Attendees

Sarah Abdelnour
Sarah is a Senior Wellness Consultant with Buffett & Company Worksite Wellness Ltd. Sarah provides both high-level consulting to employers and one-on-one personal wellness coaching to employees in her role with Buffett & Company. Sarah earned her degree in Kinesiology and Health Sciences, and completed her post-graduate Worksite Wellness & Health Promotion diploma with high honours in Toronto. She is a Certified Fitness Consultant, granted by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. In 2005, Sarah earned the Certified Excellence Professional (CEP) designation through the National Quality Institute. As a CEP, Sarah guides organizations through the process of becoming healthier workplaces and achieving the prestigious Canada Awards for Excellence Healthy Workplace Trophy. Back to top

Melissa Archer
Melissa joined Rogers Media in 2002 and currently works as a conference planner for the Business and Professional Group. In addition to her strong attention to detail and project management skills, she also holds a degree in Marketing Communications and Advertising Media. Melissa currently oversees the event management of over thirty conferences and events annually for Advisors Edge, Advisors Edge Report, Benefits Canada, Canadian Investment Review and Canadian Healthcare Manager as well as custom events for the Financial Services Group. Back to top

Art Babcock
Art is a member of the Alberta Health Strategies Practice and a consultant to large public and private sector groups. He is also a member of the CPBI, Advocis, IFEBP, MBA, CLU, CEBS. Back to top

Christine Ball
Christine is the Regional Municipality of Durham’s director of employee services, human resources. She is responsible for the leadership and development of all aspects of employee services, including cost management. Her current portfolio includes pension and group insurance, absence management, WSIB, EAP and wellness initiatives for over 3,000 union and non-union staff. Christine is also president of the Ontario Municipal Human Resources Association (OMHRA), an organization that represents 142 municipalities and 267 human resources practitioners across Ontario. OMHRA provides its members with a variety of professional learning opportunities, and keeps them updated on collective bargaining, health and welfare benefits, and employment-related legislation issues. Back to top

Ray Baker
Ray is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of B.C. and Medical Director of HealthQuest Occupational Health Corporation. As a clinician practicing Addiction Medicine, Family Medicine Occupational Medicine, Ray has assessed and treated several thousand people for substance-related disorders and chronic pain syndromes complicated by mood disorders, emotional trauma and stress-related symptoms. Ray has provided medical services and consultations to the National Basketball Association, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C., the Registered Nurses Association of B.C., the B.C. Law Society, the B.C. Nurses Union, the City of Vancouver, Air BC, Imperial Oil, the B.C. Government Employee's Union, the Lawyers Assistance Program, many health insurance firms as well as serving many other organizations. Back to top

Jim Beaudry
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Sarah Beech
Sarah was appointed managing principal of Hewitt’s consulting services in Canada in June 2006. Sarah leads the business strategy for Hewitt's human resources consulting business in the Canadian marketplace, which encompasses health care, retirement, talent management and communication. Before joining Hewitt Associates in 1990, Sarah supervised the underwriting department of a major Canadian insurance company. As a consultant with Hewitt, she has worked with clients to drive overall employee engagement, and develop creative and innovative benefit plan solutions. Back to top

Deborah Best
Deborah is Assistant Vice President, Human Resources and plays a key role in managing the workforce, compensation and benefit practices for Canada. She has lead many significant changes in the Total Rewards and HR strategy, culminating in being recognized as one of the top performers globally: 1 of 120 best-of-the-best champions out of 280,000 employees worldwide. She also received the B.C. Human Resources Management Association Award of Excellence in 2005 in recognition of her and the HSBC HR teams’ business leadership. Back to top

Sean Bradley
Sean is founder and Managing Partner of ACCLAIM Ability Management. Sean’s extensive experience in the field of disability management spans over 15 years. He is a pioneer provider of rehabilitation services in Northern Ontario and various regions across Canada. Back to top

