Speakers
Mike Downie
Opening Keynote Speaker
Mike Downie is a multi-award-winning documentary filmmaker and the co-founder of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, a registered Canadian charity dedicated to building cultural understanding and creating a path toward reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. A celebrated and inspirational storyteller, Downie’s captivating keynote presentations explore how our individual and collective stories define us, remind us of our past, and shape our future, leading us on a never-ending journey inwards, onwards, and upwards.
Downie shares memories from growing up in a small town, leaving home to work in a mine, and watching his brother — celebrated musician Gord Downie — rise to fame, to travelling the world and directing award-winning documentary films. One story in particular was life-changing for Downie — the story Chanie Wenjack, an Ojibway boy who died while running away from his residential school. Downie told the tragic tale to his brother Gord and the two vowed to find a way to share this story with the world. The result was the multimedia project Secret Path that has captured the hearts and minds of Canadians across the country.
Since then, Downie has written, directed, and produced numerous award-winning documentaries including Invasion of the Brain Snatchers, One Ocean, The Hockey Nomad, and The Covid Cruise, which told the story of the Diamond Princess cruise ship as it became a microcosm of the pandemic in the early days of the global crisis. Most recently, Downie directed and produced the four-part docu-series, The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, which premiered at TIFF 2024 to great acclaim. It is an emotional look at the origin, impact, and legacy of the Tragically Hip and how they defined Canada, to the world and to itself.
Before his career in film and television, Downie worked as a deep shaft miner in Northern Ontario; a medical researcher at McGill University; a junior economist in Toronto; and as a windsurfing instructor in the US Virgin Islands. He holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours from Queen’s University, and an MBA from York University’s Schulich School of Business.
Crystal Vandermeulen
Session: Building Collaborative Project Teams
As a Certified Supply Chain Leader (CSCL), Crystal Vandermeulen has pioneered innovative procurement strategies for collaborative and IPD projects. Her expertise has been instrumental in delivering significant projects for the City of Kamloops and the City of Vernon.
In her role with the City of Kamloops, Crystal spearheaded the procurement of multiple IPD teams and other collaborative project teams. She successfully implemented innovative procurement strategies, such as the collaborative interview technique, to foster strong partnerships between the City and it’s delivery partners.
With the City of Vernon, she played a pivotal role in procuring the team for the Vernon Active Living Centre, utilizing accelerated procurement and collaborative interview techniques.
As an Onboarding Advisor and Owner’s Representative, Crystal is committed to project success, fostering collaboration and adhering to principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Jenny is a supply chain management professional with 18 years of procurement experience working in various public and private organizations. She’s the Manager of social and sustainable procurement at the BC lottery corporation, a former NISCL BC Board Director, and a CBSR sustainable procurement fellow.
Jenny is passionate about helping organizations integrate ESG into their supply chains in innovative ways. She loves the outdoors and spends as much time in nature as possible, hiking, backpacking, swimming, or snowshoeing with her 4 kids and their dog.
Procurement Foundations Panel Discussion
Lisa Pryce
Lisa has enjoyed over 25 years in public procurement management. Her tenure has included working with crown corporations, health authorities, higher ed and her favorite, local government. Lisa’s experience combined with her genuine passion for people and ongoing curiosity continues to fuel her professional and entrepreneurial journey.
Wende Kinch
Wende Kinch is a seasoned supply chain leader with over 25 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, and supply chain management. As the Corporate Procurement Director at Sunrise Farms, she plays a pivotal role in optimizing procurement strategies, fostering supplier partnerships, and driving cost efficiencies across the organization.
Throughout her career, Wende has been instrumental in leading high-performing teams, implementing innovative procurement solutions, and navigating complex supply chain challenges. Her expertise spans across contract negotiations, risk management, supplier development, logistics and transportation efficiences, and sustainability initiatives, ensuring operational excellence and long-term value creation.
A recognized leader in the industry, Wende is passionate about continuous improvement and leveraging data-driven insights to enhance supply chain resilience. She has shared her knowledge and expertise at industry conferences and seminars, providing thought leadership on procurement best practices, supply chain optimization, and the evolving global marketplace.
Wende’s dedication to excellence and strategic vision make her a sought-after speaker, offering valuable insights to professionals looking to elevate their procurement and supply chain operations.
Session: Overcoming Recruitment Challenges with the Supply Chain Sector
Vivian Ramos
Vivian brings over 20 years of extensive experience in corporate and agency recruitment, specializing in talent acquisition for executive, direct hire, contract, and temporary roles. She possesses a strong background in full-cycle recruitment and account management, with direct involvement in multi-billion-dollar capital projects and navigating complex hiring processes across various sectors including Engineering Consulting (EPC/EPCM), Infrastructure (Transportation, Heavy Civil, Municipal, Rail), Mining & Metals, Supply Chain & Logistics, Manufacturing, Energy, and Construction.
