Workshop Speakers
Abiola Akinyemi
Abiola Akinyemi
Abiola Akinyemi, an associate in Hicks Morley’s Toronto office, provides strategic advice and representation to employers in both the private and public sectors on a wide range of labour and employment law matters including grievance arbitrations, labour disputes, occupational health and safety, human rights and accommodation, and employment standards.
Abiola received her Juris Doctor from Queen’s University. In addition to being a student ambassador for the Faculty of Law, Abiola served as the program coordinator and co-commissioner of the Equity and Diversity Committee and received the Faculty of Law Dean’s Council Diversity Award for the 2021–2022 academic year.
Deborah Arsenault
Deborah Arsenault
Throughout her career, Deborah has demonstrated a keen ability to develop innovative solutions to align workforce practices with organizational goals and effectively improve operations. Her passion lies in designing and implementing efficient HR processes to foster equitable and inclusive work environments. Certified as a Human Resources Professional, Deborah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Administration from the University of Ottawa, complemented by leadership certifications from Schulich School of Business and Rotman School of Management.
Brittany Bates
Brittany Bates
Brittany Bates, an associate in Hicks Morley’s Toronto office, advises and represents employers in the private and public sectors on a wide range of labour, employment and human rights matters.
Prior to joining the firm, she gained valuable labour relations experience acting as the lead research associate for interest arbitration and central collective bargaining negotiations in the long-term care and home care sectors. This experience has shaped Brittany’s practical and client-focused approach to her advice and representation.
Brittany received her Juris Doctor from Western University where she graduated on the Dean’s List.
Lori Bolton
Lori Bolton
Director of Human Resources, City of Orillia
Lori Bolton serves as OMHRA’s President. She previously held the positions of Vice President of Finance and Stakeholder Relations and Chair of the Stakeholder Relations Committee.
Lori is the Director of Human Resources for the City of Orillia, where she directs and administers the corporate human resources function, including employee labour relations, collective bargaining, compensation and benefits administration, employee performance management, corporate training and development, health and safety functions, and payroll.
Evan Daikov
Evan Daikov
Rae Christen Jeffries LLP
Evan Daikov is a Partner at Rae Christen Jeffries LLP – a management-side labour and employment law firm. Evan is a proficient advocate who regularly represents employers in proceedings before arbitrators, the Courts, and administrative boards and tribunals.
Evan provides pragmatic and proactive advice on a wide range of labour and employment issues. His areas of expertise include human rights and accommodation, wrongful dismissal claims, workplace safety and insurance, and employment standards.
Dalton Higgins
Dalton Higgins
Canada’s foremost expert on hip hop culture, Dalton applies themes at the heart of hip-hop, popular culture, and Black culture to current events and trends, delivering forward thinking strategies for a wide range of industries and everyday living.
As a publicist, author, and award-winning journalist Higgins’ unique brand of commentary has been featured in countless major North American media outlets including CNN, NPR, Billboard, VICE, CTV (ETalk, The Social), CBC TV (The National), CBC Radio (Q, Metro Morning), and the Toronto Star.
The Canadian Screen Award Nominated Scriptwriter is also a Senior Facilitator in the award-winning More Than A Haircut/Voices of the Shop barbershop-meets-Black fatherhood advocacy group.
Brian Hill
Brian Hill
Greetings my english name is Brian Hill – Bear Clan of the Oneida of the Thames First Nation. I am lake’niha̲ (father), laksótha̲ (grandfather) and foster parent. I have spent most of my adult life trying to educate to dispel the long held stereotypes that are currently carried by Non-native communities in my local area.
I have been involved with sharing and showing First Nation perspectives to various Non –Native groups, organizations and political bodies in an effort to better the working relationship between our two groups of people. I have lived both on and off reserve at various times in my life and have gained perspectives from both worlds. I have been an active member of the N’Amerind Friendship Centre in London for over 45 years as a volunteer and 30 years as a member of the Board of Directors.
Being involved with the Friendship Centre has given me opportunities to work with the Mayor and Council of the City of London, the London Police Service, Thames Valley School Board and London and Middlesex Children’s Aid Society plus other social service agencies that have interactions with First nation people in the urban setting.
