Conference Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Judy Thomson, Chief Operating Officer
Shepa Learning Company
Judy Thomson is a chartered accountant, business consultant and speaker who has held executive positions in human resources and administration with global companies in Canada and Asia.
Read more...
Gayle Hallgren-Rezac, Chief Engagement Officer
Shepa Learning Company
Gayle Hallgren-Rezac is a writer, speaker, entrepreneur (founder, Cookies by George) and a YWCA Woman of Distinction. She is also an expert on the art of conversation, a subject she writes and speaks on frequently. Gayle is chief engagement officer of Shepa Learning Company, their training and development company.
Read more...
Russell Hunter, National Director
Human Performance Institute Canada
Russell Hunter is the National Director of the Human Performance Institute Canada and an associate with Tekara Organizational Effectiveness. He brings over 15 years of experience as a business leader, author, keynote speaker, and Executive Coach. He contributes articles to leading publications including; The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, and Canadian Business, and his latest book, “Coaching for Engagement” was published in September 2010. He speaks frequently on the topics of leadership and cultivating high performance at business conferences and events worldwide. In addition to an extraordinary cross section of elite athletes, the Human Performance Institute’s corporate clients include Dell, GlaxoSmithKline, PepsiCo, Microsoft, and Google.
Read more...
Dr. Janet Lapp, Ph. D.
McGill University
Dr. Janet Lapp delivers a powerful message: Change is not a force to be feared but an opportunity to be seized, and the choice is ours. With humour and finesse, she confronts her audiences with the truth of what they need to do, and how they need to think, to move into the future with success and optimism.
Read more...
David Chilton, Author of 'The Wealthy Barber'
author
David Chilton is the author of The Wealthy Barber, Canada’s all-time bestselling book. His unique combination of knowledge and humour helped to take the intimidation and dryness out of financial planning
Read more...
Workshop Speakers
Angela Reddy, Manager
Enterprise Risk Service, Deloitte
Angela Reddy is a Manager with the Enterprise Risk practice in Vancouver specializing in internal audit and risk management. She has 8 years experience in a variety of internal audit, compliance, and risk assessment projects in both the private and public sectors. Prior to joining Deloitte in 2008, she worked as part of the global internal audit team at AMEC and with the Office of the Inspector General at Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. Her experience in internal audit and operational reviews has been focused on evaluating controls compliance and strategy implementation, as well as assisting management in developing solutions to address the challenges identified.
Angela Reddy is presenting Managing risk in private companies – It’s easier than you think
Bev McPhee, Principal
Bev McPhee Inc.
With over 15 years’ experience as a Senior Management Consultant, Bev McPhee has led highly specialized corporate development initiatives, including major business transformation, change management, communications and strategic human resources assignments.
A keen advocate of emerging technologies, Bev sits on various technology councils and boards. She is also an Associate Faculty member at RRU, and a sessional instructor in the UVic Faculty of Business. Bev is regular keynote speaker throughout the province, addressing topics related to Strategy and Innovation, Change, and Organizational Development.
Among some of her awards, Bev was nominated for the YW-YMCA Woman of Distinction award, recognized by IBM Canada for three consecutive years as Top Performer (Organizational Change Sector) and received the Chancellor’s Award for highest academic standing from Royal Roads University.
Bev McPhee is presenting Revolution 3.0 - Adopting new behaviours for better outcomes
Bill Reid, Director of Specialist Advisory Services
Grant Thornton LLP
William (Bill) Reid is Director of Specialist Advisory Services with Grant Thornton LLP, and has helped entrepreneurial public sector and non-profit clients plan for, effectively manage towards, and demonstrate greater results. He has a broad range of experience with strategic and business planning, evaluation, operational and organizational reviews, risk assessment and performance measurement and reporting. He is also skilled in the use of facilitation and consultative techniques. Past clients have included the Centre for Non-Profit Management, the Victoria Cool Aid Society, and Greater Victoria Victim Services. Bill is a Certified Management Consultant, and has an MBA in Public Policy and Finance from Simon Fraser University.
