We will explore pertinent questions together such as

• Where does Canada stand in terms of trade policy and where does that leave us? 
• Has the reduction of policy rates softened the impacts of American protectionism? 
• Will labour demand catch up with labour supply, leading to a sustained labour market recovery?
• Is slowing population growth leading to improvements in housing affordability? 
• Are we benefiting from the Buy Canadian or US exodus (spending, labour, capital)?
• What other challenges do we need to address going forward?
• What can we expect / what is forecasted going forward? 

Key takeaways

• Understand the current trends in the Canadian, BC, and international economies
• Explore the impact of trade policies and American protectionism on Canada
• Analyze the labour market recovery and housing affordability
• Identify challenges and forecasted developments in the economy

Most Digital Transformations fail to reach their goals, often due to resistance to change, poor implementation strategies, and a lack of adaptability. To successfully implement digital finance initiatives, CFOs must go beyond finance management and become technology change leaders, business strategists, and innovation catalysts.

Key takeaways

• How to drive agility in finance - adopting Agile principles to lead change faster, smarter, and with less risk
• The Finance Automation Ladder - a step-by-step guide to implementing AI and automation
• The digital CFO Playbook - a practical framework for successfully implementing digital finance initiatives without disrupting operations.

In this session, participants will explore the strategic components that support effective communication. We’ll also unpack some of the most common barriers leaders face when communicating, helping you become a more confident, compelling communicator.  

Key takeaways

• A 6-step framework for effective communication
• Prompts for crafting stronger key messages that connect with the audience
• Reflection questions to help avoid communication blunders

Key takeaways

• Evaluate how language and the structure of our communication influence ethical decision-making, power dynamics, and inclusivity.
• Recognize unintended opportunities and barriers created by organizational language and communication norms, including their impact on diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Reflect on personal communication habits and biases to better understand their influence on workplace interactions and outcome.

This session will also address some of the concerns surrounding AI, providing a balanced view of its benefits and potential caveats.

Key takeaways

• Gain insights into the newest Excel features and how they can be applied in real-world scenarios
• Understand the role of AI in Excel and how it can assist you in your daily tasks
• Learn about the potential challenges and considerations when using AI tools

You’ll learn how to recognize hidden opportunities, communicate with clarity, and advocate with confidence, even under pressure.

Through real-world CPA scenarios, guided reflection, and actionable tools, you’ll walk away ready to lead more effectively through everyday conversations and navigate tough conversations with professionalism and poise.

Key takeaways

• Why negotiation is more essential than ever—and how to reframe your mindset
• How to spot overlooked opportunities to influence, lead, and advocate
• A practical 3-step framework to prepare and communicate effectively under pressure

Whether you're negotiating scope, timelines, resources, or recognition, this session will help you lead beyond the numbers and succeed in any climate.

Key takeaways

• Effort Doesn’t Equal Results – Working harder to be healthy isn’t the same as working smarter. Many professionals waste time and energy on wellness trends that don’t deliver lasting benefits.
• Hidden Stress Sabotages Health & Performance – Unrecognized stressors (like poor nutrition, lack of sleep, and overworking) quietly undermine health, mental clarity, and productivity, making it harder to perform at your best.
• Strategy Beats Shortcuts – A sustainable, evidence-based approach to wellness—rather than quick fixes—leads to better energy, focus, and long-term success in both health and career.

Key takeaways

• Examine the impact of the new sustainability reporting standards from three different entity perspectives – a Canadian publicly traded company, a public sector entity and a smaller private company.
• Understand the implications and incentives for each entity, considering their stakeholders.
• Explore the ‘climate-first’ approach to the standards that allows a phased-in approach for entities on their sustainability reporting journey.

The operational demands of any organization are at least a full-time workload. It can be difficult to find the time develop and advance strategic initiatives, while keeping the wheels on the bus. In this session, participants will explore personalized solutions to balance strategy with operational effectiveness.

Key takeaways

• Cultivate a strategic mindset to achieve long-term success
• Discuss tools, tips, and tricks to balance strategy with operational effectiveness
• Draw from best practices in triage to support this balance

In this session, we’ll explore these themes and examine strategies for cultivating our own mental health and wellness, building capacity within our organizations and teams, and directing stressful moments toward positive outcomes for everyone.

Key takeaways

• Cultivate an effective and empathetic presence, support others without overstepping personal boundaries, and respond to distressing emotional situations with a grounded, compassionate approach.
• Apply key principles such as self-awareness and empathy as the foundations for a set of skills that facilitate environments of safety, trust and well-being.
• Understand the roots and layers of mental health challenges (such as trauma, addiction, and developmental issues), recognize and effectively respond to emotional activation that arises from these layers, and develop the skills to attend to personal well-being in situations of stress and turmoil.
• Navigate common challenges involving appropriate boundaries (especially when professionals share personal histories with those they work with).

Emotional resilience is a critical skill for leading through ambiguity and adversity. Participants will discover practical strategies to manage stress, cultivate a growth mindset, and foster emotional well-being to enable leadership with clarity and composure when it matters most. Learn to stay calm and effective, even in high-stress situations and walk away with actionable tools to boost mental toughness and build teams that thrive under pressure.

Key takeaways

• Reframe Challenges: Develop strategies to shift negative thought patterns and cultivate optimism
• Master Emotional Regulation: Explore proven techniques to regulate emotions and maintain balance during uncertainty
• Boost Energy & Performance: Implement self-care practices that enhance resilience and sustain peak performance