Meet Our Speakers

Headshot of Jason Reid, a 50-something white man with dark-rimmed glasses.

Jason Reid (he/him)

Jason Reid had a successful career in television as a news manager while living with two significant invisible illnesses. Being open about his health challenges prompted his employees to share theirs. He soon realized that 50 percent of his staff had their own invisible disabilities. Using open communication, and solution-focused strategies he doubled the productivity of his department within a year. For the past decade, he has spoken about managing invisible illness in the workplace to audiences around the world. He is the author of the book Thriving in the Age Of Chronic Illness and Invisible Disability.

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Kristin Light (she/her)

Kristin Light is a communications and engagement strategist who has dealt with a broad spectrum of neurodivergent and mental health challenges in both her personal and professional life. Also a vintage dancer, published author and award-winning speaker, she has split her eclectic career between the boardroom and the ballroom. Kristin is currently overseeing projects on workplace neuroinclusion and mental health for a global consortium of transportation and engineering companies. She is a published author, co-writing the Our Yellow Brick Road personal anthology along with Marjorie Aunos.

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Zoe Mitchell (she/her)

Expertise: Psychological Safety, Racism & Unconscious Bias, Leadership
Travels from: Toronto, ON
Virtual options: Yes
Language: English
Feature Presentation: Belonging and Psychological Safety in the Workplace 

With a successful 20-year background in corporate finance,  psychological safety and inclusion expert Zoe Mitchell knows firsthand the impact that inclusive work cultures can have on engagement, innovation and bottom-line results. As a Director, her own inclusive leadership style resulted in company-high engagement scores, no employee turnover and consecutive years of profitable growth. Zoe inspires organizations to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential pillars of success. Zoe is also the author of Inclusive Leadership Now, a book that delves into the essential principles of fostering inclusive environments and effective leadership.

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Marjorie Aunos, Ph.D (she/her)

Expertise: Mental Health, Leadership, Disability Issues
Travels from: Montreal, QC
Virtual options: Yes
Languages: English, French
Feature Presentation: Leadership Conversations around Mental Health + Universal Accessibility

Dr. Marjorie Aunos has worked in the Health and Social Services sector for 15 years as a clinical psychologist and a senior manager. She has expertise in working with people and parents with various disabilities and is herself a wheelchair user. She is also a professional speaker and has recently delivered a broadly acclaimed TEDxTalk at The University of Western Ontario. Marjorie is the author of the book Mom on Wheels, along with other publications.

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Andrea Menard (she/her)

Expertise: Women in Leadership, Indigenous Wisdom, Communications
Travels from: Vancouver, BC.
Virtual options: Yes
Language: English
Feature Presentations: Welcoming Indigenous Wisdom and Culture in the Workplace + Lead like a Goddess; Tapping into the Sacred Feminine 

Andrea Menard is an accomplished actor, singer and Métis celebrity. As her Anishinaabemowin name, Skooteah Equahh, suggests, Andrea is a genuine Fire Woman and helps leaders tap into their Sacred Feminine by showing them how to own their voice, express their creativity, and become the Goddesses they were meant to be. She also provides presentations to organizations looking to respect, welcome and honour indigenous ways of being. Whether she is addressing a hall of businesswomen, a high security room full of NATO Generals, or a stadium of Indigenous youth, Andrea’s uplifting messaging and creative performances hit right to the heart.

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Brandi Heather (she/her)

Brandi Heather is a Playful Change Maker whose passion lies in driving innovation, inclusion and productivity. With a comprehensive background spanning 25 years in healthcare, human services and education, her qualifications include a Master’s Degree in Physical Education, a B.Ed. in Special Education, a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University, and Advanced Certification in Play Therapy. Brandi tackles mental health issues, fatigue, burnout and disengagement using science-based strategies in playfulness. In 2021 her first book Return To Play: Rebuilding Resilience, Risk and Reconnection, became a best-seller in Educational Leadership and Inclusive Education.

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Ingrid Palmer (she/her)

Ingrid Palmer was diagnosed with two rare disorders in her teens; Retinitis Pigmentosa which causes blindness, and PCOS which resulted in her growing facial hair. As a Black female who experienced adverse childhood trauma, and several years in foster care, Ingrid has overcome adversity directly linked to intersections of race, gender, ability, sociology-economic status, and perceived orientation. Ingrid founded Focus On Ability to combat ableism, challenge bias and drive systemic change. As a human rights advocate, she has championed issues in the housing, poverty, education, disability, and child welfare sectors.

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Headshot of Denis Boudreau, Gen-X man with short dark hair and a full salt and pepper beard.

Denis Boudreau (he/him)

Denis Boudreau is a consultant, trainer, coach, and speaker, specialized in helping organizations create truly inclusive digital experiences for everyone, including people marginalized by technology due to disabilities, aging, or other circumstances. His mission is to empower people to truly connect with organizations, their brands, and the messages they convey. Over the years, he has spoken to and trained audiences on inclusive communication across the world. He is the author of The Inclusive Speaker: How to Truly Connect With All of Your Audience Without Leaving Anyone Behind.

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