Toronto CHRO Community
Executive Summit
December 2, 2025 | Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre
December 2, 2025
Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre
Collaborate with your peers
Get together with Toronto's top CHROs to tackle shared business challenges and critical priorities facing your role today. Participate in this one-day, local program with peer-driven topics and interactive discussions with your true C-level peers.
Join your peers to discuss the most critical issues impacting CHROs today:
Cultivating leadership capabilities and managerial skills to drive organizational success
Develop a cohesive, inclusive culture aligned with company values to boost engagement
Align talent strategies with future workforce needs and organizational goals
Toronto CHRO Governing Body
The Governing Body Co-Chairs shape the summit agenda, ensuring that all content is driven By CHROs, For CHROs®.
Governing Body Co-Chairs

Sonia Boyle
Gore Mutual Insurance Co.
Chief People Officer

Frank Monteleone
Rexall
SVP & CPO

Brigid Pelino
Definity Financial
Chief People and Culture Officer

Norm Sabapathy
Cadillac Fairview
Executive Vice President, People
What to Expect
Agenda
8:00am - 8:30am Registration & Breakfast
8:30am - 9:15am Keynote
GenAI in HR — Transforming Workforce Strategy at Scale
Eugene Wen
VP & Global Chief Data Scientist
Manulife
Katherine Macnaughton
Global Head, Talent & Development
Manulife
AI is redefining the relationship between humans and machines; creating new opportunities to augment human work, while demanding organizations weave together technology, business and people metrics. Discover GenAI technology trends and how Manulife is leveraging GenAI to reshape HR processes and workforce strategy.
Join this session to learn how to:
- Navigate the current and upcoming GenAI landscape
- Transform workforce management and HR processes
- Apply lessons learned and best practices
9:15am - 9:40am Networking Break
9:40am - 10:25am Breakout Session
Designing for the Decade Ahead — What AI and Personalization Means for Employees
Hosted by Wealthsimple
Diana McLachlan
Chief People Officer
Wealthsimple
The next wave of HR innovation is deeply data-driven. As AI transforms how people interact with money, HR leaders have an opportunity to make saving for the future radically more personal.
Join this session to:
- Explore AI and behavioral tools for smarter investment choices
- Boost participation in group financial plans
- Use innovation to close financial literacy gaps
9:40am - 10:25am Breakout Session
From Siloes to Synergy — A CHRO’s Playbook for Cultural Cohesion
Stephanie Hardman
Chief People & Culture Officer
Toromont
In organisations formed through rapid acquisition, cultural fragmentation and lack of organisational cohesion present significant challenges to effectiveness and growth. Discover how a newly appointed Global CHRO has navigated the complexities of unifying diverse cultures, earned credibility, and built trust in an environment where both legacy and possibility must coexist.
Join this session to learn how to:
- Unify cultures with clear, intentional strategies
- Leverage diverse backgrounds to reshape cultural norms
- Reduce turnover by redesigning total rewards
9:40am - 10:25am Executive Boardroom
Rewriting Strategy in Times of Change
Lawrence Hughes
EVP & Chief People Officer
Porter Airlines
Katherine Murray
Managing Director & CHRO
Bank of Canada
Esther Zdolec
Senior Vice President, People and Culture
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation
In today’s unpredictable business climate, organisations are often faced with difficult decisions including workforce reductions and organisational restructuring. How can Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP) be embedded as a proactive, ongoing practice to help organisations remain resilient and people-focused through uncertainty?
Join this session to discuss:
- Navigating the emotional and cultural impact of workforce reductions
- Developing agile talent pipelines to support shifting organisational goals
- Identifying critical skills and roles for SWP
9:40am - 10:25am Executive Boardroom
Enhancing Productivity to Drive Better Business Outcomes
Nicola Deall
Chief People Officer
Dental Corporation of Canada
Harpal Sekhon
Global Head of Talent Access
Kenvue
Gartner research reports that only 41% of employees fall into the optimal performance zone. Work fatigue and lack of consistency is a growing trend among employees across industries. How can leaders spearhead and nurture experiences that drive productivity?
