Canada West Health Leaders Conference 2025

*For the patient rate, please send information about the patient organization you represent to conference@cchl-ccls.ca.

Keynote Speakers

Stephen Smith
Chair, Board of Directors at Rise Air

Steve Smith has been the President of five airlines in Canada, including WestJet, Air Canada’s ZIP, Air Ontario and Rise Air (Saskatoon based, First Nations owned airline). In addition, he was the Senior Vice President, Customer Experience for Air Canada, where he was responsible for the 14,000 employees who touched the customer. Steve is currently retired, though he is the Chair of Rise Air. In addition, he spent 9 years on the Scarborough Hospital Board, where he was the Chair of the Board for 3 years, 2 years as Board Secretary for the Central Local Health Integration Network, 3 years on the Sinai Health Quality and Safety Committee, and 2 years on the London Health Sciences Centre Board as the 2nd Vice Chair, and Chair of the Quality and Safety Committee. Steve graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Mathematics and from McMaster University with an MBA. He lives in Unionville, Ontario.

Embracing boldness: Creative confidence in a time of change

Chris Bergeron will explore the crucial role of creative boldness in today's rapidly evolving technological and political landscape. Chris, a trans woman who rebuilt her identity and career from the ground up, embodies the essence of transformation and resilience. In her talk, "Embracing Boldness: Creative Confidence in a Time of Change," Chris will share her inspiring journey and the lessons she's learned about the power of creativity and bold expression. She'll offer practical advice on how to cultivate a fearless approach to creativity, encouraging attendees to push boundaries and challenge the status quo in their work and lives.

This session is not just a talk, but a call to action for anyone looking to harness their creative potential and make a significant impact in our dynamic world. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Chris Bergeron's unique perspective on thriving through creativity and boldness in an age of transformation.

Chris Bergeron
Speaker and trans author | Vice president of inclusive creativity, Cossette

For almost 40 years, Chris Bergeron has lived the life of a heterosexual man. From very early in her career, she had great professional success: after having been a collaborator for major media such as La Presse and Radio-Canada, Chris directed for the newspaper VOIR for five years, which was the largest network of weekly cultural magazines in Quebec at the time. She then made the leap to the advertising world where she held the position of creative director for major agencies.

Then, she came out and started living true life as a trans woman. Suddenly being propelled into the reality of a visible sexual minority has profoundly transformed her perception of the world. In Quebec and internationally, Chris advocates for diversity, inclusion and the rights of trans people by sharing her story to the public. She frequently intervenes in the advertising industry to demand better representation of minorities.

Rowboat in a hurricane: Dealing with change and unexpected setbacks

Imagine surviving a hurricane with nothing more than a rowboat to shelter you. When Julie set off on a quest to become the first to row across the Atlantic from mainland Europe to mainland North America, a violent hurricane was beyond anything she’d anticipated. But she soon realized that to succeed, she’d not only need to deal with adversity and uncertainty, but embrace it and use it as an opportunity to grow and prosper. Julie shares techniques to deal with changing environments, including altering our perception, preparing for the unexpected, assessing risks, and improving communication.

Julie Angus
First Woman To Row Across Atlantic Ocean | Molecular Biologist, Adventurer, Writer, & Filmmaker

Julie Angus is an accomplished adventurer, scientist and bestselling author of Rowboat in a Hurricane, Rowed Trip and Olive Odyssey. She is the first woman to row across the Atlantic Ocean from mainland to mainland and a recipient of the National Geographic Adventurer of the Year award. She has also cycled across continents, rowed thousands of kilometers of coastlines and rivers, and organized a National Geographic expedition that sailed the ancient Phoenician trading routes to research the olive.

Explore Magazine listed her as one of North America’s leading adventurers and in 2016 Canadian Geographic named her one of Canada’s Greatest Women Explorers. She is a recipient of the McMaster University Arch Award and a Canadian Geographic Fellow. She is regularly seen on television shows such as Canada AM, CBC Sunday News and Daily Planet.

Julie Angus is a scientist with an B.Sc. from McMaster University in Psychology and Biology and an M.Sc. in Molecular Biology from the University of Victoria. She also studied at the University of Leeds in England. She spent a decade developing therapeutics for genetic ailments and cardiovascular disease as a researcher and in business development.

Julie has engaged in various entrepreneurial ventures and is currently the CEO and co-founder of Open Ocean Robotics, a marine drone company. She is also the co-founder of Angus Rowboats, a company that designs and manufactures robotically cut kits for rowboats and small sailboats.

Julie Angus is an engaging and entertaining motivational speaker who inspires audiences and demonstrates techniques we can all use to reach goals and overcome challenges.

Optional Events

CHE Program One-on-One Consultations

Bronze

Directed

Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour

Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour
725 Humboldt Street
Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1B1
Canada Toll-free:  1-855-821-4553
Tel: 250-480-3800
Online booking: Click here to reserve your room.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yyjmc-victoria-marriott-inner-harbour

An oasis of elegant style and sought-after amenities in the heart of downtown Victoria. Situated in a prime location, the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour provides excellent access to the very best our city has to offer.

Experience Victoria’s abundance of charming character, on display through the British colonial architecture, expansive formal gardens and captivating waterfronts. Take in magical views from the water abroad a ferry at Inner Harbour Causeway, dive deep into history at Royal BC Museum.

Dine in relaxed sophistication at a variety of local restaurants, including our onsite Fire & Water Restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner or book a seat with our Le Petit Chef (www.lepetitchef.com/victoria) and enjoy a magical 3D dining experience.

After your day of exploration, retreat to your newly renovated room featuring high-speed Wi-Fi and expansive windows. Work up a sweat at our 24-hour fitness centre and make a splash in our indoor pool and hot tub. Whether traveling for leisure or business, or a bit of both, get your taste of the Pacific Coast at our pet-friendly hotel in downtown Victoria.

Deluxe Room                            $235.00 (single/double occupancy)

Hotel’s room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes (currently 17.16% in effect at the time of check-out.

Reservations must be made by September 29, 2025, to benefit from the conference rate.

Hotel Cancellation Policy
Guests may cancel reservations three business days prior to arrival with no penalty. First night’s Room & Tax will be charged if cancellations are received 3 days or less prior to arrival, or for any No Show reservations.