity and inclusion policies and practices into their workplaces. As leaders leading in DEI, they will share their expertise and predictions for the future of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies.
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10:30 a.m. | Wellness Break
10:45 a.m. | Session 3: Self-Reflection Workshop
Facilitated by: Jessica Praznik
Project Manager at Immigration Partnership Winnipeg
Facilitated by: Kathleen Vyrauen
Project Manager at Immigration Partnership Winnipeg
Facilitated by: Craig Brown
Research Consultant at University of Manitoba
Read more about our facilitators.
About this Session:
This is your opportunity to engage with other attendees at the conference, and partake in a facilitated reflection exercise on your organizational progress in adopting and implementing DEI practices. The workshop will also offer opportunities for an exchange of ideas and best practices among everyone in the room.
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11:45 a.m. | Wellness Break
12:00 p.m. | Lunch Service
12:30 p.m. | Session 4: Luncheon Keynote – The Mental Health of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Rehman Abdulrehman
Clinical Psychologist and Owner of Lead with Diversity
About this Session:
Belonging and Mental Health
The long-term implications of the pandemic on mental health is unmeasurable. The need for belonging and connection, especially in the workplace, is as strong as it’s ever been. How can you as a leader foster a safe space for your people where they feel valued, healthy and at their best? During this talk, Dr. Rehman Abdulrehman, will walk you through how you can lead your team with true inclusive leadership.
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Sponsored by:
1:30 p.m. | Wellness Break
1:45 p.m. | Session 5: Breakout Rooms – Round 1
Attendees choose either 5A, 5B or 5C.
Audio recordings and summaries of all breakout rooms will be available to all attendees post-event.
- Session 5A: Decentering Whiteness in DEI Work
Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Rehman Abdulrehman
Clinical Psychologist and Owner of Lead with Diversity
About this Session:
Employees often find themselves changing their way of being to meet a standard for professionalism that was set for a very specific type of person – usually white, male and able-bodied. As we incorporate DEI policies and practices into our workplace to disrupt these norms and pursue inclusion, we must be mindful that it is inclusion we are working towards and not assimilation.
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- Session 5B: The Significance of Storytelling
Speaker:
Dorota Blumczynska
Executive Director of The Manitoba Museum
Read more about Dorota
About this Session:
Stories transmit knowledge in a way that few other mediums can. They have the power to impart wisdom, to evoke emotions, to amplify and honour lived experiences. Through stories we can enter into dialogue with the past, we can contest history, question assumptions, and challenge narratives.
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- Session 5C: The Role of Procurement in Community Building
Panelists:
Jessica Floresco
General Manager, Mother Earth Recycling
Johanna Haines
Business Enterprise Manager, New Directions for Children, Youth, Adults and Families Inc.
Brendan Reimer
Strategic Partner, Values Based Banking, Assiniboine Credit Union
Moderated by:
Michael Barkman
Manitoba Network Manager, Canadian CED Network
Read more about our panelists
About this Session:
Social Procurement presents a significant opportunity for businesses to drive toward success through greater emphasis on inclusion, diversity, and equity in both their own procurement strategies and in fulfilling government contracts. This session is a discussion with purchasers and suppliers who have adopted and responded to social procurement.
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2:30 p.m. | Wellness Break
2:45 p.m. | Session 6: Breakout Rooms – Round 2
Attendees choose either 6A, 6B or 6C.
Audio recordings and summaries of all breakout rooms will be available to all attendees post-event.
- Session 6A: Accessibility in the Workplace
Speakers:
Ashley Nemeth
Provincial Director Saskatchewan and Manitoba of CNIB
Read more about Ashley
Erika Vas
Senior Policy Analyst at Province of Manitoba Accessibility Office
Read more about Erika
About this Session:
During this workshop, learn from experts in the area of workplace accessibility on how we can best prepare to hire, and retain people with disabilities. Additionally, attendees will dive in deeper into the Accessibility for Manitobans Act to understand their responsibilities to comply with it.
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- Session 6B: Recruiting and Retaining Diverse Teams
Panelists:
Patricia Lane
Partner at Taylor McCaffrey
Dodie Jordaan
Executive Director at Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.
Dr. Zita Somakoko
CEO of StratHR Solutions
Moderated by:
Sanjana Vijayann
Manager of Diversity and Inclusion at The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce
About this Session:
The “Great Resignation” has been spoken of as the great liberation where employees are choosing to leave workplaces where they feel undervalued or unrecognized. Hear from panelists on how you can reinvent your hiring processes, connect with local organizations, and foster meaningful community relationships that will directly impact your recruitment efforts.
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- Session 6C: Data Analysis – Evaluating your DEI strategy
Speaker:
Dr. Aynslie Hinds
Senior Research Associate at The University of Winnipeg
Read more Dr. Aynslie
About this Session:
Starting with a brief introduction of evaluation, this workshop will explain how proper data collection and evaluation can help us to understand if we are “moving the needle” with respect to DEI initiatives. Additionally, attendees will be provided with a framework, and a 7-step process for developing an evaluation plan for a DEI initiative.
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3.30 p.m. | Networking Reception
4:30 p.m. | Conference Ends
