“It was excellent”. “Best conference I have attended”. “Theme and speakers were very relevant”. “Everything was well prepared and very professionally ran”. “Great”. “The executive committee was outstanding! The Key-Note speakers were fantastic! OVERALL it was great”.
These are selected comments from excited participants from the 63rd Western Cities HR Conference which took place on October 2-5, 2018, at the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge, Alberta.
Public Sector HR Professionals understand there are some HR challenges that are unique to the HR profession. That is why Western Cities Conference gets HR professionals together every year to share and build their Community.
The Western Cities HR Conference brings together municipal and public sector Human Resource professionals from all over Western Canada. The Western Cities group has a long-standing history of connecting – starting out as an informal annual meeting of compensation and labour relations professionals, morphing into a full conference several decades ago. In fact, this is the 63rd gathering of this group on October 2-5, 2018.
The excited conference participants keeps sharing, “This was an amazing conference. It exceeded my expectations”.
“Every speaker had me engaged in the material, which is something I appreciate very much”.
“The location was beautiful and worthwhile. A huge thank you goes to the planning committee of the event”.
“So much attention to detail. I didn’t have to worry about a thing other than absorbing all of the relevant and important information that was provided. I will definitely be back next year”.
“Thank you so much for a wonderful conference! I loved it and would recommend it to anyone. Already looking forward to next year!”.
Explains Dawn McCoy, Conference Chair, “Despite the record 60 cm snowfalls, public sector Human Resources leaders from all over Western Canada battled the roads to Kananaskis, Alberta to attend the 63rd Western Cities HR Conference. The conference was a huge success, providing professional development as well as opportunities for municipal government delegates to network and share experiences. Due to the nature of their positions, HR professionals are often isolated in organizations, and conferences such as Western Cities allow us to connect annually with our peers, share information and compare experiences unique to the public sector”. The next conference will probably take place in Kelowna on October 2-5, 2019. Participants were happy with the lineup of fantastic speakers, so I thought I should share the lineup with you:
Session Speakers
Allan Kehler
October 4th
11:00am – 12:10pm (Breakout Session 5 – Gold Room))
Goodbye Stress. Hello Life!
1:15pm – 2:25pm (Breakout Session 6 – Gold Room))
Goodbye Stress. Hello Life!
Allan’s mission is to empower his audience to live opposed to merely exist. Allan spent a significant amount of his life persevering through mental health issues and addictions. These experiences have taught him valuable life lessons that have guided him on an incredible path of success. As a professional speaker, Allan has gained national attention for his engaging style and captivating approach. Drawing from personal and professional experiences, Allan demonstrates how to create a safe, compassionate, and supportive environment that proactively addresses issues of wellness. He effectively speaks to these sensitive issues using humour, compassion, and authenticity. Allan has spent years working as an addictions counsellor, clinical case manager, and instructor at several colleges. His genuine appreciation and passion for the First Nations culture led Allan to the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies where he has spent the past seven years instructing the Addictions and Mental Health & Wellness program. Allan is a best-selling author of three books, with Stepping Out from the Shadows: A Guide to Understanding & Healing from Addictions, being incorporated into college curricula. Allan’s writing has been published in countless national magazines, and he has also been featured on several television and radio programs. Allan currently lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan with his beautiful wife, four boys, two dogs, and cat ‘Hank the Tank’.
Brenda Robinson
October 4th
11:00am – 12:10pm (Breakout Session 5 – Bronze Room))
The Intergenerational Workplace
1:15pm – 2:25pm (Breakout Session 6 – Bronze Room))
The Intergenerational Workplace
Brenda is a speaker, trainer, writer and consultant. She is the founder and president of The Robcan Group. Her Bachelor of Arts was earned at Brandon University and her Masters of Education at Simon Fraser University. She has been addressing groups for over thirty years about communications, humour, laughter, positive working skills and wellness in general. Her workshops and presentations are in high demand. She has authored four books and created an Audio CD set to help people to develop these skills. Brenda grew up on a farm close to Minnedosa, Manitoba and continues to stay connected to her family there. She now lives in Sherwood Park, Alberta where she and her husband, Len have their training and development business. Brenda and Len have five children and nine grandchildren. Brenda believes that we are on a life-long learning journey. It should be enriching, exciting, interesting and above all, it should be fun!
