Presented by: StrategyCorp

Date: Wednesday, July 8 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm

Understanding how municipalities fit within Ontario’s broader governance framework is essential for effective HR and organizational decision-making. This candid and practical webinar tackles the questions many people are hesitant to ask about municipal governance and the provincial–municipal relationship. Participants will explore how this evolving relationship shapes everyday decisions, constraints and opportunities in municipal workplaces.

Sabine Matheson and Stacey Hushion

Sabine Matheson is a senior advisor with deep expertise in municipal strategy, governance, and intergovernmental relations. She has worked extensively with municipalities and public sector organizations across Ontario, helping leaders navigate policy, politics, and organizational change. Sabine is known for translating complex governance structures into accessible, actionable insights for staff and elected officials alike.

Stacey Hushion brings a strong background in public policy, stakeholder engagement, and municipal affairs. She has supported municipalities on issues ranging from service delivery and financial sustainability to organizational governance. Stacey’s practical, down-to-earth approach helps participants connect high-level governance concepts to real challenges in their own workplaces.

Presented by: Queen’s University IRC

Date: Tuesday, July 21 from 1-2 pm

In a municipal environment defined by complexity, scrutiny and accelerating change, HR is uniquely positioned to shape not just workforce strategy but also organizational belief, trust, and alignment. This webinar explores how early-career HR professionals can intentionally build influence that goes beyond data and policy to connect with the hearts and minds of senior leaders and council. Participants will learn how to frame HR recommendations in ways that speak to vision, risk, impact, and shared purpose as well as how to position HR as a strategic partner rather than a support function. You will leave with practical tools to elevate your voice, build trust, and move people not just processes.

Presenter:

Carol Kotacka Carol Kotacka is a results-oriented leader specializing in strategy, performance, and transformational change in complex organizations. With senior leadership experience in healthcare and NGOs across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and South America, she brings a global and practical perspective to organizational change and leadership. Carol is a lead facilitator with Queen’s University IRC and an adjunct lecturer at the University of Toronto, known for blending organizational psychology, change leadership, and real-world municipal experience into highly engaging learning.

Presented by: Township of Ramara

Date: Thursday, July 30 at 11 a.m. to 12:00 pm

Strong Council reports and confident presentations are key to effective municipal decision-making, and HR professionals play an important role in both. This webinar focuses on how to write clear, concise reports that withstand scrutiny, develop well-structured recommendations and motions and present information in a way that supports informed decisions. Participants will explore practical considerations such as offering alternative options, navigating open versus closed session reporting, preparing for presentations, and handling the questions they did not see coming. You will leave with concrete techniques to improve both the quality of your written reports and your confidence at the podium.

Presenter:

Rebecca Zanussi is the Clerk for the Township of Ramara and brings extensive experience in professional writing and municipal governance. Her background spans journalism, corporate communications, and strategic initiatives, along with providing executive support to senior leaders, including drafting Council reports and preparing them for public meetings. Rebecca is recognized for her practical, real-world approach to turning complex information into clear, accessible reports and presentations that help decision-makers stay focused on what matters.

Presented by: Bernardi Human Resource Law

Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 10:00 am to 11:00 am

Municipal workplaces operate at the intersection of politics, community values, and public accountability: conditions that can heighten stress, escalate conflict and put psychological safety at risk. These pressures often intensify in an election year or when contentious issues dominate public discourse. This webinar focuses on practical, legally informed approaches to strengthening psychological protection, supporting leaders in reinforcing civility and respect and intervening early when workplace dynamics begin to deteriorate. Participants will gain strategies to reduce harm and escalation while limiting the need for formal complaints or investigations.

Presenter:

Bernardi Human Resource Law is a leading firm focused exclusively on workplace law, with a strong track record advising public sector and municipal employers. Their team combines legal expertise with deep experience in workplace investigations, human rights, and organizational culture. They are known for providing pragmatic, prevention-focused guidance that helps leaders create psychologically safer workplaces while meeting their legal obligations.

Presented by: Montana Consulting Group

Date: Wednesday, August 12 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am

As an HR professional, you are often called into conversations where the stakes are high, agreement is uncertain, the facts may be incomplete and emotions are running strong. This webinar provides practical, tested tactics for navigating those moments, whether you are addressing performance concerns, managing conflict or coaching a manager through a difficult discussion. Participants will learn specific phrases, questioning techniques and conversation strategies drawn from real investigations, negotiations and management scenarios. The focus is on what actually works in practice, so you leave with tools you can use in your very next conversation.

Presenter:

Michael Raine is the Content and Business Development Manager at Montana Consulting Group and a Master Turnaround Interview™ Instructor. He brings more than a decade of experience as a journalist, interviewer, and facilitator, having conducted over 1,000 in-depth interviews with executives, innovators, and public figures, and hosting numerous professional podcasts and webinars. Michael’s extensive experience asking hard questions and leading high-stakes conversations informs his clear, engaging, and highly practical approach to training HR professionals.