Ed Buffett
Ed is President and CEO of Buffett and Company Worksite Wellness Ltd. He was a member of the Federal Government's Action Research Roundtable on Worksite Wellbeing and from 1999 through 2001, he was a Board member of HealNet, a Federally established Network of Centres of Excellence for research in the areas of health, social and applied sciences. Recently, Ed's firm was awarded the prestigious Canada Award of Excellence, Gold Healthy Workplace Award by the National Quality Institute. In June of 2006 Ed was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law's degree from McMaster University in recognition of his leadership role in the area of Worksite Wellness and his long standing commitment to the University. Ed attended the University of Southern Mississippi and York University. Ed has served as the Chair of the Board of Governors of McMaster University and is a current member of the Board. Back to top

Andrew Cameron
Andrew is Director, Global Benefit and Employee Wellness at Air Canada, where he is responsible for the development and provision of local and international Benefit programs, including Disability & Disability Management, Dental, Supplemental health, EAP, Wellness and Attendance programs for approximately 29,000 active employees and 16,000 retirees. Andrew has his BA in computer sciences and has been working in various human resource roles for the past 19 years.
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Dan Carter
Professional speaker, Executive Producer and Television Talk Show Host, Dan is an advocate for mental illness awareness and a healthy work place. A recipient of the Courage To Come Back Award from the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH), Dan has lived what he speaks about so passionately. Dan Carter is a truly inspiring and motivating speaker. Back to top

Martin Chung
Martin is Senior Manager of Private Sector Strategy and Partnership Development at Pfizer Canada.  A graduate of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto he has over 15 years experience in various capacities in hospital, community practice, pharmacy business management and the pharmaceutical industry.  During this time and now with Pfizer Canada, Martin continues to be involved in sharing the value of health management with key health stakeholders.  In addition to continuing active practice in Pharmacy, Martin is actively involved with numerous professional, industry and charitable associations. Martin currently works with and advises a number of organizations in the private sector to develop health strategies and deployment smart practices. Martin is passionately involved in communicating an integrated, total value based approach to workplace health and has been a guest speaker at numerous seminars and events across Canada. Back to top

Tim Clarke
Tim’s role is to develop and implement the business strategy for Hewitt’s benefits consulting practice in Eastern Canada. Tim has been a consultant with Hewitt since 1993, working with clients in Canada and the United States on a variety of group benefit and actuarial projects, including the development of health care strategies, employee and retiree plan designs and pricing strategies, claims analyses, insurance carrier reviews and post-retirement benefits valuation. He is a member of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, and is a member of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries’ Health Care Practice Committee. Back to top

Renee Couture
Renee is in charge of Canada Post’s benefits and pension policy, including administration of plans, amendments, negotiations with unions, pension plan text interpretation, benefits and pension designs. Back to top

Jerry Cox
Jerry’s role includes management and supervision of staff to support over one thousand and fifteen hundred domestic and international based employees. Jerry is a member of the Human Resources Institute of Alberta and the Human Resources Association of Calgary and he is recognized as a Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) by the Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations. Back to top

Carol Craig
Carol is the Director - Pensions & Benefits Design at TELUS. She is an accomplished, results-oriented, innovative and enthusiastic business professional with extensive experience in the design and management of employee benefit programs. Back to top

Roy Dawson
Roy has 25 years’ experience in the employee benefits field. Prior to joining Hewitt Associates, he held senior positions with a leading Canadian insurance company and with another major global consulting firm. Roy specializes in helping organizations create innovative ways to deliver employee benefits, relying heavily on the use of flexible benefit plans to accomplish this objective. He has worked with many leading employers in western Canada to evaluate and/or implement flexible benefit plans. Back to top

Michael Decter
Michael is a Harvard trained economist with over two decades of experience as a senior manager.  He is a leading Canadian expert on health systems, with a wealth of international experience. As a senior manager in the public sector, Michael served as Deputy Minister of Health for Ontario with responsibility for the management of the $18 billion Ontario health system serving 11 million residents of the province.  He also served as Cabinet Secretary in the Government of Manitoba. As a Senior Research Scholar at the Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto, Michael Decter authored the book:  Healing Medicare: Managing Health System Change – The Canadian Way, published in 1994.  His second health book, Four Strong Winds – Understanding the Growing Challenges to Health Care, was published in June 2000.  His third book, Navigating Canada’s Health Care, co-authored by Francesca Grosso, was published in December 2006. He serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the investment management firm, Lawrence Decter Investment Counsel Inc. Michael served as the Founding Chair of the Health Council of Canada.  He serves as a member of the Advisory Council to the School of Public Policy at Queen’s University and the Advisory Council to the Faculty of Arts and Contemporary Studies at Ryerson University. In 2004, Michael was awarded The Order of Canada. Back to top

