Speakers

Session: Organizational Performance Through the Lens of Safety and Wellness

This presentation is ideal for supervisors and managers in the social services sector who are responsible for overseeing, directing staff or collaborating with health and safety committees in the workplace. It is suitable for those new to the role or experienced professionals seeking to enhance their health and safety knowledge and skills for their organization.

This presentation is designed to build a foundation of health and safety for anyone in a leadership position. Upon completion you will:

• Understand roles and responsibilities for partnering with key partners in your organization
• Learn how to integrate health and safety into everything you do
• Learn your role in building a safe and healthy workplace
• Gain tools and resources that are available to support you in building a safe and healthy workplace

Session: Managing with EQ

Karen Bowen is an experienced and respected speaker and breakout presenter. Her energy and ability to engage her audiences in fun, hands-on sessions with concrete learning outcomes provides value for all attendees. Karen believes that sustainable organizational results center around “People, Process, and Possibility” and her work in organizational strategic planning is recognized across Boards, Non-Profits and the Private Sector industry.

Karen holds a BA in English, a Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education, and a Masters in Leadership through Royal Roads University. Karen is committed to life-long learning and is a Master Trainer in the EQ-I & EQ360, and the Hardiness Resilience Gauge. Her additional certifications include Adapatability (AQ), Multiple Brain Intelligences (Coach), Power+Systems, Clear Leadership, Human Systems Dynamics, MBTI, graphic facilitation and Personality Dimensions.

Session: Making Difficult Conversations Manageable

Zach has over 25 years of global experience in senior leadership roles spanning Learning & Leadership Development, People & Culture, and business operations. He has facilitated workshops on leadership and professional skills across a wide range of countries, including China, Malaysia, Singapore, India, the United States, and Canada. His work has supported leaders at various levels and across diverse industries. Zach is a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration. He is a certified practitioner in several psychometric and leadership tools, including Hogan Assessments, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI – Step I & II), and 16pf®.

Session: Human-Centred AI for our Mission-Driven Work

Meena Das (she/her) is the CEO, consultant, and facilitator of two practices - NamasteData and Data Is For Everyone. Namaste Data focuses on advancing data equity for nonprofits and social impact agencies, while Data Is For Everyone provides tools and resources to help people learn how to navigate the world of data. Meena is a specialist in designing and teaching equitable research tools and analyzing engagement. She supports nonprofits in three critical areas: data collection assessments, community surveys, and staff workshops on AI. 

Session: A 2025 Legal Year in Review

Matthew Cooperwilliams has more than 30 years’ experience with difficult employment, labour and business problems, and representing employers, employees and businesses in courts, tribunals and arbitrations across Canada. He advises employers and employees about employment law problems and acts as counsel before courts, human rights tribunals and administrative adjudicators. Matthew also provides strategic advice to employers about a wide variety of issues in unionized workplaces and represents employers at the BC Labour Relations Board, the Canada Industrial Relations Board and before collective agreement arbitrators. He represents employers, employees and businesses in a wide variety of litigation matters before courts, tribunals and regulators. Matthew was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 1988. He served as Adjunct Professor in Employment Law at the University of British Columbia from 2010-2015 and continues to guest lecturer at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC.

Session: From Complaint to Conclusion: Managing the Investigation Process

Gurkiran (Kiran) Gill is a lawyer currently practicing as an Advocate at CSSEA in the area of labour and employment law. Kiran brings over three years of experience in advocacy and dispute resolution. Her legal work is informed by an academic background in Human Resources, which provides her with a unique insight into workplace dynamics and employment relationships. Known for her strategic approach and client-centered advocacy, Kiran is committed to helping organizations navigate complex challenges in the workplace.

Session: From Complaint to Conclusion: Managing the Investigation Process

Jessica completed her articles at a leading Vancouver law firm, where she concentrated her development in the Labour, Employment, and Human Rights group. She holds a law degree from the University of Alberta and an undergraduate degree in Psychology, which informs her thoughtful and people-focused approach to legal practice. Prior to entering the legal profession, she gained valuable experience in both the private sector and public service, including her work in the Research and Communications department at the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.

Session: From Complaint to Conclusion: Managing the Investigation Process

Sharde Long, CPHR, is a HRLR Consultant at CSSEA.

Previously, Sharde held roles such as the Director of People + Culture at Power To Be, the HR Manager at Victoria Women’s Transition House and People + Culture Business Partner with Reimagine Work. 

