Inclusion Symposium 2023

For HR leaders committed to diversity and inclusion, creating welcoming workplaces should be a year-round initiative. Whether we call it diversity, equity, or inclusion, this is an area where HR continues to struggle despite the fact that workplaces all over the world have become more diverse in terms of culture, ethnicity, gender, physical and cognitive abilities in the organization.

This virtual event will not only help deepen the knowledge, but also equip HR Leaders to ensure that everyone feels welcomed, culturally and socially accepted, and have a sense of belonging in the workplace. Join our keynote speakers as they look at DEI efforts in today’s world and how they are integrated into the organizational strategic plans, provide a snapshot of the current state of DEI initiatives, and discuss its vital significance in both organizational performance and social justice.

SYMPOSIUM SESSIONS

Keynote Session: Leveraging your Leadership in DEIB

Speaker: Garry Priam - Founder, Mossa International Incorporated

Description: Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) are everyone’s responsibility. However, studies have shown that establishing that culture must start from the top down. DEIB leaders and champions understand this and the importance of weaving these values in the fabric of their organization’s culture.

Come share, learn, laugh, and bond during this highly interactive and engaging session and leave with a greater sense of purpose, drive, and commitment to leveraging your leadership on your DEIB journey.

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Keynote Session: Insights From a Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Practitioner: Actionable Strategies and Tools for Inclusion

Speaker: Stephanie Redivo - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Director, COO Division, TransLink

Description: By the end of the keynote, participants will have a better understanding of how to get started in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace, with practical strategies and tools. They will leave with a blueprint of actionable steps for implementing equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives in their workplace, and the knowledge and skills to get started today.

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Super Mini Session: The Top Three Reasons Why Training is a Crucial Component of your Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategy

Speakers: Bay Ryley - Founder of Ryley Learning & Kris Sidiqqi - Ryley Learning

Description: What are the top three reasons why training is a crucial component of your Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategy? Join lawyer Bay Ryley and actor Kris Siddiqi to hear all about it!

They will discuss how creative, relatable training will:

support and complement your workplace’s employee wellbeing programs
limit liability, litigation, and reputation risks
meet your stakeholders’ demands and expectations in the areas of DEI and ESG (ethics, social and governance)

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Super Mini Session: Diversity & Inclusion: What, Why and How

Speakers: David Brown & Richard Johnson - Co-Founders & Partners of Ascent Employment Law Corporation

Description: Discover the true essence behind "diversity," "inclusion," "intersectionality," and "equity" in our engaging primer. Our esteemed speakers, workplace lawyers David Brown and Richard Johnson, will debunk common misconceptions and shed light on practical strategies for embracing diversity and fostering inclusion. Join us as they delve into real-world examples, lessons to be drawn from human rights law, and success stories that demonstrate the tangible benefits of prioritizing diversity and inclusion. Don't let these words remain mere buzzwords—gain the knowledge and tools to drive meaningful change in your organization.

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Keynote Session: Decolonizing Through Visiting

Speaker: Elliott Young - Director of Engagement, pipikwan pêhtâkwan

Description: Elliott Young is a member of Ermineskin Cree Nation; which is one of the four First Nations that make up Maskwacis. His father is from Ermineskin and has family from Louis Bull Tribe and Samson Cree Nation. His mother is from Tsuut’ina Nation (Dene); which is located just west of Calgary.

Elliott has 12 years of experience in Indigenous relations, community engagement, and policy development within government, non-profit and education. He is passionate about ensuring marginalized voices are heard by policymakers and leaders. He has been successful in facilitating conversations between community members, frontline services providers, First Nation leaders, and government officials. He also hold a MA in Community Engagement from the University of Alberta

Garry Priam

Garry Priam is an international speaker, Italian author, advocate of inclusion initiatives, and organizational development consultant helping large, medium, and small businesses and their people excel. Garry was born in England, grew up in Canada and lived in 6 different cities in Italy over 9 years. He is a former professional basketball player, and the founder of Mossa International Incorporated, a Canadian organizational development consulting company. Mossa means “to move” in Italian and Garry helps corporate cultures grow, become more inclusive, and more cohesive. Garry is passionate about building effective organizational teams and supporting them during change initiatives and sharing success stories from his consulting experiences and his professional playing days on how to become better connected, understand each other more, and work better together in corporate cultures as teams do on the court.

Stephanie Redivo

Stephanie is the first Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Director at TransLink and has over 20 years’ experience in software education, change management and equity, diversity and inclusion. She has been at TransLink since July of 2020 and since that time, she has developed a 3-year framework, implemented EDI objectives into yearly performance reviews, created Employee Resource Groups, ran their first Inclusion Survey, and implemented EDI training for managers. Before joining TransLink, Stephanie was the Senior Director of Inclusive Culture at SAP. She ran the first Global EDGE certification. SAP became the first multinational technology company to become EDGE certified. She inspires employees to be their best selves and do their best work through inclusive behaviour. Stephanie's diversity and inclusion journey started in 2011 when she became the GIRLsmarts4tech Grade 7 sponsor to inspire girls to enter the technology field. To date, over 1500 girls have gone through the one-day program globally. She is obsessed with baking the perfect cookie and reads everything regarding Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Reach out to Steph on LinkedIn or Instagram @steph_redivo