Speakers

The speakers listed below will be present at the 33rd McMaster World Congress.

Adrian Joseph

Adrian joined Steam Whistle as our Financial Controller in 2002, just four weeks after arriving in Canada. He was promoted to the Chief Financial Officer in 2005 with his track record of very capably managing the finances of the brewery. Prior to joining Steam Whistle, Adrian worked at the Lion Brewery in Sri Lanka as their Marketing Accountant. Adrian received his training in Finance through the Charted Institute of Management Accountants in the United Kingdom where he won the ‘World Prize for Accountancy.’ After emigrating to Canada, Adrian successfully completed his Certified General Accountant designation in a short span of 8 months while in Steam Whistle’s employ. He holds membership in the Chartered Institute of Marketing UK.


Dave Gardner


Dave Gardner is Honda Canada's Vice President of Sales and Marketing, one of many roles he has held in the organization since joining the company in 1989. Dave is responsible for the performance of Honda's brands in Canada - Honda Automobile, Acura, Motorcycle, ATV, Power Equipment
and Parts and Service. Additionally, he is a keeper of Honda's global philosophy and is responsible for realizing Honda Canada's 2020 vision.

Honda's philosophy is rooted in the "three joys," of selling, buying and creating. Honda believes that if employees find joy in creating great products, if dealers find joy in selling great vehicles and if customers enjoy the buying and ownership experience, then Honda will remain a market
leader. The 2020 vision connects directly to this philosophy; it's about creating a company that Canadians want to exist, by continually showing the value of Honda's presence in Canada.

Dave was educated at York University, earning a BBA degree in 1983 and an MBA in 1984.

 

 

Neetika Sathe

Neetika Sathe is the Chief Marketing Manager for the Nissan LEAF and Cross-Overs
in Canada. She is in-charge for sales and profitability for her portfolio of models and is
responsible for the launch of the Nissan LEAF in Canada.

Neetika has been with Nissan Canada Inc. since 2002 and has held various positions in
Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Corporate Planning and Finance.

Neetika has a Masters degree in Physics, followed by an MBA from McMaster
University.

 

Ross Elliott

leo_johnson

Ross Elliott has spent the last 35 years of his life working with businesses leveraging technology to solve real world problems.  From his current position as EVP/CTO of supply chain software provider Accellos to his former role as CTO of leading distribution software provider NxTrend Technology, Ross has contributed his insights through articles published in leading trade publications like Progressive Distributor, The Wholesaler, TED Magazine, Industrial Distribution Magazine, Modern Distribution Management and many other print and online pubs.  He has also been a frequent technology contributor to the NAW “Facing the Forces of Change” books.   And, is a nationally known speaker for associations such as the NAW, CFS, HIDA, AIPPM and AIM/R.

 


 

Frances Edmonds

roger

Frances Edmonds BSc.(hons), Dip H&S, CRSP

Director, Environmental Programs
Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Co.

In her role as Director, Environmental Programs, Frances Edmonds is responsible for overseeing environmental programs and initiatives across HP Canada. This has included assisting HP Canada in launching its many takeback, programs, as well as designing and delivering HPs first sales environmental training program which has been adopted worldwide by HP.

Frances works closely with HP partners on such initiatives as the first incented environmental training for partners, and many recycling programs. She has worked with the industry association EPSC (Electronic Product Stewardship Canada) from its inception, including helping to develop a recycling standard which has been adopted by all provincial hardware recycling programs, and she worked with governments, industry and retailers to establish provincial hardware takeback programs in five provinces.

She also represents the IT industry on Alberta’s industry advisory council, Chairs Saskatchewan’s Sweep board and works with the pre- Industry Funding Organization in Quebec. Frances has judged the Recycling Council of Ontario’s waste minimization awards for four years and works with many NGOS to promote high standards in recycling and environmental education.

Frances started her career in the UK Government as an enforcer of environmental health and safety requirements. On moving to Canada, Frances worked in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries as Canadian manager of environmental health and safety, before joining HP Canada. Frances worked in a number of areas for HP including regulatory compliance before taking on her current role.

