CONFERENCE

KEYNOTES

Two Engaging and Inspiring Keynotes to keep you energized during Conference and beyond!

Arlene Dickinson – Wednesday, June 19, 9 am-10 am

Topic: Reinvention 

Every one of us will feel stuck at some point in our lives. One day, you recognize that you have followed a path — personal or professional — that suddenly seems closed off or unfulfilling. Whether it’s a relationship that doesn’t connect in the way it used to or a job that started out being exciting but now feels unrewarding, suddenly you look up from your life and realize there is something else you want to do or be. You’re ready for a reinvention.

About Arlene

Arlene Dickinson is a visionary entrepreneur and leader with a remarkable track record of success. One of CBC’s preeminent “Dragons”, Dickinson has over 35 years of experience launching, operating, and managing businesses, growing them from early-stage startups to multi-billion-dollar corporations. She is a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work, determination, and vision, and her unwavering commitment to excellence, passion for innovation, and deep dedication to her community has made her a true Canadian icon.

Dickinson is the founder and general partner of District Ventures Capital, a venture capital fund that invests in innovative companies in the food and beverage and health and wellness sectors. Under her leadership, they have become a leading force in the industry, with a portfolio of ground-breaking companies transforming the way we live and eat.

Dickinson is also the co-managing partner of Believeco:Partners, an independent Canadian-based owner, operator, and builder of the foremost marketing, communications, and engagement agencies in North America. It was her vision that brought this platform to life, resulting in the creation of a powerhouse marketing consolidator.

In recognition of her leadership and entrepreneurial prowess, Dickinson has been honoured with numerous awards and accolades. She has been inducted into the Southern Alberta Business Hall of Fame and the Marketing Hall of Legends, recognized as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100, and honoured with the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee and Platinum Jubilee medals. Dickinson also served as an honorary captain of the royal Canadian Navy for over 10 years.

Beyond her business ventures, she is a sought-after speaker, three-time bestselling author, and philanthropist. She has starred on CBC’s Dragons’ Den for over 15 seasons and is known as “the funder”.

Jennifer Moss – Friday, June 21, 9 am-10 am

Topic: Unlocking Happiness at Work

Can you really be both “happy” and “at work”? Loving what we do makes us more engaged, productive and higher performing. So, why is only 13% of the global workforce happy and engaged? Despite all the stats, happiness strategies are often low on the workplace priority list. With 50% of our waking hours spent at work in our lifetime; this is a massive problem. It isn’t just costing employers – studies show that employee disengagement is making us lonely, anxious, and harming our health.

Jennifer Moss believes we can solve this well-being crisis and has the research and data-backed insights to show us how. Drawing on her experiences in behavioural sciences and member of the Global Happiness Council think tank, Jennifer provides audiences with practical advice to become happier, healthier, and higher-performing.

About Jennifer

Jennifer Moss is an award-winning journalist and author, international speaker, and workplace culture strategist. Her book, Unlocking Happiness at Work, received the distinguished UK Business Book of the Year Award and her most recent book, The Burnout Epidemic, was named one of the “10 Best New Management Books” by Thinkers50. Moss’ inspiring and evidence-based presentations help leaders and their teams find joy and become more resilient and successful.

Moss is a nationally syndicated radio columnist and writes for Harvard Business Review. Her work has also appeared in TIME, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. As a journalist who is always researching, Moss customizes each of her keynote presentations with the most recent and relevant data for the industry and her audience. Her on-stage style is confident and engaging with her talks striking the right balance between informative and inspiring.

In recognition of her contributions to business and public service, Moss was named a “Canadian Innovator of the Year” and an “International Female Entrepreneur of the Year”. She was also the recipient of the Public Service Award from the Office of President Obama and, in 2022, was named to the Thinkers50 Radar list of “30 thinkers to watch”.