The 2022 CCWESTT national conference is being held May 12 – 14, 2022 at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel. It is anticipated, this three-day national event will bring together more than 300 national and international subject experts, employers, CEOs/presidents, government representatives, allies and women in Science, Engineering, Trades and Technology (SETT) at all phases of their career lifecycle to share their knowledge and experience.
Showcasing collaborating, sharing and learning from one another and networking with allies engaged in inclusion for all SETT workers, the conference will maximize the engagement of participants, acknowledge their individual and collective experiences and provide opportunities for us to learn from those experiences. Creating Impact Together. The 2022 conference will move forward and reach for the stars toward the overarching goal of full participation of women at all levels in SETT in safe and inclusive work places.
Keynote Speakers
Maydianne CB Andrade
Maydianne CB Andrade is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) with a PhD from Cornell University. Professor Andrade’s research examines how links between ecology, evolution, and behaviour influence species diversity. Her many research recognitions include a Canada Research Chair, and being named an International member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Leadership roles at UTSC have included terms as Vice Dean Faculty Affairs and Equity, and Special Advisor to the Dean on Inclusive Recruitment and Equity Education.
An advocate for inclusion, she is the inaugural President of the Canadian Black Scientists Network. She also founded and is co-Chair of the Toronto Initiative for Diversity and Excellence, a group of faculty dedicated to making Universities more inclusive through peer-to-peer education and leadership advising.
The University of Toronto Alumni Association awarded her the Ludwik and Estelle Jus Memorial Human Rights Prize in recognition of the impact of this work. Her outreach to increase public engagement in science and equity includes hosting an episode of The Nature of Things (First Animals), and the award-winning podcast The New Normal, which examines how the disruption of the pandemic may catalyse a more equitable society.
Michael Bach
Michael Bach is the founder and Chair of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion. He is nationally and internationally recognized as a thought leader and subject matter expert in the fields of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility, bringing a vast knowledge of leading practices in a live setting to his work.
Prior to taking on this role, he was the National Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for KPMG Canada, a role he created and held for the seven years. Additionally, Michael completed a 2½ year secondment as Deputy Chief Diversity Officer for KPMG International.
Over the course of his career, Michael has received repeated recognition for his work, including being named:
- Women of Influence’s Canadian Diversity Champions (2011 & 2012)
- Catalyst Canada Honours Human Resources/Diversity Leader (2011)
- Inspire Award as LGBTQ Person of the Year (2011)
- Out on Bay Street Leaders to be Proud of LGBT Advocate Workplace Award (2011)
- Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council’s IS Award (2010)
- Canadian HR Reporter Individual Achievement Award (2010)
Under Michael’s leadership, CCDI has received numerous awards, including winning Canadian HR Reporter’s Readers’ Choice Award in the category of Diversity/Employment Equity Consultant in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Michael has a Post Graduate Certificate in Diversity Management from Cornell University and holds the Cornell Certified Diversity Professional, Advanced Practitioner (CCDP/AP) designation.
His 2020 book Birds of All Feathers- Doing Diversity and Inclusion Right is a Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, and Amazon best-seller, and recipient of the silver 2020 Nautilus Book Award in the category of Rising to the Moment.
Pierre Battah
Pierre has worked closely with individuals and organizations from vastly different sectors and industries, and has taken his expertise on-air with the CBC. He is an award winning author and has delivered hundreds of workshops and keynotes. He has provided counsel to managers and management teams to improve the performance and develop the leadership skills of 10’s of thousands of people.
He is a long time workplace columnist and nationally syndicated broadcaster for CBC/Radio-Canada, a TEDx presenter and is a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.
His book Humanity at Work, Leading for Better Relationships and Results is published by Los Angeles based Wonderwell Press and was released in Canada, the US, the UK and in Australia in September 2020. Humanity at Work won the gold medal in the Business and Leadership category at the 2020 Nautilus Book Awards in the US.
Fluently bilingual, Pierre has spoken to audiences across Canada and in the United States. He has provided training for universities as well as a number of private and public sector employers and associations. Pierre has been awarded his CSP™(Certified Speaking Professional) from the US-based National Speakers Association, a designation that a very small percentage of speakers worldwide can claim. Pierre has occupied senior management roles with some of Canada’s leading employers and is also a certified management consultant (CMC) and a certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP).