2024 AGENDA

All times in MDT

• 8:15 AM

  Registration and breakfast  

• 9:00 AM

  Opening remarks from Chairperson

  

  Lee-Anne Lyon-Bartley

  Executive Vice President, HSSQ&C
  Dexterra Group

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  Lee-Anne Lyon-Bartley

  Executive Vice President, HSSQ&C
  Dexterra Group

   

  Lee-Anne Lyon-Bartley, lovingly known as Canada’s Safety Diva, is currently Executive Vice President, Health, Safety, Sustainability Quality and Community at Dexterra Group Inc (TSE: DXT), a leading integrated facilities management, workforce accommodations, forestry and modular building service provider. She is the 2022 Safety Leader of the year and holds a BASc from Ryerson in Occupational and Public Health, is a CRSP (Certified Registered Safety Professional), a CP-FS (Certified Professional in Food Safety), an International General Certificate from NEBOSH (National Examination Board of Occupational Safety and Health) and is IEMA certified.    

  She prides herself in being passionate about safety and sharing her passion with others, she enjoyed being a regular guest on Season 2 of the nationally televised Steven and Chris Show on CBC highlighting simple safety tips at home. She was featured in the Institute for Work and Health’s 2016 annual report (see pages 8-9) and volunteers with Workplace Safety Prevention Services on their Commercial Industrial Services Advisory Committee, volunteers with My Safe Work and Threads of Life Toronto Planning committee which are charities dedicated to health and safety awareness and empowerment. She was teaching health and safety at Seneca college, Humber and Keyano college and was a director at large for the Women in Occupational Health and Safety Society (WOHSS).   

   Under Lee-Anne’s leadership as Vice President of Health & Safety in 2019, Dexterra was awarded Canada’s Safest Employer gold award for young worker safety and  Lee-Anne was awarded the Women in EHS award.  She sponsors the “Safety Diva Canada Award”, a scholarship for a student pursuing their studies in occupational health, safety, public health or music.  In addition to speaking at several conferences, she has been interviewed by CP24, CTV News, CBC News, City TV’s Breakfast television and Global News Weekend. In addition to being awarded Canada’s Safety Employer Safety Leader of the year, she was also listed as a Top Women in Safety 2021, 2022 and 2023 by Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine and is currently serving a three-year appointment on Ontario’s Prevention Council.  

   

• 9:10 AM

  Welcome address

  

  Nicole Brackett

  Director of Sales, Canada
  Avetta

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  Nicole Brackett

  Director of Sales, Canada
  Avetta

  Nicole Brackett is a business management professional with over 20 years’ experience in a variety of industries. As the Sales Director for Canada and with Avetta since April 2019, she takes pride in providing world class sales and account management services to her prospects and clients across Canada. In addition to leading a team of dynamic professionals, she has been recognized for her extraordinary commitment to excellence and strong communication skills. Nicole is a dual citizen who is bilingual in French and English, and lives in Montreal, Quebec with her husband and three kids. In her limited spare time, she enjoys traveling, coaching her son in hockey and baseball and spending time at the lake. 

• 9:15 AM

  Opening Keynote: Finding your Power – How to connect with and combine your strengths to become a better leader

  Understanding and leveraging your unique strengths is key to unlocking your full potential as a leader. This engaging presentation will feature the sources of power that can be used to improve communication, attain success, effectively engage others, and achieve balance. Join our esteemed speaker, Si Liew, OHS Consultant, occupational health nurse, and neuro-transformational trainer, for an inspiring keynote featuring practical leadership strategies. Explore the art of connecting and combining your strengths to lead inclusively and authentically in safety. Si will share insights that empower you to navigate the complexities of leadership with confidence and resilience. 

  • Discover your core strengths and how to amplify them 
  • Explore communication techniques that resonate with authenticity 
  • Fostering a compassionate leadership approach without compromising on effectiveness  
  • Understand the role of wellbeing in sustaining high-performance leadership  

  

  Si Liew

  OHS Consultant, Director of Wellness
  NAAAP Toronto

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  Si Liew

  OHS Consultant, Director of Wellness
  NAAAP Toronto

  Si Liew is an international speaker, bestselling author, Neuro-Transformational Trainer, and Occupational Health Nurse of over 20 years. Currently Director of Wellness at NAAAP Toronto and an OHS leader at Edmonton Police, she has worked in a variety of industries including healthcare, manufacturing, construction, oil and gas and enforcement law. Si acts as a medical subject matter expert to these corporations’ Executive Teams, leading on employee health and safety programs.  