Frances has a degree in Environmental science from Bradford University (UK), a post graduate diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, and is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP).

 

Pam Laughland

pam

Pam Laughland is Managing Director for the Network for Business Sustainability. NBS, a growing non-profit with more than 2,400 members and offices in London, Toronto, and Montreal, connects researchers and managers through knowledge to change business practice. NBS produces free, authoritative resources in collaboration with world-class researchers on priority topics including the business case for sustainability; climate change; stakeholder engagement; socially conscious consumerism; organizational culture; and sustainable supply chains.

Pam has an MSc in Agricultural and Resource Economics, and since 2006 has held research positions with the Richard Ivey School of Business at The University of Western Ontario, Statistics Canada, and the University of Guelph.

 

Paul Bates

dave

A Certified Management Accountant and Fellow of the Society of Management Accountants (FCMA), Paul’s career has spanned: senior academic administration; business and divinity school lecturing; investor advocacy; capital markets regulation; corporate and not-for-profit governance (public & private); investment dealer executive leadership with P&L accountability; expert witness and international consulting in the financial services sector, compliance and product development.

He is currently serving at McMaster University as Special Advisor to the President, following almost seven years as Dean at the DeGroote School of Business.  Bates recently completed a second edition of his best-selling book, Sales Force Management in the Financial Services.  His new book, What I have learned so far and how it can help you, co-authored with Al Emid, is also a best-seller.  Both books have made it to the GlobeAdvisor top ten books for business list

Paul is pursuing a Master of Theological Studies, M.T.S., at McMaster University’s Divinity College.

Read More...

 

Andrew Telfer

tony

Andrew Telfer, Manager of Sustainability, Walmart Canada

Andrew is the Manager of Sustainability at Walmart Canada. The company has three core Sustainability goals: to be supplied 100% by renewable energy, to create zero waste, and to sell products that sustain people and the environment.

Andrew’s career spans more than 15 years in the retail and consumer-goods industries. He was promoted to his current position in July 2008, following a term as National Pricing Manager where he led the Pricing Analytics team.

He joined Walmart Canada in 2005. Prior to Walmart, Andrew held a range of sales and category management positions with General Mills Canada and The Nielsen Company of Canada.

Andrew holds a degree in Geography from the University of British Columbia. At home, he attempts to improve the environment by teaching his young son to recycle, to take stairs instead of elevators, and to turn off the water while brushing his teeth.

 

Trevor Campbell

emechete

Trevor Campbell is the Director of Corporate Communications at The Weather Network / MétéoMédia. A communications vet, he’s made brands and clients famous in Canada and the US by connecting them with millions of people. In his current role, Trevor manages public relations, social media and customer relations. Past experience includes working with one of the first Canadian organizations to support and promote the double bottom line, which led him to understand and appreciate that profitable companies can, and should, also benefit people and the planet. A fact made even more relevant by the advent of social media.

 

Keanin Loomis

helmi

Keanin Loomis is a writer and recovering attorney who has come to Hamilton to pursue the Triple Bottom Line life. A graduate of the University of Waterloo and the College of William & Mary School of Law, Keanin practiced law for five years in a prestigious Washington DC law firm before throwing off the golden handcuffs to focus on the most important thing in life: his and his family's happiness. As Chief Advocate of the Innovation Factory, he has embarked on a more rewarding career path helping entrepreneurs start, grow and succeed in business, and, as an emerging leader in Hamilton, he has found a community to call home.

 

David Adames

patricia

David Adames is the President and CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, a position he has held since July 2011.  In this role, David is responsible for working with a Board of Directors and over 1,100 members ranging from small to large businesses. The Chamber plays a key role in strengthening business in Hamilton; representing business interests with government; taking political action on business issues; promoting the conmunity for business and building a network for business.  Prior to his Chamber role, David was the Executive Director of Tourism Hamilton for nine years, representing the City of Hamilton and tourism businesses to grow tourism opportunities.  David has also worked with the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the City of Hamilton's Culture and Recreation Department.