Courtney Cliff
October 3rd
3:55pm – 5:05pm (Breakout Session 4- Gold Room)
Creating Safer Spaces for LGBTQ People
Courtney Cliff is a Community Educator for the Pride Centre of Edmonton. She is passionate about human rights and gender and sexual orientation diversity. To her workshops Courtney brings nearly ten years of experience working with and for the LGBTQ Community in Edmonton and surrounding municipalities. Courtney has worked in many areas of human services that overlap with the LBGTQ community, finding her home in community education. Courtney believes in the impact and importance inclusion education communities. Courtney would describe herself as an expert tea drinker and a reality TV enthusiast.
Darel Baker
October 3rd
2:35pm – 3:45pm (Breakout Session 3 – Gold Room)
Productive Conflict: It is a Real Thing!
Darel Baker is a 4th generation Albertan. Darel has worked in leadership positions in the Public, Not for Profit and Private prior to co – founding Keldar Leadership in 2003. An active Rotarian and someone who truly enjoys others growing and developing, Darel interacts with hundreds of leaders annually through all areas of his life. Darel is married to his business partner Kelly and has two grown daughters who are both going about making the world a better place. Darel enjoys travel and getting outside in his spare time for some hiking in the summer and some downhill skiing in the winter. Keldar Leadership was formed to help companies and organizations become more productive. The focus is 100% on selecting and developing the very best people for each position so that they can reach their potential in a rewarding and positive environment.
Rob St. Denis
October 4th
2:50pm – 4:00pm (Breakout Session 7 – Silver Room)
First Nations Employee Recruitment
Rob S.t Denis is a Treaty Status Indian and registered member of Beardy’s & Okemasis First Nation in Treaty 6. In October 2002, Rob St. Denis started working with Community Futures Treaty Seven as the Youth Labour Market Consultant. He started his academic journey as a student-athlete in Brandon University & SAIT with men’s basketball programs. Rob has completed a Bachelors of Management degree with a major in Human Resources & Labour Relations from the University of Lethbridge. Rob’s next education goal is to complete a Masters degree in Public Policy. During Rob’s 16 years in First Nations labour market development he has put in time with Service Canada’s National Performance Measurement Committee and presented on best practices for Youth projects at regional and national conferences. In February 2018 Rob was featured in a Globe & Mail career story titled “Boosting Indigenous Employee Retention in the workforce”. As an employee of CFT7 Rob is dedicated to increasing employment opportunities for First Nations people. His primary work-related goal with CFT7 is “to increase the percentage of First Nations youth that finalize a career choice before the age of 18”. When he is not busy with work he is happily married to his wife, Candace for 16 years and together raise their two children Kovey & Audey. And with his wife’s patience almost completely exhausted he is also coaching basketball in Tsuut’ina nation twice a week.
Debra deWaal
October 4th
11:00am – 12:10pm (Breakout Session 5 – Silver Room))
Mental Toughness
1:15pm – 2:25pm (Breakout Session 6 – Silver Room))
Mental Toughness
Debra has a vision that demands ongoing personal and professional development and an innovative approach to providing her professional services. A respected entrepreneur and self-starter, Debra is a skilled facilitator, speaker, and experiential trainer. Debra’s areas of experience are in safety training, dealing with difficult people, mental toughness/resiliency and personal performance coaching. Her sojourn into safety, leadership training and people development began as a Police Officer in 1989. Debra started the journey by working as a Constable with the Calgary Police Service in numerous team environments. In 1998 Debra established Safe & Sound Safety Training & Consulting Ltd. Her Calgary based company provides innovative speaking, training and development for the general public as well as corporations throughout Canada. Also, in 1996 while still a Police Officer, Debra simultaneously began her journey into team training, working with a variety of organizations and other consultants. In 1998, she left the Calgary Police Service and shifted her focus to full time operations of Safe & Sound. Debra has been a professional member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers as well as the National Speaker Association since 2004 and is a Certified Performance Coach through Corporate Performance Coaching. Debra is also a licensed Private Investigator in the Province of Alberta.
