2024 ABOUT
The Learning and Development Summit Canada is back with the insights you need to adapt and thrive in an era of skill shortages and disruptive technology.
Get the latest on everything L&D, from tools, tech, and program implementation, to personalized learning frameworks that support your goals and transforms your workers into your future business leaders.
We’ll be covering:
• leadership development
• transformative technology
• maximizing ROI
• engaging hybrid-teams
• upskilling for the future
Why attend?
Explore new, data-driven Lu0026D strategies
Find out how you can hit your productivity targets and develop future leaders
Learn how to pin-point adaptive, learning-focused candidates
Discover the latest on learning management systems and find out how LMS software can transform your workforce
Support skill development and employee growth with personalized Lu0026D strategies
2024 SPEAKERS
![Sheila Austin](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/sheila-austin-portrait-large-1-scaled-e1712003762157.jpg)
Sheila Austin
Vice President, Learning & Development
BlueCat Networks
![Joanie Clary](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Joanie-8844e-e1712003804642.jpg)
![Joanie Clary](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Joanie-8844e-e1712003804642.jpg)
Joanie Clary
Advisor, Learning & Development
City of Vernon
![Stephen Dadds](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Dadds_Stephen_headshot-e1712065433686.jpg)
![Stephen Dadds](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Dadds_Stephen_headshot-e1712065433686.jpg)
Stephen Dadds
Manager, Learning & Development
HH Angus & Associates
![Julie Develin](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Julie-Develin-Headshot-e1712003851526.jpg)
![Julie Develin](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Julie-Develin-Headshot-e1712003851526.jpg)
Julie Develin
Sr, Partner, HCM Advisory
UKG
![Candace DiCresce](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Candace-DiCresce_2023-headshot-scaled-e1710532230755.jpg)
![Candace DiCresce](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Candace-DiCresce_2023-headshot-scaled-e1710532230755.jpg)
Candace DiCresce
Thought-Leader, Safety & Well-being
![Rad Dockery](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rad-Dockery-e1712065097330.jpg)
![Rad Dockery](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rad-Dockery-e1712065097330.jpg)
Rad Dockery
Strategic Partner Manager, Cloud | Professor, AI Business & Societal Impact
The Adaptavist Group
![Dr. Duygu Biricik Gulseren](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/230414-DuyguGulseren-001-Web-e1712003897176.jpg)
![Dr. Duygu Biricik Gulseren](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/230414-DuyguGulseren-001-Web-e1712003897176.jpg)
Dr. Duygu Biricik Gulseren
Assistant Professor
York University
![Stephanie Fischkohl](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Stephanie-Fischkohl-1-e1712588687957.jpg)
![Stephanie Fischkohl](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Stephanie-Fischkohl-1-e1712588687957.jpg)
Stephanie Fischkohl
Manager of Operations
Queen’s IRC
![Lauren Johnson](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lauren-Johnson-Headshot.jpg)
![Lauren Johnson](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Lauren-Johnson-Headshot.jpg)
Lauren Johnson
Journalist
KM Business Information Canada Ltd
![Alan Kearns](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/thumbnail_Copy-of-Alan-Kearns-e1709759080724.jpg)
![Alan Kearns](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/thumbnail_Copy-of-Alan-Kearns-e1709759080724.jpg)
Alan Kearns
Managing Partner & Founder
CareerJoy
![Erik Kingissepp](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Eric-Kingissepp-scaled.jpg)
![Erik Kingissepp](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Eric-Kingissepp-scaled.jpg)
Erik Kingissepp
Director, Talent Management
Bond Brand Loyalty
![Kieran Murphy](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/kjcmurphy@gmail.com-4a2b94f3-scaled-e1711988736571.jpg)
![Kieran Murphy](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/kjcmurphy@gmail.com-4a2b94f3-scaled-e1711988736571.jpg)
Kieran Murphy
Talent Coaching Director
RSM Canada
![Juan Naranjo](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Juan-BW.jpg)
![Juan Naranjo](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Juan-BW.jpg)
Juan Naranjo
Senior Manager, Next Gen Learning
Rogers Communications
