Keynote - Theo Fleury

Former NHL All-Star, Stanley Cup winner and Olympic
Gold Medalist
Two-time best selling author of Playing with Fire and Conversations With a Rattlesnake
Healing motivator
Person of great life experience
Knowledge in the field of relational trauma

While Theo does enjoy his hockey memories and accolades, he feels honored and blessed in what he does today.
Theo’s mission statement is to help as many people get to where they want to go. It has taken shape in many forms, whether meeting people for a brief moment on the street or as a dynamic inspirational speaker with theintention of creating healing through conversation. He loves people, their stories and their journeys. He is committed to daily transformation through personal growth through self-reflection, mindfulness and new action. His compassionate spirit allows others to feel safe and whole through experiencing his vulnerability. Theo has been awarded the Canadian Humanitarian Award, The Queen’s Jubilee Medallion, he is an Honorary Chief and recipient of the Aboriginal Indspire Award. In 2014 Theo was awarded with an honorary doctorate in Science from University of Guelph-Humber for outstanding contributions to the Mental Health of Canadians. Most recently Theo was bestowed with a second honorary doctorate in Laws from Brandon University in recognition for his contributions combating child sexual abuse and for his outstanding efforts to promote healing and recovery.Theo pursues excellence in all areas of his life.

Keynote - Nancy J.Spotton

“What if we could build confident leaders earlier in their careers? What if we could start even before they begin their careers? Nancy J. Spotton, CEO, and her team are on a mission to build the next generation of young, trailblazing leaders who care.

Nancy is obsessed with building connection through love and data. After over 25 years leading executive teams, a brush with breast cancer led her on a journey to find out what makes her heart sing. As a professor of a postgraduate Sport and Event Marketing program, Nancy realized the enormous potential in the next generation, and that her mission in life is to help people succeed. She started MPWR, a talent incubator that builds young, confident leaders and happy, connected teams. She’s here to walk you through the 11 Habits of Champion Teams, and how building young leaders starts with simply giving them a safe space to share their voice.”

Presenter - Sheri Madigan

Dr. Madigan is an Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary. Her research is primarily focused on understanding how social stressors and adversities can influence children’s development. She is also interested in understanding why some mothers and children show resilience to these stressors and adversities while others remain vulnerable. Her work has been widely covered in the media, including The New York Times, The Globe and Mail, Time Magazine, BBC, The Guardian, CNN, and CBC. She is the child development expert for CTV Morning Live Calgary, providing monthly segments on topics related to parenting and child development

Centre of Excellence

Veronica Pacini-Ketchabaw  

Veronica is a Professor of Early Childhood Education in the Faculty of Education at Western University and the co-director of the Ontario Provincial Centre of Excellence in Early Years and Childcare, and the British Columbia Early Childhood Pedagogies Network. 

Lisa-Marie Gagliardi

Lisa-Marie is a Regional Coordinator with the Provincial Centre of Excellence, a PhD Candidate in the Faculty of Education at Western University, and an instructor in Early Childhood Studies at Ryerson University. Thinking interdisciplinarily with postfoundational, environmental humanities and feminist theories, Lisa-Marie is interested in thinking pedagogically with young children, outside of developmental frameworks, about how we might think, learn, and live well with each other in our more-than-human worlds. Lisa-Marie can be reached at lgaglia3@uwo.ca

Nicole Land

 Nicole Land is an Assistant Professor in the School of Early Childhood Studies at Ryerson University. Through her pedagogical inquiry research in collaboration with early childhood educators and children, Nicole is interested in post-developmental pedagogies and re-thinking children’s relations with fats, muscles, movement, and physiological sciences. 

Presenter - Lisa Raffoul

Lisa Raffoul is a consummate professional with a purpose.  As a certified teacher and coach, her mission is to work with people, human services organizations, educators and other relevant professionals, to enhance an understanding of a parent’s perspective, support the resilience of families, strengthen family engagement, and increase overall collaboration.  Lisa is a trusted partner and advisor, and has worked with children’s services providers, school boards, families, community and assisted living organizations, United Way, and municipalities.  With her design-thinking approach, she is often consulted on the creation of new programs and initiatives.  Lisa continues to accredit her late son, Eric, a fun-loving and determined child who had global disabilities and extremely fragile health, for the challenges, knowledge and insight toward her transformational work with organizations and people.