Evangeline Berube
October 4th
2:50pm – 4:00pm (Breakout Session 7 – Bronze Room)
It’s Time We All Work Happy.TM The Secrets of the Happiest Companies and Employees
Evangeline Berube is a Branch Manager for Robert Half, the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm. She works closely with clients to assess and manage their staffing needs and is very involved in networking and professional associations across the Edmonton area. In the ten years that Evangeline has worked within the recruitment industry, she has witnessed all phases of the job market cycle first hand. She is thoroughly familiar with the staffing skills that are currently in demand and is an expert in employment trends within the accounting field. Prior to joining RHI, Evangeline worked as an Internal Auditor with an Alberta based company. Evangeline graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree and is actively involved in professional associations and not for profits. Furthermore, Evangeline has assisted numerous professionals in taking their careers to the next level.
Faith Wood
October 4th
9:30am – 10:30am (Keynote – Gold Room))
From Stress to Resilience: Developing the Gift of Mental Toughness
11:00am – 12:10pm (Breakout Session 5 – Sinclair/Palliser Room))
The Intergenerational Workplace
One of the leading language and persuasion mavens, Faith Wood is an award-winning novelist as well as a communication and conflict consultant. Her captivating style of keynotes and workshop trainings have compelled audiences to “wake up and act” for the better part of 13 years. A former Peace Officer, Faith has front line experience with the power of persuasion. Weaving expert story telling with her alluring use of neuroscience, she has been invited to provide practical communication and influence strategies for government, associations and entrepreneurial organizations in over 7 countries. She is the author of 7 outstanding books on the power of interpersonal influence including the Colbie Colleen Suspense Series which gives readers a chance to peer through the eyes of a behavioral profiler. To learn more about Faith, visit her at www.imind.ca
Frankline Agbor
October 3rd
2:35pm – 3:45pm (Breakout Session 3 – Sinclair/Palliser Room)
How to Make Diversity and Inclusion a Comparative Advantage in Your Hiring Process
Frankline Agbor is an Environmental Engineer by trade and an “opportunistic creator” by design. He is passionate about sustainability and started a company called Green Crusader Inc. in 2010 to foster sustainability in Alberta; community, business and planet. His community side of things has generated writing over 1000 articles that featured through a multi-media platform called Diversity Magazine, that has evolved into Diversity Awards, Afro Fest YEG, Diversity TV and most recently, a 10,000 square feet Diversity Centre. Frankline has won numerous awards for his work including Alberta Avenue’s 2016 Business Recognition Award, ERIEC’s 2016 Partnership Award, NBCC Award, and most recently, Multicultural Education Award. His Diversity Magazine has been showcased on City TV, CBC Edmonton, Edmonton Journal and Edmonton Sun, Global TV, CTV, News Talk 770, and World FM. He was profiled in; 50 Years of Impact: A Biographical Dictionary of Canadians of Cameroon Origin, produced by the Cameroon High Commission in Ottawa.