Tony Fasulo
Tony Fasulo is managing partner of Acclaim Ability Management. Acclaim is a national service provider dedicated to providing employers with cost effective and healthy solutions to there disability and wellness needs. He is a certified disability managemnt professional(CDMP) and a certified disability managemnt auditor(CDMA).

Linda Fawcett
Linda brings more than 20 years experience in Group Benefits marketing and communication. She joined Sun Life Financial in 2002 as Director, Group Marketing Communications, prior to which she was Director of Marketing with another major Canadian insurer and an independent communications consultant within the Group Benefits industry. Back to top

Laurier Fecteau
Laurier Fecteau joined Medavie Blue Cross in 1985, after graduating from Mount Allison University with a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Throughout his 21 years with Blue Cross, Laurier has held a number of management positions, and he currently holds the position of Vice President of Marketing. He is responsible for corporate sales, product management, actuarial services and group underwriting for the Atlantic provinces, and now with his organization’s expansion into the Ontario marketplace, he has responsibility for group business in Ontario as well. Back to top

Paul Foley
As Director of Private Health Plans for Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix, Paul has responsibility for pharmacy reimbursement, health policy, health care initiatives, operational issues and opportunities and stakeholder relations in the private third party market. Back to top

Claude Gaudreau
Claude is the director of pension and group benefits for Xstrata Canada and leads the Business Units in the development and maintenance of their Disability Management Programs. Xstrata is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland and maintains a meaningful position in seven major international commodity markets: copper, coking coal, thermal coal, ferrochrome, nickel, vanadium and zinc. The Group’s operations and projects span 18 countries. Back to top

Annette Gibbs
Annette is responsible for Sun Life’s Group Life and Disability Operations. She has worked in the Disability Claims field for many years and is well known as a leader and innovator in Disability Management circles. Back to top

Francesca Gibson
Francesca was instrumental in launching the first annual Healthy Outcomes Conference. She is the associate publisher of Canadian Healthcare Manager and senior account manager of its sister magazine, Benefits Canada. Her responsibilities include the management, development and co-ordination of marketing initiatives for the publication's clients, including advertising, sponsorship programs, research and custom publishing products. Francesca has been with Rogers for almost 13 years and holds a bachelor of applied science in consumer studies from Guelph University. Back to top

Merv Gilbert
Merv is a registered psychologist. He is currently a principal partner with Gilbert Acton, organizational health consultants. Gilbert Acton enables organizations to create psychologically healthy climates through valid methods of assessment, consultation, coaching, training and evaluation. Merv serves on a number of professional and non-profit organizations, including serving on the BC and Global Business and Economic Roundtables on Mental health and Addictions. He has academic appointments at the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University. Back to top

Chris Goguen
As head of external affairs for GSK in Atlantic Canada, Chris Goguen is focused on ensuring optimal patient access & utilization of GSK medicines. With over 15 years industry experience, he has led the development of several unique partnership initiatives with Atlantic payers and other health systems stakeholders to improve patient health outcomes. Back to top

Stephen Gould
Stephen is Senior Vice President of Human Resources of Purolator. In this role, he has responsibility for all aspects of Human Resources including business strategy, organizational design, talent management and succession planning, performance management, compensation and benefits, pension, management development, operations training, and employee and labour relations. He is also responsible for Environment Health & Safety, Quality, Engineering and Facilities, and Corporate Communications, which includes employee communications, public affairs and corporate philanthropy. Mr. Gould serves as the management lead on the Purolator Board of Directors’ Compensation and Human Resources Committee, Pension Committee and Environment, Health & Safety Committee. He is also Purolator's Privacy Compliance Officer. Back to top

