International Women’s Day 2022: Break the Bias in Communications

Thursday, March 8, 2022; 12 to 1 p.m. EST

LIVE Virtual Event

Organizations across Canada are beginning to embrace the benefits of diversity and inclusion, championing change in the workplace. Many studies have shown that embracing diversity can reap tremendous rewards including innovation, tapping into new markets, adaptability, employee happiness and resilience.

Join us on International Women’s Day 2022 as we explore various ways to break the bias, including our own, in the workplace as communications professionals. Our panel of experts will cover the following topics:

• • Best practices on diversity, equity and accessibility in all forms of communications
• • Strategies on building and working with diverse teams
• • Discuss actionable steps needed to create an inclusive corporate culture and maximize leadership team potential
• • Highlight the positive impact that a diversity strategy can have on an organization’s long-term success with its key stakeholders

Speakers:

Krista Henry, Communications Specialist at University of Waterloo and Chair of IABC/Toronto’s IDEA Committee.

Krista Henry has 15 years of experience as a professional writer. She has worked as a journalist and communications professional in the government, non-profit and retail industries in Jamaica and Canada. Passionate about diversity and inclusion, she is the chair of IABC Toronto’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) committee. She currently works at the University of Waterloo as a communications specialist assisting in developing next generation communications talent.

Loretta Lam, President of Focus Communications Inc. and Director of Advocacy & Collaboration for IABC/Toronto’s IDEA Committee.

Loretta is the Chief Strategist of Focus Communications Inc. She is a pioneer in 360 Multicultural Marketing and a veteran in strategic diversity communications. Loretta is an active speaker, article contributor and volunteer at several advisory boards including the Board of Governors of York University, Toronto Regional Immigrant Employment Council, and Canadian Marketing Association’s Talent Council. Learn more at www.focuscomms.com.

Pamela Bishop-Byers, Regional Communications Manager – Indigenous, Nuclear Waste Management Organization and member of IABC/Toronto’s IDEA Committee. Pamela is a Strategic Communicator, Culture-First Ambassador and Social Impact Advocate. She is passionate about creating space for and amplifying diverse voices.

Matisse Hamel-Nelis, Vice President Communications at AbleDocs and Director of Communications of IABC/Toronto’s IDEA Committee.

Matisse is a Vice President of Communications for AbleDocs and a program co-ordinator of Durham College’s PR & Strategic Communications program. She’s also the Director of Communications for the IABC/Toronto IDEA Committee. An international award-winner, she is best described as a strategic, forward-thinking communicator focused on goal-oriented social PR with accessibility at the fore. She holds a post-graduate certificate in Accessible Media Production from Mohawk College, and advanced diploma in PR from Durham College, in addition to the International Association of Accessibility Professionals’ Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) and Accessible Documents Specialist (ADS) designations.

Moderator:

Mark John Stewart, Managing Director with Wentworth Strategy Group and Instructor in Strategic Management with the McMaster-Syracuse Master of Communications Management program.

Mark John Stewart is the Managing Director of Wentworth Strategy Group. For 15 years, he has served as President of marketing agency FlyPrint. He is an advisor and past board chair with Empowerment Squared, a Canadian charity dedicated to empowering newcomer, refugee and marginalized youth and communities in Canada, Liberia, Ghana, and South Africa. Mark John regularly presents to audiences across the world on strategy, governance, leadership, and professional development. He is a TEDx speaker and has been published in the Journal of Professional Communication. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the dynamic health and life sciences organization Bay Area Health Trust.

Fees:

$15: IABC member rate ($16.95 with HST)

$25: Non-member rate ($28.25 with HST)

MEMBERS REGISTER HERE

NON-MEMBERS REGISTER HERE