WP Annual Conference
The Annual WP Pensions + Benefits Conference has been an ongoing June tradition for over two decades, bringing together our clients from around the province. Together, we explore topics that matter for Indigenous employer and employee well-being, including mental/emotional, workplace, and financial health. Join us for insightful conversations, expert workshops, and engaging keynote speakers.
We're heading back to Niagara Falls for another fantastic 2.5-day event!
27th Annual Conference | June 4-6, 2025 | Niagara Falls
- June 4 - 6pm - 8pm - Welcome Meet & Greet
- June 5 - 9am - 4pm - Conference Day 1
- June 6 - 9am - 12pm - Conference Day 2
Register here! We look forward to seeing you in June.
Book your hotel reservation with our conference discount. NOTE: The hotel room block that is reserved for our conference will be released on May 5, 2025. Please ensure your room is booked prior to this date.
Last Year's Speaker Spotlights
Take a look at the previous 2024 Agenda for a hint of what's to come. To catch up on all the fun and key learnings, check out the 2024 Conference Recap.
Sheryl Johnson, Partner – Sullivan Mahoney LLP
Sheryl L. Johnson is a partner at Sullivan Mahoney LLP in the practice of labour, employment and human resource law. She has extensive experience in representing clients in both provincial and federal jurisdictions on all matters relating to employment and labour law, including construction labour law, employment related civil wrongful dismissal, human rights, and labour board litigation; privacy, governance, statutory and regulatory compliance, and executive compensation matters; as well as conducting workplace training and investigations.
Sheryl is also an avid educator and writer, including authoring a bi-weekly business column in The Niagara Independent, and Sexual Harassment in Canada: A Guide for Understanding and Prevention. Sheryl enjoys her free time by giving back to the Niagara community.
Richard (Rick) Hansen, M.Ed., RP – Homewood Health
Rick is a seasoned, bilingual, Indigenous (Métis) and Filipino executive, who has dedicated his professional career to strategic policy and initiatives in the areas of health, education, socio-economic development and executive leadership. Rick is a registered psychotherapist (CRPO), C-suite executive coach, Mental Health Commission of Canada trainer, and highly sought-after public affairs expert through Health Canada (SOS), as well as an Employee and Family Assistance Program workshop facilitator.
Rick’s private sector executive role (Siemens Indigenous Affairs Executive Director) involved extensive time, travel and strategic responsibility on all major projects in infrastructure, energy, health and industry/manufacturing involving Indigenous peoples in North and South America, government (First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Federal, Provincial & municipal), organized labour and international industry stakeholders. With his vast trauma response experience, Rick has assisted a large number of high-profile crisis interventions. He provides psycho–emotional support to individuals, their families and communities to which they belong as they face unexpected life and corporate challenges.
Rick believes it is his time to pay it forward and give back to the communities that supported him. He has been a member of the Indigenous programs board (IPC) at the Banff Centre for over a decade and currently works with organizations to shape an inclusive and respectful workplace path toward the future. Rick finds satisfaction through empowering Canadians with anti-discrimination/restorative justice practices, from education to development and implementation. He promotes mental health awareness through public speaking engagements for the Government of Canada and Fortune 500 companies. He promotes that by focusing on ME it supports the greater WE and together WE are stronger!
Kristy Cork, Specialized Consultant – Workplace Safety and Prevention Services
With a sharp focus on psychological safety, Kristy assists leaders in developing purpose-driven, employee focused workplace cultures that support and respect workers as individuals. In her role as Specialized Consultant – Healthy Workplaces, she understands that, to thrive, workers need to be supported by an integrated approach that includes physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Kristy is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), and a Certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor (CMHA). She continues to advance her education, pursuing a Degree in Psychology through Athabasca University. Seeing the positive impact of her work, reducing the risk of mental harm for workers, is what keeps her motivated and inspired.
Dana Bridgeman Cross, Human Resources Advisor – governWISE Alliance
Dana joined the governWISE team in November 2023. Residing within Treaty #3 Territory and calling Fort Frances, Ontario home, she loves everything about Northwestern Ontario. With 18 years of HR experience, Dana has been instrumental in supporting First Nation communities and their members throughout Treaty #3 Territory. Her extensive facilitation background includes conducting workshops on employment, health and safety, essential skills, pre-employment, and professional development training.