Bill Reid is presenting Not-for-Profit Organizations – Planning for, realizing and showing results in a changing environment
Brenda Allen, Senior Consultant
The Humphrey Group
Brenda Allen is a Senior Consultant with The Humphrey Group, where she provides private coaching and group seminars to executives and senior managers in both the private and public sectors. Brenda has over 12 years of experience delivering group seminars and providing individual coaching to senior-level executives and consulting with corporate and Government organizations in the area of strategy, organizational development and communications. She has earned her Bachelors in Psychology from Saint Mary’s University as well as her M.B.A in Executive Management Consulting from Royal Roads University.
Brenda Allen is presenting From Finance to Influence: How to lead every time you speak
Carol Patterson, President
Kalahari Management Inc.
Carol Patterson is well known as a tourism industry consultant, speaker, and author.
Her company, Kalahari Management Inc., provides assessments, strategic planning, and feasibility studies for tourism destinations. It publishes a quarterly newsletter EcoTourism Management on tourism issues and best practices. Carol is also the author of the books, Accountants and Other Daredevils: Unlocking Your Inner Superhero and Reinventure: How Travel Adventure Can Change Your Life and leads workshops on The Road Less Traveled: Finding Unconventional Work/Life Solutions to help people bring the passion and fun back to their lives. Other books Carol has written include The Business of Ecotourism, The Business of EcoTourism Development and Management, and Saving Paradise: The Story of Sukau Rainforest Lodge.
Carol has degrees in Business Administration, Economics and Geography, and holds a Certified Management Accountant Designation. In 1991 she was named Merit Winner in the Pannell Kerr Forster Research Award competition and in 2005 won an Excellence in Tourism Award from the Nevada Commission on Tourism for a study on product development and marketing strategies for nature based tourism in Nevada. Carol also received the prestigious Woman of Vision award from Global Calgary TV, the Calgary Herald and the YWCA.
Carol is an active member of various community organizations. She is a private pilot, and created and operated the “Flying Zoo to You” program for the Calgary Zoo from 1985 to 1987. A Senator of the Calgary Zoological Society, Carol has contributed to the live collections, education and business operations committees and is a Past President of the Society. She also served on the board of Watchable Wildlife Inc, a U.S. non profit organization promoting responsible wildlife viewing ethics.
Carol Patterson is presenting Accountants and Other Dare Devils: Inspiring stories of people who have overcome “You can’t do that” thinking to become wildly interesting and live the life you envy.
Darren Bank, Partner, Taxation Service Line
Grant Thornton
Darren is a partner in the Taxation Service Line. Darren has twelve years of public practice experience providing tax planning advice to public and private company clients and their shareholders. Darren’s experience has included significant involvement with providing income tax planning and compliance services to clients in a variety of industries including mining, manufacturing & distribution, and financial institutions. He has been involved with the structuring and implementation of mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures for both public and private companies. He also assists clients with the international structuring of their corporate groups.
Darren has had significant experience with the preparation and filing of Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax credits for clients across a variety of industries.
A Chartered Accountant (1999), Darren received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia (1994) and a Diploma of Technology in Financial Management from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (1996). Darren has also completed Parts I and II of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants “In-Depth” tax course as well as the Corporate Reorganizations course.
He is a member of the BC and Canadian Institutes of Chartered Accountants as well as the Canadian Tax Foundation, and has written a number of articles on current tax issues for industry publications and has been an instructor for the Chartered Accountants of BC Indepth Tax Course group study sessions.
Darren Bank is presenting Tax Refresher / HST Update
Darren Taylor, Senior Manager, Sales and Indirect Tax
Grant Thornton
Darren is a Senior Manager in the South Coastal BC business unit and the Sales and Indirect Tax Practice Leader, based in Vancouver. He has over ten years of experience in providing sales and indirect tax planning advice to clients in many different industries and sectors. He helps clients understand how sales and indirect tax impacts their business and works with them proactively to help them manage their sales tax risk as their business grows.