Steven Grover
Dr. Steven Grover is the Director of the McGill Comprehensive Health Improvement Program (CHIP) and a professor of medicine, epidemiology, and biostatistics at McGill University. Back to top

Mark Haley
Since October 2000, Mark has held the position of Assistant Vice President, Human Resources Services at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. McMaster University has over 17,000 full-time and part-time students and is primarily located in Hamilton, Ontario. Mark has executive responsibility for a team of 40 staff who deliver the full spectrum of HR services including employee relations services, health benefits services, compensation, recruitment, occupational health and safety as well as supporting the delivery of all HR practices and policies. Back to top

Simon Hally
Simon is the new editor/publisher of Canadian Healthcare Manager magazine. Published by Rogers Publishing Ltd., Canadian Healthcare Manager is Canada's integrated healthcare magazine and the host of this conference. Simon has wide experience in the magazine industry. Before joining Rogers in January 2007, he was editor and publisher of various specialized publications serving the medical profession and the financial services, retail and transportation industries. Back to top

Lyle Hargrove
Lyle is the Director of the Canadian Auto Workers Health and Safety Training Fund. He develops Health and Safety Training Programs along with Videos for the Auto Sector of his union. He also supports research and environmental projects that are important to workers in his union. He joined the OHCOW board in 2001 and became Chair of the Board in April 2002. He also sits on the board for the Sustainable Transportation Center and, the United Way of Durham Region. Back to top

Mok Lan Ho
Mok Lan is a graduate of C.E.B.S and member of the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. Mok Lan’s career includes more than 15 years’ managment experience in compensation, pension and benefits. Mok Lan’s current role at Scotiabank includes responsibility for employee and retiree benefits in Canada and internationally: major accountabilities include design, development, implementation of policies, programs, best practices; benefit strategies; plan financing; vendor selection and management; governance/compliance; financial reporting. Back to top

Carmen Hogan
Carmen is Director, Business Development, National Accounts, Sun Life Financial - Carmen is responsible for revenue growth and business results for one of Sun Life's Central Region national accounts teams. Her key responsibilities also include managing the delivery of exceptional service to customers and fostering solid relationships with distribution partners. Carmen has 27 years experience in the industry, with increasingly responsible roles, and is well respected for her expertise in such areas as flexible benefits and health and wellness strategies. Back to top

Valerie Janz
Valerie is one of six Client Service Managers within the Management and Recruitment Services Division of Government of the Northwest Territories. Valerie’s role is to provide senior level advice, planning and support services to a portfolio of Departments in the areas of strategic human resource management, human resource planning, performance management, employee recognition, and employee development; and ensure the delivery of HR transactional services to support the recruitment and retention of a qualified and capable public service. Valerie has worked for the past 25 years, in a variety of HR positions in the public sector, based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Back to top

Fanny Karolev
Fanny is with the Campbell Company of Canada.

R. Brent Kerslake
Brent is Great-West Life’s Vice President, Group Underwriting & Administration, major accounts. Brent is responsible for the leadership and direction in the acquisition of new major clients. His role also includes the management of in-force Great-West Group major clients. This includes new business and renewal underwriting, administration, supporting sales & service teams for implementation plans, renewal strategies, relationships with major account customer contacts and key business sources. Back to top

Violette Lareau
Violette’s role as Director of Employee Engagement and Wellness is to develop and implement programs and initiatives that help Xerox employees feel emotionally connected to the organization in a way that optimizes their well being and their productivity. She has been with Xerox for 28 years, half her carreer was spent in Sales and Marketing and the other half in many HR roles always with a Change Mangement component. Back to top

Rob Loney
Rob is Manager Patient Access & Health Policy, with Pfizer Canada. He has worked in the pharmaceutical industry since 1991 in various sales, learning and development and management roles. Prior to joining Pfizers Government Relations division, he managed an Ontario based field force called the Cardiovascular Resource Division (CVRD). The Cardiovascular Resource divisions misson was to enhance patient care and outcomes in the community, by partnering with healthcare professionals to create and implement value-added programs to help prevent, manage and treat cardiovascular diseases. In his present capacity, Rob's responsibilities include the development and identification of partnerships with both private and public sector stakeholders, to ensure  healthy outcomes and patient access to medicines.