  Teaching people to create a healthier life, healing their emotional stress using philosophy, epigenetics, quantum physics, and neuroscience techniques, she develops corporate health and wellness programs and works directly with healthcare professionals through training and mentoring with the objective of achieving healthy workplaces. 

• 9:45 AM

  Roundtable reflections

  A chance to reflect on the keynote themes in roundtable discussions. Consider strategies to improve your own personal and organizational resilience and wellbeing. 

  

  Lee-Anne Lyon-Bartley

  Executive Vice President, HSSQ&C
  Dexterra Group

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  Lee-Anne Lyon-Bartley

  Executive Vice President, HSSQ&C
  Dexterra Group

   

  Lee-Anne Lyon-Bartley, lovingly known as Canada’s Safety Diva, is currently Executive Vice President, Health, Safety, Sustainability Quality and Community at Dexterra Group Inc (TSE: DXT), a leading integrated facilities management, workforce accommodations, forestry and modular building service provider. She is the 2022 Safety Leader of the year and holds a BASc from Ryerson in Occupational and Public Health, is a CRSP (Certified Registered Safety Professional), a CP-FS (Certified Professional in Food Safety), an International General Certificate from NEBOSH (National Examination Board of Occupational Safety and Health) and is IEMA certified.    

  She prides herself in being passionate about safety and sharing her passion with others, she enjoyed being a regular guest on Season 2 of the nationally televised Steven and Chris Show on CBC highlighting simple safety tips at home. She was featured in the Institute for Work and Health’s 2016 annual report (see pages 8-9) and volunteers with Workplace Safety Prevention Services on their Commercial Industrial Services Advisory Committee, volunteers with My Safe Work and Threads of Life Toronto Planning committee which are charities dedicated to health and safety awareness and empowerment. She was teaching health and safety at Seneca college, Humber and Keyano college and was a director at large for the Women in Occupational Health and Safety Society (WOHSS).   

   Under Lee-Anne’s leadership as Vice President of Health & Safety in 2019, Dexterra was awarded Canada’s Safest Employer gold award for young worker safety and  Lee-Anne was awarded the Women in EHS award.  She sponsors the “Safety Diva Canada Award”, a scholarship for a student pursuing their studies in occupational health, safety, public health or music.  In addition to speaking at several conferences, she has been interviewed by CP24, CTV News, CBC News, City TV’s Breakfast television and Global News Weekend. In addition to being awarded Canada’s Safety Employer Safety Leader of the year, she was also listed as a Top Women in Safety 2021, 2022 and 2023 by Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine and is currently serving a three-year appointment on Ontario’s Prevention Council.  

   

• 10:00 AM

  Addressing bias and stereotypes in safety – Overcoming challenges and driving progress

   Join us for an engaging session exploring the link between gender biases and safety outcomes for women. Discover real-life examples of how biases impact safety practices and perpetuate inequalities. Learn practical strategies to overcome gender bias and stereotypes in the safety sphere, foster inclusivity, advocate for gender equality, and empower women to thrive in safety leadership roles. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation driving positive change in safety cultures. 

  

  Nicole Osborn

  Manager, QHSE Operational Excellence
  Avetta

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  Nicole Osborn

  Manager, QHSE Operational Excellence
  Avetta

  Nicole is the Manager of QHSE Operational Excellence at Avetta, an industry leader in Third-Party Risk Management. She has over ten years of global experience in multi-industry QHSE contractor management, supporting roles focused on compliance, safety, quality, and process optimization. Nicole is a Dallas-based Certified Safety Professional (CSP), a Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), holds her BA in Health Science from the University of West Florida and her Master’s in Public Health (MPH), focusing on Occupational Health & Safety, from Texas A&M University.  

