Program

Jennifer Laewetz is a political scientist, First Nations governance builder and a nationally recognized voice in Indigenous politics and governance. In this keynote, she shares how communication is more than shaping what we want to say. It is also about how we want others to receive it. Grounded in her values, principles and commitment to self-determination, Jennifer shows how weaving identity and understanding into every message creates trust, resonance and a lasting impact. Let’s discuss how to move beyond messaging just as a transaction and embrace it as a tool for teaching, connecting and transforming relationships with one another. 

My bio: 

Melissa specializes in education and labor/employment law, providing in-depth counsel to school boards across Ontario. Her expertise spans areas such as student and staff misconduct, discipline, occupational health and safety, discrimination, and violence.

Melissa is a seasoned advocate before administrative tribunals, including appearances at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Ontario Labour Relations Board, and the Ontario College of Teachers. Notably, she served as counsel, including acting as general counsel for one of Canada's largest school boards.

Melissa’s unique educational and professional experience emphasizes her expertise in governance, human resources, and labor/employment law within the context of schools.

For close to 20 years, Neil MacCarthy has served as Director of PR & Communications for the Archdiocese of Toronto after making the very natural transition from rock radio DJ to the Catholic Church.

The pope holds a press conference, a church is vandalized, volunteers open their hearts and homes for refugees. All in a day's work. Never predictable, always an adventure. On any given day, Neil may serve as press secretary, media spokesperson, gov’t relations liaison, crisis firefighter or smiling MC.

Along the way, Neil was seconded to lead media and PR efforts for the 2022 Papal Visit to Canada. In 2025, he gave more than 60 interviews following the death of Pope Francis and during the Conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV, while coordinating media relations for Canadian cardinals participating in the Conclave at the Vatican.

Erin Black is an award-winning Communications Specialist with Red Deer Public Schools, bringing more than two decades of experience as a journalist and storyteller. Following a 14 year career in journalism, Erin made the leap into school communications nearly eight years ago.

Driven by a passion for powerful storytelling and meaningful stakeholder engagement, Erin believes in the importance of owning your narrative. She brings newsroom instincts to the world of school communications, helping divisions elevate everyday moments into compelling, strategic stories that resonate with families, staff, and communities.

Vince Burke is an award-winning Communications Coordinator with Wolf Creek Public Schools, bringing more than two decades of experience from journalism to school communications.

Vince began his career in radio and print journalism, where he developed a deep appreciation for the power of storytelling to inform, connect, and inspire. In 2015, he transitioned into education communications with St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Schools, before joining Wolf Creek Public Schools in 2019.

He believes that stories are the heartbeat of a community - and that effective storytelling brings that community to a broader audience. Vince brings a journalist’s instincts and a strategic mindset to his work, helping schools share their stories with clarity, authenticity, and purpose.

Nathalie Pelletier is a seasoned marketing and communications professional with over a decade of experience in web and social media marketing, including more than seven years dedicated to the education sector. Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Communications and a minor in Media and Information, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role.

At CEPEO, she specializes in social media marketing and website management, as well as leveraging digital platforms to effectively engage with audiences and drive results. With a passion for staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in training and closely follows emerging trends to ensure her strategies remain innovative and effective.

Julie Rogers is Principal of Julie Rogers Consulting, with over 20 years of award-winning experience in public sector communications. She has led communications in four BC municipalities where she established strategies, policies, and engagement practices that increased transparency, supported council decision-making, and strengthened community trust. Now she works as a consultant with municipal governments and school boards across Western Canada delivering practical strategies in public engagement, crisis communications, media relations, and digital outreach, along with workshops and training that build staff and leadership capacity. She teaches with the MATI Advanced Communications Program and is an Accredited Public Relations professional and active member of the Canadian Public Relations Society.

Warren Weeks sold his first newspaper to his grandmother when he was five years old. He was
Wayne Gretzky's PR handler for a day in 1998. And in 2010, he started the viral social media
campaign to get former NHL coach Pat Burns into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He spent 3.5 months
doing crisis response work in the Town of Walkerton during the infamous E. coli crisis in 2000. Over the past three decades, he has media trained more than 7,500 leaders from around the world and has worked with hundreds of organizations around the world, helping their leaders to tell more effective stories.