![Maya Natarajan](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Natarajan_Maya_Pic-e1710529678735.jpg)
![Maya Natarajan](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Natarajan_Maya_Pic-e1710529678735.jpg)
Maya Natarajan
Senior Manager, AI Insights & Enablement
Deloitte Canada
![Kelley Norris](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/kelley-norris-e1712003978367.jpg)
![Kelley Norris](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/kelley-norris-e1712003978367.jpg)
Kelley Norris
Vice President, Implementation Services
SafeStart
![Christi Scarrow](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Christi-Scarrow-Bio-Pic-e1712004042275.png)
![Christi Scarrow](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Christi-Scarrow-Bio-Pic-e1712004042275.png)
Christi Scarrow
Managing Partner
Lighthouse NINE Group
![Allan Stewart](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/headshot_allan-scaled-e1712004101326.jpg)
![Allan Stewart](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/headshot_allan-scaled-e1712004101326.jpg)
Allan Stewart
President
Human Synergistics
![Kate Stewart](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/kate-stewart-headtshot2-scaled-e1712674124985.jpg)
![Kate Stewart](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/kate-stewart-headtshot2-scaled-e1712674124985.jpg)
Kate Stewart
President
Human Synergistics
![Nancy Tavares](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20230704_NancyTavares_AllisonClarkPhotography-100.jpg)
![Nancy Tavares](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20230704_NancyTavares_AllisonClarkPhotography-100.jpg)
Nancy Tavares
Senior Director, People & Culture
Paladin Security
![Donna Valiquette](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Donna-Valiquette-Nov-2021-scaled.jpg)
![Donna Valiquette](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Donna-Valiquette-Nov-2021-scaled.jpg)
Donna Valiquette
Chief Corporate Administration Officer Canada, Head of Global Talent & Learning
MUFG
![Ellana Venn](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Ellana-Venn-e1712004169385.jpeg)
![Ellana Venn](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Ellana-Venn-e1712004169385.jpeg)
Ellana Venn
Associate Vice President, Learning & Multimedia
Geotab
2024 AGENDA
All times in ET
-
-
Opening remarks from chairperson
Candace DiCresce
Thought-Leader, Safety & Well-being
-
Welcome remarks from event partner, Human Synergistics
Kate Stewart
President
Human Synergistics -
Opening presentation: Making a compelling business case for L&D investment
L&D is critical in enabling organizations to adapt to the increasingly rapid pace of disruption and changing competitive business environments, but in challenging economic times it can often be one of the first areas to make cuts. This session will look at best practices for communicating the benefits of investment in specific L&D initiatives to upper management.
- Demonstrating how L&D initiatives can directly support company goals
- Gathering the necessary data to measure effectiveness and using it to make an effective business case
- Making the connection between time and resources invested and increased productivity
- Showing how L&D initiatives have a positive impact across multiple departments
Donna Valiquette
Chief Corporate Administration Officer Canada, Head of Global Talent & Learning
MUFG -
Keynote: Setting a new standard for L&D development
Over the past 20 years, L & D in Canada has been in a slow decline and has increasingly been placed on the back burner of the HRM Department. Drawing from over 40 years of experience in L&D, Allan Stewart explores the crucial role of L&D in supporting the business as well as the repercussions of ignoring this vital component of an HR leader’s responsibility. This session will:
- Review a brief history of L&D in Canada
- Map the links between organizational culture and L&D
- Identify the key elements of a successful leadership development program
- Discuss the organizational outcomes of L&D
Allan Stewart
President
Human Synergistics -
Networking coffee break
-
Fireside chat: Integrating data-driven L&D to respond to changing business needs
Collecting data on L&D KPIs and evaluating the outcomes in real-time are key to adapting learning initiatives in real-time and supporting the business. This session will look at how organizations can leverage predictive analytics and learning impact measurement to support this process and deliver flexibility and agility.
