Hire Immigrants Ottawa

Employer Leadership in a Changing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Landscape

March 24, 2026 ~ Virtual via Zoom

 

9:00 AM Welcome
Adrian Harewood
Associate Professor of Journalism
Carleton University
9:05 AM Opening Remarks by Chair, Employer Council of Champions
Gaye Moffett
Founder, President and CEO
GEM Health Care Services
9:15 AM Greetings from the City of Ottawa
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe
9:25 AM Keynote Address: Reaffirming employer commitments to EDIA in the workforce and workplace
Dr. Wendy Cukier
Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Founder and Academic Director
Diversity Institute, Toronto Metropolitan University
10:15 AM Award Presentations
2025 Employer Excellence Awards
10:30 AM Stretch Break
10:40 AM Employer Panel Discussion: DEI Practices in the Workplace
Sheila James
Director, Office of Indigeneity, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Social Justice (I-IDEAS)
CHEO

Nawel Temani
Director of Operations & HR
Fast Forward French Inc.

Karra Gillespie
Recruiting Manager
Accenture Inc.

11:50 AM Closing Remarks
Henry Akanko
Director, Community Initiatives and Hire Immigrants Ottawa
United Way East Ontario
12:00 PM Adjourn