Darren has presented extensively to industry, public sector and professional associations including:
- 2010 CICA Spring Commodity Tax Symposium Calgary, AB
- 2010 Canadian Tax Foundation Annual Conference – Vancouver, BC
His Sales tax experience includes the following:
- Goods and Service Tax (GST), BC Social Service Tax (PST), Property Transfer Tax (PTT) and Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) implementation.
- Advises public sector clients, such as municipalities, universities, schools and hospitals, charities and not-for-profit organizations.
- Structures real property transfers and business reorganizations.
- Assists non-residents in structuring and expanding their Canadian business operations.
- Helps clients manage the financial risk of indirect tax and identify recovery opportunities.
- Member of the Grant Thornton LLP Manufacturing & Distribution and Transportation Sector Groups, which provide assurance, tax and specialty advisory services to clients in these sectors.
Professional qualifications and memberships include:
- CICA In-Depth Goods and Services Tax Course, 2001
- Chartered Accountant (BC), 1998
- Bachelors of Arts (Economics), University of Victoria, 1993
Darren Taylor is presenting Tax Refresher / HST Update
David Crawford, CMA, CCEP
Environmental Practitioner
David Crawford is both a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and an Environmental Practitioner (EP). He specializes in the integration of financial and non-financial performance measurement with organizational strategy. David has been a small business owner as well as an employee of a multi-national waste management company. In 2007, he joined the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as a Director and subsequently led several departments. As a result of his combined understanding of sustainability, accounting and finance David has been invited to share his knowledge with professionals in Italy, Malaysia, Spain, the UK, the USA and six Canadian provinces.
David Crawford is presenting Environmental Sustainability
Diane Hertel, Senior Consultant, Global Engagement Lead and Executive Coach
Right Management
Diane Hertel has over 25 years of experience helping organizations ensure effective strategy execution and employee engagement. Her focus is on talent management, specifically executive and leadership development, senior team strategic alignment and succession.
Her clients are national and global organizations across a wide range of industries and sectors and they include: eBay/PayPal, Microsoft, T-Mobile, Infinera, Attensity, Cisco, Barclays Global Investors, Alaska Tanker, The Northface, and Nike.
Prior to joining Right Management, Diane was VPHR for US Oil and the co-owner of a HR consulting firm. She also has experience as the COO of a biotech start-up in stem cell technologies.
Diane holds an M.A. from the University of Washington and a B.A. from Marquette University. She is a regional, national and international presenter and facilitator.
Diane Hertel is presenting Succession Management: What is the role of professionals and managers?
Donna Diskos, Principal
Grant Thornton LLP
Donna Diskos is a Chartered Accountant and a Principal with Grant Thornton LLP, with over twenty years of business and auditing experience. Donna’s practice is focused on providing auditing and business advisory services to large and small not-for-profit enterprises including charities, foundations, professional associations, arts/leisure organizations, clubs, seniors care facilities, post secondary institutions, school districts, crown corporations, and municipalities. In her volunteer activities, Donna has served as a director of various not-for-profit organizations and also served on the finance committee, fundraising committee, negotiated funding agreements with Ministry officials and assisted in the development of various policies and practices.
Donna Diskos is presenting Not-for-Profit Organizations – Planning for, realizing and showing results in a changing environment
Farzin Ismail, Senior Manager
Deloitte
Farzin Ismail is a Senior Manager in Deloitte’s Enterprise Risk practice and is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). Farzin has worked with various organizations to improve data performance through the design and implementation of data governance and compliance solutions. She has over 10 years of experience in delivering risk management, regulatory compliance and data risk services and has served a variety of clients in various industries: public sector, energy & resources, technology, consumer business and financial services. Most recently Farzin worked with a financial services client in the development of their data governance strategy. The strategy was enterprise wide and spanned eight separate lines of business. Specifically, she assisted the client in developing a roadmap to identify short and long term goals for the implementation of a data governance office.
