HRPA Leadership

Samuel Bodunrin, CHRP, CHRL, PhD, GPHR, SHRM-SCP, CPHR, PMI-ACP

Academia, Author, Keynote Speaker

Sam Bodunrin is a renowned Professor and expert in human resource management with over 20 years of experience in the field. His research and consulting work has focused on a wide range of topics, including organizational behaviour, the future of work, and the strategic management of human resources.

Sam Bodunrin began his career in human resource management as an HR professional in a large multinational corporation. He quickly rose through the ranks, eventually taking on leadership roles in HR strategy and talent management. As he progressed in his career, Professor Sam became increasingly interested in the theoretical foundations of HR and organizational behaviour, and he decided to pursue a doctoral degree to further his understanding of these topics.

After earning his PhD in Management and Human Resources from the Central University of Nicaragua, Professor Bodunrin joined the faculty of the prestigious Graduate School, Niagara College, and Algoma University where he has spent time teaching courses on human resource management, business, project management and organizational behaviour. In addition to his work in academia, Sam has also served as a consultant to several Fortune 500 companies, helping them to optimize their HR practices and improve organizational performance. He is a Certified Human Resources Professional across the USA and Canada with certifications like GPHR, SHRM-SCP, CHRL, CHRP, and CPHR. He is also a certified Agile & Project Management Professional (PMP), and a Business Analyst. He is the Chairman CIPM Canada and a past Secretary of the Lagos Island PPCA. Sam is a Pioneer member of the Association of Elite Human Resources Professionals and Chairman of the Global Advisory Committee of the AEHRP.

In addition to his consulting work, Sam is also a highly sought-after keynote speaker and author. He has given presentations on HR and organizational behaviour at conferences around the world, and he has published numerous research journals and articles on these topics. His work has been widely recognized within the academic community, and he has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the field. He is the author of the recently published book called “Recharged”.

Sam’s research on human resource management and organizational behaviour has helped to shape the way that organizations approach these important topics. His insights and expertise have been invaluable to HR professionals, business leaders, and scholars around the world, and he is widely regarded as one of the leading authorities in the field.

Nicole Desloges, CHRE, MBA, ICD.D

SVP, People at LifeLabs

I am a human resources executive with a passion for building high performance teams, cultures and organizations and creating environments that support an inclusive mindset and where diversity and inclusion are foundational organizational strengths. Business-minded and practical, I have deep experience in partnering with colleagues and team members in union and non-union environments. During my career, I have worked across industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and financial technology.

Fluently bilingual, inclusive, and practical, I leverage my expertise to support a diversity of perspectives to Board governance in areas that include – CEO selection, Executive Compensation, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Talent Optimization, Performance Management, Leadership & Learning, Succession Planning, and Culture.

Trina Hayden, CHRP, CHRL, CRSP

Chief Advisory Officer, NORCAT Advisory - Talent and Human Capital

Trina has managed to carve out niche markets where her background in human resources and safety, has helped drive significant growth as a human capital strategist and safety leader in Canada and globally. She is recognized for her leadership in consulting and dedication to improving human capital planning, skills development, and promoting gender diversity.

Shortly after starting with NORCAT in 2015, she was instrumental in mapping and forecasting future talent pool requirements for over 1000 economically feasible projects over 23 different value chains for a mining and minerals industry. This project was the starting point for Trina’s vision of NORCAT Advisory.

Additional projects were secured, including a notable project centered on talent and human capital operational readiness, leading to the successful underground mining skills training of 400 workers during ramp up.

With her leadership, intrapreneurial spirit, and an innovative vision that others can get behind, Trina founded NORCAT Advisory in 2019, which now includes a diverse team of consultants.

Poised to become the first woman president for the Northeastern Ontario Construction Association in its 75-year history, Trina strives to enhance industry standards. Her commitment to advocacy and action is reflected in her roles as H&S Committee Chair, Women in Construction Committee volunteer, and alternate member of the Construction Legislative Review Committee. Trina’s leadership led to her being awarded the Council of Ontario Construction Associations President’s Award in 2022, recognizing her standout contributions as Co-Chair of the WSIB-OH&S Committee.

In recognition of her commitment to safety and advocacy for women, Trina was named among Canada’s Top Women in Safety in 2022, received OHS Canada’s Community Leader Award (Silver) in 2023, and was honored by Consulting Magazine as a top woman in consulting for her excellence in leadership.

Trina’s roles with HRPA, including Secretary/Treasurer, Regulatory Liaison Chair and Past Chair, highlight her dedication and leadership within the HR community.