Jean Torrens
October 3rd
10:45am – 11:55am (Breakout Session 1 – Bronze Room))
Accommodating Mental Health Conditions: Options and Pitfalls
1:00pm – 2:10pm (Breakout Session 2 – Bronze Room))
Accommodating Mental Health Conditions: Options and Pitfalls
Jean Torrens is a partner at MLT Aikins LLP where she has extensive experience acting for management. She has appeared as counsel before courts, arbitrators, labour relations boards, human rights and health and safety tribunals. Jean conducts collective bargaining for employers and advises clients on collective agreement administration, group terminations, discipline, the duty to accommodate, OH&S matters, harassment investigations, employment agreements and policies. She is a regular presenter at conferences on a variety of labour and employment related topics including mental health accommodations and marijuana in the workplace. She was a sessional lecturer at the College of Law, University of Saskatchewan.
Joanne Leskow
October 3rd
2:35pm – 3:45pm (Breakout Session 3 – Silver Room)
Change Management vs Change Leadership: A New Approach for Better Outcomes
3:55pm – 5:05pm (Breakout Session 4 – Silver Room)
Change Management vs Change Leadership: A New Approach for Better Outcomes
Joanne is both a student and champion of corporate culture, transformational change, strategy, and authentic leadership. She is privileged to contribute award-winning expertise to organizations across North America. Her most profound inspiration and insights came from a decade of entrepreneurship and another decade spent defining, evolving and sustaining the legendary corporate culture at WestJet Airlines. With unprecedented growth and expansion, change was definitely a constant and getting it right mission-critical. Joanne has also led innovation and transformation in law-enforcement training, courtroom representation, legal services marketing, and creating culture-propelling workspaces. A dynamic and sought-after consultant, teacher and speaker, her greatest reward is witnessing people and organizations change and grow together. Mount Royal University has honoured Joanne with a Distinguished Teaching Award for her contributions in leadership, culture, strategy, and change.
Joyce Mitchell
October 4th
1:15pm – 2:25pm (Breakout Session 6 – Sinclair/Palliser Room))
Managing Harassment in the Current #MeToo Era: Pitfalls and Risks
2:50pm – 4:00pm (Breakout Session 7 – Sinclair/Palliser Room))
Managing Harassment in the Current #MeToo Era: Pitfalls and Risks
Joyce is a partner in McLennan Ross’s Calgary office and a member of the Labour & Employment Practice Group. She has an extensive background representing management-side clients on a wide range of labour and employment matters including collective agreement interpretation issues, defence of grievances and wrongful dismissal claims, collective bargaining, disability management, and duty to accommodate issues. She also assists clients in the development and implementation of employment, harassment, whistleblower and discipline policies. Joyce conducts harassment investigations on behalf of clients as well as acting as an independent investigator Joyce represents clients before the courts and administrative tribunals including grievance arbitration panels and human rights panels She is a frequent writer and speaker on human rights, labour relations and employment matters, particularly with respect to harassment issues and the employer’s duty to accommodate.
Julien Lepage
October 4th
4:10pm – 5:15pm (Breakout Session 8 – Gold Room)
Circles of Rhythm
Julien Lepage, Certified Integrated Community Drum Circle (ICDC) Facilitator & Trainer, Registered Social Worker, Owner of Circles of Rhythm, and an inspirational speaker describes his passion as ‘being of service’ and ‘seeing people thrive not just survive’. With over 10 years supporting adults who experience life with a chronic and persistent mental illness or addiction, Julien has found a way to combine his passion as a professional musician and social worker within the health care system & private corporate world. Lepage continues to be the mobilizing force behind training & mentoring capable ICDC Facilitators across North America. At its foundation, Julien offers a weekly ICDC in Calgary, AB where over 120 participants gather each week to drum in community. Julien uses the ICDC to ignite the spirit of its participants, building an inclusive community no matter your level of ability, cultural background, sexual orientation, spiritual beliefs, and walk of life! Nominated for CTV’s Inspiring Albertans, Julien authentically leads others with passion for building meaningful communities across Western Canada via Circles of Rhythm through the ICDC. Come and experience the definition of a wholistic approach to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness through this innovative modality, the Integrated Community Drum Circle.