Farzin Ismail is presenting Data insights: The balance between performance and risk
Ian Quigley, MBA
Qube Consulting
Ian is the senior partner at Qube Consulting, founded in 2000. While Qube started primarily as an investment management firm servicing Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver it has transitioned over the past 9 years to offer a specialty in various compensation and benefit planning ideas to small and medium sized firms. These ideas include Flexible Benefit Plans, Individual Pension Plans, Private Health Service Plans and Employee Profit Sharing Trusts. Ian completed his MBA from the University of Alberta in 1999 and holds a Bachelor of Science with Honors as well as a Honors Diploma in Finance. He holds the Certified Financial Planning (CFP), the Certified Investment Manager (CIM) and the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designations. He is also a candidate working on the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Ian is an author and instructor for various professional development seminars with the Institute of Chartered Accountants as well as the author of “Tax and Compensation Strategies”, published by Thompson Carswell. He is writing a new book called, “Back to the Carrot Patch: Creative Fringe Benefits for Canadian Employers” also to be published by Carswell. Ian, a native of Edmonton, is a proud father of two girls and has been married for 16 years to Stacey Quigley.
Ian Quigley, MBA is the founder of Qube Consulting Inc, an independent planning firm specializing in topics related to pensions, benefits and execution compensation. Ian holds an MBA in finance (U of Alberta) and is currently a Level II candidate in the Chartered Financial Analyst program (CFA). He instructs part-time at Concordia University College of Alberta as well as the Institute of Chartered Accountants. He draws from 10 years of consulting experience in Western Canada working with business owners, their advisors and their employees.
Ian Quigley is presenting Employee Benefits: Mining the Income Tax Act
Jameel Ahamed, Manager
Enterprise Risk Service, Deloitte
Jameel Ahamed is a Manager in Deloitte’s Technology and Information Risk Solutions practice within the Enterprise Risk Services function based out of Vancouver. At Deloitte, Jameel is focused on data performance improvement through information governance and management best practice. His experience includes data quality and integrity, data conversions, and systems integration supported by his experience in business process improvement, performance management, IT governance and enterprise risk management. Clients involved range from various industries including financial services, telecommunications, public sector and energy and resources.
Prior to Deloitte, Jameel held progressive business analyst roles in the consumer business industry supporting various lines of business with their information needs. Jameel is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance and Management Information Systems from Simon Fraser University in BC.
Jameel Ahamed is presenting
John Phillips, Facilitator & Coach, Strategic Planning & Leadership Development
Potentials Unlimited
John draws upon a diverse range of business and leadership experiences when working with your firm to help you to enhance individual, team and organizational performance. His facilitation philosophy is grounded in creating a safe environment so that every participant can contribute fully to the task at hand.
His facilitation style leverages your creativity, stimulates full brain thinking and focuses on “drawing out” information from participants using effective questioning, engaging exercises and experiential learning. John injects a healthy measure of fun and uses a range of techniques to ensure that energy and engagement remains high.
His approach includes applying a balanced mix of both the “soft” leadership insights along with proven techniques that lead to business focused outcomes. John ensures that work is linked to accountability and execution. His mantra is to amplify the impact of workshop experiences so that they are retained and applied after the session.
John Phillips is presenting The Art & Science of Strategic Planning: Preparing for a Strategic Planning SessionThe Art & Science of Strategic Planning: Leading a Strategic Planning Session
Lee-Anne Ragan, President
Rock.Paper.Scissors Inc.
With over 20 years experience in making training contributions to socially responsible corporations and not-for-for profit organizations, Lee-Anne Ragan has much to offer. Having a busy schedule, she currently holds three positions. As President and Director of Training at ‘Rock.Paper.Scissors Inc.’ since 1999, she helps build business success through managing a diverse clientele. She is also the Principal and Founder of both ‘Community Works’ since 1998 and ‘Laughing Matters’ since 2002, where she provides strategic direction and training services in communications, teambuilding, strategic planning and more for the not-for-profit and corporate sectors.