• 10:30 AM

  Networking Coffee Break

• 11:00 AM

  Inclusive PPE Showcase

  Showcasing PPE design and innovations specifically tailored to fit women’s bodies from leading Canadian manufacturer, Levitt Safety.

  

  Leslie Molin

  Market Segment Manager – Personal Safety
  Levitt Safety

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  Leslie Molin

  Market Segment Manager – Personal Safety
  Levitt Safety

  Leslie Molin is the Market Segment Manager for Personal Safety at Levitt-Safety, Canada’s leading safety equipment supplier.   

  With over 25 years’ experience in the protective apparel arena, Leslie is passionate about promoting the importance of PPE. Leslie’s focus for 2024 is to continue to raise awareness about female-specific PPE and bring better product offerings to the Canadian market. Leslie resides in Brampton, Ontario and is an avid biography reader and loves travelling.    

  Contact Leslie at [email protected], or visit Levitt Safety at www.levitt-safety.com   Connect with Leslie on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliemolin/ 

• 11:15 AM

  Panel: Strategies to empower women in safety – Unlocking leadership success at every career stage 

  In the dynamic world of OHS, career success is not limited by age or experience. What can we learn from each other’s unique perspectives and experiences? How can women take steps to advance at each level – what’s proven? This session explores the strategies and opportunities that individuals can harness to thrive in safety at every stage of their professional journey. With insights on overcoming the most common leadership pain points, explore:

  • Successful strategies for establishing a winning career foundation
  • Your toolkit to overcome leadership challenges and take your career to the next level
  • Leadership opportunities that will drive your career forward
  • How do you develop your own authentic leadership style?
  • Tips and actionable takeaways for growing your OHS career

  Moderator

  

  Angela Spehar

  Senior Regional WHS Manager
  Amazon Logistics (AMZL)

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  Angela Spehar

  Senior Regional WHS Manager
  Amazon Logistics (AMZL)

  Angela Spehar is a seasoned health and safety professional. Over the course of her 20-year career, Angela has held leadership roles in the pharmaceutical, beverage, manufacturing, and logistics industries. 

  As Senior Regional WHS Manager, Amazon Logistics (AMZL), she oversees health and safety programs at Amazon’s more than 30 delivery stations from coast to coast, where more than 50 health and safety professionals help the company achieve its ambition to be Earth’s Safest Place to Work. 

  Angela’s passion and commitment to safety has allowed her to build strong programs that ensure that employees continue to return home safely to their families. 

  Angela holds a Bachelor of Health Science from the University of Western Ontario, a Diploma in Human Resources Management from Sheridan College, and an Occupational Health and Safety Post Grad Certificate from Toronto Metropolitan (formerly Ryerson) University. She is a Certified Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) and Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL).   

  Angela lives outside of Toronto with her husband and three dogs.  She is passionate about snuggling with her dog, staying active, and enjoying as much time as she can with her family.

  Panelists

  

  Veronique Amar

  Director Health and Safety Regulatory Programs  
  Air Canada 

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  Veronique Amar

  Director Health and Safety Regulatory Programs  
  Air Canada 

  Veronique has been a Health and Safety professional since 2005. She has been developing and managing Health and Safety Programs in various workplaces within the organization to identify and mitigate health and safety risks and facilitate a collaborative approach with the Health and Safety Committees in order to reduce risks and incidents of accidents and injuries. Women have been making significant contributions to the field of safety. Recognizing and celebrating their contributions can help to raise awareness about the important role that women play in safety. 

   

  

  Michelle Colleton

  Director HSSE
  TransAlta

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  Michelle Colleton

  Director HSSE
  TransAlta

  With over 10 years of experience in executive Health and Safety roles, boards and industry associations, she is a leader in collaboration, strategic thinking and strong governance.  She is the Director, Health, Safety, Security and Environment for TransAlta where she ensures that capability and resources are in place to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable energy. Michelle has led HSE organizations in the Utility and Energy sector from BP to PETRONAS and EPCOR to TransAlta over her 20-year career in Health and Safety.  She has volunteered her time to health and safety boards and industry associations as the Ministerial Appointee for public safety for ABSA – Alberta’s Pressure Equipment Safety Authority, Energy Safety Canada’s Advisory Committee, and the Job Safety Skills Society a not-for-profit organization supporting young worker safety.   She brings her education from McGill University (M.Sc. Occupational Health), Toronto Metropolitan University (B.Sc. Occupational Health and Safety) and the University of Alberta (B.A.) to advance the understanding of Health and Safety in the workplace and community.  Michelle has presented internationally on health and safety topics at the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the American Industrial Hygiene conference (AIHce).     

