Speakers
Keynote speaker: Lionel F. Laroche, Ph. D., P. Eng.
Lionel is a very dynamic, entertaining and educational speaker / facilitator who presented at over 150 conferences and venues, organized by a wide range of business, government, academic, professional and non-profit organizations. Recently, he was the keynote speaker at the Internationally Educated Professional Conference in Toronto. His presentations have been equally well-received by the members of business associations (Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Mexico, Canada - Peru Chamber of Commerce, Swedish Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong Canada Business Association, Rotary Club, etc.), professional associations (HRPAO, CHRP, IACMP, PEO, APEGGA, OACETT, etc.) and non-profit organizations (COSTI, PCPI, SfC, EARN, etc.)
Read more about Lionel F. Laroche
Workshop Speakers
Intercultural Communication and Internationally Trained Professionals
Kathryn Brillinger has presented extensively on issues related to intercultural communication, non-verbal communication, interviewing successfully, pronunciation and successful integration. For 20 years, she has taught credit courses and ESL as well as special classes for professors and professionals in working interculturally. Kathryn is a professor at Conestoga College in Kitchener, Ontario.
Get the Job You Want Using Your Transferable Skills!
Chantal Thorn works both as Director of Organizational Development at Guelph General Hospital, and as Principal Consultant with her own company. Chantal R. Thorn, PhD Consulting is a performance training and consulting company dedicated to serving people. Her goal is to help individuals and organizations achieve excellence. She does this by offering a variety of services including workshops and training sessions, leadership development programs, keynotes utilizing the power of music and individualized coaching. www.chantalthorn.com
A vocalist for the last 20 years, Chantal believes in the universal language of music and the power of music to reach people at a level that is often deeper than the spoken word alone can reach. As such, it is typical for her to include music and song in her workshops.
Want to know more?
- Recently named one of Guelph's Top 40 Leaders Under 40 (2008)
- PhD in Applied Social Psychology (2007)
- ATHENA Scholarship Recipient (2002)
- Up with People Cast Member (1995-1996)
Personal Branding for Job Search Success - Maximising Your Most Important Asset - YOU!
Paul Copcutt is Canada's leading personal brand consultant, combining a passion for people with a realization that strengths and specialization are the keys to success. Experiencing corporate downsizing during the last recession, Paul knows what it takes to stand out in a depressed job market. This resulted in his gathering successful experience in biotech, consumer goods and executive recruitment in North America and Europe.
Recognised by Forbes as a leading personal brand strategist globally he is a much sought after speaker and media resource, interviewed by Reuters, The Wall Street Journal and regularly appears in The Globe & Mail.
Opening a small business in Canada
Andjelka Raic arrived in Canada in 1997 with a background in Business Administration. Employed with the YMCA for almost 9 years holding progressively more responsible positions beginning as a Receptionist, later joining Business Quest as an Administrative Assistant. With the launch of the Newcomer Employment Centre, Administrative and Technical Assistant was added.
Since July of 2008, Andjelka has been the Program Coordinator for the YMCA self-employment program Business Quest.
Volunteer work includes the HOST program within the YMCA and parent volunteer in the schools.
Bryce Kerr With a background in pre-press for printing, and having worked in the trade for about 12 years, a keen desire to open his own business one day led Bryce to learn sales selling supplies to pre-press and printing companies.
After about 12 more years it was time to open his own business which he managed for 15 years. As the industry evolved came the realization that this type of business would soon be eliminated and it was also time to look into new ventures.
Wanting to travel and earn money to pay for it, he enrolled in some courses to teach English as a second language and then went to China to teach English to businesses and their employees. Upon his return to Canada Bryce explored various occupations to learn about other businesses and determine which ones were most desirable.
Recently settling in Waterloo, and considered retired he likes to keep busy and involved. He was fortunate enough to find out about this mentoring program and looks forward to a future with the program.
Jeremy Dueck is the Interim Administrator for the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre - a not-for-profit government organization that assists entrepreneurs with the development of new or existing small businesses. The Small Business Centre has three locations in the Waterloo Region: Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge City Hall.
Jeremy graduated with a business and communications degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and a post-graduate diploma in Corporate Communications from Sheridan College. His education and work experience have given him an understanding of the daily struggles and challenges facing entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Region.
Techno Tools
Dan Vandebelt, Public Health Planner - 'Building Healthy & Supportive Communities' Region of Waterloo Public Health, Health Determinants Planning & Evaluation
Sonya Vanderheide, Holding a Bachelors of Social Work degree from Calvin College in Michigan and currently an Employment Counsellor at The Working Centre, Sonya has been using social networking sites for the past 5 years
Sohail Khan has over 20 years of experience in IT and project management and has been with Skills International since its inception in 2004. Sohail has been responsible for the design, development, and implementation of the Skills International application. In 2008, Skills International partnered with the JSW program on a pilot project to link all JSW service providers to Skills International to highlight internationally trained individuals to employers across Ontario.
Marlene Meechan has worked in employment services/facilitation and placement for over 20 years with newcomers to Canada. Marlene has successfully developed programs to assist newcomers in becoming knowledgeable about conducting a job search in Canada, and has a strong vision of how to connect with other communities and businesses to allow enterprises in Canada to effectively find the skills they are looking for and need.