Louis Kan, FCPA, FCA, CFE

Non-Member Director

An experienced finance and governance executive, Louis Kan is the Special Advisor to the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education of Ontario. Louis was the former Chief Executive Officer of Professional Geoscientists Ontario. His professional experiences also include senior administrative roles at the Chartered Professional Accountants Ontario, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Elections Ontario and the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario.

Throughout his professional and private life, Louis has shown a passion for serving the public interest with a focus on public policy, Louis has extensive board experience, including St. John Ambulance – Toronto Chapter and currently serves on the board of Community Living Ontario Foundation and Heritage Toronto, where he is the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee. Working in partnership with the former Auditor General of Ontario, Louis participated in a high-profile review of the City of Brampton’s finances at the request of the city council in 2015. His ongoing involvement in electoral finance reform included appearing as an expert witness at committee at Queen’s Park in 2016. A long-time volunteer of CPA Ontario’s tax clinics for low-income Ontarians, Louis is a recipient of the 2015 Government of Canada Volunteer Award.

Louis moved to Toronto from Hong Kong with his family in 1974 and obtained his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and was elected as a Fellow (FCPA, FCA) of Chartered Professional Accountants Ontario in 2018.

Jodi Kovitz, HBA, LL.B, Hon. LL.D

CEO

Jodi is an experienced, visionary CEO leader and a transformative global brand builder. She is a growth strategist and a passionate connector of people.

Jodi was the founder and CEO of #movethedial, which focused on the growth and equitable participation of all women in tech. Leveraging Jodi’s vision, wealth of experience, pioneering spirit and passion, the movement impacted over 60,000 people at events throughout Canada, the US, the UK and Israel. Jodi also previously led growth at Vetster, a telemedicine platform, and was the CEO at Peerscale, a technology membership association.

Jodi is passionate about the intersection of equity, innovation and the future of work.

Featured in Forbes Women, Jodi was recognized as an Adweek Brandstar in Toronto in 2018, One of Canada’s 25 Women of Influence in 2018, and one of WXN’s Canada’s 100 most powerful women in 2017 and 2019.

Jodi holds an HBA from Ivey Business School at Western University, an LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, and an honourary Doctor of Laws from the University of Calgary. Jodi also authored Go Out of Your Way, a book about the power of people, relationships and building genuine connections, endorsed by Sheryl Sandberg.

Timothy Lang

President & Chief Executive Officer, YES – Youth Employment Services

Timothy Lang is President & CEO of YES – Canada’s leading youth employment service provider, who annually counsel, train, empower and inspire tens of thousands of youth to become contributing members of society through employment placement.  YES has a close to 90% success rate and focuses on our most vulnerable youth, helping create safer, stronger communities and change lives.

Timothy Lang is an accomplished leader in the private and not for profit sector with a record of inspiring organizations to achieve results and growth. Previously Tim held senior management and executive positions with Xerox, Bell, Energy Savings Income Fund, and St. Francis Xavier University. As Vice President at ES Income fund Tim drove its growth and expansion across Canada and into the U.S. while increasing customers 200% to 400 thousand and to a $2 billion market cap.  As VP External at StFX University he helped raise $120 million for the Brian Mulroney Institute for Government and the Frank McKenna Leadership Centre and developed innovative branding and communications to enhance the reputation of the university. Tim has a B.A. from StFX University and a Master’s degree from the University of Manitoba.  Tim was born in Saskatoon, is bilingual and has lived and worked across Canada, the U.S. and Great Britain.  He sits on several not-for-profit Boards and received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for outstanding contributions to the community in 2012.

Émilie Le Tual

Director, Enterprise Risk Culture and Ethics, Scotiabank

A seasoned people focused change leader with over 15 years of experience, my growth as a professional has resulted from my interest in continuously learning, going out of my comfort zone, and firmly believing that any role can be made better when an HR person is considered for it.

As an HR professional, I have helped our IT team carve a position in the Agile world; I have supported leaders through major restructurings and helped set up an overseas team; I have led cultural changes including setting up a learning organization; I have created scorecards; launched a mentoring program; overseen global surveys for thousands of employees; completed compensation reviews; and supported department operations management.

I leveraged my HR experience to make a foray into the ‘business’ where I joined IT as their Transformation Director and took on Technology Risk. I then used this experience to join Compliance and lead their Risk Culture strategy to build the moral character of our employees, strengthening our Corporate Culture for a sustainable future. This explains my atypical progression which is founded on a passion for the humanities field.