  

  Leigh-Ann Stewart

  CRSP, Safety Consultant, Chairperson
  WOHSS

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  Leigh-Ann Stewart

  CRSP, Safety Consultant, Chairperson
  WOHSS

  Pronouns | pronouns: She, Her | Elle, la 

  Leigh-Ann is co-founder of Simply Safe, a health & safety consulting firm. Previously she was the director of health and safety for Kal Tire, where she was the dealership’s senior safety professional for 19 years. In this role she led a variety of activities including: the implementation of a safety program across 17 countries. She was the lead incident investigator for four fatalities and two court cases. In addition, she advises senior executive teams on improvements to various safety activities.  

  Leigh-Ann is currently the WOHSS Chair, she is passionate about being involved in the Society’s continued growth and ability to provide on-going value to its members. 

   

  

  Virginie Tremblay P.Eng, CRSP, CHRP 

  Director, H&S Management Systems
  Canada Post

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  Virginie Tremblay P.Eng, CRSP, CHRP 

  Director, H&S Management Systems
  Canada Post

  Virginie Tremblay is a health and safety professional and a professional engineer with l’Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ), with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Sherbrooke.  She is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) and a Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP), and is the Chair of the BCRSP Internal Audit committee.  

   Virginie was a nominee for the 2020 Safety Leader of the Year and listed as one of Top 40 Women in Safety in 2021 and in 2024 

   As the National Director of Health & Safety Management Systems, Virginie leads the technical Health & Safety team managing national programs, policies and reporting, as well as the inclusion of safety in design in corporate projects across Canada.  

• 12:05 PM

  Leaders’ briefing: Workplace harassment and psychological safety – How to safeguard women in the workplace

  Incidents of sexual and other forms of harassment in the workplace are still far too prevalent and underreported. Hear from a leading lawyer on how you can address and prevent harassment and violence in your workplace. An opportunity to ask questions to a legal expert and discover practical strategies to safeguard and empower the women in your organization. 

  • Overview of the laws relating to workplace harassment  
  • How to ensure a “psychologically safe” workplace  
  • What is a “poisoned workplace”? 
  • Step by step guide to investigating sexual harassment complaints  
  • The roles of the safety and HR teams in preventing and addressing sexual harassment 

  

  Loretta M Bouwmeester, KC

  Partner
  Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP

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  Loretta M Bouwmeester, KC

  Partner
  Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP

  Loretta Bouwmeester, KC is a partner at Mathews Dinsdale in its occupational health and safety (OHS), employment, privacy and workers’ compensation practices. Before joining the firm, Loretta worked at other national law firms and as the Manager of Legal Services and Corporate Policy with a municipality. She represents clients in resolving disputes and in proactive strategic planning and risk management initiatives. Loretta has defended employers and prime contractors in regulatory proceedings and appeared before the Alberta Labour Relations Board and all levels of court in Alberta. She has also carried out many complex and sensitive workplace investigations as a neutral investigator and acted as a legal advisor on others. Loretta also continues to be on the ASSIST Board of Directors.  

   She has been listed as a leading OHS practitioner in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and by Chambers and Partners for Employment & Labour Law. Loretta is designated as a Best Lawyer for her workers’ compensation board practice and been recognized as a 5 Star Safety lawyer. She frequently speaks at professional conferences and in-house training sessions and has been published in national publications, such as Canadian Occupational Safety and OHS Canada (winning repeated Readers Choice Awards). Loretta is a co-Author of LexisNexis’ Disability Management Compliance Manual. She is also a current, and multi-year, contributor to Practical Law Canada – Employment, with Thomson Reuters for the Provincial Q&As, Accident Reporting & Investigation (NWT) and Accident Reporting & Investigation (Fed). 