- Identifying opportunities to increase L&D efficiency
- Harnessing data to create an accurate picture of training effectiveness
- Performing gap analysis to determine how L&D offerings can be updated
- Working closely with operations to create agile and flexible training delivery
Moderator
Rad Dockery
Strategic Partner Manager, Cloud | Professor, AI Business & Societal Impact
The Adaptavist GroupPanelists
Stephen Dadds
Manager, Learning & Development
HH Angus & AssociatesJulie Develin
Sr, Partner, HCM Advisory
UKG -
Panel: Integrating career planning, coaching and mentoring to guide L&D initiatives
In challenging business environments, companies need to comprehensive strategies in place to guide key talent, invest in their development, and inform L&D requirements to meet business goals. This session will look at how companies can match the needs of the organization with the needs of individual employees.
- Aligning development strategies with business goals to gain support and influence across all levels.
- Making the most of resources and budget dedicated to supporting coaching and mentoring
- Deciding when to develop programs in-house, and when to outsource
- Harnessing AI to develop personalized L&D programs
Moderator
Alan Kearns
Managing Partner & Founder
CareerJoyPanelists
Sheila Austin
Vice President, Learning & Development
BlueCat NetworksNancy Tavares
Senior Director, People & Culture
Paladin SecurityEllana Venn
Associate Vice President, Learning & Multimedia
Geotab -
Case study: Creating a culture of ongoing learning through personalization
Increasingly companies have recognized that embracing flexibility and tailored learning initiatives leads to improved outcomes and more consistent skill development This session will examine how companies can develop personalized training initiatives that increase engagement and focus on strengths and opportunities for growth.
- Leveraging design thinking to integrate the needs of the learners and the business in L&D programs
- Delivering critical skill development by adapting to different learning styles, including audio, visual and kinesthetic
- Integrating micro-learning to achieve continuous skills development while supporting work-life balance and minimizing the impact of training on the work day
- Understanding the role of AI and LXPs in supporting the needs of each individual learner
Joanie Clary
Advisor, Learning & Development
City of Vernon -
Networking lunch
-
Case study: Creating health and safety focused training for leaders in your organization
Organizations face growing expectations to prioritize the health and safety of their employees, driven by both ethical imperatives and financial considerations. Leaders within organizations play a critical role in this process, but many lack the know-how to provide effective support. This session will explore how organizational training and development initiatives can empower leaders with the necessary health and safety competencies and cultivate “Pain-focused Transformational Leaders”.
- An overview of successes and lessons learned in the development of health & safety focused L&D
- Identifying gaps in health and safety training for management
- Understanding the importance of prioritizing health & safety throughout the organization, and management leading by example
Dr. Duygu Biricik Gulseren
Assistant Professor
York University -
Panel: AI in learning & development – staying on top of rapid changes
Technology continues to transform the way we learn, and the pace of evolution is only increasing. Employees now have access to many tools and platforms that can greatly enhance their learning experience including real-time personalization, automation and new ways of receiving information. This session will examine the new possibilities and share insights into which solutions have the greatest potential for disruption.
- Aligning your technology platforms with your strategy and culture
- Evaluating new capabilities: artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality
- Incorporating gamification strategies to enhance employee engagement
- Ensuring a comprehensive security and privacy policy
Moderator
Kieran Murphy
Talent Coaching Director
RSM CanadaPanelists
Erik Kingissepp
Director, Talent Management
Bond Brand LoyaltyJuan Naranjo
Senior Manager, Next Gen Learning
Rogers CommunicationsMaya Natarajan
Senior Manager, AI Insights & Enablement
Deloitte Canada -
Networking coffee break
-
Breakout session: Successful L&D strategies in hybrid
This session will provide attendees a view of a sample toolkit containing guided conversations, frameworks, tools and resources to enable leaders and employees to thrive in a hybrid world. It will also offer the opportunity for participants to discuss and share L&D best practices that have worked for them in hybrid environments.
