Building a Better Future Together: Requires Equity, Diversity and Inclusion along with Truth and Reconciliation
The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade’s Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council (DLC) is proud to invite you to a special event bringing together our region to inspire action, results, and impact on advancing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Truth, and Reconciliation.
Research has shown that racially and ethnically diverse companies outperform industry norms by 35 percent (McKinsey & Company) and 76 percent of job seekers seek a diverse workforce when considering jobs (Glassdoor). To drive systemic and equitable change in our workplaces, we must accelerate EDI workplace strategy and enhance learning, understanding, and solution development.
Attending this one-day conference will provide you with the tools to:
- Invest in strategies and initiatives to build and leverage a talent pipeline with diverse skills, experiences, culture, background, and abilities to contribute to an organization’s success.
- Provide resources to impact decision-making and success in achieving inclusion goals
- Commit to creating and maintaining inclusive and supportive work environments where employees thrive.
- Influence the next generation of employees to include an EDI & Truth and Reconciliation lens to their employment practices.
- Enhance business innovation.
Keynote
Wes Hall
"Dragon", CBC's Dragons’ Den | Entrepreneur | Philanthropist
Special Remarks
The Honourable Janet Austin
Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
Session 1: Workshop
Addressing Biases in the Workplace
Workplace biases can be subtle, indirect, unconscious, or categorized as microaggressions with 39 percent of employees experiencing them frequently – at least once a month (Deloitte). This session will address hiring and employment practices and the mental health toll on those who experience and/or witness biases in the workplace.
Facilitators:
Genievieve Apolinar
Regional Manager
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
CMHA Vancouver-Fraser Branch
Kenneth Chang
Vocational Rehabiliation Counsellor
IPS Supported Employment
CMHA Vancouver-Fraser Branch
Roselene Dhaliwal
Director
Equity & Inclusion, CMHA BC
Session 2: Panel
Inclusive Consumer Markets
What you market, who you market to, and how you market are the three key concepts to creating inclusive marketing (Microsoft). As the world moves towards becoming more inclusive, marketers must evolve their strategy to ensure they’re appealing to people of all demographics. This panel will discuss inclusive products and services, marketing and sales practices, supplier diversity, and design inclusion.
Panellists:
Keith Henry, President and CEO, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC)
Sabrina Meherally, Founder and CEO, Pause and Effect
Pamela Smith, National Director, Corporate Communications, Colliers Canada
April Yau, Group Director, Account Services & Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead, Major Tom
Moderator: Manpreet Dhillon, Founder, Veza Global
Session 3: Panel
Embracing and Sustaining Allyship
Many people are members of two or more marginalized groups (Harvard Business Review) and in order to move the dial on EDI and Truth and Reconciliation, the support and collaboration of allies is more important than ever. This session will discuss the power of allyship programs in fostering a culture of belonging.
Panellists:
Raghwa Gopal, President & CEO, Innovate BC
Candice Loring, Senior Advisor Indigenous Relations and Initiatives, Mitacs
Deana Morton, Partner, National Leader – Indigenous Tax Services, MNP
Jesse Unke, Vice President, Canada, COWI
Moderator: Tina Lovgreen, Spokesperson and Senior Manager of Media Relations and Social Media, TransLink
Session 4: Workshop
A Systematic Approach to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Practical Steps for Long Term Change
Most organizations understand that change is necessary to build an inclusive, equitable and diverse workplace, yet many are not clear where to prioritize efforts, what gaps may exist or what strategies would be most effective. In this session Wyle, Baoween, CEO of HRx will discuss the phases organizations go through to create this change, showcasing Ledcor's journey that led them to be recognized, in March 2022, as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers.
Facilitators:
Wyle Baoween
CEO
HRx Technology
Farran Hobbs
SVP Services & Operation
Ledcor Technical Services
Session 5: Panel
The Future of Inclusion
The social movements in the last two years have created meaningful shifts in organizations’ attention to racial justice and equity. However, the COVID-19 pandemic risks wiping out years of advances in supporting a diverse workforce (McKinsey & Company).This session will discuss ways of solving EDI challenges in a hybrid workforce and innovations that will help us advance EDI and Truth and Reconciliation.
Panellists:
Giselle Blackman, Head of Human Resources, Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group
Laura Didyk, Vice President, Client Diversity, BDC
Yat Li, Senior Accessibility Consultant, Presidents Group
Kai Scott, President and Gender Strategist, TransFocus Consulting
Jessie Williams, Director of Business Development and Communications, New Relationship Trust
Moderator: Tamara Taggart, Host, Telus Talks with Tamara Taggart
Presenting Sponsor:
In Partnership with:
Supporting Sponsors:
Lunch Sponsor:
Community Sponsors:
Production Partner:
Preferred Venue Partner:
Media Partner:
Members:
Individuals: $249 + GST
Table of 8: $2,300 + GST
*Virtual: $100 + GST
Non-Members:
Individuals: $349 + GST
Table of 8: $3,300 + GST
*Virtual: $200 + GST
Non-profits and Students:In-Person: $149 + GST
*Virtual: $50 + GST
Order Non-Profit / Student
Virtual Attendance
*Please note if you choose to participate virtually, it will only be a live stream to watch the presentations. There will not be any breakout rooms to participate in workshops.
To view the event return to this web page:- Login to your GVBOT account - top right corner - using the same email that was used during registration for this event.
- This will unlock the video allowing you to watch the event from this page.
- Live stream starts at 8:00 a.m. PT
If you encounter any difficulties, please contact events@boardoftrade.com or call 604-640-5474.
Submit Your Questions
We want you to be part of the discussion. To participate, go to slido.com and use the password #BETTERFUTURE
Sponsor Resources
Colliers is a leading diversified professional services company, providing expert real estate and investment advice to clients to maximize the potential of property and accelerate success. We take great pride in doing what's right and operating in ways that benefit our people, clients, communities, and planet. Read about our 2021 performance and progress toward delivering resilient buildings, inclusive workplaces, and spaces that promote health and wellbeing. Colliers 2021 Global Impact Report.
Finning Finning is the world's largest Caterpillar dealer delivering unrivalled service since 1933. We sell, rent, and provide parts and service for equipment and engines to customers in various industries, including mining, construction, petroleum, forestry, and a wide range of power systems applications. We remain committed to creating a culture and work environment where everyone who works for and with Finning feels safe and valued, regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, or physical or mental ability. We aim to create a safe space for discussions to reduce bias, discrimination, inequality, and inequity. For more information, click here.
Industry Training Authority (ITA) is the crown corporation that oversees the skilled trades and apprenticeship system in British Columbia. From apprenticeship support to trades certification, ITA is building B.C.'s skilled trades workforce with people, programs and tools while advancing a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the trades. Some of our EDI efforts include building leadership capacity for women and under-represented groups in trade and bringing trades training to the members of indigenous communities across B.C.
A healthy approach to diversity, equity and inclusion starts with you. Get free training today, presented by Pacific Blue Cross. pac.bluecross.ca/DEI.
Co-Hosts:
Rob Chiarello, Senior Vice President, People and Culture, Pacific Blue Cross
Kory Wilson, Executive Director, Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships, BCIT