As a two-time award-winning HR professional, people-forward leadership and a conscientious approach to human resource management seems to come naturally to Sharde. She is clearly rooted in her commitment to create positive social impact and continues to invest in her community by building foundational HR practices for organizations without. 

Sharde is a dedicated volunteer at CPHR BC & Yukon, where she is the host of a Community of Practice. She is also a member of the Vancouver Island Advisory Council, provides mentorship to emerging HR professionals, serves on multiple committees, has been a case competition evaluator for HRC West, a speaker at the Vancouver Island Conference and actively serves as a member of the HR Program Advisory Council Committee at Camosun College.

Sessions: Walking the Path of Truth and Leadership (keynote speech) and Two-Eyed Seeing and Transformative Leadership 

Joyce is a proud First Nations woman and a dedicated advocate for equity and inclusion. With a deep commitment to advancing Indigenous-led approaches to care, she brings a wealth of experience in fostering culturally safe and responsive workplaces. Joyce has played a pivotal role in guiding organizations through the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, emphasizing tangible, community-rooted change. Her work reflects a strong belief in the power of collaboration, storytelling, and cultural humility to transform systems and uplift Indigenous voices.

Session: Everything You Need to Know About CSSEA's JJEP

Joanna joined CSSEA in January 2023. She is an accomplished and experienced labour relations practitioner who worked for one of CSSEA's members, Community Living Victoria, for seven years as Director of Human Resources. Before that, she worked at another of CSSEA's members, Integra Support Services, in a number of roles including the Director of Human Resources. In 2020, she was awarded the HR Professional of the Year by the BC and Yukon Chartered Professional HR Association.  

Session: Everything You Need to Know About CSSEA's JJEP

Karen May joined CSSEA in 2002 and is a Compensation Analyst for the Finance, Research and Knowledge Management Department and Member Services Lead. Karen has also worked for CSSEA’s Human Resources and Labour Relations and Corporate Services Departments in various advancing roles. Prior to joining CSSEA Karen worked for various health and science organizations coordinating database development and deployment. In her free time Karen motivates others to be healthy and active by teaching dance classes and leading a ballet boot camp.

Session: Indigenous Learning and Sharing Circle

Aaron is Cree Metis on his father’s side (Cree Grandmother, Cree, and French Grandfather) and (Scottish Heritage) on his mother’s side. Aaron is an adult child and nephew of Metis Residential School survivors (father, aunt, and uncle). Aaron currently works at Westcoast Family Centres (WFC) as an Indigenous Family Counselor and Indigenous Education Consultant. His works includes supporting Indigenous families, changing agency forms/report writing and policies to help ensure services are offered in a culturally appropriate safe manner for everyone being served. Aaron facilitates Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Learning and Talking Circles for WFC staff, MCFD staff (including students and new hires), Family Services of Greater Vancouver staff, and Hollyburn Family Services staff. The TRC Learning Talking Circles now includes MCFD, VACFSS, and Hollyburn Foster Caregivers. Aaron has been providing one-on-one support for foster caregivers, cultural teachings and providing traditional medicines they can use with the children and youth placed in their care. Aaron has over 31 years of direct experience providing support to children, youth and families of all cultures and socio-economic backgrounds in the non-profit, community and social service sectors. This includes being one of the first males to work in as a child and youth counselor in a women’s transition home and second stage housing program. Aaron has also previously worked as a Children Who Witness Counselor, a Services Coordinator for youth in care of MCFD and North West Territories Ministries, and a Suicide Awareness Prevention Coordinator in the Richmond School District.

Session: Workplace Psychological Health and Safety

Dr. Ashley Spetch is WorkSafeBC’s Chief Mental Health Officer — the first position of its kind for any workers’ compensation board in Canada. She is responsible for the organization’s overall strategy on mental health, and works with various partners and collaborators to support B.C. workers affected by psychological injury — with the goal of improving their recovery and safe return-to-work outcomes. Prior to joining WorkSafeBC, Dr. Spetch held progressive leadership positions in workplace mental health and psychological health and safety. She has extensive experience in helping employers develop programs to cultivate return to work, employee well-being, and psychologically safe and healthy workforces and workplaces. Dr. Spetch has a PhD in consulting psychology, and is a respected leader in her field. She brings to every situation a balance of academic, clinical, and practical expertise.