CPHR Newfoundland and Labrador Symposium – HR Under Pressure

We are excited to announce that CPHR NL will host a full-day symposium on June 5, 2025 at the Sheraton Hotel, St. John’s. Last year’s symposium was a huge success and we plan to make this event bigger and better.

The theme of this year’s symposium is “HR Under Pressure”.

This event promises to be a great day of learning and networking with our province’s HR community. You will not want to miss this event. Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for future announcements.

Get your tickets:
Members $249             Non-Members $299              Students $125

Please check out the Symposium AGENDA

Symposium Speakers

Laurabel Mba – Laurabel Mba Consulting
Topic – Against the Current: Advancing DEI Amidst Resistance

Laurabel Mba is an Anti-racism educator and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) strategist. They work with leaders and organizations to build workplaces and communities rooted in anti-racism, belonging, and transformation.

In a time when DEI efforts are increasingly under scrutiny, diluted, or dismissed altogether, leaders and changemakers are being called to do more than keep up — they must push forward. This keynote explores what it truly means to build workplaces that are not just diverse on the surface, but also structurally equitable and inclusive at their core. Together, we’ll explore how to move beyond performative gestures and fight back against the growing wave of resistance with integrity, courage, and clarity. Participants will examine the roots of DEI backlash, reflect on their own organizational practices, and gain actionable strategies for embedding equity in meaningful, sustainable ways. This session is for those ready to lead with conviction, even when the tide is against them.

Jessica Chapman – Ehtree Consulting
Topic – HR doesn’t make the coffee.  
4 considerations to be welcomed at the top table

HR professionals are often misunderstood—as culture champions, compliance cops, or glorified coffee-makers (figuratively and sometimes literally). This session flips the script, drawing on neuroscience and sharp real-world insight to help HR stop chasing a seat at the table—and start sitting at it.  

Jess is the Owner of Ethree Consulting Inc. Jess has worked in the UK, France, and Canada, and has held senior positions in talent management, learning and development, employee engagement, organizational performance, and change management. She has worked with, or delivered solutions for, organizations in the financial services, hospitality, fast moving consumer goods, oil & gas, government, and not-for-profit sectors, to name just a few. At the Principal Consultant at Ethree, Jess continues to leverage her experience as a senior leader, her skills in facilitation and feedback, and her passion for people. The result? “A phenomenal experience” according to her clients. 

Nick Beynon, CPHR, SHRM-SCP, CAE – CPHR Nova Scotia
Topic: How can AI work for you?

Nick is a dynamic leader and expert in the field of human resources. With a successful career spanning Wales, USA and Canada, Nick has earned a reputation for excellence, receiving numerous industry awards, including the HRPA Rising Star Award, the CPHR Nova Scotia HR Award of Excellence, and an Innovation Award.

With his deep understanding of HR and proven track record of success, Nick is a sought-after speaker who has shared his insights at conferences and events nationwide. Whether discussing the future of HR, the importance of leadership, or the value of professional development, Nick delivers engaging and thought-provoking presentations that inspire and inform his audiences.

Nick will be not only our Symposium EMCEE, but he will be leading us into an afternoon discussion of AI in the HR practice. This session will explore the impact of artificial intelligence on various aspects of work, discuss its benefits and challenges, and brainstorm actionable strategies for effective AI integration. Participants will rotate through different discussion tables, each focusing on a specific aspect of AI in the workplace, and collaborate to generate ideas and solutions.

Ruth Trask – Employment Lawyer at Stewart McKelvey
Topic – Dealing with Challenging Behaviors

Ruth is a partner at Stewart McKelvey, specializing in labour and employment law. She provides strategic legal guidance to clients across various industries, helping them navigate workplace challenges, employment disputes, and regulatory matters. Ruth earned her Juris Doctor with distinction from the University of Western Ontario and an Honours Bachelor of Music from Memorial University of Newfoundland, before being called to the bar in 2010. She is known for her practical, results-driven approach to workplace legal matters.

Chad Decker – VP & Partner Higher Talent
Topic – Building a Healthy and Professional Workplace Culture – A Proactive Approach to Reducing HR Pressure

With over 24 years of experience as a Chartered Professional in Human Resources, Chad has worked with leading companies including Irving Oil, Centre Beam, and Triton Data.

He also served as the owner and HR/Financial Director of Paradise Animal Hospital, where he played a key role in growing the business from a 5-person team to 50 employees over the course of 10 years. Today, Chad leverages his expertise to help businesses build and scale their HR practices.

In Chad’s session at the Symposium, we explore how HR professionals can ease everyday pressures by proactively shaping workplace culture—starting before an employee’s first day. Rather than responding to issues as they arise, we’ll look at practical strategies to set expectations, build accountability, and embed emotional intelligence and healthy communication into onboarding and team development.

Kelly Ryan – Nerdy Nutrition Corporate Wellness
Topic – Dead Weight: Who Killed the Wellness Plan – Wellness Inspired Mini-Murder Mystery Party

The plot for the MMMP: At HR Innovations Inc., the team was gearing up to launch a groundbreaking employee wellness plan. But this morning, just before the big reveal… the lead designer of the plan was found dead. Poisoned, but with no signs of a struggle.
Suspicion has fallen on the people at your table—each of whom played a key role in building (or blocking) the plan. The murderer is sitting right here. But they’ve hidden their tracks well.
To reveal the truth, you’ll need to earn your clues the healthy way—through movement, hydration, laughter, and more.
Be ready for a different type of workshop!

Kelly Ryan is the Owner and proud Head Nerd of Nerdy Nutrition Corporate Wellness, where she helps companies banish Invisible Corporate Exhaustion through fun, practical, and engaging wellness experiences. A Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Certified Culinary Nutrition Expert, and Certified Virtual Coach, Kelly combines deep health knowledge with her love of food, team-building, and a dash of nerdy charm.

Her well-rounded background includes a Bachelor of Business Administration from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Internal Auditor (quality) certification, and formal training in Basic Pastry and Cuisine from Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa—because health and flavor should always go hand-in-hand.

Kelly has been featured on numerous podcasts including DiversityNL, 15ish Minute Coffee Chat with Anna & Selena, and Weirdos in the Workplace. She also hosted two seasons of Nerd Mom’s Kitchen Adventures on Rogers TV, has written for the NLOWE Advisor, and has been a go-to wellness consultant for media outlets like The Telegram.

She’s brought her signature blend of science, sass, and strategy to companies like DFO, SunLife, WorkplaceNL, HeyOrca!, and more. Whether it’s a murder mystery wellness challenge or a superhero-themed team engagement event, Kelly makes corporate wellness both impactful and fun.

We are in for a great event!

Please note, that all cancelations made less than two weeks from the event are considered non-refundable.

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