2023 AGENDA

All times in ET

• 9:45 AM

  Registration and virtual orientation

• 10:00 AM

  Opening remarks

  

  Nicole Brackett

  Director of Sales, Canada
  Avetta

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  Nicole Brackett

  Director of Sales, Canada
  Avetta

  Nicole Brackett is a business management professional with over 19 years’ experience in a variety of industries. As the Sales Director for Canada and with Avetta since April 2019, she takes pride in providing world class sales and account management services to her prospects and clients across Canada. In addition to leading a team of dynamic professionals, she has been recognized for her extraordinary commitment to excellence and strong communication skills. Nicole is a dual citizen who is bilingual in French and English, and lives in Montreal, Quebec with her husband and three kids. In her limited spare time, she enjoys traveling, coaching her son in hockey and baseball and spending time at the lake. 

• 10:05 AM

  Opening Keynote: The incredible story of Eva, the world’s first woman crash test dummy

  Crash test dummies have been used in car safety testing since the 1970s, but data exposes that cars are unnecessarily unsafe for women because these models are still based on the average man. Discover the pioneering work of our internationally recognized keynote speaker, Swedish engineer Professor Astrid Linder. In this empowering keynote, Astrid will share her leadership journey as she introduces you to Eva, the world’s first crash test dummy based on an average woman. Astrid has spent over 20 years in traffic safety research and will reveal her groundbreaking work leading a team of academics to address gender bias in traffic safety and help make vehicles safer for women drivers and passengers. For her contribution to the field, she has received the EU Champions of Transport Research Competition award and the US Government Award for Safety Engineering Excellence, paving the way for women leading in safety.

  

  Astrid Linder, PhD, MSc

  Professor of Traffic Safety, Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) and Adjunct Professor of Injury Prevention, Chalmers University of Technology
  

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  Astrid Linder, PhD, MSc

  Professor of Traffic Safety, Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) and Adjunct Professor of Injury Prevention, Chalmers University of Technology
  

  Astrid Linder is Professor of Traffic Safety at Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, VTI, and an Adjunct Professor of Injury Prevention at Chalmers University and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University Accident Research Centre, Melbourne, Australia. She received her PhD in traffic safety from Chalmers from where she also has a MSc in Engineering Physics. Traffic safety, models of the human in crash testing, injury prevention and crash related countermeasures are main fields of her research in which she has extensively published and presented around the world. 

  Prof Linder coordinated the EU-funded project ADSEAT where the world’s first virtual dummy model of an average female for rear impact, EvaRID, was developed. She also coordinated the EU-funded project VIRTUAL in which the world’s first physical dummy model based on the average female, the Seat Evaluation Tool (SET 50F), was developed. 

  She has been appointed “Equality Star of the year” by the Swedish Network for Equality in the Transport Sector (2020), presented with the US Government Safety Engineering Excellence (2015), the Volvo Research and Educational Foundations Håkan Frisinger awards (2015),  the EU Champions of Transport Research Road (2014) and the EU Champions of Transport Research Overall Winner Transport (2014).  

• 10:40 AM

  Panel: Competitive intelligence – Dive into the latest OHS outlook, trends and opportunities

  Digital disruptions, post-pandemic shifts, and environmental factors are changing the safety landscape and the way products and services are delivered. As we move out of the pandemic, what are the latest trends, opportunities and technologies in compliance, risk management and workplace safety? In this session, hear from top safety leaders as they dive into the latest OHS outlook, trends, and opportunities – and what you need to know to remain an informed and effective leader.  

  • Gain insights from leading safety executives 
  • Discover the latest thinking on the new normal for OHS  
  • Trends, opportunities, and strategies to give you the competitive edge  
  • What’s next? Anticipating changes in workplace safety in 2023 and beyond  

  Moderator

  

  Lee-Anne Black

  Vice President, Corporate Business Information & Analytics
  Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

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  Lee-Anne Black

  Vice President, Corporate Business Information & Analytics
  Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)

  Joining the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) in 2004, Lee-Anne is currently the Vice-President of Corporate Business Information and Analytics. Throughout her career at the WSIB she has been accountable for translating data into meaningful information – aligned to the vision of making Ontario the safest and healthiest place to work. Under her leadership she delivers a wide variety of business analytics products, services and tools to enable the organization to turn information and insights into action. Two recent key products were:  

  • the development and roll out of Safety Check, an online, interactive health & safety tool that allowed Ontarians to view and compare health and safety statistics for workplaces across the province, and 
  • Compass, which gives businesses in Ontario registered with the WSIB access to their claims, costs and premiums. 

