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MARCH 13, 2024 | OTTAWA CONFERENCE & EVENT CENTER

Leadership
Summit 2024

Excellence in Workforce Development
for Canada’s Food and Beverage
Manufacturing Industry
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Bringing Leaders Together to Build a Better Working World for All

The Food Processing Skills Canada Leadership Summit successfully brought together industry leaders for an exceptional day dedicated to tackling the most pressing workforce development challenges in the Canadian food and beverage manufacturing sector.

With a shared commitment to putting people and culture first, participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and high-value networking opportunities. The event fostered a transformative approach to learning, inspiring change leaders across the industry to drive meaningful progress.

Participant enthusiasm and growth mindset made this summit a powerful catalyst for innovation and collaboration. Thank you to everyone who joined us in shaping a stronger, more resilient future for our workforce!

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Keynote Speaker: Riaz Meghi | Human Connection Expert

We are thrilled to share our 2024 expert line up of speakers!

Food Processing Skills Canada’s Leadership Summit delivered a transformative experience and learning journey for those dedicated to achieving the very best for themselves and the hundreds of thousands of people employed in the industry.

Attendees gained valuable insights, engaged in meaningful discussions, and explored innovative solutions to drive the future of workforce development. Thank you to all who participated in making this event a resounding success!

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Human Connection Expert | Author of Every Conversation Counts

Riaz Meghji

Riaz Meghji is a human connection expert and bestselling author of Every Conversation Counts: The 5 Habits of Human Connection That Build Extraordinary Relationships. After one conversation led him to take a dramatically different career path that changed his life for the better, Riaz became dedicated to exploring the ways that authentic human connection can change lives and organizations. A natural storyteller, he shows audiences how to create engaged and connected cultures through the power of candid conversation.
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Executive Director, Food Processing Skills Canada | Conference Emcee

Jennefer Griffith

Jennefer Griffith has been a leader in skills development and training for the Canadian food and beverage manufacturing sector for over 20 years. As Executive Director of Food Processing Skills Canada, she has led ground…
Mike Timani 2022

President & CEO, Fancy Pokket Corporation and Board Chair, Food Processing Skills Canada | Opening Remarks

Mike Timani

Mike Timani is a native of Lebanon and was born in Venezuela. He arrived in Toronto during the Lebanese civil war. He is president and CEO of Fancy Pokket Corporation in Moncton which was established in June 1989 in a…
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Project & Government Relations Manager
Food Processing Skills Canada

Kevin Elder

Kevin studied International Development at the University of Calgary and has lived and worked all over the globe. He grew up in Alberta and California and now makes his home in Ottawa. His introduction to food an..
Pat b e1709748253401

VP, Primary Research, Research & Analytics
Hill & Knowlton

Pat Beauchamp

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience, Pat designs and implements quantitative and qualitative research to shape decision-making in a variety of areas including policy development and strategic communications for…
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President
Elite Compass Services

Raja Hatoum

Raja Hatoum is a seasoned business psychologist and Emotional Intelligence (EI) expert; specializing in eLearning Experience Design and Emotional Intelligence Executive Coaching, helping individuals and…
Lisette

President
Wysed Inc.

Dr. Lisette Reyes-Paulino

Dr. Lisette Reyes-Paulino is an accomplished global learning strategist, researcher, and human performance professional specializing in learning design, leadership development, and employee listening. With over a…
Krista Carr

CEO, Inclusion Canada
Inclusive & Respectful Workplaces

Krista Carr

Krista Carr is a long-time advocate in the inclusion movement. She is the Executive Vice President (CEO) of Inclusion Canada, one of Canada’s 10 largest charitable organizations. Inclusion Canada is a national federation…
Don Gallant web

Principal Consultant, Don Gallant and Associates
Inclusive & Respectful Workplace

Don Gallant

Don Gallant is Principal Consultant with Don Gallant and Associates – a social policy and planning agency providing support and consultation to both public and private sectors to advance and promote social well-being…
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National Lead, Intel & Tech Solutions
Hill & Knowlton