Lee-Anne’s contributions have been well recognized over the years. She has been a Finalist for the Douglas College Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Burnaby Board of Trade Business Excellence, Entrepreneurial Spirit Award and the Power of Peace Award, International Category. She has also been recognized by Business in Vancouver’s top 40 under 40.
She also manages to give back to the community through various volunteer positions. She was Chair of the Board of Development Committee for Vancouver Community College, as well as a former board member of the Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, as well as a former Youth Research Review Advisory Committee member for the BC Crime Prevention Association. She currently volunteers her time as a YOUCAN expert Advisor on cross-cultural conflict resolution.
Lee-Anne received her Bachelor’s of Social Work, specializing in Community Development at the University of British Columbia, later completing a Masters of Education, specializing in Cross-Cultural Conflict Resolution at Simon Fraser University.
Lee-Anne’s mission, whether working with the United Nations or a corporate or not for profit company closer to home, is to help people learn, laugh and lead.
Lee-Anne Ragan is presenting One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Conflict Resolution
Lisa Martin, Consultant, author, certified coach and speaker
Lisa Martin International
Lisa Martin (www.lisamartininternational.com) helps great individuals and organizations become even better by maximizing their talent. She is a consultant to organizations, executive coach to top talent and co-author of the forthcoming Building Careers and author of the bestseller Briefcase Moms. Her acclaimed improvement strategies have changed the way people think about personal, career and corporate growth.
For more than a quarter of a century Lisa has been focusing on organizational development and individual career improvement. She is the creator of the innovative Talent Mesh concept for organizations and she helps rising stars achieve stellar results and spectacular careers.
Lisa has been a corporate executive and has founded three companies. Her consulting and coaching firm, Lisa Martin International, has attracted Fortune 500 clients from Best Buy to HSBC to PwC.
She is a frequent speaker to audiences nationwide, ranging from university campuses and global companies to prestigious conferences, and is profiled and quoted frequently in the media. In addition, having founded and sold a highly successful public relations agency to a leading national firm early in her career, Lisa brings a seasoned business and communications perspective to her clients.
She resides in Vancouver, Canada with her husband and young son who inspires and exhausts her daily.
Lisa Martin is presenting Success is a Balancing Act
Lisa Ryan, Vice President, Talent Management
Right Management
Lisa Ryan is an accomplished organizational development professional with a business-based perspective from over 20 years of experience in leadership development, change management, and executive coaching. Lisa partners with her clients to define and implement strategic solutions that create an aligned, engaged workforce required to achieve organizational goals.
Her clients range from local to global organizations across a wide range of industries and sectors and include: BC Housing BC Transit, BC Public School Employers Association, Cadillac Fairview, Dollar Financial Group, Office of the Auditor General of BC, Oil and Gas Commission, Pacific Blue Cross, Port Metro Vancouver, Sask Energy, Telus, Yukon Government and Washington Marine Group.
Prior to joining Right Management, Lisa was Senior Consultant at MICA Consulting Partners. She has held progressive leadership and change management roles at Best Buy Canada, BC Gas Utility Ltd, Royal Bank of Canada and Federal Government of Canada.
Lisa has taught Leadership and Organizational Development for University of Phoenix for 10 years, is the BC Human Resources Management Association Conference Chair for 2012 and Past President of BC Organizational Network. She earned her MBA from the University of British Columbia, has an Organizational Development certificate from National Training Labs, is a Certified Human Resource Professional and an Associate Certified Coach.
Lisa Ryan is presenting Ready, Get Set… Change! The Impact of Change on Workforce Productivity and Engagement
Martin Pow, Deputy Quality and Risk Leader, Enterprise Risk
Deloitte
Martin currently is the Deputy Leader for the Enterprise Risk Canadian team for evolving and establishing Risk Management and Quality Improvement across the Canada Deloitte Practices and is known as a leading Executive “facilitator” for risk management and Internal Audit sessions across Canada. Additionally, Martin also heads up the Canadian Deloitte Learning and Leadership Academy which provides training and facilitation services to Clients. Martin has traveled extensively in the middle east and globally as an audit and risk professional.
