
Toronto CHRO Community
Executive Summit
December 12, 2024 | Chelsea Hotel
December 12, 2024
Chelsea Hotel
Collaborate with your peers
Get together with Toronto's top CHROs to tackle shared business challenges and critical priorities facing your role today. Participate in this one-day, local program with peer-driven topics and interactive discussions with your true C-level peers.
Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CHROs today:
Developing Next-generation Leaders Who Thrive in Times of Change
Reshaping a Corporate Culture that Exemplifies Efficiency and Resiliency
Delivering a Meaningful and Engaging Employee Experience to Improve Overall Performance
Toronto CHRO Governing Body
The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the summit agenda, ensuring that all content is driven By CHROs, For CHROs®.
Governing Body Co-Chairs

Sonia Boyle
Gore Mutual Insurance Co.
Chief People Officer

Barb Keenan
Liquor Control Board of Ontario
Chief People Officer

Frank Monteleone
Rexall
SVP & Chief People Officer

Brigid Pelino
Definity Financial
Chief People and Culture Officer

Norm Sabapathy
Cadillac Fairview
Executive Vice President, People
What to Expect
Agenda
7:45am - 8:30am Registration & Breakfast
8:30am - 9:15am Keynote
You Speak, They Swarm — The Power of Story in Reaching Your Audience

Arthur Zards
Thought Leader, TED/TEDx Speaker, Coach & Producer
Guest Speaker
"Those who tell the stories rule society." (Plato) Busy executives don’t have time to learn complex communication models or esoteric storytelling processes — you need a simple, effective framework that can help you not only connect with any audience, but also elicit real change. Enter the SWARM™ Effect.
Join this session with Arthur Zards — an expert on storytelling, TEDster and provocateur — to:
- Hone your skills in executive influence
- Adopt a more authentic and engaging approach to speaking
- Take your next presentation from “understandable” to “compelling”
9:15am - 9:40am Networking Break
9:40am - 10:25am Breakout Session
Total Rewards Revisited — A New Approach to Elevating the Employee Experience
Hosted by O.C. Tanner

Ryan Jensen
Workplace Culture Strategist
O.C. Tanner
Organizations everywhere have used Total Rewards programs to attract and retain talent by offering a buffet of benefits to highlight the investment they make in their people. Yet despite these efforts, research shows that workers feel these strategies often fail, not only in addressing their most important needs, but in enhancing their overall employee experience. This session will unveil the latest insights from the 2025 Global Culture Report and foster discussion to help you redefine your Total Rewards programs and provide the right mix of offerings to better communicate authentic care.
Join this session to discuss:
- Why employee-centered care must be at the core of Total Rewards strategies that align with what matters most to employees
- Why recognition done well throughout an organization can make a difference in fostering positive mental health practices
- How organizations can approach employee job transitions with the same care and attention given to new hires
9:40am - 10:25am Executive Boardroom
Putting a New Focus on Financial Wellness
Hosted by Venngo Inc

Sally Benn
SVP Group Customers
Venngo Inc

Alicia DeFreitas
Global Head of People & Culture
BDO

Stephen Fletcher
CHRO
Canada Cartage

Suehlan Yu
CHRO
Accenture Canada
Employees are placing greater importance on financial benefits amid the economic uncertainty of the past several years. CHROs who align their total rewards offerings to workforce needs can move the needle on employee engagement while remaining competitive within the market.
Join this session to discuss how to:
- Deliver meaningful financial benefits to support holistic well-being
- Improve the employee experience and boost adoption
- Measure the effectiveness of total rewards offerings
9:40am - 10:25am Executive Boardroom
Where Do I Fit In? Creating Belonging at Work

Mark Edgar
Chief People Officer
Wajax

Nicole Lichowit
Vice President, Head of Human Resources
Alamos Gold Inc.
CEOs recently rated culture, engagement and morale as their top concern in a Gartner executive survey. CHROs have the opportunity to improve employee job satisfaction, mental health, productivity and lower burnout by making employees feel they belong.
In this boardroom, HR leaders will discuss:
- Identifying the framework to create models of belonging
- Establishing metrics and goals to help retention through sense of purpose
- Creating a culture that positively impacts employees
10:25am - 11:05am Networking Break
10:30am - 10:55am Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Evanta’s Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.
11:05am - 11:50am Breakout Session
Keeping Culture Central During Disruption

Michael Nigro
Director, Accessibility
Liquor Control Board of Ontario
According to Gartner, only one in four employees feel connected to their company culture, posing a significant challenge during times of disruption. LCBO has worked diligently to establish a strong purpose-driven, accountable and inclusive culture, which was tested during the organization’s first strike in history.
Join this session for a case study in:
- Developing a purpose-driven culture to align actions to values
- Proactively preparing for disruption
- Incorporating lessons learned to rebuild trust
11:05am - 11:50am Executive Boardroom
Futureproofing Skillsets with Strategic Planning

Maura Dyer
SVP, People & Culture
Neighbourly Pharmacy

Elizabeth McSavaney
VP, Head of HR Canada & North America HR Transformation
Zurich Insurance

Margaret Wu
EVP, Corporate Operations
Brookfield Residential
A Gartner study found 33% of the skills needed in an average job posting from 2019 are no longer necessary in 2024. As job responsibilities continue to evolve, CHROs must anticipate the versatility of future skillsets. Shifting from a tactical short term approach to a strategic long term plan can set the workforce up for success.
Join this session to discuss:
- Planning for challenges that result in talent gaps
- Anticipating evolving job responsibilities
- Implementing a formal development program aimed at future skills
11:05am - 11:50am Executive Boardroom
Filling in the Gaps for Stronger Leadership

Erin Gordon
Vice President HR
Lindt & Sprungli (Canada), Inc.

Matt Snyder
SVP & CHRO
SE Health
A Gartner survey finds only 34% of HR executives are satisfied with the quality of senior leaders within their organization. Even fewer are confident they have emerging leaders to meet future needs.
In this session, CHROs will discuss:
- Identifying key leadership capability gaps
- Building foundational skills and behaviors at all levels of your organization
- Integrating time for learning amid competing priorities
11:50am - 12:35pm Lunch Service
Apply to Participate
Apply to participate in the Toronto CHRO Community Executive Summit.
Gartner facilitates exclusive, C-level communities by personally qualifying and understanding the priorities, challenges and interests of each member.
Our selective approach maintains the high quality of the network and ensures top-level discussions with peers from the world’s leading organizations.
Each application will be reviewed, and once your participation is confirmed, you will have access to year-round community programs.
Location
Venue & Accommodation
Chelsea HotelParking:
Underground parking garage - Rates below
- $39 per night plus taxes, unlimited in and out privileges
- Non-Guest Overnight Parking: $44 per night plus taxes
- Non-Guest Rate/Hour: $3 per hour plus taxes
- Daily Parking Rate: $15 (6am - 6pm)
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Chelsea Hotel at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling 1-800-243-5732. Please mention Evanta CHRO Executive Summit to ensure the appropriate room rate.
Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $189 CAD (plus tax) is November 18, 2024.
Community Program Manager
For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.