Blaine Mackie

Blaine is an analytics team leader, and he has a passion for research design and a proven ability to transform raw data into compelling insights and stories. Experienced leading high-performing teams across markets and…
  • Delivered Key Insights: Participants gained valuable knowledge about the latest economic and labour market trends affecting people and their communities, providing crucial context for current challenges and future solutions.
  • Fostered Meaningful Connections: Leaders came together to build a strong, engaged community dedicated to pioneering change and mentoring the next generation of industry professionals.
  • Facilitated High-Value Learning: The event provided an environment where top thinkers and thought leaders connected, grew, and exchanged ideas through impactful discussions and networking opportunities.
  • Facilitated High-Value Learning: The event provided an environment where top thinkers and thought leaders connected, grew, and exchanged ideas through impactful discussions and networking opportunities.

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Food Processing Skills Canada

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Riaz is an accomplished broadcaster with 17 years of television experience, interviewing experts on current affairs, sports, entertainment, politics, and business.

He has hosted for Citytv’s Breakfast Television, MTV Canada, CTV News, TEDxVancouver, and the Toronto International Film Festival.

A respected thought leader on human connection, Riaz is a highly sought-after keynote speaker and moderator with a proven ability to conduct engaging, in-depth conversations across various disciplines. His insights have been featured in Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, and Financial Post.

Off camera, Riaz dedicates himself to philanthropy and causes he cares about, including Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and Covenant House. He holds a degree in business from Simon Fraser University and studied leadership communication at Harvard’s Extension School and the Canadian Management Centre.

Jennefer Griffith has been a leader in skills development and training for the Canadian food and beverage manufacturing sector for over 20 years. As Executive Director of Food Processing Skills Canada, she has led ground breaking initiatives including development of the Canadian Food Processors Institute, FoodSkills Library and FoodCert – resources that support education and career pathways for businesses and people. Recently, Jennefer and her team finalized Canada’s first Learning Recognition Framework for the industry and are in the process of completing national labour market analysis and an accreditation process for colleges, universities and private trainers. Jennefer is passionate about supporting new Canadians, Indigenous People, women and youth in finding rewarding careers. Prior to joining Food Processing Skills Canada, she held roles in government and the non-profit sector.

Mike Timani is a native of Lebanon and was born in Venezuela. He arrived in Toronto during the Lebanese civil war. He is president and CEO of Fancy Pokket Corporation in Moncton which was established in June 1989 in a 1,000 sq foot facility with three employees. Today, the bakery consists of 45,000 sq. ft. and employs 80 people. Fancy Pokket is the largest producer of pita bread, bagels, tortilla wraps and flatbread in Atlantic Canada.

Mike constructed a 58,000 sq. ft. dedicated Gluten Free facility in Lancaster County, South Carolina which produces a variety of gluten free products. The new facility began operations in August 2019.

Kevin studied International Development at the University of Calgary and has lived and worked all over the globe. He grew up in Alberta and California and now makes his home in Ottawa. His introduction to food and beverage processing was as a Vapour Heat Treatment Facility Manager at a mango plant in Australia. Kevin joined Food Processing Skills Canada in 2017 and has been leading the organization’s Labour Market Information insights since that time. At FPSC, he coordinates and analyzes the latest qualitative and quantitative information for all industry stakeholders. Kevin also represents FPSC and the industry on a variety of national and regional committees to ensure decision makers have access to the best available information. When he isn’t reviewing data, he is likely coaching, playing, or watching sports.

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience, Pat designs and implements quantitative and qualitative research to shape decision-making in a variety of areas including policy development and strategic communications for public, private, and non-profit organizations. Pat has conducted over 4,000 focus groups over the course of his career, almost all on complex public policy issues, including skills development and education, immigration, and innovation. Pat has been conducting communications, marketing and labour market research for the Canadian food and beverage processing industry since 2016. This work includes several national surveys of processors, consumers and labour market participants. He has conducted research for FPSC, Food and Beverage Ontario, Saputo, McCain Foods and the Government of Canada.

Pat began his research consulting career with EKOS Research Associates in Ottawa. During his time there, he successfully managed some of the largest public-opinion research studies ever undertaken in Canada (e.g., Rethinking Government). Pat earned a master of arts degree in Canadian political history from the University of Ottawa. He has been a speaker and guest lecturer at Algonquin College and the Canada School of Public Service and has coauthored several published articles based on his research.