   Lee-Anne is currently leading the WSIB through a key transformational change at WSIB – becoming a true insights-driven organization. To do this, she leads a team of over 100 staff that champions and creates innovative analytics solutions to enable transformation through a variety of enterprise initiatives, and who provide expert advice and analysis on: 

  • How data is leveraged as a strategic asset and used to enable evidence-based decisions 
  • Corporate performance indicators that drive outcomes, and  
  • Advanced analytics capabilities to ensure effective forecasting and modelling of injury trends.  

   In addition to data and analytics, Lee-Anne leads all of the following key business services for the WSIB,: business analytics, program evaluation, surveys, statistical coding, data governance, knowledge management, and records management. 

  Panelists

  

  Holly Hale

  Legal Counsel, Downstream Canada
  Suncor Energy Inc.

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  Holly Hale

  Legal Counsel, Downstream Canada
  Suncor Energy Inc.

  Holly Hale is a regulatory lawyer at Suncor Energy Inc.  She previously worked at Syncrude Canada Ltd. and began her legal career at an international law firm.  Throughout her tenure, she provided advice, strategic management, and guidance to senior management.  She has acted as the legal lead on numerous Occupational Health and Safety incident investigations, including a recent fatality.  Holly understands the value of collaboration and earned the Frank Spragins Award at Syncrude for her extensive work with COSIA.     

  Previous to this Board position, Holly was on the Board of the Thumbs Up Foundation.  In that position, she assisted this not-for-profit society to become a registered charitable organization.  Holly is passionate about enhancing WOHSS’s profile and has the experience to do so. 

  Holly holds a Juris Doctorate from the Western New England University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies from the University of Calgary. 

  In her spare time, Holly spends her time with her husband and two young children.  They enjoy the outdoors, sports, and having adventures. 

  

  Angie Trumpler

  Recently retired corporate construction project leader & construction safety specialist from Honda of Canada Mfg.
  

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  Angie Trumpler

  Recently retired corporate construction project leader & construction safety specialist from Honda of Canada Mfg.
  

  

  Janine Williams-Ward

  On Road WHS Program Manager
  Amazon Logistics

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  Janine Williams-Ward

  On Road WHS Program Manager
  Amazon Logistics

  Janine’s EHS experience spans almost 20 years in various roles and industries across Canada and the United States. Janine joined Amazon Logistics Canada in 2020 as the Country WHS Lead where she helped to build the safety foundation as Amazon’s presence in Canada grew from 7 to 35 delivery stations in the span of just one year.  

  Janine recently relocated with her husband and 3 children from Canada to the UK with Amazon where she is an On-Road Safety Program Manager. In this position, Janine’s role is to support the continuous improvement of programs and technology to support the safe, sustainable delivery of packages to customers.    

  In terms of her educational background, Janine is a proud graduate of Ryerson University’s OHS degree program, a CRSP, and a graduate of the Executive MBA program at University of Fredericton, specializing in health and safety leadership. She also is auditor and Six Sigma green belt certified. 

  Outside of work, Janine is a board member of Women in Occupational Health & Safety Society (WOHSS) and a children’s teacher at her local church.  

• 11:25 AM

  The power of a personal brand – Developing your reputation as a thought leader

  Developing your own personal brand of thought leadership establishes your expertise and voice as a trusted source within the industry. Social media is an excellent tool for establishing authenticity, but how do you develop an effective content strategy? This session will dive into practical tips on how to increase your social media presence to communicate an authentic voice, raise your visibility in the safety profession and establish your unique personal brand as a leader. 