He is an alumnus of McMaster University, Class of 1992 (History) and Queen's University, Class of 2001 (Master of Public Administration).  David is Past President of the McMaster Alumni Association, serves on the Advancement Committee of the Board of Governors and also serves on the Advisory Board for the McMaster Museum of Art. He is a life-long Hamiltonians.

 

Jeremy Runnalls

toby

Jeremy is the Managing Editor for Corporate Knights Magazine, the magazine for clean capitalism. He works as a senior member of the publication's management team, producing 2 quarterly magazines that are inserted into the Globe and Mail in Canada, and the Washington Post in the US, focusing primarily on promoting sustainability in business. The magazine publishes numerous yearly rankings that touch upon different subjects, including the most Sustainable Cities in Canada, the Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada ranking, the Responsible Investing Guide, and the Knights Schools ranking, which analyses how successfully universities are incorporating sustainability into their curriculum. Corporate Knights also produces the annual Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World, announced each year at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Before joining the magazine, Jeremy was a consultant at the Social Investment Organization, where he worked on the yearly Canadian Responsible Investment Review. This study aims to document the total size and scale of social and responsible investment in Canada. He was also previously a member of the Responsible Endowments Coalition steering committee, a US-based student advocacy group. The Steering Committee plays a leading role in designing the national campaign, organizing student conferences, creating resources for the larger student movement and providing the REC staff with feedback about how REC can continue to support students' work.

 

Rebecca Mountain

rebecca

In July 2010, Rebecca closed her eyes and jumped into the world of entrepreneurship. Having worked a 6 companies - small and large - over 11 years, she discovered one very important thing: She was the world's worst employee. With some money saved up, she started her business in marketing consulting, which proceeded to sell like a cement balloon. Changing up the offering in the fall of that year changed everything. Now, her company Impetus Social Inc. shows businesses of all sizes how to make money from social media, and she's now a speaker and author on doing it all the right way. And it's not just about saving money - it's about less waste in the dumps by ditching newspaper and direct mail, it's about connecting with their clients in meaningful ways through storytelling and great content. So enough with the old ways and let's usher in the new: engaging our customers, listening and responding, being responsible and a little bit naked, because we can no longer hide behind corporate brands. It's exposure or die. So let's get started!

 

Len Lifchus

Len has been employed in the voluntary sector for over 30 years – 16 years with the Canadian Red Cross Society Blood Program and the last 16 and a half years with the United Way.

Born and raised in Vancouver, B.C. and a graduate in political science from the University of British Columbia, Len has spent his adult life on a career path of serving others.

His last position with the Red Cross, a position he held for 7 years, was Director, Blood Donor Recruitment for the Province of British Columbia. During his tenure he was responsible for the procurement of over 180,000 units of blood at 250 facilities throughout the province.

Len joined the United Way in 1995 as the Executive Director of the United Way of the Central & South Okanagan Similkameen and moved to Peterborough, Ontario in 1999 to become the CEO of the United Way of Peterborough & District. After a 10 ½ year career in Peterborough he has moved on to become the CEO of the United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton – Canada’s 12th largest United Way. He is also a nationally trained facilitator, mediator and trainer in board governance, volunteer management, Appreciative Inquiry, United Way of Canada’s organizational review and standards of excellence, as well as being a master trainer in program outcome measurements.

Len has been honoured by a number of organizations:
• 2010-2011 Social Services Award – Hamilton & District Labour Council
• 2009 United Way Chair’s Award for Collaboration – Program Outcome Measurements
• 2005 United Way Chair’s Award for Collaboration – Leadership Development Services
• 2001 Management Award – Association of Donor Recruitment Professionals
• 1999 CKOV Radio Station (Kelowna) Community Leader of the Year
• 1998 Kelowna Chamber of Commerce – President’s Award

Len has served a large number of community based organization in a variety of ways.

