Nhi Huynh is a lawyer at Williams HR Law LLP, where she practices in all areas of management-side labor, employment, and human rights law. In her practice, Nhi assists employers with a wide scope of legal issues and enjoys helping clients to navigate alternative dispute resolutions and civil procedures. Along with being committed to resolving disputes, she is focused on equipping clients with tools to prevent disputes. Nhi has presented through the OBA, HRD Employment Law Masterclass (Ontario and Alberta), and Lancaster House on employment contracts and policies; mental health in the workplace; workplace health and safety; and workplace accommodations. Along with presenting to legal and human resources professionals, she has published articles on diversity in the workplace, policies, and new developments with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Nhi is regularly published in the Canadian HR Reporter.

Faduno Ali is a seasoned specialist in Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, with 14 years of experience in various roles within the federal public sector. She is also a dedicated Youth Employment Coach and an advocate for the well-being of Black youth.

With her extensive experience in developing innovative black youth initiatives, Faduno has conducted numerous workshops and seminars for students, equipping them with the necessary tools to advance in the workforce. She has also worked with federal departments and civil societies to advance the goals of the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent (UNDPAD) and achieve a more equitable Canada.

As a social activist and change agent, Faduno is committed to working closely with communities to raise awareness of issues such as racism, diversity, and inclusion, and to develop HR plans and set the vision for a more inclusive future.

Tara Beaton has provided expert guidance to thousands of leaders, managers, specialists, and practitioners in the areas of human resources, disability management, and rehabilitation. Diagnosed at age 49 with ADHD, she now adds her first-person perspectives to her 25 years of professional experience in accommodation, Return-To-Work, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and training. Tara’s speaking engagements have included the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and the Society of Human Resource Managers, and she has developed and delivered programming for 9 post-secondary institutions from coast to coast. Tara is a Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) and holds a master’s degree with a focus on critical human resource development.

Keitha Cowie is a Senior Project Analyst in the Portfolio Management Office at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and a been a member of the Public Service for 5 years. She currently represents Canada on the National Women’s Cloth Dodgeball team, and is an advocate for mental health, and inclusion in sport.

Keitha is also a yoga teacher who specializes in restorative practices with an emphasis on racialized voices and a Developmental Services Worker working with adults with exceptionalities and advocating for individual rights.

Adrienne advises unions and their members on issues related to collective bargaining, human rights, grievances, and disciplinary proceedings. In her employment practice, she assists clients with a variety of workplace issues, including human rights issues, unjust dismissals, negotiation of employment contracts, and workplace investigations.

Originally from Ottawa, Adrienne obtained both her undergraduate and law degree at Queen’s University. Her volunteer work was recognized in 2019, when she received the Brian Yealland Community Leadership Award for her work with marginalized youth.

Adrienne’s approach to her practice comes from her passion for helping people. She is an empathetic and dedicated advocate, who believes that law can be leveraged as a tool for creating a more equitable society. Adrienne has a deep understanding of the importance of creating and maintaining healthy workplaces and brings her expertise to her role as the co-Chair of Nelligan Law’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.

Mr. French is the President and CEO of the Canadian Initiative, based in Toronto, Canada. Within the mental health field, Mr. French has held many senior administrative and clinical positions within both the private and public sectors. Many of Canada’s leading organizations interested in the safety and wellbeing of their employees have retained him. Established in 1998, the Canadian Initiative is a consultancy that studies trends in workplace conduct within Canada. In addition, they research and catalogue the practices, which organizations and unions are employing to reduce the risk of workplace conflict.

The Canadian Initiative is committed to the sharing of this information with others who are interested in arriving at a better understanding of violence and harassment from a Canadian perspective and what we can do to prevent them. In addition, the Canadian Initiative works with employers to set policies and procedures, conduct organizational risk assessments, as well as, provide a wide range of educational programs for both employees and management. In addition, we conduct workplace investigations. The Canadian Initiative has been showcased on the CBC (The National), CITY TV, CTV, Global Television, within The National Post, Globe & Mail, Toronto Star, MacLean’s Magazine and multiple print dailies across Canada, as well as wide coverage on radio and trade publications, including Public Safety Canada’s Prevention Magazine.

In 2001, the Canadian Initiative partnered with the Federal Government in planning for the first North American conference on workplace violence as part of the North American Agreement on Labour Cooperation, including both United States and Mexico. Mr. French was invited to address the 9th Global Conference on Occupational Health and Safety sponsored in part by the World Health Organization held in Merida, Mexico where he tabled his most recent paper entitled “Towards a Global Standard for Workplace Conduct”. He has also been an invited speaker for such organizations as the American Federation of Labour, Osgoode Law School and the Canadian Human Rights Commission to name but a few.

Bibigi Haile founded The Beauvoir Group to give women the license to be Unapologetically Visible, make bold moves, and stop apologizing for what they want from their professional lives. As a sought-after keynote speaker and strategic advisor to women in leadership, Bibigi has rightfully owned spots on national stages sharing her approach to women’s visibility. When she isn’t on stage, she’s still speaking – her award winning, 5-star rated podcast. Speaking with Women invites women to share their experience in the modern workplace. Bibigi is also and especially the mother of a wise 8-year-old, third culture kid, podcast and book nerd, and a Crossfit enthusiast.

Brad Hallowell is a management-side labour and employment lawyer who represents both private and public sector employers on a wide range of labour and employment issues. His practice focuses on employment & labour, human rights, and education law. He acts for clients in matters regarding health and safety, union grievances, unfair labour practice complaints, collective bargaining, human rights applications, terminations, contracts and policies and employment starts. Brad frequently appears before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. Prior to joining KPMG Law, Brad practiced in the labour and employment group of a large full-service Canadian law firm.