Karman Gill
October 4th
2:50pm – 4:00pm (Breakout Session 7 – Gold Room))
Mapping Out Your HR Tech for a Better Employee Experience
Karman joined the Avanti team in the spring of 2015 as an Implementation Specialist. Coming from a Human Resources background to help organizations implement Avanti nationally for 3 years, his areas of expertise within the software include HR, Recruitment & Onboarding, & Web Self Services. As an HR Practitioner he is passionate about HR tech and how it can be used to improve efficiency and streamline manual processes. In his time with Avanti’s Implementation team, he has led 15 different implementations and worked with 5 different Western Canadian municipalities.
Kevin Ames
October 3th
9:15am – 10:15am (Keynote – Gold Room)
Influence Greatness
10:45am – 11:55am (Breakout Session 1 – Gold Room)
Re-Examining Culture Through Leadership
1:00pm – 2:10pm (Breakout Session 2 – Gold Room)
Re-Examining Culture Through Leadership
With a mission to instill in others a passion for personal and professional excellence, Kevin Ames is an author, a world-renowned speaker, Master Appreciatologist, and Director of the O.C. Tanner Institute.
Margo Talbot
October 5th
9:00am – 10:00am (Group Session – Gold Room)
The Vitality Spectrum: Moving the Needle on Mental Wellness
Margo Talbot is a writer, speaker and climber based in Canmore Alberta. Her twin goals are to visit the remaining wilderness of the planet while sharing her story of healing and redemption. A sponsored athlete with Outdoor Research, her travels have taken her from the High Arctic to Antarctica, and the mountain ranges in between. As a keynote speaker, Margo has given presentations of her adventures in Canada, the United States, and Australia. She is the author of All That Glitters, A Climber’s Journey Through Addiction and Depression, and the creator of The Vitality Spectrum, an essential tool for both recovery and optimal mental health as outlined in her 2013 TEDx talk.
Matthew Woodley
October 3rd
10:45am – 11:55am (Breakout Session 1 – Sinclair/Palliser Room))
Social Media and the Workplace: New Realities
1:00pm – 2:10pm (Breakout Session 2 – Sinclair/Palliser Room))
Social Media and the Workplace: New Realities
Matthew Woodley was called to the Bar in Alberta in 2004, and is also a member of the Northwest Territories and Yukon bars. A Partner with Reynolds Mirth Richards & Farmer LLP, Matt’s primary areas of practice are in workplace, administrative and constitutional law. Matt graduated with his law degree from the University of Alberta in 2003, and with a Masters in Laws from the University of New South Wales in 2009. Matt advises a wide range of organizations including employers, print and broadcast media organizations, post-secondary institutions, municipalities and professional regulatory bodies. He has acted as counsel in Alberta, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan and at the Supreme Court of Canada. Matt clerked with the Alberta Court of Appeal and Court of Queen’s Bench before articling with RMRF. Matt taught Communications Law at MacEwan University for 10 years, and provides pro-bono services to the Edmonton Community Legal Centre and the Civil Claims Duty Counsel Project.
Michelle Cederberg
October 3rd
2:35pm – 3:45pm (Breakout Session 3 – Bronze Room)
The Success-Energy Equation: How to Win Big at Work and Still Have a Life
3:55pm – 5:05pm (Breakout Session 4 – Bronze Room)
The Success-Energy Equation: How to Win Big at Work and Still Have a Life
Health and Productivity Expert Michelle Cederberg galvanizes people to blaze their own path and live a bigger life. An in-demand speaker, author, health expert, coach and consultant, she helps individuals and organizations break through the physical and emotional barriers that get in the way of high-performance – in business and in life. She holds a Masters in Kinesiology, a BA in Psychology, a specialization in Health and Exercise Psychology, is a Certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP), a Certified Professional Co-Active Life Coach (CPCC) and an ORSC Trained Team Coach. She combines mind, body, and practicality to inspire change! A natural storyteller, Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) Michelle transports delighted audiences on a journey of truth and laughter that will empower them to optimize health and energy habits, find better work-life balance and gain momentum toward the personal legacy they long to create.