   Loretta holds an LL.B. from the University of Alberta, an M.A. in Political Science from York University, and a B.A. (Hons.) from the University of Manitoba. She is called to the Alberta, British Columbia, and Northwest Territories Bars. 

   

• 12:30 PM

  Networking lunch

• 1:30 PM

  Inclusive PPE Showcase

  Continuing our focus on the latest innovations in women’s PPE, this showcase features PPE design and innovations specifically tailored to fit women’s bodies from leading Canadian manufacturer, Mark’s Commercial.

  

  Danielle Hanley

  Manager, Marketing & eCommerce
  Mark’s Commercial

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  Danielle Hanley

  Manager, Marketing & eCommerce
  Mark’s Commercial

• 1:45 PM

  Panel: Support system – Building your leadership career in the safety sector

  In today’s rapidly changing OHS landscape, your professional network can be a powerful asset in building your career. This panel will feature women from a range of industries sharing their career and leadership advice. Hear a range of opinions on how women can build influence and leadership capital to put safety at the forefront of the management agenda.

  • Successful strategies for establishing a winning career foundation
  • Tips for negotiating promotions, pay and conditions
  • How to effectively communicate and influence at the senior leadership level
  • Harness the power of your network to seize opportunities and adapt to changes in safety

  Moderator

  

  Sandra Jury-Fleming

  President & Founder 
  BVS Canada

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  Sandra Jury-Fleming

  President & Founder 
  BVS Canada

  Sandra Jury-Fleming is president and founder of Bow Valley Safety. She is a Certified Health & Safety Consultant and brings over 2 decades of industry experience to her practice. From cutting her teeth in the Oil Sands to starting her own consultancy firm in Canmore & Banff, she has not veered far from her “safety nerd” roots. She was hooked early on into trying to change some of the negative stereotypes of safety and “safety people”. 

  When she is not getting her boots dirty or working on client solutions, she is supporting and encouraging women as a board member for WOHSS. 

  Her company has diversified from mainly construction to school boards, manufacturing, resource management and hospitality. She has been a guest speaker for the Canmore Chamber of Commerce, BOWDA and is a former instructor for the ACSA and AHSA.

  Bow Valley Safety is an award-winning company and has come to be known as the go-to when starting projects from Kananaskis, Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, and Jasper. 

   

  Panelists

  

  Sukhi Dhillon

  Senior Director, ESHQ
  Carmichael Engineering

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  Sukhi Dhillon

  Senior Director, ESHQ
  Carmichael Engineering

  Sukhi Dhillon is an expert in leading people, enhancing processes and standards, strengthening professionalism, juggling priorities, and managing complex projects simultaneously to deliver excellent business results. She is a strategic leader and result-driven professional with more than 12 years of experience in the service industry, specializing in developing and implementing health and safety programs. Her areas of specialization are program development and management; project management; planning and training; process design and improvement/operational excellence; and strategy development. Dhillon’s career achievements include four promotions in eight years, climbing the corporate ladder from HSE coordinator to senior director, EHSQ. She has received multiple internal recognitions for developing innovative technology solutions to solve complex safety problems. Dhillon is currently the national head of the EHSQ department at Carmichael Engineering and is responsible for leading the environmental, occupational health and safety, and quality department. She has been highly involved in the HSE industry and is currently volunteering in various organizations to influence a change in safety standards in Canada. Dhillon is an active advocate for women in the safety industry and is engaged in organizations that remove the barriers that restrict women from advancing in safety careers. She is currently mentoring three young women in the safety profession. She believes that, despite improvements over time, gender inequality persists within the safety industry. She also emphasizes that more work must be done to remove inherent biases and elevate women to leadership roles. 

   

  

  Treena Dixon

  Executive Director
  Alberta Education Health & Safety Association

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  Treena Dixon

  Executive Director
  Alberta Education Health & Safety Association

  Treena has over 24 years of experience in occupational health and safety and is deeply committed to workplace safety, wellness, and injury prevention. She has worked across diverse industries, including commercial and industrial construction, pipeline and facility construction, oil and gas, and manufacturing. Currently, she focuses on K-12 education safety. 