Raja Hatoum is a seasoned business psychologist and Emotional Intelligence (EI) expert; specializing in eLearning Experience Design and Emotional Intelligence Executive Coaching, helping individuals and organizations find and amplify their unique voices. His approach transcends traditional skills, focusing on profound leadership excellence. Certified in various psychological and EI tools and tests, he provides a rich blend of scientific understanding and engaging learning experiences. He is the co-creator of the visionary Acahkos SEL program, which is dedicated to enhancing EI and leadership in the workplace. Through a strategic partnership with Food Processing Skills Canada, he is dedicated to embedding vital soft skills in the food industry, elevating standards and fostering success. Raja’s motto, ‘Go Beyond Your Skills for Success: Transforming Self-Reflecting Mirrors into Windows of Opportunity,’ vividly illustrates his commitment to turning introspection into impactful growth and fostering connections that resonate and inspire.

Dr. Lisette Reyes-Paulino is an accomplished global learning strategist, researcher, and human performance professional specializing in learning design, leadership development, and employee listening. With over a decade of multifaceted roles and experiences across prestigious organizations, she excels in diagnosing performance gaps, designing innovative, evidence-based learning experiences, evaluating learning strategies, and measuring all aspects of the employee experience using robust research methods. Certified in Emotional Intelligence, Dr. Reyes-Paulino is the visionary co-creator behind the Achakos leadership program in collaboration with Food Processing Skills Canada. She holds a Ph.D. and a Master’s in Learning Design and Technology from Purdue University, where she has served as an Adjunct Faculty member for the online Master in Learning Design and Technology.

Krista Carr is a long-time advocate in the inclusion movement.  She is the Executive Vice President (CEO) of Inclusion Canada, one of Canada’s 10 largest charitable organizations. Inclusion Canada is a national federation of 300 local and 13 Provincial/Territorial Associations working on behalf of approximately 1 million Canadians with a developmental disability and their families. Krista has over 25 years of experience in the non-profit sector as a champion of inclusion. Before joining Inclusion Canada, she was the Executive Director of the New Brunswick Association for Community Living (NBACL), a leading provincial non-profit organization that works with people with an intellectual disability and their families to accomplish the mission of full inclusion across the lifespan. In her current role, Krista is responsible for leading the Inclusion Canada National organization, the Inclusion Canada Foundation and Inclusive Education Canada (IEC). In addition to her extensive work portfolio, Krista sits on a number of provincial and national disability-related boards and committees. She was a member of the COVID Disability Advisory Group and was Chair of the Ministerial Disability Advisory Group, established by the honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion.  Krista offers a unique perspective on disability-related supports and services, both nationally and internationally. Krista is a graduate of the University of New Brunswick (UNB) where she earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (BBA) and several diplomas in Human Resources and Management from UNB’s College of Extended Learning. She is fluently bilingual and works on behalf of CACL’s federation in both French and English. She currently resides in New Brunswick with her husband and two daughters.

Don Gallant is Principal Consultant with Don Gallant and Associates – a social policy and planning agency providing support and consultation to both public and private sectors to advance and promote social well-being and inclusion, especially for persons with disabilities.

Prior to entry into the private sector in 1998, Mr. Gallant held senior management positions with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, including Director, Division of Family and Rehabilitative Services. Under his leadership, a comprehensive array of community based programs and individualized supports for persons with disabilities and their families were developed, and he was instrumental in the introduction of the Supported Employment model within the province.

Mr. Gallant has worked extensively with agencies in both the private and public sector at the provincial, national and international levels.

At present, Mr. Gallant serves as National Director of the Ready Willing and Able (RWA) initiative – a national initiative of Inclusion Canada and the Autism Alliance of Canada (AAC).

Blaine is an analytics team leader, and he has a passion for research design and a proven ability to transform raw data into compelling insights and stories. Experienced leading high-performing teams across markets and delivering research programs that inform decision-making. Able to use an extensive background in statistics, psychology, and research methodology to communicate complex information to non-technical audiences. Works with clients across all H&K’s sectors and services to develop analytics offerings that show quantifiable impact.

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