Title Sponsor
September 24
IDEA are core values that many organizations strive to embody within the workplace.
Diversity accounts for who is represented in the workplace in terms of gender, age, ethnicity, physical ability and neurodiversity.
Equity refers to fair treatment for all people while taking into consideration each person's unique circumstances.
Inclusion denotes how individuals experience the workplace and to what extent organizations enable employees to make meaningful contributions.
Accessibility is about creating a welcoming and productive workplace for individuals to fulfill their role safely and efficiently.
Research shows that companies that fully practice and demonstrate IDEA are better able to respond to challenges, win top talent and meet the needs of different customer bases. For organizations and people leaders, this requires ensuring diverse talent is well represented, leadership is held accountable, transparency and equal opportunity principles are followed, microaggressions and biases are eliminated, and a sense of belonging is consistently fostered.
In this context, HR professionals are often at the forefront of driving change and policy updates. Yet, to do so meaningfully calls for organizational structures to evolve and adapt. Indeed, there are definite gaps at the intersection of HR and DEI. These gaps are worsened by instances of DEI falling to HR leaders without a competency framework. Making matters more complex are emerging workplace considerations such as AI and its increased use in practice on the one hand, and hard-coded business structures that are slow to change on the other.
Attend this micro-conference to explore the best practices and lessons learnt by organizations that are successfully implementing IDEA practices.
Developed in partnership with:
Registration is FREE for HRPA members.
HRPA's member learning programming goal for 2024 is all about quality and enhanced value for your HRPA membership. This year's micro-conferences (February, April, September) will be FREE virtual events to members, aiming to offer up a total of 12 CPD hours. That's a savings of $120 per event! Not a member yet? Become one today.
Why attend:
- Learn how to effectively implement IDEA principles at work.
- Become skilled at identifying gaps in and comprehensive solutions to enhance workplace inclusivity, diversity, equity and accessibility.
- Gain a thorough understanding of how IDEA in practice makes business better.
- Enhance your ability to measure the effectiveness of IDEA initiatives.
Who should attend:
- HR Managers and HR Directors who lead the planning and execution of HR and DEI strategies and legal compliance in this domain.
- HR professionals who need to understand legal rights and responsibilities in their work, such as HR Recruitment Specialists, HR Managers, HR Directors, HR Business Partners and HR Tech Specialists.
- Organizational Development professionals and others who lead or execute OD strategies and programs in their organizations.
- Business Leaders who are responsible for leadership training and development, IDEA at work and policy development.
- HR professionals who are involved with organizational change, employee well-being and IDEA principles.
- Non-HR professionals who manage workplaces or worker issues.
- Other ancillary professionals in the IDEA space, including employment lawyers, students of law, IDEA professionals, Health and Safety professionals, etc.
Preliminary Agenda
Date: Tuesday, September 24
Duration: 8:45 AM – 1:40 PM
Virtual participation: Live stream via ON24
CPD Hours: To be announced
8:45 AM – 9:05 AM | Welcome, Land Acknowledgement and Event Kickoff
Speakers: Diane Biesinger (she/her), CHRP, Manager, People and Culture, HRPA
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM | Company Culture: Authenticity and Inclusion
The pursuit of diversity in the workplace and inclusion is not merely a buzzword; it’s a commitment that demands tangible actions and genuine intentions. Great Place To Work will highlight considerations to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Speaker: Alison Grenier, Senior Consultant and Head of Culture & Research, Great Place to Work® Canada
9:20 AM – 10:00 AM | DEI: More than a Trend
HR is now taking on the lion’s share of DEI and needs help. What issues and trends are on the horizon and how can you prepare and adapt?
Speakers: To be announced.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Hiring Transparency
When an organization is more transparent with their employees, they tend to be more successful in employee engagement and have a stronger company culture. Hiring new talent is an important first step to creating trust and a positive relationship. Let’s discuss new ways you can enhance your hiring transparency, other than just posting a salary range, that will truly champion diversity and inclusion.
Moderator: Diane Biesinger (she/her), CHRP, Manager, People and Culture, HRPA
Speakers: To be announced.
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM | Tech Break
10:45 AM – 11:45 PM | Panel: The Intersection of IDEA and HR
Some companies are embracing initiatives with IDEA experts while others are not able to. Instead, most oversight falls to the HR team creating this intersection of responsibility and implementation. Policies and HR mandates can often impose restrictions to IDEA progress. Where does it fall apart and how do we get HR the support they need to roll out IDEA into their job responsibilities? And in cases were IDEA is an independent unit, who do they report to: HR or the CEO?
Speakers: Ingrid Palmer, Chief Diversity Officer, Realize Canada
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM | Tech Break
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM | Leveraging AI: Ease the Load and Scale IDEA
This session explores the intentions of AI and its tactical use and considerations of IDEA. How can you effectively integrate AI into HR processes and what are the impacts on IDEA? Let’s explore a live AI rollout process together.