  • Improving your digital footprint: leveraging popular social platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram to market and build your brand  
  • Unpacking your niche areas of expertise to build your reputation as a thought leader  
  • Tips and tactics for establishing your own personal brand 
  • How to use social platforms effectively to boost your message  

  

  Aimee Arsenault, CRSP CHSC

  Founder
  Transmit Safety

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  Aimee Arsenault, CRSP CHSC

  Founder
  Transmit Safety

  Aimee Arsenault is the founder of Transmit Safety; a boutique health and safety consulting firm based out of Edmonton, Alberta with a few noted acronyms behind her name (BA, CRSP, CHSC). Aimee is an active member of CSSE (current Regional Vice President for Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut) and a member of WOHSS.  
   
  She has been working in health and safety for 15+ years, gaining an in-depth understanding of the factors that influence occupational health and safety through her experiences in various sectors of the construction industry. This exposure has provided Aimee with insight into the work environment dynamics and communication practices required to run an organization that truly put safety as a value into action. 
   
  Aimee is also enthusiastic about the activation of organizational values in the workplace and working with people keen on the implementation of health and safety strategies for operational improvement. 
   
  You can find her on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter; and listen to her on the Transmit Safety podcast -  all linked through her website transmitsafety.com 

• 11:55 AM

  Fireside chat: Women leading the way – Inclusivity and leadership at all levels

  Join top safety executives from Avetta to explore the importance of authentic, inclusive leadership, and how building an inclusive culture can enable women in safety to thrive. The two Nicoles will discuss how the willingness to be inclusive in your decision-making practices can transform you into a more effective leader at any level. Sharing wins, challenges, and transformative decisions that helped Avetta establish an inclusive culture, this session will help you learn how to:

   

  • Understand the unique needs of women and how that’s paramount to success
  • Explore progress towards gender equity and how to foster a culture of belonging that supports the needs of women in safety
  • Practical strategies for enabling women to lean into opportunities to lead in the safety profession

  

  Nicole Brackett

  Director of Sales, Canada
  Avetta

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  Nicole Brackett

  Director of Sales, Canada
  Avetta

  Nicole Brackett is a business management professional with over 19 years’ experience in a variety of industries. As the Sales Director for Canada and with Avetta since April 2019, she takes pride in providing world class sales and account management services to her prospects and clients across Canada. In addition to leading a team of dynamic professionals, she has been recognized for her extraordinary commitment to excellence and strong communication skills. Nicole is a dual citizen who is bilingual in French and English, and lives in Montreal, Quebec with her husband and three kids. In her limited spare time, she enjoys traveling, coaching her son in hockey and baseball and spending time at the lake. 

  

  Nicole Lewis Osborn, MPH, CSP, CQA

  Manager, Quality Health, Safety & Environment, Operational Excellence
  Avetta

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  Nicole Lewis Osborn, MPH, CSP, CQA

  Manager, Quality Health, Safety & Environment, Operational Excellence
  Avetta

  Nicole Lewis Osborn is the Manager, Quality Health, Safety & Environment, Operational Excellence at Avetta, an industry leader in supply chain risk management. She has over ten years of experience in multi-industry QHSE contractor management, supporting roles focused on compliance, safety, quality, and process optimization. Nicole is a Dallas-based Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) and holds her BA in Health Science from the University of West Florida and her Master’s in Public Health (MPH), focusing on Occupational Health & Safety from Texas A&M University. 

  She believes you can’t improve a company’s safety culture without taking a step back to assess all parts of a business, including contractors and suppliers. Nicole has a passion for helping industry leaders enhance safety culture, quality process and industry best practices to support operational excellence and employee safety. 

   

• 12:25 PM

  Interactive networking lunch break

• 12:55 PM

  Breaking the taboos – Creating brave spaces to support women’s health at every career stage

  Even though women are increasingly entering male-dominated professions, they are still dealing with significant challenges in the workplace. Many leaders are not equipped with the skills required to create a workplace culture that encourages women to discuss the health issues and challenges they face.

  Dr. Johanna Pagonis, CEO of Sinogap Solutions, and Keynote speaker from the inaugural Women in Safety Summit will share strategies that inclusive leaders can implement to create brave spaces within their teams so that women have the courage to talk about their health issues like debilitating menstrual periods, difficult pregnancies, miscarriage, and menopause. Dr. Pagonis will also discuss practical things women can do to find peace, strength, and balance in their lives.