Chris Sheel
Session: Procurement & Risk Management
Over twenty plus years in public sector, Chris has gained insight and experience with evolving forms of project delivery, contracts, and risk management. He is passionate about optimizing best value and continuous improvement to the status quo while ensuring “Respect for People” principles are emphasized. Chris is now a Consultant for Pryce Advisory Services and the newest member of the NISCL BC board.
Session: Beyond Compliance: The Power of Inclusive Procurement
Kailey Gilchrist
Kailey Gilchrist is a champion for inclusive procurement and business development. As National Business Development Manager with CGLCC, Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, she helps major corporations integrate supplier diversity into their sourcing strategies to drive real business value.
Before joining CGLCC, Kailey spent over a decade building and scaling NONA Vegan, managing every aspect of the supply chain—from sourcing ingredients to securing national distribution. This hands-on experience gave her a deep appreciation for the challenges and opportunities in procurement.
Kailey completed Tuck Executive Education at Dartmouth in Starting and Growing a Successful Diverse Business and holds a degree in Theatre Studies—an unexpected asset that helps her communicate complex topics in an engaging and accessible way.
Closing Keynote Speaker
Originally from Australia and now residing in Vancouver, Michelle Ray is a business keynote speaker, educator, author and entrepreneur. With more than 25 years of experience researching leadership, accountability, change, and workforce trends, Michelle has a deep understanding of new realities demanding the attention of leaders. Specifically, a dramatic shift in where and how we work, generational dynamics, talent shortages, and managing disruption while keeping the “human factor” of leadership top-of-mind.
Michelle encountered a total contrast of leadership styles during her career, both good and bad. These experiences sparked her desire to help leaders not only master the fundamentals but also become the best versions of themselves. She seized the opportunity to venture into the speaking world and has since shared her messages with audiences around the world. By embracing change, recognizing their influence, and committing to continuous learning, leaders can create a more engaged and resilient workforce.
Michelle is the author of two books. In her latest: Leading in Real Time: How to Drive Success in a Radically Changing World, she unpacks the concept of real-time leadership, a crucial skills for leaders in today’s faced-paced environment. Michelle emphasizes that leadership goes beyond merely being in the moment; it involves understanding what your team requires from you right now, as individuals increasingly see themselves as citizens of the world.
A credit to her Aussie roots, Michelle engages audiences with her down-to-earth, tell-it-like-it-is style. As a respected thought leader, she has worked with some of the world’s most recognizable brands, governments, associations, and an array of Fortune 500 companies. She was inducted into the Canadian Speaking Hall of Fame in December, 2021.
Gerald Ford
Session: Effective Category Management
Supply Chain Management Professional with over 40 years of experience and has worked and consulted for over 100+ different organizations and businesses both in the private and public sector.
Gerald started his career working for a small electronics manufacturing company and then quickly progressed from Buyer at the University of Waterloo to Director of Purchasing at the City of Cambridge. Starting in 1988, Gerald worked as a Demand Planner for IBM Canada where he won the Administrative Achievement Award. In 1993 Gerald left IBM and started Cambridge Solutions. As the President of Cambridge Solutions, Gerald has worked on a variety of projects where Gerald’s talents and skills where be best applied to solving complex challenges. His customers included The Cooperators, Denso Manufacturing, Culliton Mechanical, Open Text, Proveer Signs & Graphics, McMaster University, and York University to name a few. In 2012, Gerald started QCsolver which is service, and a web portal used for managing supply chain critical challenges. QCsolver now manages over 1,000 different suppliers tracking and reporting on critical documentation and information. In 2017, Gerald joined Kinetic GPO and has helped Kinetic grow to over 1100 MASH (Municipal, Academia, School Board & Healthcare) members across Canada.
Gerald has also spent 34 years delivering training and educational programs both at Conestoga College and for the Supply Chain Canada.
Gerald has served on a number of Boards including the Supply Chain Canada Ontario where he was the President in 1993. He also served on various other Boards including the Human Resources Association of Ontario Grand Valley Chapter, Certified Management Association of Canada Ontario Advocacy, APICS Grand Valley Chapter, Program Advisory Committee (PAC) Supply Chain (Conestoga College, Mohawk College and Fanshawe College, Guelph Chamber of Commerce Workforce Development Committee, and the Guelph Innovation Network.
