WOMEN GENERAL 
SPEAKER INFORMATION
Diversity and Inclusion Panel
Diversity and inclusion (D&I) is essential in today's workplace given changing demographics, globalization, the war for talent, and both business to business and consumer requirements. Our esteemed panelists, will share their insights and experience on how D&I has evolved, challenges on the journey, best practices, and perspectives on the future of D&I.
Andrea Cotroneo (Moderator)
Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, Capital One Canada
Andrea is the head of Legal and Compliance for Capital One Canada, advising on all legal, compliance and regulatory matters, with a portfolio that includes government relations. Prior to joining Capital One, Andrea was General Counsel at the Canadian Bankers Association and was VP Regional Counsel at Mastercard.
Andrea sits on the Board of Laurentian University Audit Committee and the Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals.
SARAH QADEER
General Counsel, The Home Depot, Canada
Sarah is a member of Home Depot’s Senior Leadership Team, helping to devise strategy and operational excellence for the organization in addition to her role leading legal oversight. She sits on the Executive Committee of the Board of The Home Depot Canada Foundation, with the mandate to end youth homelessness. Prior to joining The Home Depot, Sarah held the position of VP and Legal Counsel at BMO Nesbitt Burns.
Sarah is President of Legal Leaders for Diversity, a group of over 110 Canadian General Counsel committed to a more inclusive profession. Sarah is also Chair of the Retail Council of Canada’s GC Committee. In 2016, she was recognized as a WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winner.
JENNIFER JACKSON
President, Capital One Bank, Canada
Jennifer joined Capital One Bank, Canada in 2018 as President. In this role she is accountable for the bank’s card operations in Canada. Prior to this role, Jennifer was Managing VP for Capital One’s Core U.S. credit card businesses, leading strategy, analytics and experience. In addition to her direct business responsibilities, Jennifer is the Accountable Executive for Diversity Recruiting for Capital One and serves on the Steering Committee for the company’s Black Business Resource Group, Voices.
Before joining Capital One, Jennifer was part of the corporate strategy team at Xerox where she led turnaround and growth strategies for the India and Brazil businesses.
Laura McGee
Founder and CEO, Diversio
Diversio uses data analytics and machine learning to help companies become more inclusive. Laura previously worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Co, where she led some of the firm’s most high-profile economic growth and diversity work.
Laura is a serial social entrepreneur who has co-founded several initiatives around diversity, including #GoSponsorHer, #WeNeedBoth and Summit Leaders. She is a frequent writer and speaker on diversity and inclusion, including seminal research on Women in Law Firms with LeanIn and Wall Street Journal.
She was named one of Canada’s Top 25 Women of Influence in 2017.
Barbara Boake
National Practice Leader, McCarthy Tetrault
Barbara is a Partner in McCarthy’s Bankruptcy & Restructuring Group in Toronto. She has extensive experience in acquisitions, dispositions and restructurings of financially distressed corporations.
She also advises US and Canadian high-yield investors in their debt trading activities. Barbara has a diverse background of expertise in various industries, which include acting for U. S. Steel Canada, one of Canada’s largest integrated steel producers, and as Administrator of Nortel’s Canadian pension plans, in Nortel’s global restructuring proceedings. Barbara led the development and implementation of the firm's Dialogue Project Management® program and co-authored Project Management for Lawyers.
In addition to her legal experience, Barbara has acted as a senior advisor to the Minister of Finance (ON).
#Me Too Investigations Panel
The #MeToo movement has become one of the hottest topics in legal circles and boardrooms across all geographies and sectors, fundamentally changing the nature of our discourse on - and expectations for - equality in the workplace. This panel of expert counsel will discuss practical tools and tips for legal practitioners and boards to help them navigate this changing landscape, mitigate risk and adapt to new standards and expectations in the workplace.
Lisa Marcuzzi (Moderator)
VP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, ArcelorMittal Group
Lisa is responsible for managing all legal, governance and compliance matters, and serves as a member of the Executive Team and the Pension Committee, and is the Americas Regional Coordinator for Group transactions and Corporate Secretarial matters. Lisa is also a member of the Legal Leaders for Diversity. Prior to joining the ArcelorMittal Group, Lisa was a partner with the Toronto office of an international law firm, engaged in a broad corporate/commercial law practice.
Lisa has held various board positions, currently sitting on the Board of the Art Gallery of Hamilton, the Adoption Council of Ontario and Baddest Beatz.
Maureen Armstrong
University Secretary and General Counsel, York University
As University Secretary and General Counsel since 2014, Maureen oversees the operation and administration of the Office of the Counsel and the University Secretariat, Information and Privacy Office, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Office (AODA) and the York University Licensing Board. Maureen is also the Secretary of the Board of Governors and the Secretary of Senate.
Maureen served for over 13 years at the Canadian Human Rights Commission and was Chair of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board prior to joining York University.
Susan Muigai
Executive VP, People and Corporate Affairs, Walmart Canada
Susan is responsible for leading the People function whose mandate is to attract, develop and retain talent across Canada - as well as the Corporate Affairs division, which drives Walmart’s engagement, communications and government relations. Prior to her current role, Susan had oversight over the compliance and internal audit areas as well as global assignments to markets such as India, where she served as SVP, General Counsel & Chief Ethics Officer as well as real estate experience at Walmart’s US Headquarters. Susan is a strong champion of Walmart’s culture and is focused on making Walmart one of the best places to work.
