Meet the Conference Facilitators
KEYNOTE: Creating Accessible Training
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Silvia Buchanan
Government of Manitoba
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Silvia has worked for the Department of Families, Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) since 2009. She has served as the EIA Provincial Orientation and Training Specialist since 2015, having been an EIA Counsellor prior to taking on this role. Silvia has been in various training roles for the past 28 years with corporate, union, private, non-profit, municipal and provincial governments - instructing on technical and soft skills. Her education includes studies in areas of psychology, sociology and applied counselling at University of Manitoba and electronic engineering technology at Red River College. Silvia is currently working through the Program Development for Adult Learners (PDAL) program with Extended Education at University of Manitoba.
Pam Grahame
Shop Floor Leadership
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Pam excels in driving customer-focused outcomes and fostering collaborative environments. As a skilled facilitator and negotiator, she empowers individuals to engage in meaningful dialogue and unlock their full potential. At the helm of Shop Floor Leadership, Pam employs a hands-on approach to guide teams through challenging situations, ensuring they emerge successful and resilient. Pam is a ICF Certified Coach, PROSCI Change Management Facilitator, Bikablo Graphic Facilitator and Green/Yellow Belt Lean Facilitator. Pam has 25 years experience in the steel industry and is a leader driving business development, revenue growth optimization and customer satisfaction.
Cate Friesen
The Story Source
Cate knows the power of a story. Whether you are building trust, convincing someone to take action with you, grounding yourself, or sparking a vision for change in your world, Cate can help you move your work forward. As the driving force behind The Story Source, she brings together 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur, story strategist, award-winning CBC producer, documentary maker, performer, and certified facilitator. Cate offers customized workshops, interactive presentations, strategic assessments, and story coaching for leaders, entrepreneurs, non-profits, and businesses.
Linda Drosdowech
Linda Drosdowech Coaching
Linda is an Executive Coach dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders to unlock their full potential. She guides her clients from Canada, US, and Europe in 1:1 coaching or group training, to see beyond their own blocks and take steps to realizing their dreams. She believes it is possible to create new habits, routines, and beliefs at any stage of life. Her down to earth approach blends practical strategies, actionable steps and humour, with deep introspection to create lasting transformation. Linda is passionate about helping clients develop their unique voice and message, and stand in the spotlight in their marketing, in writing, and on stage. In other words: to be seen, heard, and take up space!
Louise Neil
Pivoting Point Career Solutions
Louise is a seasoned career and leadership coach, known for her expertise in empowering professionals to navigate career transitions and find fulfillment in their work. With over two decades of experience in corporate continuous improvement, business improvement, IT, and project management, Louise brings a wealth of practical knowledge to her coaching practice. As the founder of Pivoting Point Career Solutions, Louise is dedicated to helping individuals uncover their unique strengths and values, and align their careers with their passions and aspirations. She is also the co-host of the Kickass Career Conversations podcast, where she shares insights and strategies for thriving in today's ever-evolving work landscape.
Lindsay Craig
Manitoba Hydro​
Lindsay has 12 years of experience in the wonderful world of learning and development and is currently the Work Management Learning Lead with Hydro. Certified as a Virtual Instructor Led Trainer in 2013, she specializes in building and facilitating eLearning programs, focusing on and promoting diversified learning programs in all formats to meet learning objectives for today's workplace. She is the owner of two teen offspring, a very cute dog, and a just-ok cat.
Jessica Charney
Birchwood Automotive Group
Jessica has worked in the educational industry for 16 years in EAL, Post-Secondary and now as a member of the Learning & Development team with Birchwood. She's earned a Bachelor Business Administration (BBA), an Artificial Intelligence Micro-Certificate and is wrapping up her Program Development for Adult Learners (PDAL) Certificate with the University of Manitoba. Jessica enjoys creating innovative, engaging, and fun solutions. She loves the outdoors, especially camping and hiking with the whole family, including the dog.
Sarah Haile
Birchwood Automotive Group
Sarah has been working in Learning & Development for over five years in a variety of environments, and is currently a Learning & Development Specialist with Birchwood. She is currently enrolled in the Program Development for Adult Learners program at the University of Manitoba - Extended Education. In her free time, Sarah likes to be creative and active with her dog!