Jason Reid is a former journalist and television news manager who knows a thing or two about
chaos—and how to guide organizations through stormy seas. With decades of experience leading high-pressure teams and adapting to constant change in the media world, Jason learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about staying calm, leaning into your strengths, and communicating with purpose.

Today, he helps people lead more effectively by connecting strong communication with practical
leadership. He shows how clarity, empathy, and a human voice can spark real influence and help
anyone grow into the leader their organization needs.

Jason is the author of multiple books on diversity and leadership, and has shared his message with audiences across North America in both the public and private sector.

Guy has over 30 years’ experience in management, stakeholder engagement, communications, marketing, strategic planning and philanthropy. Prior to joining the largest non-denominational French-language public school board outside of Québec, he served three governments, three research-intensive universities and several private sector and non-profit organizations in Ontario, Québec and Saskatchewan.

He is an imaginative and inveterate problem solver, and a perennial optimist. He really enjoys devising plans to make an impact and working through issues to put them to rest.

In his spare time, Guy loves to read, travel and movie watching, as well as listening to and playing music.

Ashley Dennehy is from Nipisihkopahk (Samson Cree Nation), one of the four Nations in Maskwacîs, AB. She enjoys travelling with her daughter, Graceyn. In her professional role, Ashley serves as the Engagement Coordinator with the Communications team in the Superintendent’s Office at MESC. She specializes in Rights-holder and stakeholder engagement, coordinating initiatives such as the MESC Kehetahk (Elders) Forum, Oskayak (Youth) Conference, Ohpikinahawasiwin (Parent) Conference, and the Leadership Summit. Ashley is committed to building meaningful relationships and creating opportunities for authentic dialogue and learning. She is honoured to be co-facilitating this workshop on reconciliation and honouring the land.

Jenn Nepoose is from Nipisihkopahk (Samson Cree Nation), one of the four Nations in Maskwacîs, AB. She is a mother who enjoys golfing and travelling. Professionally, Jenn serves as the Executive Coordinator in the Superintendent’s Office at MESC, where she manages governance activities, supports strategic planning, provides administrative support to the executive team, and leads communications efforts. With over ten years of experience in administration, governance, and engagement, Jenn is passionate about creating solutions, building collaboration, and supporting initiatives that advance student success. She is dedicated to promoting meaningful, values-based communication and is honoured to facilitate this workshop on reconciliation and respectful practices.

Ryan Patterson is a video producer and award-winning AI filmmaker based in Toronto, Canada. He has over a decade of video production experience in advertising and communications and is the founder of Queen One Studios. Ryan is also a director at GRAiL, a next-gen entertainment studio powered by AI and a creative partner with leading generative AI companies Runway, Luma, Kling and Hailuo/Minimax. He was named a Top 100 AI Creative on LinkedIn in 2024.

As the Communications and Media Coordinator at Regina Catholic Schools, Twylla West brings a wealth of TV, radio, and educational experience to the table. With a knack for making complex topics simple and a love for all things creative, she’s the one you’ll want to listen to when it comes to making communications work like magic. When she’s not crafting messages, you can find Twylla and her husband Gord cheering on one kid navigating the world of autism and another blocking goals on the soccer pitch. All three of them are definitely more coordinated than she is. 

With more nearly three decades of experience working with children and families, Tara Molson is now the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Lead for Regina Catholic Schools. A former Trustee for the Regina Public Schools, she is passionate about listening to children and their families to make sure their needs are heard and met. Tara has extensive experience supporting families from diverse communities, cultures, and religions, including the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and has a background in communications and public relations. She believes that the best way to support students is to create spaces where everyone—no matter their background—feels seen, heard, and valued.

With over 20 years of experience in school division communications and media, Angela is a seasoned professional dedicated to strategic storytelling and student data protection. As the Director of Communications and FOIP Coordinator for Prairie Rose Public Schools in southeast Alberta, she seamlessly integrates advertising, marketing, and communications with a strong focus on privacy and information security.

Angela’s background in journalism, combined with her Master’s in Communications and Technology from the University of Alberta (2022), has equipped her with the expertise to navigate the evolving landscape of educational communications. Her work has earned top honors from the National School Public Relations Association and multiple awards from the Canadian Association of Communicators in Education. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to public education, she received the 2016 PSBAA Special Contribution to Public School Education: Media award.