Martin brings significant risk management and Internal Audit experience from senior roles with global organizations such as Standard Life, where he spent 15 years in the UK including roles as a data center operations manager and IT auditor; Citibank, where he was responsible for their EMEA IT internal audit function; and as the Global IT Auditor for Fuji bank’s global operations. Martin briefly held the position of Global Head of Internal Audit and advisory services for Placer Dome until they were acquired by Barrick Gold and then returned back to Deloitte in a more senior role.
Martin Pow is presenting Managing risk in private companies – It’s easier than you think
Sasja Nieukerk, Trainer, Coach & Consultant
New Quest Coaching and Consulting
Sasja is an organizational development and human resources consultant with extensive experience in government, tourism and healthcare as well as private sector. Her areas of expertise include leadership and team development, interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, employee engagement and healthy workplaces.
Sasja’s work is shaped in particular by her passion for the three things she believes are indispensible to creating the effective relationships we all want to be part of: clarity, courage, and connection. Well known for her work in communication and conflict resolution, Sasja loves helping people create the relationships they need to succeed – one conversation at a time. A dynamic and inspirational speaker, trainer, and facilitator, she has delivered keynote speeches for the Conference Board of Canada, the Alberta Human Resource Management Association, and various organizations and associations within Alberta and British Columbia.
Sasja holds a Masters Degree in Leadership and Training from Royal Roads University as well as a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Lethbridge. She is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach and a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), renowned for its globally recognized credentialing program. Sasja is a qualified Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and certified facilitator for Clear Learning Inc., a leader in the field of advanced management development programs.
Sasja Nieukerk is presenting Understanding Today's Multi-generational Workforce
Stephen Priddle, CFO & VP Finance
Chinook MHD Corporation
Stephen Priddle is the President and founder of Practical PD, Seminars for Accountants, as well as Vice-President Finance, Chief Financial Officer of Chinook MHD Corporation. He also advises a number of businesses and not for profit organizations.
An engaging and experienced speaker, Stephen weaves practical tips together with stories from his business experience and input from participants. Seasoning the mix with a dose of accounting humour, he serves up useful and dynamic seminars, based on over 25 years of corporate experience.
After working with KPMG for five years, Stephen moved into industry, where he has worked for both public and private companies. He has gained a wide range of experience in financial reporting, treasury management, merger & acquisition and other business matters.
Stephen speaks at accounting conferences, presents accounting seminars in CMA and CGA contexts as well as for Provincial Institutes of Chartered Accountants. He has moderated in the CMA Strategic Leadership Program and has taught at the University of Toronto and Carleton University.
Stephen is also a prolific author. His published business, accounting and finance cases are used by organizations across Canada. Stephen obtained his CMA and CA designations following graduation from Carleton University with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Stephen Priddle is presenting Practical Tips for CMAs in a Financial Leadership Role
Steven Fung, Senior Manager
Enterprise Risk Service, Deloitte
Steve Fung, CA, CIPP/C is a Senior Manager in the Deloitte Vancouver office. He is involved in a wide range of activities with a primary focus in internal control and corporate governance. Steven is the Vancouver subject matter expert in privacy risk management. Steven utilizes his diverse experience which includes privacy, finance, and information technology, to provide a holistic approach to risk management.
Steven Fung is presenting Data insights: The balance between performance and risk
Trevor Goetz, Senior Manager, Taxation Services Group
Grant Thornton LLP
Trevor Goetz is a senior manager in the taxation services group of Grant Thornton LLP, Trevor provides specialized income tax services to corporations and their shareholders. Trevor has been with Grant Thornton since 1998 and has experience with a diverse group of clients in various industries. Trevor assists clients with corporate tax planning, corporate reorganizations, scientific research and experimental development claims and corporate and personal tax compliance.
Trevor Goetz is presenting Tax Refresher / HST Update