Kim MacFarlane
Currently with Manulife, Kim has over 20 years of insurance industry experience and has held number of different roles in underwriting, financial reporting, systems and most recently marketing. The Products that she is responsible for include both Health and Wellness Services as well as Flexible Benefits Administration Services. Back to top

Jean-Marc MacKenzie
Jean-Marc joined FGIworld in 2005 and has played a key leadership role in the development, growth and success of FGIworld’s Corporate Health Management businesses. Before joining FGIworld, Jean-Marc worked for Medcan Health Management for nine years, most recently as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Corporate Services. Previous to this role he was responsible for managing the Medcan Clinic, which is the largest Canadian single site provider of executive medical services. Also at Medcan he led the development of working relationships with First Nation communities in advancing health management projects in their communities and establishing joint venture opportunity in the delivery of health management services. Jean-Marc is a member of the Bar of Ontario and holds a law degree, a Master’s in Health Administration and BA from Dalhousie University. He has been a visiting lecturer at Osgoode Hall Law School in the “lawyer as negotiator course” and has spoken on corporate health management issues globally. He has also worked at a leading Canadian corporate law firm and a large teaching hospital and began his career as a professional hockey player with the Hartford Whalers organization. Back to top

Kerry Maddocks
Kerry is Editor, Conferences, Rogers Publishing, Healthcare and Financial Services Group. In her current role, she is responsible for the editorial success of our conference properties— developing relevant, timely agendas and recruiting engaging, informative speakers. Kerry holds an Hons. BA and is currently working on her Master's degree from McMaster University. Back to top

Barb Martinez
Barbara is a Senior Associate in the Health & Benefits practice in the Toronto office of Mercer Human Resource Consulting. Barbara is a prescription drug plan management specialist offering support for Mercer clients of all sizes and in both the private and public sectors. Back to top

Jeff May
Mr. May is responsible for Shoppers Drug Mart’s strategic objectives and relationships with all key external stakeholders including governments, private sector prescription drug programs, insurance companies, regulatory authorities, provincial associations, and universities. Areas of focus include developing innovative programs for pharmacy practice, health care reform, privacy, health information systems, legislation, and general pharmacy practice issues. Back to top

Rose-Marie McConnery
As Director Stay @ Work/Return to Work @ Canada Post, Rose-Marie’s corporate role encompasses the following responsibilities: EAP, Disability Management for both occ and non-occ disabilities, WCB and Healthy Workplace Programs. Rose-Marie is a licensed BSc. Nurse and holds a Masters in Public Administration from École Nationale d'Administration Publique. Rose-Marie’s affiliations include: Ontario and Quebec Order of Nuses Certifications x 25 years. Rose-Marie has practiced Occupational Health & Safety positions over the past 11 years providing leadership as a consultant for various industries such as: Deloitte, Alcan, Hostess Frito-Lay, Superior Propane, Bell Canada, and Falconbridge, amongst others. Back to top

John Miall
John serves as special consultant to the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation. He began his consulting business, Miall Consulting, in 2005 after retiring as the Director of Risk Management for the City of Asheville, NC where he served for 30 years. He served as the Director of Risk Management for the City of Asheville since 1990 and was one of the visionaries behind The Asheville Project. John was made an Honorary Member of American Pharmacists Association in 2000 and he was named a “Benny” Award Winner recognizing his innovative work in Employee Benefits by Employee Benefit News in 2003. He was named Risk Manager of the Year in 2004 by the Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA). He has been recognized as the Hoyt Abney Community Service Award for the Asheville Community for 2005. Miall is a graduate of Montreat-Anderson College and the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Back to top

André Morneau
André has been with Morris & Mackenzie Inc. since 1990. As Vice President, he leads the employee benefits consulting practice from their Montreal office. Prior to this, André spent 10 years with London Life. He is a graduate of Champlain Regional College with a DEC in Health Sciences. Back to top