Greater Hamilton & Burlington:
• Ontario Association Community Care Access Centre – Governance Committee
• Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Community Care Access Centre - Board of Directors & Chair, Governance Committee
• Hamilton Chamber of Commerce – Business Development Committee
• Rotary Club of Hamilton A.M.
• Tiger Town Council (Hamilton Tiger Cats)

Peterborough:
• Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce (Chair)
• Showplace Peterborough Performance Centre (Chair)
• Peterborough Theatre Guild (Chair)
• CE Community Care Access Centre Board of Directors (Vice-Chair)
• City of Peterborough Committee of Adjustment (Vice-Chair)
• Trent Centre for Community Based Education (Vice-Chair)
• Peterborough Community Social Plan (founding member)
• Peterborough Action Committee on Poverty Reduction (founding member)
• Peterborough Estate Planning Council
• Rotary Club of Peterborough
• City of Peterborough Youth Commission (founding member)
• Workforce Development Board

Kelowna:
• Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
• City of Kelowna Social Planning Board (Chair)
• Rotary Club of Kelowna
• Theatre Kelowna

Internationally:
• President, Association of Donor Recruitment Professionals

 

Connie Smith

tania

Connie Smith has been one of the most recognizable and engaging personalities on the air and behind the podium in Southern Ontario for more than 30 years.

Always attracted to stories and interviews that inspire and offer hope in the face of issues and challenges of our time, Connie, along with her husband/producer/director Dave Wilson, launched “Always Good
News” on CTS Television, Canada’s first and only good news show.

Amazingly her first full time job in broadcasting was as a “Good News Reporter” at CFRB Radio in Toronto.
Additional on-air credits include CKOC-Radio (Oldies 1150) Hamilton, CKVR-TV (“A” Channel”) Barrie and 30 years anchoring, reporting and producing for CHCH-TV Hamilton.

Connie and Dave also collaborated on the documentary special, Elizabeth’s Hope, which has been seen in countries around the world and won the ALS Society of Canada’s National Public Awareness Award.

Connie co-hosted the annual McMaster Children’s Hospital Celebration broadcast for 17 years, which earned her the prestigious Hamilton Health Sciences Cornerstone Award. She is also the recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, a Premier’s Award nomination, the Ontario Association of Broadcasters’ Howard Caine Memorial Award and the CanWest Community Spirit Award. She is a member of Nelson High School and Mohawk College’s Alumni of Distinction, has been named a Hamilton and Halton Woman of the Year, received the Zonta Club of Hamilton II ‘s Founder Award in 2007 and in March 2009 was named a Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International’s top honour for public service. She is the recipient of Sertoma Hamilton’s “Service to Mankind” Award and is a 2010 inductee into the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction.

Connie is the Chair of the 2011Hamilton United Way Campaign, Vice-Chair of St. Joseph’s Health System’s International Outreach Program and volunteers her time with numerous other charities including Ronald McDonald House and the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.

 

Lynn Fergusson

gavin

Lynn Fergusson is the Founder and Managing Director of 2H2M Services, a consultancy helping
organizations strategically align Hearts, Hands, Minds and Money in community giving programs.
Supporting community giving (or Corporate Social Responsibility) strategically enables organizations
to “do good” for society, engage employees, and support business objectives. Lynn experienced the power of workplace volunteering at GE as a Director and Executive member of GE’s Global Board for the employee volunteer organization, and leading volunteering across the GE businesses in Canada. Lynn started 2H2M to leverage this experience and get more companies giving back, particularly through volunteering. Her focus is on the PEOPLE element of the Triple Bottom Line. Lynn is thrilled to be doing meaningful work with great clients through 2H2M, to the benefit of companies, not for profits, employees and communities.

Lynn holds an honours business degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business (UWO), MBA from
Schulich (York), and certificate in Adult Training & Development from the Ontario Institute of Studies
in Education at the University of Toronto. She’s a graduate of the Bay Area Community Leadership
program, run by Volunteer Hamilton, and is now a member of the facilitation team developing and
delivering that program. Lynn and her family live in Burlington where she gives back, among other
things, as a Board member at Habitat for Humanity Halton and on the Grants Committee of the Burlington Community Foundation.


 

 


 

 

Our Generous Sponsors

Thanks Everyone for a Great 2010 World Congress!

Watch the TV Interview

Watch the trailer