Speaker: To be announced.
12:45 PM – 1:30 PM | Panel: Scaling AI in Business
Defining HR’s critical role in scaling AI across the business is a people problem, not IT! Experts will share insights into how biases in AI can undermine IDEA initiatives and perpetuate systemic inequalities and provide awareness to course correct AI uses.
Speaker: To be announced.
1:30 PM – 1:40 PM | Closing Remarks and Event Wrap Up
Speakers: Diane Biesinger (she/her), CHRP, Manager, People and Culture, HRPA
Conference Fees
This event is FREE for HRPA members! Not a member yet? Become one today.
Not sure of your schedule? Register virtually for on demand access!
Whether you attend the virtual sessions live or not, registering will give you access to the conference recordings. On-demand viewings qualify for CPD hours and recordings are made available for one year post-event date.
| Virtual | Members and Students | Non-Members |
|---|---|---|
| Save My Spot February 15 – June 13 | Free | |
| Early Bird June 14 – July 25 | Free | |
| Regular July 26 onward | Free | $120 |
Diane Biesinger (she/her), CHRP
Manager, People and Culture, HRPA
Diane has more than 20 years of experience in HR and has enjoyed working in a wide range of industries from startups to Fortune 100 companies. Diane holds the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation as awarded by the HRPA. She currently brings her passion for HR to her current role at the HRPA, where her focus runs the range of the workplace experience for all HRPA employees, “keeping the lights on in HR” and delivering on the association’s strategic initiatives.
Diane is proud that HRPA has been certified as a Great Place to Work by GPTW Canada for the last four years and is looking forward to having that continue and improve. Prior to joining HRPA, she spent six years in the telecommunications space working with companies such as Bell and Rogers, as Director of HR. She is passionate about IDEA (inclusivity, diversity, equity, accessibility) and supporting leaders and staff promote organizational objectives. Diane likes to bring her whole self to work and is enthusiastic about relationships as she brings a genuine love of people, especially our differences, to her daily interactions.
Alison Grenier
Senior Consultant and Head of Culture & Research, Great Place to Work® Canada
Alison Grenier is a Senior Consultant and Head of Culture & Research for Great Place to Work® Canada. With over 15 years’ experience in the field, Alison leverages GPTW’s unparalleled data library to uncover emerging workplace trends and insights. She is skilled in high-level analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and supports some of Canada’s leading organizations with specific and actionable feedback to improve their workplace culture. Prior to joining the Institute, Alison worked in a variety of human resource roles in the manufacturing, not-for-profit and service sectors. She holds a Master’s degree in Workplace Learning and Change.
Diane Biesinger (she/her), CHRP
Manager, People and Culture, HRPA
Diane has more than 20 years of experience in HR and has enjoyed working in a wide range of industries from startups to Fortune 100 companies. Diane holds the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation as awarded by the HRPA. She currently brings her passion for HR to her current role at the HRPA, where her focus runs the range of the workplace experience for all HRPA employees, “keeping the lights on in HR” and delivering on the association’s strategic initiatives.
Diane is proud that HRPA has been certified as a Great Place to Work by GPTW Canada for the last four years and is looking forward to having that continue and improve. Prior to joining HRPA, she spent six years in the telecommunications space working with companies such as Bell and Rogers, as Director of HR. She is passionate about IDEA (inclusivity, diversity, equity, accessibility) and supporting leaders and staff promote organizational objectives. Diane likes to bring her whole self to work and is enthusiastic about relationships as she brings a genuine love of people, especially our differences, to her daily interactions.
Alison Grenier
Senior Consultant and Head of Culture & Research, Great Place to Work® Canada
Alison Grenier is a Senior Consultant and Head of Culture & Research for Great Place to Work® Canada. With over 15 years’ experience in the field, Alison leverages GPTW’s unparalleled data library to uncover emerging workplace trends and insights. She is skilled in high-level analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and supports some of Canada’s leading organizations with specific and actionable feedback to improve their workplace culture. Prior to joining the Institute, Alison worked in a variety of human resource roles in the manufacturing, not-for-profit and service sectors. She holds a Master’s degree in Workplace Learning and Change.
Please complete our sponsor submission form here.
Contact Adam Hart, Business Development Manager, to learn more about partnership or sponsorship opportunities.
Tel: 416.923.2324 ext. 7353
Email: ahart@hrpa.ca
The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) is a national charity established in 2013 with the mandate of building a more inclusive Canada. We envision a world where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect and where everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources.
We believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and justice are essential for building strong and healthy workplaces, schools and communities. We are committed to advocating for these values through education, training and action. By promoting understanding and inclusivity, CCDI strives to create a more equitable and just society for all.