A passionate advocate for clear, impactful communication, Angela continues to elevate the role of communications in education while upholding the highest standards of student privacy and data protection.

Lance Hiltz has been working in education-sector communications for just over a decade. He spent close to 7 years as communications officer with the Horizon School Division in Humboldt, SK, and has been working as a senior communications officer in the sector since 2021. He grew up in Treaty 4 and now lives in Treaty 6 territory with his wife and two kids in Saskatoon. 

Outside of work, he serves as a board member with Nuit Blanche Saskatoon, and the International Association of Business Communicators, Saskatoon Chapter. Lance is a graduate of the University of Regina, with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Video Studies and a Certificate in Public Relations.

Élisa Gilet is a marketing and communications professional from France with an international
profile. She holds a degree from the Sorbonne University (France) and a Digital Marketing diploma
from the University of Westminster (UK). Her academic journey across Europe and North America
reflects her passion for dynamic, multicultural environments.

At CEPEO, she leads the development and management of strategic partnerships and community
relations to support school recruitment, retention, and institutional visibility initiatives. Her
commitment highlights her passion for education, her people-centered leadership, and her ability to drive impactful projects in diverse and stimulating contexts.

Julia Harvie-Shemko is a nationally recognized strategic communicator with over 20 years of experience helping public sector and non-profit organizations solve complex business challenges through effective communications. As the founder of Red Thread Connections Inc., she works with clients across Canada to build strategic plans, improve internal and external communications and lead organizational change.

Julia brings deep municipal experience to her work, having served for over 16 years as the lead communicator in two mid-sized cities. She is known for leading high-impact, often-controversial initiatives, ranging from crime and safety strategies to major funding issues for community partners. Her leadership at the City of Red Deer helped shift the organization from tactical to strategic communications, earning national recognition as the inaugural In-House Team of the Year by the Canadian Public Relations Society.

A skilled facilitator and speaker, Julia is accredited in public relations (APR), certified as an executive coach (CEC) and holds graduate certificates in Public Relations Management and Executive Coaching. Her sessions are known for blending strategy, clarity, and practicality, always with a focus on real results.

Paul Bellows is a guru of all things web in Canada. He's a 30-year veteran of digital strategy, an advisor to Canada’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), a member of Canada’s Digital Governance Council, and consulted on the current version of the W3C’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. Paul is host of The 311 Podcast, exploring the state of the art in digital transformation for the public service. He was founder of Yellow Pencil, one of Canada's foremost web development companies, and served as CEO for over two decades.

He thoroughly understands the public sector. He's always at the leading edge of what's going on in technology, including AI. And he always keeps in his cross-hairs the essential "why" of whatever digital communication tools people are using. In terms of accessibility, he is at the forefront of the knowledge base and guidelines related to Canadian websites.

Paul is a hilarious, amiable person, approachable and practical. For Paul, things with the web should work for real people. He's a gifted musician and songwriter, a dad, and an unabashed Oilers fan.

With 16 years in PR and Communications under her belt, Rebecca understands the gap between what technology promises and what communicators actually need. She spends her days diving into new AI tools, following the latest AI headlines, dissecting research papers, stress-testing workflows, and breaking things to see how they fail - all while studying AI ethics at the University of Edinburgh. Luckily, this creates exactly the kind of productive tension you want: she's the friend who can show you the genuinely cool stuff but will also warn you about where it might go spectacularly wrong.

Her approach: empower communicators to leverage AI for stronger strategies and authentic relationships while keeping equity and ethics central - because the goal isn't just adoption, it's doing it right. She's here to help you build confidence in your AI choices without losing what makes your work meaningful.

When she's not experimenting with AI tools, Rebecca brings this perspective to international keynote stages and her roles as Chief Innovation Officer at Amplify & Elevate Innovation, co-host of the AmpED to 11 Podcast, and contributor to Canada's Digital Governance Standards Institute.

Teresa Haykowsky is a powerful and dedicated bilingual advocate for her clients. She provides practical advice and solid solutions based on her depth of knowledge in education law, labour and employment, constitutional, administrative, occupational health and safety, municipal, and privacy law.