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.
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.
Take a look at the previous 2024 Agenda for a hint of what's to come.
Book your hotel reservation with our conference discount. NOTE: The hotel room block that is reserved for our conference will be released on May 12, 2025. Please ensure your room is booked prior to this date.
Speakers Spotlight
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.
Dr. Karyn Gordon, CEO & Co-Founder, DK Leadership: Global Leadership Coaching Co.
A Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Dr. Karyn Gordon is a world-renowned speaker, ranked among the World’s Top #10 TEDx Talk Speakers (2022) and a nominee for the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award (2022). She’s the CEO of DK Leadership and Success Intelligence: Leadership Academy, and has delivered talks to over half a million people across 17 countries, including Fortune 500 executives, family businesses, entrepreneurs, professional associations, and school boards.
Since 2022, she has served as one of five premier coaches for Jesse Itzler’s global business mastermind. Additionally, she collaborated with Wharton School professors to develop a leadership EQ curriculum for family businesses, and her contributions have been recognized by the Consul General of Canada in New York. A media personality for over 20 years, Dr. Karyn has consulted for prestigious brands, including LIVE With Kelly & Mark, Good Morning America, New York Times, Forbes, and Entrepreneur. She holds a Doctorate in Marriage & Family, with certifications in leadership and Emotional Intelligence.
Michelle Oram, Retirement Coach, Second Life Vision
After helping people save and prepare financially for retirement for over 30 years, Michelle is now focusing on the non-financial side of retirement. She earned the Certified Professional Retirement Coach (CPRC) designation in 2024 and offers retirement coaching services to individuals and groups. During her career in the group retirement industry, she held roles in financial education, retirement plan administration, training, product development, and marketing.
In addition to the CPRC credential, Michelle holds the CEBS designation. As a past President of the International Society of Certified Employee Benefit Specialists (ISCEBS), she is an active volunteer, speaker and writer with ISCEBS. She is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University, holds a certificate in adult education from Conestoga College, and a Plain Language Certificate from Simon Fraser University.
Kristy Cork, Specialized Consultant, Workplace Safety & 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 a 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.
Barb Martinez, National Practice Leader, Drug Benefits Solutions, Canada Life
Barb Martinez brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the field of prescription drug plan management. Her 30 years in the insurance, benefits consulting and pharmaceutical industries provides her with unique and valuable insight into Canada’s prescription drug landscape.
In her role of National Practice Leader, Drug Benefits Solutions at Canada Life, Barb helps advisors and their clients understand how to maximize the effectiveness of their drug plans and keep them sustainable into the future.
Diana Saturno, Partner, Fogler Rubinoff LLP
Drawn to the human aspects of working with people, Diana takes pride in building strong relationships with her clients and works collaboratively with them to navigate a variety of workplace issues. She has experience working with both provincially and federally regulated employers in a variety of industries.
Diana frequently writes on employment-related issues facing employers. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, her writing responded to the ever-changing employment landscape, providing guidance to employers as they adjusted their workplaces and navigated new legislation.
Outside of the office, she regularly volunteers her time with Pro Bono Ontario providing employment law advice for those facing the loss of work or job security. Diana previously sat on the Board of Directors of the Thistleoaks Child Care Centre, from 2019 – 2023. An avid tea drinker, Diana is studying to become a certified Tea Sommelier.
Tamara Keenan, Paralegal & Director, Learning & Development, Organizational Solutions Inc.
Tamara brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as the Director of Learning and Development, drawing from a diverse background in teaching, training, and disability management. With over 15 years of experience, Tamara's career in disability management began with Organizational Solutions Inc. (OSI), where she developed a strong foundation rooted in OSI's return-to-work philosophy. Throughout her career, Tamara has demonstrated a deep commitment to helping clients navigate the complexities of disability management and workplace injuries. She has worked closely with numerous clients, leveraging her expertise to alleviate costs associated with workplace injuries and ensure compliance with policies and legislation.
In addition to her dedication to OSI, Tamara has continually sought opportunities for professional growth and development. Motivated by her desire to provide exceptional service to clients, she successfully completed coursework and passed the Law Society of Ontario's Licensing Examination, earning the designation of Paralegal in 2012.
In her current role as Director of Learning and Development, Tamara plays a pivotal role in training new staff and enhancing the skills of existing team members in case management, leadership, and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). Whether client or colleague facing, her multifaceted strengths and unwavering determination makes her a key staff member of OSI all while adhering to OSI’s brand promise of the RIGHT Care, at the RIGHT Time, for the RIGHT Outcome TM.
Graham McWaters, Founder, Indigenous Hockey Equipment Drive
In the first year of the hockey equipment accumulation, Graham McWaters (Campaign Founder) reached out to his son’s Richmond Hill team for equipment donations who helped 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 hockey drive in 2015 there have been numerous drives with each growing larger than the last to the point where over 1,000 bags of hockey equipment are accumulated and donated each fall to numerous Indigenous communities in Ontario.
For the first time since inception, on November 6, 2023, we delivered 100 bags and 200 sticks to the Indigenous community in Behchoko, Northwest Territories, one hour northwest of Yellowknife. The 17 skids of equipment travelled over 4,500km to reach its destination by train and truck. In February of 2025, we delivered 32 skids of hockey gear to Winnipeg bound for six Northern Manitoba Indigenous communities. Thanks to retired NHL Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe winner, Reggie Leach for introducing these communities to us. Thank you to CN for assisting with both of these long-distance deliveries!! We collect gently used and new hockey equipment through hockey equipment drives normally co-hosted with hockey associations.