Christi Scarrow
Managing Partner
Lighthouse NINE Group -
Panel: What’s next for L&D in 2024 and beyond?
Technology continues fuelling new ways of working, collaborating and learning, and the pace of change in L&D is unrelenting. This session will recap key themes of the day and look ahead at new business models, training methods and technologies, and make some predictions about the next big disruptive forces.
- Understanding the increasing importance of L&D as a business-critical priority for building the workforce of the future that can adapt to rapid change
- Integrating succession planning for the coming era of demographic change
- Integrating learning strategies that can adapt for different generations of employees
Moderator
Lauren Johnson
Journalist
KM Business Information Canada LtdPanelists
Stephanie Fischkohl
Manager of Operations
Queen’s IRCKelley Norris
Vice President, Implementation Services
SafeStart -
Closing remarks from chairperson
Candace DiCresce
Thought-Leader, Safety & Well-being
2024 SPONSORS
Event PARTNER
GOLD SPONSORS
EXHIBITOR
2024 VENUE
Arcadian Court
- 401 Bay Street, Simpson, tower 8th floor, Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4, Canada
- (416) 364-1211
- Website
-
Parking:
Connected through the PATH: 110 Queen Street west (Nathan Phillips Square Garage) – $22.00/ day
FLOORPLAN
![](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LADSC2024-Onsite-Material_Floorplan-Transparent-1800px-1.png)
![](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LADSC2024-Onsite-Material_Floorplan-Transparent-1800px-1.png)
TRAVEL PLANS
Preferred Accommodation
Hotel room rates are subject to all applicable taxes and fees. Rooms are subject to availability in each hotel from April 9/10 – April 11. We recommend that you book as soon as possible.
Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto
Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto 475 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 1X7
Book your group rate via the reservation link or call 1-800-847-5075
Use the group name Learning and Development Summit Canada to secure the discounted rate until March 5, 2024.
Room rate: $299 per standard room/night
Cut-off date: March 5, 2024
Check in: 4pm Check out: 11am
Reservation Link: Learning and Development Summit Canada
Phone Number: 1-800-847-5075
Hotel Parking: $52 per day (Valet)
Hotel Concessions: Complimentary Wi-Fi
![](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Courtyard-by-Marriott-Downtown-Toronto.webp)
![](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Courtyard-by-Marriott-Downtown-Toronto.webp)
Holiday Inn Express Toronto Downtown
111 Lombard Street, Toronto, ON M5C 2T9
Book your group rate via the reservation link
Use the group name Learning and Development Summit Canada to secure the discounted rate until March 23, 2024.
Room rate: $299 per standard room/night
Cut-off date: March 23, 2024
Check in: 3pm Check out: 11am
Reservation Link: Learning and Development Summit Canada
Hotel Parking: $35 per day (underground, self-park)
Hotel Concessions: Complimentary Wi-Fi and breakfast included
![](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/holiday-inn.png)
![](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/holiday-inn.png)
Chelsea Hotel Toronto
33 Gerrard St W, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z4
Book your group rate via the reservation link
Use the group name Learning and Development Summit Canada to secure the discounted rate until February 9, 2024.
Room rate: $299 per standard room/night
Cut-off date: February 9, 2024
Check in: 3pm Check out: 11am
Reservation Link: Learning and Development Summit Canada
Hotel Parking: $39 per night plus taxes, unlimited in and out privileges
Hotel Concessions: Complimentary Wi-Fi
![](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/chelsea-hotel-exterior-new.jpg)
![](https://learndev.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/chelsea-hotel-exterior-new.jpg)
THANKS FOR TAKING PART IN LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT CANADA 2024
Missed the 2024 event? Register your interest to participate in Learning and Development Summit Canada 2025