Laura Murray
Laura is the Senior Benefits Manager, National Human Resources of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. She holds a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist designation and has almost 15 years’ experience in the benefits industry. She joined PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Tax department in 1992 as a consultant in the Global Human Resources Services practice (formerly the Pension Services Group). In March 1999, Laura transferred to her current role in National Human Resources. Laura leads a team of 4 who are responsible for managing and strategic planning relating to the Firm’s Group Benefits program; disability management programs; wellness programs; and Health & Safety Committees. Back to top

Morris Nord
Morris joined Pacific Blue Cross in 2004 and has worked in the employees benefits field for a number of years. Morris has responsibility for the marketing of group insurance, individual products and health and wellness strategies. Back to top

Laura Pratt
Laura is Practice Leader, Organizational Health with Great-West Life. As Practice Leader, Laura’s role includes leading a team of five Organizational Health Consultants across Canada. Her team works closely with Great-West customers to develop and implement health, wellness and disability management programs. Laura’s experience includes 18 years of work in the field of disability management, most recently with a focus on organizational health. Laura is a graduate of Dalhousie University and the Canadian Institute of Management, and holds industry designations from the Health Insurance Association of America and the International Claims Association. She and the rest of the Organizational Health Consultant team at Great-West Life are in the final stages of completing the National Quality Institute Certified Excellence Professional designation with a focus on Healthy Workplace. Back to top

Farouk Ratansi
Farouk has been with the Credit Union Central of BC for over nine years. Managing a staff of six, Farouk is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Pension and Benefits Programs. Farouk provides the Board of Trustees with assistance on issues relevant to the administration and management of the Plans, including investment issues and regulatory changes. Farouk is a member of several industry associations including the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans, CEBS, and CPBI. Back to top

Sue Reibel
 As Vice President for Group Life and Disability, Sue is responsible for leading Manulife Group Benefits Disability operations across Canada including life and disability claims, rehabilitation, disability management consulting and absence management programs. Sue joined Manulife's Individual Insurance area in 1994.  Between 1994 and 2001, she held a series of increasingly senior leadership roles, including directing a project team that supported Manulife's demutualization efforts.  During this period, she also served as Individual's AVP and Controller. She has been highly involved in multiple integration activities including Commercial Union and Zurich Life and most recently she played a key role in the Manulife – Maritime Life integration. During this significant period of growth, Sue served as Manulife Group Benefits' Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer.  In this capacity, Sue directed the operation's vital financial and pricing interests and supported and oversaw expense efficiency initiatives that helped Group operate on a profitable and competitive basis.  Sue has an extensive background in strategic planning and financial management and is a customer focused leader that is dedicated to operational excellence. Back to top

Carla Ryan
Carla has worked with Medavie Blue Cross for 13 years in private and government business portfolios. She is currently the Director of Provider and Professional Relations and oversees corporate responsibility for provider services, professional relations, healthcare supplier management and provider and facility registry administration. Carla's experience in the healthcare industry includes participation on national committees such as the national e-claims standard initiatives. She has also served as board director for the Canadian Healthcare Anti-Fraud Association. Back to top

Joti Samra
Joti, Ph.D., R.Psych. is a clinical psychologist and research scientist with the Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction (CARMHA), Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University. She conducts applied research and clinical work in the area of mental health and addiction, with a particular interest in these issues as they pertain to the workplace context. As part of her role with CARMHA, Joti has been a principal in the development, evaluation, and dissemination of a self-care manual for depression in the workplace (Antidepressant Skills at Work: Dealing with Mood Problems in the Workplace; Bilsker, Gilbert & Samra, 2007; www.carmha.ca/publications). She has also been involved in a range of activities on behalf of the BC Workplace Mental Health & Addiction Scientific Committee and coordination of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Scientific Congress on workplace mental health and addiction issues, to be held in Vancouver in May 2007. Back to top

Karen Seward
Karen is Executive Vice President of Business Development and Marketing at Shepell·fgi - Canada’s leading provider of integrated employee assistance and work-life programs. In her capacity, Ms. Seward leads the development of innovative health and wellness solutions that address clients’ critical business issues, and implements these strategies in some of North America’s most progressive organizations. Ms. Seward holds the only Canadian seat on the U.S. Business Group on Health, is a member of the American Marketing Association, the International Association of Business Communicators and the Conference Board of Canada. Karen has been a featured speaker at numerous conferences and seminars, has published articles in periodicals including Benefits Canada and Benefits & Pensions Monitor, and is frequently called upon by the media to comment on health, wellness, organizational change and HR management issues. Back to top

