Speakers
Speaker
Mara Boedo
Steward Coordinator, Toronto Education Workers/Local 4400
Working for the Toronto District School Board as an Educational Assistant she is an articulate, competent and committed professional educator with a proven ability to teach, motivate, direct, monitor, counsel, evaluate, and advise special need students according to the Ontario Education Standards.
Working for the Toronto Education Workers/CUPE 4400 as Executive Officer she is dedicated to support members and colleagues in a respectful, confidential, and compassionate manner. She is committed to ensuring all workplaces are free from harassment and violence, representing members with integrity, sensitivity, defending rights and jobs and promoting equity.
Working as a Certified Facilitator for The Mental Health Commission of Canada, she advocates for the Mental Health of her members, delivering The Working Mind course on behalf of the Commission with passion, to help people overcome the effect of the stress cause by everyday challenges. She is recognized by the Commission for being the facilitator with the higher number of participants and classes in Canada.
Becoming a facilitator empowered her to teach and to show anyone that they are not alone. She feels that this has open a new life for her, and she wants to help everyone to understand that they can also have that change in their lives. There is NO HEALTH WITHOUT MENTAL HEALTH.
Speaker
Samuel Breau
Program Manager, Mental Health Commission of Canada
A 2005 Loran scholar, Samuel is Manager of Access to Quality Mental Health Care at the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Over the last decade and half, Samuel has led and contributed to several public health and mental health programs and initiatives, including structural stigma, suicide prevention, seclusion and restraint prevention, and implementation of the national standard for psychological health and safety in the workplace. Samuel holds a Master of Public Health and Social Policy from the University of Victoria, is an active member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders and is working towards a Certified Health Executive designation. Samuel openly shares his experience living with a mental illness as a 2016 Face of Mental Illness and friend of the Bell Let's Talk awareness campaign. 
Speaker
Dr. Ellen Choi
Assistant Professor, Human Resources and Organizational Behaviour, Toronto Metropolitan University
Dr. Ellen Choi is an Assistant Professor in HRM/OB in the Ted Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson). Dr. Choi is an organizational psychologist with training in the fields of Social Psychology and Organizational Behaviour. She received her PhD from the Ivey School of Business in 2017, and her MSc from the London School of Economics in 2012. Her research interests revolve around workplace wellbeing and mental health. In particular she studies the effects of mindfulness training on emotion regulation, errors, authenticity, self-compassion, and resilience.
Speaker
Dr. Catherine Connelly
Professor, Human Resources & Management, and Canada Reseach Chair in Organizational Behaviour, DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University
Catherine E. Connelly, PhD is a professor and Canada Research Chair of organizational behavior at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. She studies communication patterns in organizations, with a particular emphasis on knowledge hiding among employees. Professor Connelly is a 2022 Globe and Mail Changemaker, and her research has been profiled in the New York Times, Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, the National Post, CBC News, CTV News, and CNN.
Speaker
Katharine Coons
National Senior Manager, Workplace Mental Health, Canadian Mental Health Association
Katharine is the National Workplace Mental Health Specialist at CMHA National. She has over ten years experience working in mental health and holds a M.Sc. in Occupational Psychology focusing her thesis on Workplace Well-being. She has worked in a variety of industries across Canada and the U.K. and brings a diverse understanding of employee and organizational needs. Katharine is an expert columnist at Benefits Canada, has written for The Toronto Star and has been interviewed by the Globe and Mail, CBC, CPA Canada, and Retail Insider. Katharine was also an expert judge of the 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards. She currently serves as the in-house workplace mental health specialist for Not Myself Today and leads the workplace training portfolio at CMHA National.
Keynote
Marci Gray
Chief Executive Officer and Lead Psychotherapist, Gray Matter Health
Marci Gray is a Psychotherapist and Registered Social Worker, Author, Speaker, Adult Educator, Consultant and Mental Health Advocate who has worked in the field of Human Services for over 20 years.
She is the CEO of Gray Matter Health a Counselling and Consulting firm where she provides individual, couple, and family therapy as well as consulting work on Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and Psychological Health & Safety.
Marci is also the Author of The Empowerment Planner, a Mental Health and Wellness system created to improving mindset, wellness, and resilience.
As a speaker, certified trainer, adult educator, and consultant, Marci teaches diverse audiences including executive leadership teams, nonprofit organizations, public servants, students, parents, first responders and various organizations.