  Treena’s career journey began as an Emergency Medical Technician right out of high school. Over the years, she has also owned a driving school business and even cared for baby Bengal tigers at a zoo. However, her true passion lies in safety. 

  Her accomplishments include earning the CRSP designation in 2013, graduating with distinction from the University of Alberta’s OHS Certificate Program, and holding designations including the gold seal certification – Construction Safety Coordinator and National Construction Safety Officer.  Treena has been recognized with numerous awards, including the City of Red Deer’s Mayor’s Recognition Award for Community Builder, the Threads of Life Community Action Award, the Alberta Construction Safety Association’s Pacesetter award, and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering – Central Alberta Chapter’s Outstanding Service Award. 

  Currently, Treena serves as the Health and Safety Manager for the Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools and holds a part-time position as the Executive Director with the Alberta Education Health and Safety Association. Her commitment extends beyond her professional roles, as she actively volunteers thousands of hours each year with various not-for-profit, safety-minded organizations in her community. 

  

  Brenda Madley

  Director, HSE
  Forbes Bros

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  Brenda Madley

  Director, HSE
  Forbes Bros

  A CRSP and CUSP, Brenda has 25 years of safety management experience in utility, oil and gas, manufacturing, commercial/industrial construction, and transportation. She’s an advocate for better worker safety and continuous improvement, and an active member of the CSSE and ASSP.  Persuasive, committed, safety bad ass.  

  

  Corinne Paul

  Specialist, Industrial Hygiene & Occupational Health,
  Cenovus Energy

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  Corinne Paul

  Specialist, Industrial Hygiene & Occupational Health,
  Cenovus Energy

  Corinne Paul is an accomplished safety professional, with over 20 years of experience.  As the Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Health Specialist at Cenovus Energy, Corinne draws upon her extensive background in health, safety, chemical management, Transportation of Dangerous Goods and product stewardship to drive her company’s strategic growth and instill the importance of a safe and healthy workforce. 

   In 2023 she attained her Certified Professional Product Stewardship designation, a welcome addition to her CRSP and CRM credentials.  A California State University master’s student she has enjoyed working in both the Diamond Mining and Oil & Gas Industries. 

   Corinne is of Dogrib Cree blood and originally from Treaty 11, Yellowknife, NWT but feels blessed to be sharing the Treaty 7 territory for the past 15 years.  Indigenous influence is a passion for her, and she is the Co-Lead of Cenovus’ Indigenous Employee Network, Co-Chair of the Coloring it Forward Reconciliation Society and a Board member of the IndigeSTEAM organization.  

• 2:30 PM

  Speed networking

  A valuable opportunity to meet your peers and get to know more people in the room. Expand your network, make connections, and meet fellow delegates in this structured networking session.

  

  Lee-Anne Lyon-Bartley

  Executive Vice President, HSSQ&C
  Dexterra Group

  ×

  

  Lee-Anne Lyon-Bartley

  Executive Vice President, HSSQ&C
  Dexterra Group

   

  Lee-Anne Lyon-Bartley, lovingly known as Canada’s Safety Diva, is currently Executive Vice President, Health, Safety, Sustainability Quality and Community at Dexterra Group Inc (TSE: DXT), a leading integrated facilities management, workforce accommodations, forestry and modular building service provider. She is the 2022 Safety Leader of the year and holds a BASc from Ryerson in Occupational and Public Health, is a CRSP (Certified Registered Safety Professional), a CP-FS (Certified Professional in Food Safety), an International General Certificate from NEBOSH (National Examination Board of Occupational Safety and Health) and is IEMA certified.    

  She prides herself in being passionate about safety and sharing her passion with others, she enjoyed being a regular guest on Season 2 of the nationally televised Steven and Chris Show on CBC highlighting simple safety tips at home. She was featured in the Institute for Work and Health’s 2016 annual report (see pages 8-9) and volunteers with Workplace Safety Prevention Services on their Commercial Industrial Services Advisory Committee, volunteers with My Safe Work and Threads of Life Toronto Planning committee which are charities dedicated to health and safety awareness and empowerment. She was teaching health and safety at Seneca college, Humber and Keyano college and was a director at large for the Women in Occupational Health and Safety Society (WOHSS).   