Michelle Devlin
October 2nd
1:00pm – 4:00pm (Pre-Conference Workshop Presenter #2 – Champion Room)
How HR professionals can help create a Culture of Respect in your workplace
Engage, inspire, develop; a few words used by clients to describe Michelle’s approach to leadership. Michelle offers customized programs supporting corporate culture and leadership development. Michelle specializes in developing fundamental leadership skills and Workplace Respect, just to name a few. She is an accomplished facilitator, speaker and workshop leader who is passionate about fostering and building leadership skills within organizations. Clients admire her enthusiasm and energy. Her client base is diverse ranging from not for profit organizations, municipalities and towns to working with leaders in mid-size to large organizations. Her focus for Workplace Respect has primarily been with industrial and construction clients, however over the past 15 years she has also had the opportunity to work with the education, public, health and energy sectors. Michelle is passionate about serving her community and volunteers her time with the Children’s Stollery Hospital Foundation, the United Way as well as her children’s school and sporting activities. She firmly believes her professional affiliations and volunteer work within her community have helped pave the way to her success in the industry.
Stephan Brandt
October 2nd
9:00am – 12:00pm (Pre-Conference Workshop Presenter #1 – Champion Room))
How HR Can Help Build Leadership
Stephan is a subject matter expert and a Certified Executive Facilitator for Accountability Training® and the Cultural Transition Process® from Partners In Leadership. Stephan has over 20 years’ experience on projects across Western Canada as well as internationally.
Warren Macdonald
October 5th
10:30am – 11:30am (Keynote – Gold Room)
Return on Resilience: Building a Stronger Community
Warren’s life’s boundaries were redefined in April 1997 with his accident on North Queensland’s (Australia) Hinchinbrook Island. Climbing to the Island’s tallest peak, he became trapped beneath a one-ton slab boulder in a freak rock fall. Two days later he was rescued, only to undergo the amputation of both legs at mid thigh. Just ten months later, he climbed Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain using a modified wheelchair and the seat of his pants. In February 2003, he became the first double above-knee amputee to reach the summit of Africa’s tallest peak, Mt Kilimanjaro (19,222ft). Warren’s first book, “A Test of Will” is an Australian bestseller and the subject of the “Trapped under a Boulder” episode of the Discovery Channel series “I Shouldn’t Be Alive”. His film documenting the epic four-week journey to Federation Peak, Australia most challenging mountain summit, “The Second Step”, has been acclaimed worldwide, screening on National Geographic Television and winning eight international awards including Grand Prize at the prestigious “Banff Mountain Film Festival”. Warren has appeared on numerous news and current affairs programs, including “Larry King Live”, “The Oprah Winfrey Show”, and “The Hour” with George Stroumboulopoulos.
Wayne St. John
October 3rd
10:45am – 11:55am (Breakout Session 1 – Silver Room)
Ready…Set…Toke!
1:00pm – 2:10pm (Breakout Session 2 – Silver Room)
Ready…Set…Toke!
Wayne St. John has over 25 years of experience in both the oil and gas sector and in health and safety. Wayne has a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and has spoken on drug and alcohol testing at many conferences and events. He has extensive knowledge in policy development, as well as human rights compliance in drug and alcohol testing programs. Having worked with many of the largest companies in Canada, Wayne understands the business needs of clientele operating in diverse regions and industries.
Barbara King
October 4th
4:10pm (Main Lobby)
Group Organized Walk
Barbara headed east from Victoria, B.C. to Banff, Alberta for a summer job at the Banff Springs Hotel.
Connecting with a variety of outdoor activities, a growing circle of friends and opportunities to further an unexpected professional path (first in hospitality and then in HR) have kept her in Banff for 35 summers.