Her clinical work in the black community has equipped her with an informed perspective on anti-racism and the cultural stigma of mental health. She continues to do specialized work in this area and provides expert advice for media appearing on Cityline, Breakfast Television, Global, CTV News, and Your Morning.
Speaker
P.A. Neena Gupta
Partner, Gowlings WLG
Neena Gupta is a partner in Gowling WLG's Waterloo Region and Toronto offices. Her practice focuses on a broad range of employment and human rights matters. She is known for her practical, cost-effective and focused approach to employment law and litigation. Neena has advised a broad range of employers, from start-ups to world-renowned multinationals, on all aspects of employment law, including employment offers and contracts, policies, compensation plans, cross-border employment and regulatory compliance in Canada.
Neena regularly advises employers on both compliance and litigation involving the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Canada Labour Code, the Canadian Human Rights Act, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Employment Standards Act, 2001 (Ontario).
A popular and engaging speaker, Neena has been invited to present at the International Bar Association (IBA), Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA), the Law Society of Ontario (LSO), the Advocates' Society, the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) and the International Paralegal Management Association (IPMA). She developed the employment law course at Seneca College and taught at both the University of Toronto and Queen's Universities as an adjunct professor at their respective Faculties of Law on human rights.
Neena served for five years as a governor of the Law Commission of Ontario, which focuses solely on law reform, and is currently on the Rules Committee of the Ontario Superior Court. She is currently on the Board of the United Way of Waterloo Region Communities, the Literary Review of Canada and BioTalent Canada, a not-for-profit focused on talent issues in the bioscience industry. She was previously a director of the Advocates' Society and TiE Toronto, which is part of an international network supporting entrepreneurship.
In 2002, Neena was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee medal in recognition of her service to the legal profession and the community at large. She received a Lexpert Zenith Award in 2017 in recognition of her demonstrated excellence and thought leadership in the legal profession. In 2018, she received the inaugural FEMPOWR award from the Waterloo Region Law Association, as an exemplar of mentorship of female practitioners.
Speaker
Cherill Hiebert
Bargaining Support Administrator, Unit C Steward Coordinator, Members' Action Centre Coordinator, Toronto Education Workers/Local 4400
Cherill Hiebert is one of the Executive Officers (Unit C Steward Co-Ordinator) of Toronto Education Workers/Local 4400. She has served this membership in its shared efforts to make public education and our communities stronger.
Cherill‘s strong values, integrity, and loyalty to Toronto Education Workers – Local 4400 is not something she lightly. She takes the responsibility of this elected office very seriously and value the priorities set out by our members.
As an experienced Steward Co-Ordinator, Cherill has represented members in areas including discipline, workplace harassment, human rights, grievances, labour management, staffing, bargaining support and fight back campaigns. As the creator, developer, and Co-Ordinator of the Members‘ Action Centre, she has supported Members with everyday challenges, including Mental Health, emotional effects of job loss, community supports and services, career development, resume writing and career coaching, skills upgrading and building confidence and self-esteem. Cherill is 100% committed to assisting members in any way that she can.
Most recently, Cherill is one of two (2) Toronto Education Workers – Local 4400 Facilitators recognized by the Mental Health Commission of Canada for my advocacy of Mental Health and for delivering some of the highest numbers of courses to participants in Canada. It is her honor bringing this empowering service to hundreds of our members.
Cherill a tireless campaigner, dedicated to protecting member rights while defending our Collective Agreement.
Speaker
Avni Jain
Psychotherapist and Workplace Mental Health Consultant
Avni is a Registered Psychotherapist and workplace mental health consultant who strives to support individuals and organizations in cultivating resilience and growth.
Earlier on in her career, Avni experienced burnout and came to the fatal realization that her workplace lacked vital mental health resources for their employees. As Avni transitioned jobs over the years, she witnesses more of her colleagues burning out and a workplace culture that shyed away from prioritizing their employee‘s mental health.
Avni is passionate about supporting organizations who want to prioritize mentally healthy workplaces. She most recently developed a hospital-wide employee mental health program at the Centre for Addictions and Mental health. Avni runs a private practice in downtown Toronto, offers consultancy services and delivers workshops.