Joy Hulton
Joy Hulton
She also provides advice on respectful workplace policies and conducts workplace assessments and investigations, informed by years of legal and practical experience, and training in a trauma informed approach.
Joy works with many organizations to resolve conflict and teach conflict resolution skills, so they resolve conflict for themselves. She is an instructor with the On Conflict Resolution Institute.
Stephanie Jeronimo
Stephanie Jeronimo
She chairs of the firm’s Municipal Practice Group and has particular expertise in the healthcare, paramedic and fire sectors. She provides strategic advice and representation with respect to collective bargaining and human rights issues as well as employment standards and pay equity matters.
In addition, Stephanie regularly represents employers in both interest arbitrations and labour arbitrations. She takes the time to understand, connect and collaborate with her clients and she uses an interest-based approach to resolve issues.
Lori Kelly
Lori Kelly
Lori has proudly served the City of Mississauga for over 25 years. Prior to this role, Lori spent more than two decades in leadership roles with the City of Mississauga’s Human Resources Division along with serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Mississauga Library System. In addition to her work in Human Resources and the Library, Lori spent six years in the City Manager’s Office where she provided leadership to what became the largest community engagement initiative in the City’s history resulting in a Strategic Plan that represents the city’s vision for the next 40 years.
Lori earned an honours degree in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario, a Masters Certificate in Municipal Leadership from the Schulich School of Business at York University and certification as a Human Resources professional. Lori is a member of the Human Resources Professionals Association.
Lavinia Latham
Lavinia Latham
Bernardi Human Resource Law LLP
A leader in human rights law, Lavinia was recognized as CIBWE’s 100 Black Women to Watch in 2019; and was more recently recognized as a 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women honouree.
Before joining the firm, Lavinia was the Human Rights and Equity Advisor at a school board. She also co-developed and launched an anti-racist leadership course for the Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario. As a law student, she served as the National President of the Black Law Students’ Association of Canada. Lavinia is passionate about helping organizations achieve a healthy, productive, and psychologically safe workplace environment that is free from discrimination.
She has developed and led 100+ equity and human rights training workshops. Lavinia has worked with school boards, universities, municipalities, police services, long-term care homes, and unions. She also works with these organizations to develop and provide training on respectful workplaces, racial sensitivity, and human rights compliance.
Hazem Mossa
Hazem Mossa
Bernardi Human Resource Law LLP
Hazem believes that an organization’s strength truly lies in its people. His natural curiosity about individuals, their perceptions and their motivations inspire him to listen intently and identify solutions to workplace challenges. He is adept at getting to the root of a problem and identifying creative, workable, and lasting solutions to complex challenges.
Hazem is a passionate advocate for psychologically safe and inclusive workplaces in which people and organizations can thrive. Hazem’s commitment to social justice led him to volunteer with several community-based organizations including the Ontario Bar Association’s Equality Committee (a member-at-large and secretary). Hazem worked on several key initiatives to enhance the Association’s recruitment, inclusion, and recognition of members from diverse backgrounds.
Hazem was also a leader at a community legal clinic where he acted for clients with underprivileged socioeconomic backgrounds. He represented clients in human rights, employment, disability, and housing matters. Hazem has also volunteered for organizations which primarily serve members of the LGBTQ2s+ and intersecting communities. He has provided informational and support services to individuals from these communities as part of the Sexual Health Resource Centre Kingston and Positive Space Queen’s.
Chris Nearing
Chris Nearing
Chief Nearing has held a leadership role in MFES for 22 years, including 6 years as Deputy Fire Chief and was named Markham’s Fire Chief in 2023.
Chris has been a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the fire service and has been dedicated to improving firefighter mental wellness as a senior manager. Throughout his time in management Chris has been responsible for Fire Suppression & Operations, Training, Mechanical/Apparatus and Communications. His portfolio of responsibilities has also included internal promotions and recruit firefighter hiring.
Sena Paradis
Sena Paradis
Retired from the Government of Canada, Sena Paradis is an executive consultant, facilitator, and certified organizational coach, boasting accolades for collaborative work with Indigenous partners and innovative program coaching.
Recognized with federal awards, she led in programs like “Building Black Leaders” and coaches for “Mosaic.” Sena, a Master’s in Public Administration holder, facilitated organizational culture change and staff engagement as an Executive Champion for Wellness.