Dr. Martin Shain
Martin is Founder and Principal of the newly formed Neighbour at Work Centre, dedicated to the promotion of fairness and reasonableness in employment and other contractual working relationships. The Centre undertakes research, evaluation, policy and program development, education and training activities. Martin is also cross-appointed with the Department of Public Health Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto and the Work, Stress and Health program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health where he is a senior scientist. His background includes a Doctorate in Law and a Diploma in Criminology. Currently he is working on policy, research, development and evaluation projects with, among others, the IAPA, Health Canada and a number of other federal government departments, The Canadian Safe School Network, The Toronto Transit Commission, the Department of National Defence, the Ontario Physical Health Education Association and the Toronto Police Service. He writes and speaks extensively on the subject of health, productivity and social capital. Back to top

Shirley Sung
Shirley is currently the Director of Health, Safety and Wellness for Accenture with 18 years of experience in Health, Safety, Wellness and Human Resources with Leadership, management, policy and strategy development, as well as, profit and loss accountabilities. She has been recognized by her peers with a nomination for the YWCA Women of Distinction award, as well as the recipient of a Chairman's award. Shirley has held numerous Board member roles for the not-for-profit sector and is a graduate in Business and Liberal Arts from Simon Fraser University and Human Resource Management from BCIT. Back to top

Gail Taylor
Gail is a CHRP with 16 years of HR experience primarily with the design and funding of HR benefit plans, programs and policies. Back to top

Jane Thomas
Jane is the Manager of Pension & Benefits for PotashCorp, the world's largest fertilizer enterprise by capacity. Working out of the Saskatoon Corporate office, she is responsible for the pension and benefit plans for 1850 Canadian employees, including disability management and wellness. Back to top

Anne Turuba
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Bessie Wang
As Director of Professional Services at Emergis, Bessie’s 22 years of industry experiences include human resources, group benefits and wellness in both public and private sectors. Through her partnerships with the pharmacy community, she worked on projects with the City of Toronto and with the Government of New Brunswick, which demonstrated increased cost efficiencies and drug compliance.  Bessie has written numerous articles in Benefits Canada and HR trade magazines.  A frequent speaker, she has spoken at the Great-West Life 2006 Congress, Emergis Drug Conference and Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacy Conferences.  Her current mandates include working with insurers on drug plan management and provider services. Bessie’s community volunteer work includes being on the boards of the Human Resources Professionals Association of Peel and the Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy. Bessie holds an Honours B.Comm, an MBA and CHRP designation. Back to top

Roseann Whitton
Roseann has over 25 years’ experience with the public service of BC. Roseann spent the majority of that time as a Director of Coporate Services including: finance and budgetting, HR, information & privacy, facilities etc. She moved into corporate health approx. 2 years ago and has been focused on assisting with the development of a Corporate Health Strategy, reviewing funding models for benefits programs, and looking at flexible benefits plans for the public service. Back to top

Janet Young
Janet is Associate Vice President with Buffett & Company Worksite Wellness Ltd. Janet oversees the Buffett & Company consulting team, spearheads the development of innovative worksite wellness programs and software, and champions the firm’s ongoing drive to operationalize worksite wellness strategies. Janet holds two degrees, one in English and Kinesiology, and the other in Education. She completed her post-graduate Worksite Wellness & Health Promotion diploma and is a Certified Fitness Consultant, accredited by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. In 2005, Janet earned the Certified Excellence Professional (CEP) designation through the National Quality Institute. As a CEP, Janet guides organizations through the process of becoming healthier workplaces and achieving the prestigious Canada Awards for Excellence Healthy Workplace Trophy. Back to top

Sandy Zorn
Sandy is the Manager of Workplace Health with the BC Public Service Agency and has worked for the Province for over 14 years. Sandy has responsibility for overseeing government wide policies related to the Province’s employee benefit programs and works with the service providers to manage the daily administration. Her focus has recently changed to include Corporate Health and Productivity. Back to top