  • What are women seeking from their employers?
  • What are brave spaces and how do they differ from safe spaces?
  • Battling unconscious bias to create brave spaces in our workplace
  • Explore strategies that will support women in creating brave spaces for themselves and others to openly share the health issues they experience – and commit to a call to action!

  

  Dr. Johanna Pagonis

  Founder & CEO
  Sinogap Solutions Leadership Consulting

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  Dr. Johanna Pagonis

  Founder & CEO
  Sinogap Solutions Leadership Consulting

  Dr. Johanna Pagonis is the CEO and founder of Sinogap Solutions Leadership Consulting, and the author of Choose to Be a Leader Others Would Want to Follow. 

  Dr. Pagonis launched Sinogap Solutions after recognizing many habitual workplace challenges while in her role as a manager. These familiar obstacles included a lack of managerial training, limited access to mentors, and dealing with unpredictable challenges while maintaining an air of confidence, even though doubt crept into her mind.  

  Dr. Pagonis recognized she was not alone in her struggles since many of her managerial colleagues shared in these common tribulations. Her workplace experiences contributed to her attaining a PhD in adult education, with a focus on uncovering how workplace managers can advance into emotionally intelligent leaders.  

  Sinogap Solutions Leadership Consulting is committed to progressively challenge the established leadership landscape. Dr. Pagonis’ vision is to eliminate the leadership gender gap across Canada by empowering women with the requisite skills and strategies to lead self and others. In conjunction with developing women leaders, male allies are included in developmental opportunities to discover what they can do to advocate for gender parity within their organizations. 

   

• 1:25 PM

  Panel: Fighting fatigue – How to remain on top of your game

  With competing priorities and stressful working environments, many managers and executives are experiencing various levels of burnout. How can we prioritize mental health and wellbeing, and in turn, create a culture of empathy and support in safety? This session will discuss strategies to fight fatigue, boost resilience, and focus on self-care and mental wellbeing so you can lead by example. 

  • What are the best strategies for fighting fatigue, and how can we develop them? 
  • How can managers and organizations encourage and prioritize a culture that supports wellbeing? 
  • Overcoming common challenges such as time management, multiple responsibilities, and burnout for safety leaders  

  Moderator

  

  Kiran Kapoor

  Vice President, Service Delivery
  Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

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  Kiran Kapoor

  Vice President, Service Delivery
  Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

  Kiran Kapoor is VP, Service Delivery with Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS), a health and safety association in Ontario that provides health & safety expertise, insight and solutions for creating healthy work environments to businesses, large and small, in the agriculture, service and manufacturing sectors.

  Kiran is a senior leader focused on a data driven approach to strategy planning and execution to create long-term growth and value for customers, maximize results and fuel continuous improvement. She leads the Service Delivery division that is responsible for product development, marketing, communications as well as training and consulting service delivery.

  Prior to her current role, she has worked in both the public and private sector focused on research and program evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and as a consultant building health and safety management systems.

  Kiran completed her undergraduate honours degree in biology from McMaster University and her master’s degree in health science at the University of Toronto. She has a keen interest in how to build a culture that supports the transformation underway from traditional on-site working arrangements to remote/hybrid work.

  Panelists

  

  Manisha Mistry

  Senior Director, Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), CSA Group Mental Health Ambassador, WOHSS Board Director
  CSA Group

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  Manisha Mistry

  Senior Director, Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), CSA Group Mental Health Ambassador, WOHSS Board Director
  CSA Group

  For close to two decades, Manisha Mistry has solidified her reputation as one of Canada’s leading health and safety professionals. In her role as Senior Director of Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at CSA Group she works to create a safe and inclusive environment for employees across all locations worldwide. 

  Manisha leads a high-performing team of health and safety professionals to manage a global, multi-site HSSE management system registered to the ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 standards, while supporting the continuous evolution of CSA Group’s ‘safety-first’ culture. She also spearheads CSA Group’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) program. In this role, she focuses on bringing together the organization’s many diverse stakeholders with the aim of establishing a safe and inclusive environment for all global employees.   

   Manisha holds a Bachelor of Applied Science specializing in Occupational Health & Safety from Ryerson University and a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) designation. She is best described as an authentic life-long learner who keenly supports employees on their own personal and professional development journeys.  

   

  

  Lina Savcheva

  Director – HSE, Major Projects
  Green Infrastructure Partners Inc.