Zaheer Lakhani is a partner at the boutique law firm Lakhani Campea LLP, which specializes in
employment law, workplace investigations and litigation services. Called to the Bar in 1998,
Zaheer advises and represents various sized employers as well as individuals in a variety of
areas such as human rights, including disability and accommodation; wrongful dismissal claims;
employment standards compliance and litigation, and general strategic HR advice.

Zaheer is frequently sought out to provide third party investigation services for various
employers including municipal clients, school boards, and Canadian Universities. In the spring
of 2020, his investigation involving the conduct of an elected school board trustee was
referenced in various news media including the Ottawa Citizen, CBC, Toronto Star and the
Globe and Mail.

Zaheer has also appeared as a guest on CBC Radio and Radio Canada to discuss
discrimination and toxic workplaces and he has delivered presentations on a variety of legal
updates on behalf of various chapters of the Human Resource Professionals Association
(HRPA), the HRPA’s annual conference, as well as the Ontario Municipal Human Resources
Association (OMHRA) Spring and Fall Conference.

Oliver is a lawyer and workplace investigator at Williams HR Law, where he practices in all areas of management-side labor, employment, and human rights law. Oliver provides legal advice to clients in all areas of labor, employment, and human rights law. He provides strategic advice to both unionized and non-union employers on a variety of issues, including employment agreements and policies, accommodation and disability management, terminations, occupational health and safety, wrongful dismissal and constructive dismissal litigation, collective bargaining, and workplace investigations and reviews. Oliver has provided advice to organizations in a wide range of industries, including non-for-profit, financial services, professional services, manufacturing, information technology and hospitality.

Melissa Mustafa is an associate lawyer at Lakhani Campea LLP, a boutique law firm located in Oakville, Ontario which specializes in employment law, workplace investigations and litigation services. Melissa’s practice includes wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights applications, advising on termination packages, drafting employment agreements, workplace investigations and human resources training, labor disputes and collective bargaining.

Originally from Australia, Melissa relocated to Canada in 2014 after completing her law degree and articling at a full-service firm in Sydney. Melissa was called to the Ontario Bar in June 2017. Melissa is an active volunteer with Lawyers Feed the Hungry, Pro Bono Ontario’s Free Legal Advice Hotline and South Asian Women in Law. She is also a mentor with TMU’s Law Practice Program. Melissa has spoken about and delivered training on various employment law topics.

Diane Rudakenga is a highly skilled professional in advancing mental health, neurodiversity, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) within the workplace. Currently, she serves as a Senior Human Resources Advisor in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Diane holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychoeducation and Psychology and a degree in Human Resources Management, and she is an ICF-certified Applied Positive Psychology Practitioner.

Her career spans over fifteen years, during which she has been fervently engaged in mental health advocacy, disability management, and promoting organizational health and wellness. Beyond her professional pursuits, Diane is committed to social advancement, as evidenced by her extensive volunteer efforts with various non-profit organizations. As a Black, African-Canadian cisgender woman, a neurodivergent individual and mother, her powerful advocacy for intersectionality lends a distinct and authentic perspective to her work.

Diane is the founder of Rudakenga Solutions, a dynamic platform that embodies her human-centric leadership approach. This platform is committed to enhancing workplace environments by prioritizing mental health, neurodiversity and overall well-being. It aligns with Diane’s mission to cultivate spaces where diversity is not only celebrated but integral to the success and growth of every individual. Diane’s combination of lived experience and academic expertise solidifies her role as a leading and transformative voice in the realm of workplace wellness.

Richard Sharpe is currently the director of the Black Equity Branch, Treasury Board Secretariat with the Ontario government. The branch is one of the very first branches across Canada solely dedicated to eliminating anti-Black racism and removing systemic barriers facing Black employees within a provincial government.

With more than 30 years as a human rights advocate, both at the community and institutional levels, Richard has extensive experience in the Black equity space. In 2017, he co-founded the first Black employee network in the federal government, the Federal Black Employee Caucus, to tackle anti-Black racism in that institution. From 2020-2022, he held the position of director of equity, anti-racism, diversity and inclusion at the Department of Justice Canada where he spearheaded department and enterprise-wide initiatives to address long-standing discriminatory practices in the federal government.

Richard has been involved in leading initiatives to realize the objectives of the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, including securing government support for Black Economic Inclusion initiatives and being part of Black community efforts to create the National Institute for People of African Descent. In December 2022, he was part of the Canadian civil society delegation at the United Nations Permanent Forum for People of African Descent. Richard is a sought-after speaker for his frank commentary on systemic racism, anti-Black racism and allyship, and for his concrete solutions for action and results. His opinion pieces have been published in the Ottawa Citizen and LinkedIn.

Joel is a partner with Williams HR Law, where he practices management side labor, employment and human rights law. He provides legal and strategic advice and training to both unionized and non- unionized employers in all areas of labor 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 labor & employment law and human resources publications, including Canadian Employment Law Today, HR Reporter and HR Professional magazine.

Robert Zhu is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion specialist with extensive experience in driving cultural changes and managing diverse teams. He is currently the Director of Outreach, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Liberal Research Bureau of the House of Commons. In this role, he supports the well-being of political staffers in federal ministers’ offices and Liberal MP offices, as well as supporting Liberal Members of Parliament’s work in building a more diverse, more equitable, and more inclusive Canada.