Her qualifications include a post-graduate Certificate in Organizational Coaching (UBC), a Certificate in Conflict Resolution (Justice Institute of BC), and a Certificate in Intercultural Communications (UBC). Sena holds an Associate Certified Coaching designation (International Coaching Federation).
Crystal Ramdeo
Crystal Ramdeo
Crystal holds an Honors Bachelors Degree of Sociology, Specializing in Business, Industry and Technology from the University of Waterloo, as well as Certificates in Labour Law from Osgoode- York University, Advanced Alternative Dispute Resolution from University of Windsor and is working towards her Advanced Human Resources Certificate from Queens IRC. Additionally Crystal completed “Agile Bootcamp”, and wholeheartedly believes Agile methodology has a home in Human Resources and its methodology is critical to moving the needle in advancing DEI in the workplace. Finally, Crystal is a passionate “learner” and “un-learner” and thoroughly enjoyed her time teaching Recruitment and Selection and Organization Development at Centennial and Humber College for a number of years.
John Robertson
John Robertson
- Building the culture where people want to work
- Developing the leadership people trust, and want to follow
- Preparing People to know how to thrive, not just be resilient
Inspired and driven by his values, John acts as a facilitator for his clients as they test, discover, and expand what they can do. He uses concrete, verifiable processes to help them achieve demonstrable, solution-focused results. Remaining faithful to his passions and values, John invests himself in his vocation without reservation.
He provides spirit-filled, insightful guidance that his clients use to amplify their lives and their businesses. John truly provides “leadership that people can follow through storms.” This is done through the values-anchored Run towards the Roar Ethos, after all, BUSINESS WORKS WHEN PEOPLE THRIVE!
The Official Details John’s education and certifications include Certified Coach, MHCC’s The Working Mind, Advisor in National Standard for Psychological H&S in the Workplace, CISM Instructor, Grief Resolution Specialist, Trauma Treatment Specialist, certified in numerous psychometric tools & assessments, and a Bachelor and master’s degrees from Queen’s University. Best Selling Author & Co-Author #1 Bestselling Author Run Toward the Roar, Transform Crisis and Change into the Opportunity to Thrive. available on Amazon #1 International Bestselling (Co)Author of Emerge: Be the Unmistakable Authority in Your Field with Brian Tracy, Steve Lowell, Jayne Lowell, et al.
Natasha Savoline
Natasha Savoline
Natasha’s passion for fairness and creating positive and respectful workplaces informs her work as an experienced workplace investigator. Natasha is skilled at investigating complex, multi-party and sensitive issues in areas such as harassment, mobbing, violence in the workplace, sexual harassment and sexual violence, code of conduct violations and discrimination based on disability, race, sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
Natasha has provided investigation services for municipalities and their councils, long term care homes, police services, fire departments, universities and private companies. In addition to conducting workplace investigations, Natasha provides sensitivity training and workplace remediation services. Natasha trains HR professionals on conducting investigations and coaches organizations during internal investigations to ensure a fair and balanced process. She also teaches the three-day HRPA Workplace Investigations Training and Certificate Program.
Natasha has co-authored the Ontario Human Rights Code: Quick Reference, 2009, Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Act: Quick Reference, 2010 and the Human Resource Management textbook (2011). She has also been published in various newsletters and magazines, including The Lawyer’s Daily, Municipal World and the OMHRA Echo.
Janet Stewart
Janet Stewart
With a Master’s in Adult Education and certifications in Organizational Coaching, Development, Conflict Resolution, and Change Management, Janet brings a wealth of expertise. Leveraging her extensive senior leadership background, she enhances employee engagement and strengthens workplace relationships.
Certified by the International Coaching Federation and the ADR Institute of Canada as a coach and mediator respectively, Janet also holds a CPHR designation. Her blend of HR and educational acumen inspires and builds capacity within organizations to thrive.
Andrew N. Zabrovsky
Andrew Zabrovsky
He takes a results-oriented approach to the law and works to help employers achieve their desired outcomes, whether that be through litigation or alternative dispute resolution. As the chair of the firm’s Human Rights Practice Group, Andrew enjoys assisting with complicated human rights and accommodation issues and is not afraid to tackle more complex issues that arise through his human rights, labour arbitration and litigation files.