Speaker
Chris Kindy
Case Manager, Haldimand Norfolk Health and Social Services
Chris Kindy is a Case Manager for Haldimand Norfolk Health and Social Services. He studied Sociology at The University of Guelph and Addictions Studies at McMaster University. Chris feels privileged to have a job where his goal at the end of the day is to advocate for those who need it the most in our community and provide the best resources to those individuals. Chris has been an strong advocate for increased Mental Health funding during COVID, and in 2021 he cycled 1,500 km in two months raising over $10,000 for the Canadian Mental Health Ride Don’t Hide Campaign. It was Chris' hope that by telling his story, as someone who with struggles with Epilepsy and Anxiety, that he could inspire others to know they are not alone, and to reach out and ask for help and support.
When Chris is not working, he loves walking his Dog, Penny, and travelling the world with his wife Emily and daughter Maren.
Speaker
Julia Lewars
Caseworker, City of Toronto
Julia Lewars is a Social Services Caseworker with the City of Toronto and has over 20 plus years in this role administering benefits to those in need.
She has also worked in the private sector in human resources and training. She holds a Bachelor of Management Studies and a Personnel Management & Training Diploma. She has also completed many other job-related trainings adding to her skill set. Julia has also been a Certified Master Life Coach since 2013 and focuses on Relationships & Single Parenting.
Julia comes from three generations of educators and was encouraged as a child to speak up and understanding that education and exposure help one achieve one's dreams.
Julia believes as Meghan Markle once said, Women don't need to find their voice. They already have a voice and need to feel empowered to use it and people need to be encouraged to listen. Julia is a firm believer in self leadership and self-care. She also understands that in giving, we learn, unlearn, and relearn.
Speaker
Shari MacKenzie
Acting Manager, Human Resources, The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board
Speaker
Don MacLeod
Chief Administrative Officer, Corporation of the Township of Zorra
Don MacLeod has been Chief Administrative Officer at Zorra Township since 1996. Don served two terms as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Public Services Health and Safety Association and has served on the Board of Directors for the Municipal Health and Safety Association and the Ontario Municipal Adminstrators' Association. Don attended Wilfrid Laurier University and Fanshawe College.
Keynote
Françoise Mathieu
Psychotherapist and Executive Director, TEND Academy
Françoise is a Registered Psychotherapist in the province of Ontario and a subject matter expert on topics related to psychological trauma, empathic strain and secondary trauma. Françoise has worked for nearly 25 years in community mental health, crisis intervention and with the military and law enforcement. Françoise's company TEND developed a training program in 2002 to help professionals recognize and manage the impact of working in high stress, trauma exposed settings.
This program has grown in size and scope since its early inception and TEND is now present across North America, offering training and consulting to a wide variety of workplaces. Françoise has worked with the Los Angeles Police, St Jude Children's Hospital, Cirque du Soleil, the Chief Coroner‘s Office, several many other organizations who do high stress exposed work. Please visit the TEND Academy website for more information.
Speaker
Andrea Personnic
Case Manager, Haldimand Norfolk Health and Social Services
Andrea Personnic is a Case Manager for Haldimand Norfolk Health and Social Services and a Mental Health Worker with the Canadian Mental Health Association.She studied Psychology at the University of Guelph and Management Studies at McMaster University. Andrea is a community driven leader. Her mission is to empower and elevate other women and girls to flourish in her community
Andrea‘s charity 100 Women Who Care recently reached a milestone of raising over $100,000 that went back into supports and services in her local area of Haldimand County. Andrea is also an Auxiliary Officer with the Haldimand OPP running community and safety events.
When Andrea is not working, she enjoys being out in nature, biking, playing baseball, travelling and spending time with her family and friends.
Speaker
Megan Phillips
Registered Psychotherapist, Phillips Psychotherapy Services
Megan Phillips is a Registered Psychotherapist with over 18 years of experience working in multiple roles within community and social services. As a former Case Worker and Manager with Ontario Works, as well as a Concurrent Disorders Specialist in a community mental health program, Megan utilizes her additional award-winning experience in instructing post-secondary education to bring captivating, illustrative, relevant, and humorous educational seminars to a variety of non-profit agencies and organizations.
As an experienced presenter, Megan has dedicated herself to the educational advancement and enhancement of her fellow colleagues and community professionals in areas such as Motivational Interviewing, Burnout, Resiliency Building, PTSD, Secondary Traumatic Stress, Compassion Fatigue and Working with Clients with Multiple Barriers.
Speaker
Aisha Saintiche
Senior Policy Analyst, Office of the Commissioner, Community and Health Services, York Region