As a Human Resources Advisor, Dana is committed to supporting First Nation communities through modernizing their practices, while streamlining and enhancing company processes and practices. Her true passion comes from empowering individuals to recognize their value, skills, and abilities as they plan and strive to achieve their career goals. Since joining the governWISE team, Dana has been dedicated to supporting Ontario First Nations with individualized requirements, and also through developing curated resource pages of letters, job descriptions, policies and templates.
Graham McWaters, Campaign Founder – Indigenous Hockey Equipment Drive
In the first year of hockey equipment accumulation, Graham McWaters, Campaign Founder, reached out to his son’s Richmond Hill team for equipment donations, helping raise 8 bags of equipment and numerous hockey sticks. The first delivery of equipment was sent to Beausoleil First Nation on Christian Island.
Inspired by the first drive in 2015, there have been numerous Indigenous Hockey Equipment Drives with each growing larger than the last – to the point where over 1,000 bags of hockey equipment have been accumulated and donated each fall to numerous Indigenous communities in Ontario. In fall 2023, Graham and his team delivered 100 bags and 200 sticks to the Indigenous community in Behchoko, Northwest Territories. The 17 skids of equipment travelled over 4,500 km by train and truck to reach its destination.
Lauren Williams, Finance Advisor – governWISE Alliance
Since joining the team in November 2022, Lauren has jumped in feet first and really enjoyed listening to various Nations’ needs and seeing the success we have helped them achieve. Currently, she is providing financial support, capacity development, and reporting assistance to First Nation communities throughout Ontario.
Lauren resides on Moose Deer Point First Nation where she has spent the last 11 years providing financial expertise in a wide range of areas from day-to-day support to forecasting and goal setting with staff, managers, and leadership. As a Finance Advisor, her main goal is to develop meaningful relationships to help communities achieve their financial goals. Outside of the office, Lauren enjoys spending time with her family, boating on Georgian Bay, and sunny south vacations in the Winter!
Lindsay Slater, LLQP RRP, Sales Consultant/Retirement Coordinator – Life Benefit Solutions
As a Sales Consultant / Retirement Coordinator, Lindsay leads the Individual Financial Services team at Life Benefit Solutions and specializes in assisting individuals that are transitioning out of their employers group benefit and pension plans.
Lindsay started in the industry 11 years ago and has been growing her career ever since. She received her Registered Retirement Consultant (RRC) designation in 2021 and is currently working towards her second designation, Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
Dr. Liz Scott, CEO – Organizational Solutions Inc.
Dr. Liz Scott, CEO of Organizational Solutions Inc. is an accomplished leader and Disability Management Professional recognized for award winning cost reduction results, “best practice” program designs, and ability to solve a complex variety of internal and external risk, workers’ compensation, and disability concerns. Liz enthusiastically runs a vibrant growing disability management company that has an established reputation for effectively introducing change and cost-effective programs, by demonstrating to employees and management the benefits of improved performance. The organization succeeds with People, Process, and Technology. Clients are from all industry sectors and consistently experience positive results.
Liz’s unique background successfully combines knowledge and experience gained as a risk executive in a variety of industries including consumer goods, automotive, retail, and other manufacturing. Organizational Solutions Inc. manages disability, workers’ compensation, legislative leaves, and accommodation claims. OSI is also renowned for its Cognability and Healthcare Navigation program and Disability Consulting services with employers in a wide variety sector. Liz has spoken at a variety of forums and publishes often on topics surrounding OSI’s areas of expertise, and has authored a textbook on Comprehensive Disability Management.
Liz was an Adjunct professor at McGill University, playing an instrumental role in program development, and has previously taught at Toronto Metropolitan University, University of Guelph, and Sheridan College. She also participates on research committees on topics such as PTSD and Recovery. Her education further complements her career experience with a PhD in Industrial Psychology, PhD in Organizational Behaviour, a Master of Engineering in advanced design for manufacturing, an MBA, a Master of Science in Community Health and Education, and Certification in Nursing, Safety, and Disability Management.