   Under Lee-Anne’s leadership as Vice President of Health & Safety in 2019, Dexterra was awarded Canada’s Safest Employer gold award for young worker safety and  Lee-Anne was awarded the Women in EHS award.  She sponsors the “Safety Diva Canada Award”, a scholarship for a student pursuing their studies in occupational health, safety, public health or music.  In addition to speaking at several conferences, she has been interviewed by CP24, CTV News, CBC News, City TV’s Breakfast television and Global News Weekend. In addition to being awarded Canada’s Safety Employer Safety Leader of the year, she was also listed as a Top Women in Safety 2021, 2022 and 2023 by Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine and is currently serving a three-year appointment on Ontario’s Prevention Council.  

   

• 2:45 PM

  Networking Coffee Break

• 3:15 PM

  Panel: Navigating change – Discover the future of safety

  What’s next for OHS? Discover emerging trends, technologies, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the safety landscape. Hear from leading women safety experts on how they are navigating current safety challenges, the ways they are leveraging technology, and what they are doing to prepare for the future. With insights on trends, challenges, and opportunities, futureproof your business with the latest OHS outlook.  

  • Thought leadership on trending topics in safety  
  • Discover insights on emerging risks for 2024 and beyond
  • Successful use-cases of AI in OHS – and the pitfalls to avoid  
  • How to navigate change and innovation in your own organization  

  Moderator

  

  Denise Howitt

  Senior Manager, EHS Systems & Compliance
  University of Calgary

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  Denise Howitt

  Senior Manager, EHS Systems & Compliance
  University of Calgary

  Denise Howitt is the Senior Manager, EHS Systems and Compliance at the University of Calgary.  She recognized as one of the Top Women in Safety in 2023 and 2021 by Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine. She is a passionate health and safety professional with over 25 years of experience with a primary focus on occupational health and safety management systems, legislative compliance, risk assessment and injury prevention.  She is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) and a Canadian Risk Manager (CRM). 

  Denise and her small team of specialists in the University of Calgary’s Environment, Health and Safety Department influence university processes and practices by bringing a systems-thinking strategic approach to managing EHS performance, and compliance.  Prior to joining the University in 2017, she worked as a health and safety consultant providing services to provincially and federally regulated clients of all sizes in multiple sectors across Canada.  Denise is also an instructor in University of Calgary Continuing Education’s OHS Program. 

  Denise loves to share her passion for health and safety with others and has made lifelong friends through volunteering.  She is a co-founder and current Treasurer of The Women in Occupational Health and Safety Society (WOHSS), an organization dedicated to building better futures for women working in OH&S roles through education, mentorship and networking. 

  Panelists

  

  Cristina Barlow

  Strategic Partnership Specialist
  Mark’s Commercial

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  Cristina Barlow

  Strategic Partnership Specialist
  Mark’s Commercial

  Cristina Barlow is Strategic Partnership Specialist at Mark’s Commercial. She has played a pivotal role in driving positive change within the company. With over 18 months of experience in this role, Cristina brings a diverse background spanning energy management, technology, and corporate image apparel. Her global footprint includes living in three countries—Europe, the UK, and Canada—and working globally. She holds dual citizenship and speaks three languages. 

   As part of the Mark’s Commercial team, Cristina collaborates with forward-thinking organizations to leverage innovation for enhanced safety. Her unwavering dedication aligns perfectly with Mark’s mission to bring men and women working in the trades home safe every day. By staying on top of emerging trends and technologies, Mark’s Commercial remains at the forefront of safety practices. 

   Cristina’s passion for creating safer work environments is evidenced by her strategic partnerships. Through these collaborations, Cristina and the team at Mark’s Commercial empower organizations to implement cutting-edge solutions that prioritize worker safety. Their deep understanding of the industry makes Mark’s Commercial a trusted advisor in tailoring safety solutions specific to each client’s specific needs. 

   With her dynamic approach and commitment to excellence, Cristina is committed to driving positive change within Mark’s Commercial and beyond. She serves as a valuable asset in championing the company’s mission and making a lasting impact on organizations across borders. 

