With over 25 years of experience as a consultant, coach, leader and trainer in the private, not-for-profit, and public sectors, Tara Beaton has provided guidance to thousands of specialists in Return-To-Work, rehabilitation, case management, human resources, and career development. Specializing in disability management and vocational rehabilitation, to date she has developed and delivered courses for 8 Canadian post-secondary institutions from coast to coast. Tara is a passionate advocate for disability rights, sits on the Board of Directors for VRA Canada, and holds a master’s degree in adult education focused on critical human resource development and accessible workplace learning.

Mr. French is the President and CEO of the Canadian Initiative. Within the mental health field, Mr. French has held many senior administrative and clinical positions within both the private and public sectors. Over a 47-year career, many of Canada’s leading organizations interested in the safety and wellbeing of their employees have retained him. In 2022 he was awarded the Life-Time Achievement Award by the Ontario Association of Social Workers for his pioneering work in the field of workplace violence prevention. He is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and educator in North America and abroad.

Ian D. Hurley is a partner at Lecker & Associates. His practice focuses on employment law and disability matters, including wrongful dismissal litigation, employment contract review, human rights, pregnancy and parental leave, and claims for the denial of disability benefits.

Ian has appeared before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. He has also represented employees in Canada Labour Code adjudications.

Ian was called to the Bar in Ontario in 2012 after receiving an LL.B. from the University of New Brunswick where he was awarded the Lord Beaverbrook Scholarship in Law. He also holds a B.A. in Political Science from Dalhousie University.

Seema brings over 10 years experience in legal and policy analysis, with a focus on human rights, workplace harassment and labor relations. Seema has worked at organizations such as the Government of Ontario and the Toronto District School Board where she provided leadership and expertise on issues related to the prevention and management of discrimination and harassment concerns and complaints.  Seema deals in an impartial, empathic, trauma-informed, and confidential manner when providing advice  on discrimination, harassment, human rights, and equity issues.

Seema has extensive experience in conducting and reviewing workplace investigations, facilitating difficult conversations and effectively identifying and offering resolution options to address issues that confront employers and impact employees.  Seema approaches her work with a particular focus on ensuring equity and inclusion for all equity seeking groups within the organization.

Seema is a Labour Relations Advisor at the Regional Municipality of Durham and also a lawyer from England and Wales where she was called to the Bar at the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn in London, United Kingdom.

Lumi is a litigation lawyer specialized in employment and disability matters. She provides legal advice and represents individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations in a wide range of issues, including wrongful dismissals, employment contracts, personnel policies, and accommodation. A significant part of her practice consists of civil litigation and human rights proceedings.

Lumi obtained her law degree at the University of Western Ontario and is a Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. Working through the firm’s Toronto and Ottawa offices, Lumi represents clients across Ontario.

Diane Rudakenga has cumulated over 15 years’ experience working with community-based organizations, corporate industries, government, and public sector agencies. Her educational background is in Psychology & Psychoeducation, Human Resources Management and she is a certified Positive Psychology practitioner.

Her area of expertise include:

• Mental Health
• Disability Management
• Counselling & Coaching
• Crisis intervention & Conflict Resolution
• Human Resources
• Organizational Health & Wellness
• Developing, implementing strategic & operational solutions
• Project Management

Diane has been passionate about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, neurodiversity, and disability. She is a lifelong advocate of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Diane considers herself a multipotentialite.

Diane continuously works at implementing strategies that uses approaches that are positive psychology based, neurodiversity affirming, anti-racist and anti-ableism.

Rita Samson is a lawyer who works as a Senior Policy Analyst at the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC). In this role, she provides guidance and develops public policy on a range of human rights and social justice issues. She also delivers public education and undertakes consultations with stakeholder groups and the broader public. She has worked at the OHRC for over eleven years.

Before coming to the OHRC, Rita received her LL.B and BA degrees from the University of Toronto and her MA (Understanding and Securing Human Rights) from the University of London, England.  She was called to the Bar of Ontario and practiced human rights, employment and administrative law for several years, representing clients from both the public and private sectors. Rita also coordinated Disability Rights Promotion International (DRPI), an international project promoting the rights of persons with disabilities.

Richard is currently the Director of the Black Equity Branch, Centre for People, Culture and Talent, Treasury Board Secretariat, Ontario Public Service where his work focuses on ensuring Black Inclusion is rooted across the organization. Richard has worked within the Canadian Federal Public Service for over 26 years. Over the years, his work has involved leading initiatives in support of Government of Canada commitments to the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent. Richard is one of the founders of the Federal Black Employee Caucus that has been working with federal public service and union leadership to address anti-black racism in the federal public service. Richard also served on the steering committee of Black Executive Network, engaged in promoting Black Inclusion across the senior levels of the Federal Government.

Richard’s work regionally, nationally and within the federal public service is intended to improve the condition of Black and African diaspora communities in Canada. Over the last few years Richard has been a speaker on addressing systemic racism, anti-black racism and how to be an ally within the Black Lives Matter movement.

Joel is a partner with Williams HR Law, where he practices management side labour, employment and human rights law. He provides legal and strategic advice and training to both unionized and non-unionized employers in all areas of labour and employment law. Joel also represents employers before various courts, boards and tribunals.

Joel regularly presents before employers and human resources professionals. Joel has presented to the Human Resources Professionals Association, including at the HRPA’s Annual Conference, Annual HR Summit and Annual HR Law Conference, as well as the Toronto Entrepreneurs Conference, the CPA Ontario Association, various chambers of commerce across Ontario and other industry associations. Joel’s writing is frequently published in labour & employment law and human resources publications, including Canadian Employment Law Today, HR Reporter and HR Professional magazine.

Meg Steele has worked as a lawyer for the City of Ottawa since 2002. She specializes in labour arbitrations, human rights matters, and employment law. Meg’s practice also includes providing advice on collective bargaining, workplace safety, and accessibility issues. She leads a group of lawyers and labour relations professionals that provide strategic advice on all aspects of the employment relationship. This year Meg is developing her HR skills in a developmental opportunity as Associate Director, Human Resources for the City of Ottawa.

Meg holds a B.A. (Hons.) in English and Political Science from Mount Allison University (1996) and a B.C.L/LL.B. from McGill University’s National Program (2000). She was called to the Ontario Bar in 2002.