Gerald has conductions category reviews for The City of Medicine Hat, Lethbridge University, Lethbridge College, University of Toronto, GridSmartCity (16 hydro companies in Ontario), Assiniboine Park (Winnipeg), Clearway Construction, Oshawa Power and the Town of Collingwood,
Gerald is the recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Supply Chain Canada Ontario. In 2021, Gerald was made an honorary life member after 40 years of dedication to the profession. He lives in Cambridge Ontario and in his spare time, Gerald enjoys mentoring and watching football.
geraldf@qcsolver.ca
Jenny Miles
Session: Implementing ESGI Procurement: Practical Tools & Strategies
Csaba Knezy
As a Category Leader at TELUS, Csaba spearheads national construction initiatives crucial to developing TELUS's world-class communications network. Leveraging his diverse expertise in electronics, construction, total quality management, operations management, and lean methodologies, he serves as a thought leader driving procurement excellence.
His role encompasses mentoring both emerging and experienced procurement professionals, fostering collaborative supplier relationships, and optimizing operational processes. Csaba is passionate about enabling TELUS's strategic vision by empowering procurement professionals to reach their full potential. Through innovative thinking and disruptive strategies, he helps stakeholders gain competitive advantages while maintaining strong partnerships across the supply chain.
His commitment to excellence and strategic approach has been instrumental in transforming procurement practices and delivering value across TELUS's national infrastructure projects.
Michelle Ray
Mark Grendy
Brian Mielke
Brian Mielke is an accomplished entrepreneur and founder of technology and manufacturing companies. He brings extensive cross-sector supply chain expertise, having managed supply chains in diverse industries, including public energy, industrial construction, manufacturing, technology, and international commodities.He has a special interest in geopolitical trade issues, leveraging his understanding of global markets to navigate complex trade dynamics and optimize supply chain strategies.
Namrita Lamba
Session: Human Rights and Ethical Sourcing: A Key Consideration for Sustainable Procurement
Namrita has a creative and organized approach to problem solving and is passionate about ethical supply chains and circularity, particularly in the realm of consumer goods. Prior to Reeve, Namrita worked in apparel and textile supply chain management in India for a decade. She was also part of the corporate impact team at Herschel Supply working on sustainable supply chain strategies. Most recently, Namrita has completed her Master in Business Administration from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia. Namrita is also an advocate for sustainable fashion and is an active volunteer with three non-profit organizations – Fashion Revolution, Threading Change, and Remake. When she’s not working, Namrita enjoys watching and playing soccer, exploring new places and foods, curating music playlists, and making to-do-lists.
Mark brings over 12 years of business development experience within the technical recruitment sector. He has built long lasting partnerships with some of the largest firms in the Mining, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Energy, Manufacturing, and Construction sectors across Canada. Dedicated to driving growth and excellence, Mark is focused on empowering clients to achieve their goals through effective recruitment strategies
Darrell Schuurman
Darrell is an advocate of effecting social change through the economic empowerment of 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs. He is the co-founder and CEO of the CGLCC, Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, a national not-for-profit organization with a mission to expand the opportunities and advancement of the 2SLGBTQI+ business community in Canada.
Darrell is a founding member of Supplier Diversity Alliance Canada, a national organization dedicated to the advancement of research, education, and advocacy of supplier diversity in Canada. He sits on the Supplier Advisory Committee (Public Services and Procurement Canada) to provide support in identifying potential improvements to Federal Government procurement.
He is also the co-founder of the Canadian Gay & Lesbian Business Education Foundation and Travel Gay Canada.
Darrell completed his Bachelor of Commerce Degree at the University of Calgary, and completed his Executive MBA from Richard Ivey School of Business, Western University.
Monica Chang
Pre-Symposium Seminar: Boost Your Performance and Resilience with Mental Fitness
Monica is the Founder & CEO of Start with Clarity Consulting. The company provides coaching and organizational development consulting to leaders and teams, increasing engagement, productivity, collaboration, and innovation. What sets them apart in the market is their focus on root causes rather than symptoms, using neuroscience, technology, and brain rewiring. Leaders and teams achieve more and stress less.
She has 25+ years of experience in leadership development, organizational development, facilitation, and change management in the private, public, and healthcare sectors. She has coached all levels of leaders including C-Suite executives for over ten years.
Monica holds a Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching, a Master's in Adult Education (specializing in adult learning and change), and completed a 4-year intensive in Gestalt Leadership. She is a Positive Intelligence Coach, a Certified Executive Coach, and an Associate Certified Coach. She also holds certifications in Myers Briggs Type Indicator, Strength Deployment Inventory, Prosci and Organizational Transitions.