Join this boardroom to discuss:
- Tackling key issues relevant to employees
- Linking performance culture and productivity
- Implementing performance check-ins to ensure goal attainment
10:25am - 11:10am Networking Break
10:35am - 11:00am Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Peer-to-Peer Meetings
Connect with like-minded peers in a one-on-one setting through Peer-to-Peer Meetings. You will be matched with peers in your community based on your shared interests and priorities.
11:10am - 11:55am Breakout Session
From Crisis to Catalyst — Sparking Inspiration in the Workplace
Hosted by O.C. Tanner
Ryan Jensen
Workplace Culture Strategist
O.C. Tanner
Only 16% of employees say they’re thriving in their roles — a staggering number that cannot be ignored. Yet, new insights from O.C. Tanner’s 2026 Global Culture Report reveal how workplaces can become a source of renewal and resilience in uncertain times.
Join this session to discuss:
- Why healthy performance requires both expectations and support
- The 5 behaviours that shape inclusive, high-performing teams
- Why integrated recognition creates a cultural multiplier effect
11:10am - 11:55am Executive Boardroom
Winning With Wellbeing — Igniting Buy-in From Burnout
Hosted by Alight
Nadine Reynolds
SVP Client Management Strategy & Renewals
Alight
Janine Pajot
VP, Human Resources
Bayer
Mark Spencer
EVP, People & Culture
University Health Network
No longer satisfied with transactional perks, today’s employees increasingly expect employers to support their total wellbeing that integrates physical health, mental health and financial security. Employers who adapt to these shifting needs enhance retention, productivity and optimize value for benefits investment.
Join this boardroom session to:
- Boost engagement with personalized, easy-to-navigate benefits
- Integrate high tech with the human touch to manage complexity
- Drive retention, productivity, and success with total wellbeing
11:10am - 11:55am Executive Boardroom
The Future of Talent and Total Rewards
Hosted by Venngo Inc
Sally Benn
SVP Group Customers
Venngo Inc
Elizabeth McSavaney
VP, Head of HR Canada & North America HR Transformation
Zurich Insurance
Stephen Satchel
Chief People Officer
Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited
AI, emerging technologies, and evolving workforce expectations are transforming how organisations attract and retain talent. Explore strategies to redesign Total Rewards and talent management for a diverse, skills-based, and flexible workforce.
In this boardroom, you'll discuss:
- Moving beyond “One Size Fits All” in total rewards and people strategies
- Becoming a culture leader during the shift from traditional job-based to skills-based hiring
- Redesigning Total Rewards to engage a multi-generational, global workforce
11:10am - 11:55am Executive Boardroom
Modifying Org Design for an Efficient Future
Mark Edgar
CPO
Wajax
Alvin Raskina
Head of HR, Canada
Roche
A Gartner study found 33% of the skills needed in an average job posting from 2019 are no longer necessary in 2024. As job responsibilities continue to evolve, CHROs must anticipate the versatility of future skillsets. Shifting from a tactical, short-term approach to a strategic, long-term plan can set the workforce up for success.
Join this session to discuss:
- Planning for challenges that result in talent gaps
- Anticipating evolving job responsibilities
- Implementing a formal development programme aimed at future skills
11:55am - 12:30pm Lunch Service
Apply to Participate
Apply to participate in the Toronto CHRO Community Executive Summit.
Gartner facilitates exclusive, C-level communities by personally qualifying and understanding the priorities, challenges and interests of each member.
Our selective approach maintains the high quality of the network and ensures top-level discussions with peers from the world’s leading organizations.
Each application will be reviewed, and once your participation is confirmed, you will have access to year-round community programs.
Location
Venue & Accommodation
Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton CentreSelf-Parking and Valet is available for $55 at the hotel.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre at a reduced conference rate. Reservations should be made online or by calling 800-905-0667 . Please mention Toronto Executive Summit to ensure the appropriate room rate.
Deadline to book using the discounted room rate of $289 CAD (plus tax) is October 30, 2025.
Community Program Manager
For inquiries related to this community, please reach out to your dedicated contact.