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  Lina Savcheva

  Director – HSE, Major Projects
  Green Infrastructure Partners Inc.

  I am originally from Bulgaria and started my HSE career in Denmark, where I was living from 2007 to 2014. I graduated in Architectural Technology and Construction Management in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2012 and my first job was a major project with a Shoring and Foundation Contractor assigned to perform 17 Underground Station and 3 change depots as part of the Copenhagen Subway Extension. 

  I came to Canada in early 2014, and joined GIP in 2015. I have worked on multiple projects including EC LRT, Portland’s Flood Protection, Scarborough LRT, and many, many more. 

  

  Nada Vuckovic, CRSP, CQA, CHSO

  Head, Environment Health and Safety
  Siemens Canada

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  Nada Vuckovic, CRSP, CQA, CHSO

  Head, Environment Health and Safety
  Siemens Canada

  Nada Vuckovic is the Head of Environment Health and Safety and Sustainability Officer at Siemens Canada Limited. She has more than 24years of experience in manufacturing, industrial, oil and gas, electrical, construction, healthcare, and service sectors. She holds Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP),Certified Quality Auditor(CQA) designation and is a recipient of 2022 Top Women in Safety award. Responsible for overall strategy, direction and management for Environment, Health & Safety program within Canada. In addition to her role as Head, Environment Health & Safety she serves as Sustainability Officer for Siemens Canada. She joined Siemens in 2006 and has held number of EHS roles in multiple Siemens’ businesses. She is a leader who takes ownership to drive a personal passion with proven expertise in EHS to add value to the organizational performance, employee, and customer experience. She strives for making a difference, fostering employee engagement, building an ownership culture, nd empowering people to Speak up and take action for safer and healthier future.

• 2:10 PM

  Know your worth – How to negotiate during pay discussions

  Gender pay inequity still exists for safety professionals at all levels. This session will provide you with the confidence to demonstrate your worth and negotiate your remuneration. 

  • How to prepare for the conversation to get the outcome you want  
  • Understanding your compensation expectations, incentives, and career progression   
  • Alternative compensation models that value performance and outcomes   

  

  Laura Diaz

  Outreach Coordinator
  Energy Safety Canada

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  Laura Diaz

  Outreach Coordinator
  Energy Safety Canada

  Laura is the Outreach Coordinator for Careers in Energy and has an extensive background in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). As a registered social worker with over 15 years’ experience in the non-profit and private sectors, Laura has held a variety of leadership roles focused on training and employment services. She has worked extensively with immigrants, Indigenous Peoples and various vulnerable populations providing a variety of workshops, webinars and presentations on career change, negotiation, resumes, transferable skills and soft skills.   

• 2:35 PM

  Interactive networking break

  Expand your network, make connections, and meet fellow delegates in a structured networking session, giving you the opportunity to discuss and reflect on the themes of the day. 

• 3:00 PM

  Panel: Failure to protect – The need to do better at keeping women safe in the workplace

  Personal protective equipment for women is becoming more readily available, but not enough is made specifically for women in Canadian workplaces. Naturally, this creates safety risks, with employers failing to meet the needs of women in their workforce. A recent CSA report highlighted some shocking statistics revealing that just 6% of women feel that the PPE they use is designed for them. In a study of 3,000 women, 58% reported having to use improperly fitting PPE at work, compromising protection, 40% reported injuries at work related to ill-fitting PPE, and 85% reported being impeded at work by having to use PPE designed for men. Solving this issue will require the government, manufacturers, regulators, employers, and workers to collaborate. How can we respond to what the data is telling us to ensure consistent gender-responsive PPE design and regulation? 

  • Exploring the need to go beyond the “pink and shrink” model  
  • How can we lobby for consistent PPE regulation that meets women’s needs?  
  • What impact does not feeling physically safe at work have on women’s psychological safety?   
  • How can we ensure that women are adequately protected in the workplace?  

  Moderator

  

  Natalie Bieber

  Marketing and Communications Manager
  Westex: A Milliken Brand

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  Natalie Bieber

  Marketing and Communications Manager
  Westex: A Milliken Brand

  Natalie Bieber is a Marketing Manager for the Textile Division at Milliken & Company, headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She leads Westex®: A Milliken Brand in all brand management and direction, and Natalie works cross-functionally to engage and educate relevant markets on Westex’s involvement with sustainability, ongoing innovation and adding value to drive sales growth for flame-resistant, arc-rated (FR/AR) fabrics. 