Humber College is one of Canada’s leading postsecondary institutions, offering programs that emphasize a solid academic foundation and practical, hands-on learning.
The college is dedicated to helping newcomers meet their educational and career goals. Many internationally trained professionals have benefited from the educational programs and services we provide, such as advising services, language classes, professional mentoring, and bridging programs.
We have provided educational and career support to over 6000 internationally trained professionals – which has led them to employment and advancement in their desired fields.
Realize is a leader in research, advocacy and action addressing the range of complex barriers to inclusion people living with episodic disabilities experience, with a strong focus on employment. Realize convenes the Episodic Disabilities Forum — a pan-Canadian forum comprising people with living experience, national disability organizations, federal policy-makers, and researchers – and also leads a network of businesses focused on episodic disabilities in the workplace.
Why attend:
- Learn how to effectively implement IDEA principles at work.
- Become skilled at identifying gaps in and comprehensive solutions to enhance workplace inclusivity, diversity, equity and accessibility.
- Gain a thorough understanding of how IDEA in practice makes business better.
- Enhance your ability to measure the effectiveness of IDEA initiatives.
Who should attend:
- HR Managers and HR Directors who lead the planning and execution of HR and DEI strategies and legal compliance in this domain.
- HR professionals who need to understand legal rights and responsibilities in their work, such as HR Recruitment Specialists, HR Managers, HR Directors, HR Business Partners and HR Tech Specialists.
- Organizational Development professionals and others who lead or execute OD strategies and programs in their organizations.
- Business Leaders who are responsible for leadership training and development, IDEA at work and policy development.
- HR professionals who are involved with organizational change, employee well-being and IDEA principles.
- Non-HR professionals who manage workplaces or worker issues.
- Other ancillary professionals in the IDEA space, including employment lawyers, students of law, IDEA professionals, Health and Safety professionals, etc.
Preliminary Agenda
Date: Tuesday, September 24
Duration: 8:45 AM – 1:40 PM
Virtual participation: Live stream via ON24
CPD Hours: To be announced
8:45 AM – 9:05 AM | Welcome, Land Acknowledgement and Event Kickoff
Speakers: Diane Biesinger (she/her), CHRP, Manager, People and Culture, HRPA
9:00 AM – 9:20 AM | Company Culture: Authenticity and Inclusion
The pursuit of diversity in the workplace and inclusion is not merely a buzzword; it’s a commitment that demands tangible actions and genuine intentions. Great Place To Work will highlight considerations to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Speaker: Alison Grenier, Senior Consultant and Head of Culture & Research, Great Place to Work® Canada
9:20 AM – 10:00 AM | DEI: More than a Trend
HR is now taking on the lion’s share of DEI and needs help. What issues and trends are on the horizon and how can you prepare and adapt?
Speakers: To be announced.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Hiring Transparency
When an organization is more transparent with their employees, they tend to be more successful in employee engagement and have a stronger company culture. Hiring new talent is an important first step to creating trust and a positive relationship. Let’s discuss new ways you can enhance your hiring transparency, other than just posting a salary range, that will truly champion diversity and inclusion.
Moderator: Diane Biesinger (she/her), CHRP, Manager, People and Culture, HRPA
Speakers: To be announced.
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM | Tech Break
10:45 AM – 11:45 PM | Panel: The Intersection of IDEA and HR
Some companies are embracing initiatives with IDEA experts while others are not able to. Instead, most oversight falls to the HR team creating this intersection of responsibility and implementation. Policies and HR mandates can often impose restrictions to IDEA progress. Where does it fall apart and how do we get HR the support they need to roll out IDEA into their job responsibilities? And in cases were IDEA is an independent unit, who do they report to: HR or the CEO?
Speakers: Ingrid Palmer, Chief Diversity Officer, Realize Canada
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM | Tech Break
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM | Leveraging AI: Ease the Load and Scale IDEA
This session explores the intentions of AI and its tactical use and considerations of IDEA. How can you effectively integrate AI into HR processes and what are the impacts on IDEA? Let’s explore a live AI rollout process together.
Speaker: To be announced.
12:45 PM – 1:30 PM | Panel: Scaling AI in Business
Defining HR’s critical role in scaling AI across the business is a people problem, not IT! Experts will share insights into how biases in AI can undermine IDEA initiatives and perpetuate systemic inequalities and provide awareness to course correct AI uses.
Speaker: To be announced.
1:30 PM – 1:40 PM | Closing Remarks and Event Wrap Up
Speakers: Diane Biesinger (she/her), CHRP, Manager, People and Culture, HRPA
Conference Fees
This event is FREE for HRPA members! Not a member yet? Become one today.
Not sure of your schedule? Register virtually for on demand access!