Shelley Malo
Western Canada Lottery Corp.
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Shelley is a senior leader in Organizational Development, Internal Communications, Adult Education and Leadership Development. She is currently the Director, Organizational Culture and Change at WCLC where she is thriving! At WCLC, Shelley and her team manage Learning and Development for the organization, developing content and sourcing external vendors. She feels privileged to develop and facilitate workshops for team and individual development. As a Métis woman, she is particularly proud of the high attendance and positive response to the Indigenous Cultural Awareness workshops she developed and facilitated last year. A lifelong learner, Shelley has obtained certificates in Adult Education, Organization Development and Change, and is a Certified Leadership Coach, Certified Lego Serious Play Facilitator, and is EQ-I 2.0 and EQ 360 Certified.
Stefanie Pielahn
Wpg Regional Health Authority
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Stephanie began her career in tech support over 20 years ago. She always had an eye on training, so it was a natural progression from tech support to implementation roles. Stephanie is self-taught and for the last 10 years has focused exclusively on education and instructional design, broadening her material from teaching technology to creating courses on a range of subjects in staff and leadership development, in close consultation with subject matter experts.
MaryAnn Kempe
Birchwood Automotive Group
MaryAnn is the Chief Human Resources Officer with Birchwood. She has over 30 years experience, holding executive and senior roles in both public and private industries. She teaches part-time at the Universities of Manitoba and Winnipeg. MaryAnn has a passion for continuous learning and holds multiple degrees in psychology, human resources, business, and adult education. She is a certified executive coach, and an MBA. MaryAnn holds the highest level of professional certification in Human Resources - Fellow Certified Human Resources Professional (FCHR) and is a past president of the CPHR Association. MaryAnn is passionate about her community, serving on the United Way cabinet and having held various board positions.
Jennifer Montebruno
University of Manitoba
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Jennifer is a Program Instructor and Organizational Specialist with over 15 years of program leadership, training and education in various areas of individual, organizational, and community development. Jennifer held roles at the Canadian Red Cross, the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg and the United Way of Winnipeg prior to joining the University of Manitoba as a Human Resources Specialist. She is currently serving the UM community as EDI Officer - Human Resources, where she supports university-wide initiatives focused on dismantling barriers and building belonging into workplace practices, policies, and culture. Jennifer is a board member of IRCOM (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba) and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and Management Certificate from the University of Winnipeg.
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Lisa Salvador
Designer Learning
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Lisa founded Designer Learning, fueled by her fervent dedication to crafting impactful learning experiences. With a background in Human Resources, she specializes in Training and Development, channeling her expertise to offer top-notch services and foster enduring client connections.
While her forte lies in eLearning development, Lisa is adept at curating and delivering face-to-face programs. Notably, she excels in implementing the globally renowned methodologies of SDI: Core Strengths, emphasizing team dynamics and nurturing relationship intelligence. Personally invested in every project, Lisa ensures her clients receive tailored solutions that exceed expectations.
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Valerie McInnes
Rare Leadership
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Valerie is a leader, facilitator, and entrepreneur with over 35 years in the education sector, including experience in the K-12 and post-secondary systems. Over half of her career has been focused on education, training and development within Indigenous communities of Manitoba. Valerie enjoys working with corporations and organizations in the creation and implementation of personal and professional capacity development initiatives, as well as strategic development through an Appreciative Inquiry lens. Valerie has recently stretched her entrepreneurial wings with the opening of a coffee shop/flower shop in Dauphin, with her business partner. Along with her husband, David, Valerie took over operation of a local pet boarding business last summer. They continue to grow their consulting business, Rare Leadership.
Our hosts for the day!
Jackie Desrochers
Desrochers Training Solutions
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Jackie is a fun and energetic facilitator with over 25 years experience in Learning & Development. She enjoys creating meaningful connections between participants by crafting team building activities that make a difference.
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Anita Holtman
Skip the Dishes
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As Training & Development Manager, Anita is a partner in developing training plans and strategies to elevate the Canadian Skip Sales and Sales Support Teams.
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