   She began her professional career at Milliken as a Marketing and Communications Specialist in the Growth Ventures Group, supporting Milliken Infrastructure Solutions and then the Healthcare Division in content execution and media relations. Natalie transitioned to the Textile Division and served as Marketing and Communications Manager for the Engineered Performance Products business, where she led customer experience and marketing activation efforts related to business and Divisional goals. Natalie currently holds leadership roles for Milliken’s new associate and wellness affinity groups and is the Membership Engagement Chair on Spartanburg Young Professionals’ Board of Directors. 

   Natalie graduated with a Master of Mass Communications, specializing in Integrated Marketing Communications, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, both from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC, where she serves on the College of Information and Communications Alumni Council and Dean’s Circle Society. Natalie and her husband, Andrew, live in Greer, SC, and enjoy trail-running throughout the Upstate—their Weimaraner, Luna, occasionally joins. 

  Panelists

  

  Jodi Huettner

  Inclusive Standards Advocate, President and CEO
  Helga Wear Inc

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  Jodi Huettner

  Inclusive Standards Advocate, President and CEO
  Helga Wear Inc

  As an engineer in the field, struggling with ill-fitting PPE, Jodi Huettner made it her mission to change the narrative for workplaces across North America. 

  During a stint of field work on the coast of BC Jodi discovered the challenge of ill-fitting PPE, and so launched her passion for designing women’s safety clothing that actually fits. She’s spent the past eight years as CEO of Helga Wear Inc – designing and supplying women’s safety coveralls and has been the driving force behind the Inclusive PPE Standards movement in BC.
  She has a degree in mechanical engineering with a concentration in computer integrated manufacturing, and a law minor, and now uses that knowledge to inform her advocacy work. 

  

  Christina Roll

  Casualty Risk Consultant
  AXA XL

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  Christina Roll

  Casualty Risk Consultant
  AXA XL

  Christina Roll, MS, CIH, CSP has over two decades of experience as an occupational health and safety (OHS) professional.  Throughout that time she has worked in OHS consulting, Safety Management & Leadership for our US Marine Corps, and as a Risk Engineer / Risk Consultant for global insurance carriers.  In her current role as a Casualty Risk Consultant with AXA XL, Christina works with clients in a wide variety of industries to help identify and mitigate business and operational risks.  Her areas of expertise include office and industrial ergonomics, industrial hygiene, government regulation compliance, safety and occupational health training, and workplace risk assessments.   

  Christina has a passion for promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within her field.  She is a volunteer member and leader with the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) promoting DEI actions within the safety and health profession, as well as supporting and encouraging the promotion of women at all levels.  She participates in a Business Resource Group at AXA XL whose mission is to help cultivate women leaders, drive gender equity, and foster a more inclusive culture. She also has a passion for helping the next generation learn more about careers in science, engineering, technology & math, speaking to and working with students at all levels about her experiences, and the opportunities they can take advantage of.  Additionally, she is a long-time volunteer in her community through her local church, schools, and the Girl Scouts. 

  Christina earned her Bachelor of Science in Safety Sciences from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in 2001, and her Master of Science in Safety Sciences from IUP in 2009.  She was recognized as a Marquis “Who’s Who in America Top Professional” for 2022-2023, as well as an EHS Daily Advisor “Faces of EHS” Best of 2022.  She was selected as a Georgia College & State University Women in Leadership Advisory Board member, and was awarded the 2023 AIHA Women in Industrial Hygiene “Aileen Yankoswki Leadership Award” and 2023 ASSP Women In Safety Excellence “Safety Professional of the Year”.

