LIVE SUMMIT: Nov 2-3, 2023

The 6th Annual Global Workplace Wellness Summit

Elevate Your Wellbeing: Meet Our Inspiring Summit Speakers!

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Dr. Daniel Saugh, PhD, MSc, MPH, MDiv, RP

Dr. Saugh is a trained Psychological First Aid Instructor with the Canadian Red Cross, a registered Psychotherapist, and a Mental Health Professional. He also is an adjunct Professor of Psychology at Burman University in Alberta. He is a member of several NGO Alliances and Chair of the Emergency Management NGO Consortium of Canada for strategic relations and partnerships.

More About Dr. Daniel Saugh

Dr. Saugh holds his undergraduate honours degree in health sciences and graduate degrees in public health, international/community development, theology and human relations/psychology from York University, Andrews University, Loma Linda University, and Wilfrid Laurier University, respectively. He is the former Program Manager for ADRA Canada, an NGO and humanitarian agency based in Ontario.

Dr. Saugh is the Health Ministries Coordinator for the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Canada. He is a dynamic speaker and engaging presenter who has honed his skills in pastoring for over 20 years. He has also served in the Canadian Armed Forces in the Royal Canadian Chaplaincy Service as Capt (Ret’d) and is currently a Chaplain with the Toronto Police Service. He is passionate about holistic wellness that embraces mind, body, and spirit. He is on a quest to help people build resiliency, recover, and return to a life of normalcy after tough challenges and changes.

 

Stéphane Grenier

When it comes to mental health, Stéphane Grenier walks the talk. Indeed, Stéphane’s riveting keynotes are not only thought-provoking, but also lead to tangible action and sustainable change for those leaders who are prepared to rethink how they support their people.

More About Stéphane Grenier

He was appointed to the Order of Canada and awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the University of Guelph and Humber College for his contributions to workplace mental health.

His autobiography, After the War: Surviving PTSD and Changing Mental Health Culture, tells his story from the day he landed during the Rwandan genocide through his journey of changing mental health culture in the Canadian military, developing national Guidelines for Peer Support with the Mental Health Commission of Canada, all the way to creating Mental Health Innovations (MHI); a consultancy that leads innovative and sustainable change in organizations to enhance the mental health of their people.

Today, he and his business partners, along with countless associates, develop non-clinical mental health interventions as a complement to traditional clinical care for private and public sector organizations and provincial healthcare systems.

Stéphane’s vision is a world where people no longer face barriers to good mental health.

Big Daddy Tazz

Often described as one of the most talented comics in the business, Big Daddy Tazz has been delighting crowds from coast to coast at corporate events, fund raisers, festivals and on television for more than 30 years.

More About Big Daddy Tazz

Today, audiences are happy to join him on his rapid cycle ride down the never-ending road to recovery as he tours North America, bringing his good mental health message to audiences, drawing rave reviews, and standing ovations!

Equal parts comedian and mental health advocate, Tazz educates, enlightens, and inspires. After 30 years of denying he had the mental illnesses that were controlling his life, Big Daddy Tazz realized that being a manic-depressive, attention deficit, socially anxious dyslexic could either destroy or enhance his life… the choice was his.

For the last 20 years, Big Daddy Tazz has brought light and laughter to those with mental illness by raising awareness of how stigma affects us all. Tazz believes in educating, embracing, and empowering everyone so we can all stand tall and give stigma a bad name.

His comedy appearances include the prestigious Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, the Moncton Comedy Festival, CBC’s The Debaters and the CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival, which can be seen frequently on CBC television and the Comedy Network.

Whether it’s a corporate event or charity fundraiser, comedy show or mental health keynote seminar, Tazz will make you laugh until you cry and then laugh some more. It’s the bi-polar way.


Joyce Odidison, MA. MCC. CTDP

Joyce Odidison is President of Interpersonal Wellness Services Inc., founder of the Annual Global Workplace Wellness Summit, and a sought-after international keynote speaker who draws on decades of expertise as a Conflict Analyst, Master Certified Coach, DEI Consultant, and Well-being expert.

More About Joyce Odidison

Joyce shares her compelling research and practice on the Well-being Intelligence Competencies™, providing tools and insights to address the escalating psychological safety, mental health, and wellness challenges leaders grapple with today.

Joyce believes all relationships and interactions affect well-being, so we must apply intelligence to refuel and foster resilience and performance. 

Joyce hosts the What’s Happening at Work podcast, where she shares practical strategies about how what’s going on at work any day of the week affects well-being. She is the author of six books, a former college and university instructor, and a regular TV expert who has been featured in news media globally.

Cameron Tyndal

Cameron completed his BA with majors in Psychology and Rhetoric, Writing and Communications and has worked with Sara Riel since 2012. Cameron has over ten years of management experience in mental health and employment services and is currently the Director of Mental Health and Addictions.

More About Cameron Tyndal

He has presented previously at the Global Wellness Summit, Canadian Professional Human Resource Conference, and CHAC National Conference and was published in the Canadian Journal of Aging in 2021 for his contributions to a project that addressed mental health, burnout, and compassion fatigue issues of frontline, long-term care workers during COVID-19.

Gurpreet Kaur PhD

Gurpreet Kaur is a licensed professional counselor, certified clinical mental health counselor, executive coach, author, and public speaker. She is a self-help enthusiast who explores the connections among counseling, Eastern philosophies, and quantum mechanics.