Whether you attend the virtual sessions live or not, registering will give you access to the conference recordings. On-demand viewings qualify for CPD hours and recordings are made available for one year post-event date.
| Virtual | Members and Students | Non-Members |
|---|---|---|
| Save My Spot February 15 – June 13 | Free | |
| Early Bird June 14 – July 25 | Free | |
| Regular July 26 onward | Free | $120 |
Diane Biesinger (she/her), CHRP
Manager, People and Culture, HRPA
Diane has more than 20 years of experience in HR and has enjoyed working in a wide range of industries from startups to Fortune 100 companies. Diane holds the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation as awarded by the HRPA. She currently brings her passion for HR to her current role at the HRPA, where her focus runs the range of the workplace experience for all HRPA employees, “keeping the lights on in HR” and delivering on the association’s strategic initiatives.
Diane is proud that HRPA has been certified as a Great Place to Work by GPTW Canada for the last four years and is looking forward to having that continue and improve. Prior to joining HRPA, she spent six years in the telecommunications space working with companies such as Bell and Rogers, as Director of HR. She is passionate about IDEA (inclusivity, diversity, equity, accessibility) and supporting leaders and staff promote organizational objectives. Diane likes to bring her whole self to work and is enthusiastic about relationships as she brings a genuine love of people, especially our differences, to her daily interactions.
Alison Grenier
Senior Consultant and Head of Culture & Research, Great Place to Work® Canada
Alison Grenier is a Senior Consultant and Head of Culture & Research for Great Place to Work® Canada. With over 15 years’ experience in the field, Alison leverages GPTW’s unparalleled data library to uncover emerging workplace trends and insights. She is skilled in high-level analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and supports some of Canada’s leading organizations with specific and actionable feedback to improve their workplace culture. Prior to joining the Institute, Alison worked in a variety of human resource roles in the manufacturing, not-for-profit and service sectors. She holds a Master’s degree in Workplace Learning and Change.
Diane Biesinger (she/her), CHRP
Manager, People and Culture, HRPA
Diane has more than 20 years of experience in HR and has enjoyed working in a wide range of industries from startups to Fortune 100 companies. Diane holds the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation as awarded by the HRPA. She currently brings her passion for HR to her current role at the HRPA, where her focus runs the range of the workplace experience for all HRPA employees, “keeping the lights on in HR” and delivering on the association’s strategic initiatives.
Diane is proud that HRPA has been certified as a Great Place to Work by GPTW Canada for the last four years and is looking forward to having that continue and improve. Prior to joining HRPA, she spent six years in the telecommunications space working with companies such as Bell and Rogers, as Director of HR. She is passionate about IDEA (inclusivity, diversity, equity, accessibility) and supporting leaders and staff promote organizational objectives. Diane likes to bring her whole self to work and is enthusiastic about relationships as she brings a genuine love of people, especially our differences, to her daily interactions.
Alison Grenier
Senior Consultant and Head of Culture & Research, Great Place to Work® Canada
Alison Grenier is a Senior Consultant and Head of Culture & Research for Great Place to Work® Canada. With over 15 years’ experience in the field, Alison leverages GPTW’s unparalleled data library to uncover emerging workplace trends and insights. She is skilled in high-level analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and supports some of Canada’s leading organizations with specific and actionable feedback to improve their workplace culture. Prior to joining the Institute, Alison worked in a variety of human resource roles in the manufacturing, not-for-profit and service sectors. She holds a Master’s degree in Workplace Learning and Change.
Please complete our sponsor submission form here.
Contact Adam Hart, Business Development Manager, to learn more about partnership or sponsorship opportunities.
Tel: 416.923.2324 ext. 7353
Email: ahart@hrpa.ca
The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) is a national charity established in 2013 with the mandate of building a more inclusive Canada. We envision a world where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect and where everyone has equal access to opportunities and resources.
We believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and justice are essential for building strong and healthy workplaces, schools and communities. We are committed to advocating for these values through education, training and action. By promoting understanding and inclusivity, CCDI strives to create a more equitable and just society for all.
Humber College is one of Canada’s leading postsecondary institutions, offering programs that emphasize a solid academic foundation and practical, hands-on learning.
The college is dedicated to helping newcomers meet their educational and career goals. Many internationally trained professionals have benefited from the educational programs and services we provide, such as advising services, language classes, professional mentoring, and bridging programs.
We have provided educational and career support to over 6000 internationally trained professionals – which has led them to employment and advancement in their desired fields.
Realize is a leader in research, advocacy and action addressing the range of complex barriers to inclusion people living with episodic disabilities experience, with a strong focus on employment. Realize convenes the Episodic Disabilities Forum — a pan-Canadian forum comprising people with living experience, national disability organizations, federal policy-makers, and researchers – and also leads a network of businesses focused on episodic disabilities in the workplace.
Thank you to our Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Supporting Sponsor