Andrea York
Partner and Practice Group Leader of the National Employment & Labour Group, Blakes
Andrea is an experienced advocate with over 15 years of practice devoted exclusively to advising corporations and other employers on employment and privacy law matters. In addition to providing day-to-day compliance and strategic advice, she regularly acts for employers in various legal proceedings, including wrongful dismissal and human rights claims and in claims enforcing post-employment obligations.
Andrea is a member and past Co-Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee at Blakes and in 2012 she was named a Canadian Diversity Champion by Women of Influence magazine.
Lunch Presentation: Nutrition at its Best
We are in a unique time when diversification of perspective, and inclusion of our 'whole selves' is imperative to being optimally healthy. Learn about some of the most fascinating research emerging in human health.
Tzabia Siegel
The Food Coach
WOMENS' WELLNESS IN THE 21ST CENTURY
We are in a unique time when diversification of perspective, and inclusion of our 'whole selves' is imperative to being optimally healthy. Due to our nature, women must lead in this evolution of wellness.
Tzabia Siegel - nutritionist, health educator, wellness coach and author – will reveal some of the most fascinating research emerging in human health.
Tzabia will infuse science with her personal and professional experience to uncover:
- 5 sustainable principles of nutrition that you can follow for the rest of your life and why each is imperative to good health
- The links between the gut and the brain and how to nourish both to be happier, more focused and improve memory
- Tips and tools to gain self-control around food and drink
- Understanding more about energy - why we lose it, how we get it back
- How to tune in and really listen to the language of your body
- The 6 Paths to Nourishment and the 3P's that are specific to the soul
Tzabia Siegel, BAPhED, RNT
THE FOOD COACH
info@foodoach.ca
1-416-826-6530
Time Management and Productivity Panel
You can only reap the benefits of time management if you have a strategy. When it comes to a good time management strategy, everyone has their own preferences. We will discuss personal time management techniques with a goal to assisting you in managing your time more effectively.
Arlene B. Alvares (Moderator)
General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, Siemens Healthineers Canada
Siemens Healthineers is a leader in innovative healthcare solutions. With her team of commercial lawyers, Arlene supports the sales and manufacturing business in Canada and oversees all aspects of risk management and contract management, dispute resolution and related processes. Prior to joining Siemens, Arlene was in private practice for seven years at McCarthy Tétrault LL.P. Her practice focused on Corporate Commercial law as well as Mergers and Acquisitions, and securities law.
When Arlene isn’t pioneering healthcare, she is a Mom to two children, enjoys yoga, meditation and conquering obstacles in the Tough Mudder challenge.
Shelley Babin
VP, Law & General Counsel of Ontario Power Generation
OPG is Ontario’s largest energy provider, producing almost half of Ontario’s power. Shelley is a Senior Leadership Team member, providing strategic legal advice to OPG’s management and Board of Directors on all aspects of the company’s business. She also directs OPG’s legal team, which supports the company in corporate governance, financing, procurement, real estate, pension, regulatory, Indigenous relations and other matters.
Shelley is an Accelerate Leader and a Mentoring Plus+ mentor for the development of high-potential employees, including those of visible minorities, and she is an advocate for diversity and inclusion initiatives at OPG. Shelley was recently awarded Tomorrow’s Leader (2018) by the Canadian General Counsel Awards.
Patrice Walch-Watson
Senior Managing Director, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board
CPPIB is one of the world’s largest pension funds, managing close to $370 billion in investment assets on behalf of 20 million Canadians. Patrice leads the global legal, compliance and corporate secretarial functions at CPPIB. Patrice is a seasoned business lawyer and advisor with deep experience in transactions, regulation, corporate governance and providing strategic counsel. Prior to joining CPPIB, Patrice spent over 22 years as a corporate lawyer at Torys LLP, advising some of Canada’s largest public, private and government businesses in M&A, financing and governance matters.
Christa Wessel
COO and General Counsel at ClearView Strategic Partners Inc.
Clearview provides ethics reporting and whistleblowing systems. Christa is responsible for ClearView’s growth strategy including modernizing its technology and cybersecurity posture.
Prior to joining ClearView, Christa was a Senior Advisor with The Change Alliance where she provided leading-edge advice and support to Boards of Directors and senior leaders in the areas of reputation, culture and ethics. Christa’s experience with global leaders such as McCain’s and Siemens has cemented her leadership in legal, governance and compliance. Christa was a Business Law partner at McCarthy Tétrault LLP and served as lead counsel in numerous cross-border and international transactions.
Christa serves as a Corporate Director on a variety of boards and is a faculty member at The Directors College.
Building Social Capital Through Effective and Authentic Networking Techniques
Back, by popular demand, re-discover authentic networking techniques from an award winning business and brand leader.
COLLEEN MOOREHEAD
Colleen Moorehead is Chief Client Officer, Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP responsible for implementing Osler’s client-focused business development strategy. She was co-founder of ETRADE Canada. She is a respected business leader with senior management experience in financial services, technology, business and web-based services.
Colleen is currently Chair of the Governance Committee and Board member of Solium Capital (SUM-TSX), Board Chair of Merrco Payments Inc., and a member of iNovia Capital Investment Committee.
Colleen also sits on many professional and community boards such as The CFA Society, C.D. Howe Institute, Toronto Artscape, #Movethedial and Zamcog Canada. Since 2003, she is a Founder and current Business Director of The Judy Project - one of Canada’s leading leadership forums, uniquely designed for executive women ascending to C-suite positions at the University of Toronto’s Joseph Rotman School of Management.
She has been recognized with 2015 Catalyst Canada Honours – Business Leader recognizing champions and the Canadian Marketing Hall of Legends, Business Builder 2010 Award.