  

  Candace Sellar

  Program Manager for Worker and Public Safety Standards
  CSA Group

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  Candace Sellar

  Program Manager for Worker and Public Safety Standards
  CSA Group

  Candace Sellar is the Program Manager for Worker and Public Safety (WPS) Standards at CSA Group.  The Worker and Public Safety Standards team manage over 59 Technical Committees, 1800 volunteer expert members, and more than 150 standards across a wide variety of topic areas such as personal protective equipment, occupational health and safety management system standards, machinery and equipment safety, elevation hazards, and worker wellness.  Candace brings 15 years of experience in standards development at CSA Group, managing projects both national and international in scope in worker and public safety, energy and utilities, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and environment and climate change programs.  Candace has a Master’s Degree in Disaster and Emergency Management, and prior to CSA Group worked for Environment Canada in a number of roles, including as a Federal Environmental Emergencies Officer. 

• 3:45 PM

  Fireside Chat: Accelerating your career – The latest scoop on skills development for safety professionals

  The safety landscape is rapidly changing, and leaders need to be at the forefront to deliver business objectives. How can you ensure you are performing at your best through self-driven learning and development? This fireside chat will discuss strategies to grow your leadership capabilities and skillsets for career advancement, while developing the next generation of safety leaders.  

  • What are the top 3 emerging leadership skills, and how can we develop them?  
  • How can safety managers and executives encourage and prioritize learning and development for themselves and their teams?  
  • The importance of investing in the next generations of women in safety 
  • What are the latest routes into safety, post-secondary education?  

  • Overcoming challenges to lead inclusively and authentically in a hybrid environment 

  Moderator

  

  Heidi Levitt

  Co-CEO
  Levitt Safety

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  Heidi Levitt

  Co-CEO
  Levitt Safety

  Heidi is a big picture thinker; she stands back, observes the situation, and finds the answer to complex problems. 

  Seeing The Big Picture helps Heidi make tough decisions and solve problems. It’s a necessary skill both in making sure Canadians go home safe at the end of the day and as Co-CEO of Levitt-Safety. 

  Heidi first joined Levitt-Safety in 1995 and lead the sales and marketing initiatives as Vice-President. After 11 years, she wanted to see an even bigger picture and took on the role of Global President at Northern Light Technologies. She oversaw assembly, sales and integration teams in Canada, Australia and Chile. Now back in the Levitt-Safety family, Heidi is focusing her attention on sales and marketing strategies. 

  When not brainstorming better operational methods for Levitt-Safety, Heidi can be found seizing the day or travelling the world to experience the food, the people and the culture. 

  Along with speaking fluent English and French and conversational Spanish and German, Heidi can toast in 20 different languages! 

   

  Panelists

  

  Shannon Bolger

  Owner
  Benchmark Safety

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  Shannon Bolger

  Owner
  Benchmark Safety

  Shannon Bolger is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional with over 20 years of occupational health and safety experience. She has worked in a wide variety of industries, including oil and gas, manufacturing, construction, recreation, and ranching, and has proven expertise in a suite of interrelated safety management disciplines. As the owner of Benchmark Safety, a safety management consulting firm, Shannon provides development, implementation, and monitoring support to organizations across Canada, the United State,s and other parts of the world. She is committed to helping safety-conscious managers and time-strapped safety professionals find fit-for-purpose and effective solutions to their safety management system concerns.  

  Shannon has a Bachelor of Science in Biological Anthropology, and her dedication to continuing education has led to an additional focus on occupational health and safety, professional management and marketing. She is a founding member and the current chairperson of the Women in Occupational Health & Safety Society and the chair of the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals Examination Committee. Shannon is also a founding member of the Alberta Occupational Safety Auditors Association. She has volunteered nationally with the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering and the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals. Her approach to volunteering has often been with an eye toward ensuring equal opportunities and a positive, collaborative environment. 

  

  Lisa McGuire, CRSP, ICD.D

  CEO
  Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC

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  Lisa McGuire, CRSP, ICD.D

  CEO
  Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC

  Lisa McGuire is founder and CEO of the Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC—the not-for-profit health and safety association for British Columbia manufacturers. With a vision for engaging leaders in injury prevention, Lisa also founded the BC Safety Charter, now The Executive Health & Safety Council of BC.

  Since her early days in the industry, Lisa has been an active advocate for workplace injury prevention. Today, she is leading the creation of a national health and safety audit standard and collaborating with government and industry to equip manufacturers and OHS practitioners with the specific competencies needed to support health and safety in this rapidly evolving sector. 

• 4:15 PM

  Closing remarks