My global mindset comes from growing in Montreal, establishing myself in Toronto and completing internships in California, in Doha and studying in Rotterdam. It also come from my family. I am the proud mother of two girls, and I am in an interracial marriage. I have fully embraced the beauty of multiculturalism and thrive to educate myself, honor, and respect the multiple dimensions of our world.

I am eager to contribute to the human resources association and give back so we can solidify our stance and expand the realm of opportunities for our professionals.  I want to thank the community for their consideration and this opportunity.

Selomon Menghsha, RPR

Order in Council Appointee, Sr. Manager, Talent Acquisition and Development , Buckland Customs Broker

Selomon brings over 10 years of talent acquisition experience as an accomplished professional for both recruitment agencies and corporate environments. Highly-skilled in creating effective search strategies for niche roles and sectors, Selomon focuses on creating long-lasting relationships.

Over the years, Selomon has specialized in executive searches for numerous sectors, such as Construction/Infrastructure, International Business and Market Research on a global level. Selomon is currently responsible for the total delivery of Talent Acquisition for J.D. Power, creating processes, policies and managing teams of recruiters to ensure the company’s mission, value and vision are followed from the sourcing stages all the way to offer acceptance, as well ensuring retention of new hires.

Selomon is educated in engineering and holds a Business Administration Diploma from McMaster University specializing in Human Resources. He has earned the Registered Professional Recruiter (RPR) designation.

Lisa Salvini, CHRL

Senior Human Resources Consultant at Good Sense Workplace Solutions

Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Lisa has been an active member with HRPA for over 20 years. She has been a previous Chapter Director on the HRPA Algoma Chapter Board.  Having over 25 years of HR experience in a variety of industries, Lisa felt that her experience and time volunteering with her local HRPA Chapter Board made her an ideal candidate. Lisa is a life-long learner who has completed many certificates. She believes that we must always grow and keep current with what is happening in our field.

Sartaj Sarkaria, CHRL

Chief Executive Officer

Sartaj is a first-generation Canadian who is dynamic, analytical, and a progressive leader. She has extensive experience in corporate business planning & HR operations on a national scale. Demonstrated talent for seeking out new initiatives & relationships with businesses & community organizations in order to shape the long-term mission & business goals. Proven record of developing & delivering programs. As a visible minority female, she has seen the challenges firsthand of representation in leadership roles & my hope is, through my contribution and work with HRPA, I will be able to help others see their potential.

Alison Staples, CHRE, MBA, Prosci®, CCIP

Chief People Officer | Chief Privacy Officer, March of Dimes Canada

I am a Human Resources Executive and recognized as the champion of talent & culture. I have over twenty years of experience in both the corporate and charity sector developing sustainable and strategic people & culture programs and solutions designed to unleash leadership potential, drive performance, increase organizational effectiveness and steer business results.

I identify as Black and immigrated to Canada from Jamaica.

I currently work at March of Dimes Canada as the Vice President, People and Culture, and prior to that, held executive Human Resources positions in companies such as the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, Kids Help Phone, Eva’s Initiative for Homeless Youth and Deloitte & Touché. I am also a Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE) and hold a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University and am a certified Diversity and Inclusion professional through the Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion.

A determined individual with a growth mindset, I also completed the High Potential Leadership Program at Harvard University in 2013. I enjoy volunteering, have served on the Board of Directors of the Human Resources Professional Association in York Region and the sub-Board Committee at North York General Hospital, and is a Peer Reviewer on the Accreditation Committee at Imagine Canada.

Lindsay Temple, CHRP, CHRL, CEC, MBA

Human Resources Executive

Lindsay has had the opportunity to sit as a Board Director on two boards gaining 10 years’ combined experience on a not-for-profit Board and on a Community DEI Board. During this time, she has also gained experience chairing the Board’s HR Committee meetings.

In her last three roles, she has also had the opportunity to develop succession plans for the CEO and the Executives of her organizations and gained experience in CEO compensation. During this time, Lindsay has also been responsible and accountable for all HR Strategy and keeping the organizations current on HR trends.

Lindsay has 5 years’ experience in ERM and linking ERM and organizational strategy. This included monthly monitoring of the company’s scorecard, KPI’s, and risk mitigation.

In her most recent role as CXO, Lindsay oversaw both the IT & Digital and Marketing & Brand departments. During this time, she helped lead a digital transformation and banking system conversion and complete re-brand of organization.

One of her more recent experiences was gaining knowledge and experience in Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and she had the opportunity to work on development a change management plan that supported the organizations focus on SDG’s. These included 5 of the UN’s SDG’s: Gender Equality, Sustainable Work, Reducing Inequalities, Inclusive Cities, and Climate Change.