Breakfast (Dominion Ballroom)

Leading, managing, thriving and surviving in times of excessive change

While the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be over, people are still going through a period of disruptive change triggered by the simultaneous occurrence of multiple “wicked” problems. This session will describe the changes currently faced by businesses and employees, as well as outlining their implications on the labour market and the link to recruitment and retention. It will also outline why managers and leaders need to change their style to become more adaptive and how they can help employees cope in this uncertain environment.

Speaker:

Linda Duxbury, professor, Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business

Empowering health with insight 

Data is a powerful tool for shaping healthier workplaces. This session will explore how plan sponsors and benefits providers are partnering to turn insights into action — making data-driven decisions to support employee well-being, optimizing benefits plans and keeping people healthy and at work. At the same time, personalized insights can help plan members better understand and manage their own health journeys. Through real-world examples this session will show how organizations are using information to make better decisions and build healthier, more engaged workforces.

Speakers:

Tamara Harduwar, director, health insights, outcomes, group benefits, Manulife Canada

Bill Rowell, assistant vice-president, business analytics, advice, group benefits, Manulife Canada

Networking break and Workplace Benefits Awards presentation (Dominion Foyer)

Engine of impact: Driving health outcomes through integration

The health and benefits industry faces a persistent paradox: despite billions spent annually and remarkable advances in digital health technologies, most products and services still fail to deliver sustainable improvements in health outcomes. At the same time, many Canadians feel increasingly disconnected from their care experiences. This session will explore how clinically informed, strategically integrated health and benefits services can bridge this gap — enhancing care access, personalization and health outcomes.

Speaker:

Dr. Andrew Bond, senior vice-president, chief medical officer, GreenShield

The cost of inaction: Why companies need to prioritize mental health

Mental-health challenges have become a significant concern in workplaces across Canada. This session will discuss why employers need to make mental health a priority in disability management, including a plan sponsor perspective from Henry Schein Canada Inc. Henry Schein has made employee wellness a core part of its company culture, with its programs and initiatives showing positive results in employee engagement, return-to-work rates and more. This session will also share actionable strategies for creating a healthier, more productive workplace.

Speakers:

Michelle Belfry, organizational health consultant, well-being, Canada Life

Faye Gagne, manager, employee relations and wellness, Henry Schein Canada

Laura Pratt, national director, organizational health, Canada Life

Lunch and Workplace Benefits Awards presentation (Dominion Ballroom)

The life-changing impact of diabetes technology

Diabetes is a complex, high-impact condition that affects employee health, productivity and workplace engagement. For the 300,000 Canadians living with type 1 diabetes requiring insulin multiple times a day, access to modern, automated insulin delivery systems can significantly reduce the daily burden of disease management leading to better glycemic control, improved mental well-being and quality of life. This session will highlight how improving access to advanced diabetes technology within private benefits plans can be transformational for employee wellness and organizational outcomes.

Speakers:

Pamela Borges, head, market access, Insulet Corporation

Andrew Muirhead, territory manager, Insulet Corporation

Thriving through change: Menopause, well-being and productivity in the modern workplace

This session will explore the effects of menopause on women’s well-being and work performance, offering practical strategies to foster supportive, inclusive environments. It will also highlight how smart workplace policies and benefits can help women stay healthy, engaged and productive during this transition.

Speaker:

Shawna O'Hearn, co-director, founder, Menopause Society of Nova Scotia

This session has been made possible by Astellas.

Networking break and Workplace Benefits Awards presentation (Dominion Foyer)

Enhancing sustainable total rewards programs through the four pillars of ‘Health 360°’

Organizations that prioritize holistic health and wellness — or ‘Health 360°’ — not only foster a more engaged workforce but also strengthen their long-term success. This session will explore how organizations can integrate the ‘Health 360°’ pillars — physical, psychological, financial and social health — into total rewards. The session will also share insights from UAP Inc. on how it implemented its nation-wide health strategy and rolled out a robust communications campaign with tailored initiatives designed to engage its diverse audiences.

Speakers:

Francis Boulianne, principal, group benefits, Normandin Beaudry

Geneviève Hébert, senior director, total rewards, UAP Inc.

Panel: Diving into benefits data

In this panel session, three plan sponsors will share how they collect data about their benefits programs and how they use it to drive healthy outcomes for their employees. The discussion will also explore what’s missing in the way the industry provides data and how to fill those gaps.

Panellists:

Emmanuelle Gaudette, senior leader, organizational health, Pratt & Whitney Canada 

Emilie Inakazu, director, benefits and well-being, KPMG in Canada

Merlyn Sequeira, senior director, total rewards, Samsung Electronics Canada

Closing cocktail reception and Workplace Benefits Awards presentation