  

  Nicole Orr

  Chief Operating Officer
  National Safety 

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  Nicole Orr

  Chief Operating Officer
  National Safety 

  Nicole is the Chief Operating Officer of National Safety Services and has 27 years of industry experience with 24 years in Health, Safety and Environment in construction, energy, municipalities, transportation, manufacturing and engineering industries. She is a seasoned instructor and instructs in the University of Alberta OHS Certificate and Diploma programs, and for various safety associations in Alberta. She has extensive experience as a serious incident, fatality, and harassment investigator. Her experience in regulatory compliance, the creation and management of Contractor, Prime Contractor, and Owner Health, Safety and Environment Systems, and the development and facilitation of training is substantial.  

   

  

  Sari Sairanen

  Executive Assistant to Secretary Treasurer
  Unifor National

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  Sari Sairanen

  Executive Assistant to Secretary Treasurer
  Unifor National

  Sari Sairanen is the executive assistant to the secretary treasurer of Unifor, Canada’s largest private-sector union representing workers in all economic sectors, including transportation, manufacturing and natural resources. Prior to this recent appointment, she was Unifor’s/Canadian Auto Workers (CAW)’s national health, safety and environment director for over 15 years, and she continues to be responsible for protecting worker rights—promoting safe and sustainable work transformations while ensuring the health and safety of workers. 

  Since 2013, Sairanen has been a member of the Board of Directors of Pacific Coast University/National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR) and of the Occupational Health and Safety Strategic Steering Committee at CSA Group—and remains a member of both. She previously sat on the Boards of the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW, 2016-2022), Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS, 2012-2020) and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB, 2008-2019). She also sat on the Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Committee at Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC, 2013-2022). 

  Sairanen has her BA (majoring in French and economics) from the University of Winnipeg. 

• 3:55 PM

  Closing remarks from chairperson

  

  Lee-Anne Lyon-Bartley

  Executive Vice President, HSSQ&C
  Dexterra Group

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  Lee-Anne Lyon-Bartley

  Executive Vice President, HSSQ&C
  Dexterra Group

   

  Lee-Anne Lyon-Bartley, lovingly known as Canada’s Safety Diva, is currently Executive Vice President, Health, Safety, Sustainability Quality and Community at Dexterra Group Inc (TSE: DXT), a leading integrated facilities management, workforce accommodations, forestry and modular building service provider. She is the 2022 Safety Leader of the year and holds a BASc from Ryerson in Occupational and Public Health, is a CRSP (Certified Registered Safety Professional), a CP-FS (Certified Professional in Food Safety), an International General Certificate from NEBOSH (National Examination Board of Occupational Safety and Health) and is IEMA certified.    

  She prides herself in being passionate about safety and sharing her passion with others, she enjoyed being a regular guest on Season 2 of the nationally televised Steven and Chris Show on CBC highlighting simple safety tips at home. She was featured in the Institute for Work and Health’s 2016 annual report (see pages 8-9) and volunteers with Workplace Safety Prevention Services on their Commercial Industrial Services Advisory Committee, volunteers with My Safe Work and Threads of Life Toronto Planning committee which are charities dedicated to health and safety awareness and empowerment. She was teaching health and safety at Seneca college, Humber and Keyano college and was a director at large for the Women in Occupational Health and Safety Society (WOHSS).   

   Under Lee-Anne’s leadership as Vice President of Health & Safety in 2019, Dexterra was awarded Canada’s Safest Employer gold award for young worker safety and  Lee-Anne was awarded the Women in EHS award.  She sponsors the “Safety Diva Canada Award”, a scholarship for a student pursuing their studies in occupational health, safety, public health or music.  In addition to speaking at several conferences, she has been interviewed by CP24, CTV News, CBC News, City TV’s Breakfast television and Global News Weekend. In addition to being awarded Canada’s Safety Employer Safety Leader of the year, she was also listed as a Top Women in Safety 2021, 2022 and 2023 by Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine and is currently serving a three-year appointment on Ontario’s Prevention Council.  

   

• 4:00 PM

  Networking drinks reception