More About Gurpreet Kaur PhD

She earned her doctorate in education and counseling psychology, has worked to support mental health for 17 years, and regularly speaks at corporate trainings, workshops, university lectures, keynote presentations, and more.

She has provided custom training programs dealing with workplace civility, change management, depression, disengaged workers, burnout, self-care, and mental health to organizations, including the Department of Health & Human Services USA. She has written articles for publications, including the American Counseling Association (ACA), Entrepreneur, and Brainz magazines.

Whether she is speaking to someone one-on-one or standing in front of a packed conference arena at a national event, her goal is the same: to support, uplift, and motivate people to find self-love and spirituality, reach their highest level of consciousness, assume accountability for their own lives, and achieve their full potential.

Julie Anderson

Julie Anderson, aka Brain Lady Julie, is a sought-after international professional speaker, bestselling author, and Certified Brain Health Professional with over 27 years of experience in the field of brain science.

More About Julie Anderson

As an established brain authority, Julie has been interviewed by media outlets like ABC, FOX, and UPN, and appears as a guest expert on various podcasts. Her knowledge in brain function and anatomy, brain health, and the brain personality connection has garnered widespread recognition in the industry.

Julie continues to push the boundaries of her knowledge through educational studies in neuromarketing, neuroscience of leadership, depression, anxiety disorders, and psychological first aid.

Sylvia Marusyk

Sylvia Marusyk is everything you never knew you wanted in a public speaker. The owner and innovative mind behind MindBody Works Inc; a Canadian company focusing on creating and maintaining health and wellness in the workplace, Sylvia is fun, sassy and passionate about safety & health.

More About Sylvia Marusyk

As an Occupational Therapist with over 30 years of experience and expertise in the field of health and safety, she emphasizes that prevention is the key to creating happy, healthy individuals, employees and businesses. The former host of the ‘Happy Hour with Sylvia!’ radio show, international keynote speaker, “activational” mentor, author, and industry expert has proven that the way we look at corporate health, safety and wellness is due for a change of perspective; and Sylvia is leading the charge.

Her entertaining presentations focus on a proactive approach to building healthy lives and workplaces. Through the use of humor and her incredibly dynamic presentation style, Sylvia leaves audiences laughing, learning and going home with the tools and confidence to change their lives for the better.

Dr. Ian Mighty 

Ian Mighty has spent 28 years as an educator, caring for the minds of the next generation of employees with a focus on holistic education.

More About Dr. Ian Mighty

During his career, he taught early, middle, and high school in rural and urban settings. In 2002, he embraced the challenge of becoming the principal of Prairie Central Adventist Academy (PCAA) in Winnipeg; with his steadfast leadership and organizational change management skills, he transformed PCAA from a K-10 of 60 students to a K-12 school of over 200 students. Mr. Mighty completed his Doctorate in Education (EdD) from the University of Western Ontario. He enjoys researching family history, angling outdoors, and travelling and relishes family time with his wife and their two adult children.

David Stewart

David Stewart, a dedicated professional with over 11 years of experience at Sara Riel – Mental Health and Addictions, is passionate about improving mental health and peer support. As the Education and Training Manager, he has facilitated crucial programs like Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). 

More About David Stewart

David's extensive experience includes developing the impactful "Building Connection: Compassionate Peer Support Specialist Training" program. As Manager of Mental Health Services, David led initiatives such as the Seneca Services Respite and the Seneca Warm Line, both peer-led 24-hour programs that earned the 2022 CHAC Program of Distinction award. He also initiated the 1-2-1 Peer Volunteer Project, fostering community connections for those affected by isolation and quarantine. David's expertise spans mental health, peer support, and program development, making him a trusted resource. He is committed to enhancing workplace wellness through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and brings valuable insights to discussions on employee well-being and leadership development.
David's passion for wellness and community inspires others, making him a compelling speaker and advocate for a healthier workplace.

Ricardo Mena

Ricardo Mena serves as the lead pastor at Henderson Highway Seventh-day Adventist Church in Winnipeg. He has been serving in pastoral ministry for the past 12 years with the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Conference. He has served in 5 different churches during that period. 

More About Ricardo Mena

Ricardo earned his Master of Divinity with an emphasis on Family Life from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. He has spoken in South America, the Caribbean, Central America, the United States and Canada. Ricardo focuses his ministry on families because of their great impact on our future society. He enjoys working and planning activities with his church's youth and young adults. He is passionate about reaching the community and being able to serve those around him. He is a husband and father of three who enjoys the outdoors and mountain biking.

Dr. Ben Akoh, Ph.D.

Dr. Ben Akoh, Ph.D., is an experienced organizational development consultant with a career spanning over two decades. His expertise lies in the development of individuals, systems, and processes. Holding a Ph.D. in educational psychology, Dr. Akoh has maintained a consistent interest in the intersection of technology, education, and culture.

More About Dr. Ben Akoh, Ph.D.

Dr. Akoh's research journey led him to collaborate with the Cree peoples of Northern Manitoba, resulting in the creation of a framework that illuminates the key factors necessary for Indigenous learners in their utilization of digital technologies for learning. In addition to his research endeavors, Dr. Akoh has designed and delivered online adult learning courses for the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg, and the University of Victoria. Outside the academic sphere, Dr. Akoh is recognized as the founder of the African Movie Festival in Manitoba. His diverse career reflects a profound commitment to education, cultural exploration, and the promotion of diverse viewpoints.