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Speakers

Keynote Speakers sponsored by Keyin College

Steve Mercer
Chief Innovation Officer, Keyin College
&
Julie Bennett
Chief of Staff, Keyin College

Topic: Empowering HR to Grow People and Performance Through AI
Join Steve Mercer and Julie Bennett of Keyin College — your Title Sponsor — for a candid conversation on Empowering HR to Grow People and Performance Through AI. Drawing on complementary lenses of innovation and people strategy, they will explore how HR can lead — not follow — the AI shift, and what it takes to grow both people and performance in the age of intelligent tools.

Steve’s Bio: Steve Mercer is a seasoned innovation leader with over three decades of experience across education, technology commercialization, and strategic project management. As Chief Innovation Officer at Keyin College, he leads digitalization, AI, and micro-credential initiatives that connect industry and academia. A mechanical engineer with executive development credentials, Steve is a recognized thought leader on workforce transformation and the Future of Work in the Age of AI.

Julie’s Bio: Julie is a strategic, people-focused leader with more than 12 years of experience driving organizational transformation across education, technology, and global business environments. As Chief of Staff at Keyin College, she bridges strategy, people, and execution — aligning systems, culture, and performance to accelerate growth. Her career began in HR and expanded into organizational design, executive operations, and enterprise change, including leading people integration across five international tech companies in a private equity–backed environment. CPHR-certified, Julie is driven by one question: How do we make work better — for people, performance, and purpose?

Angelina Tilley, Senior Consultant with Higher Talent

Topic: The Leadership Lab
Improving ROI on Leadership Development – The Leadership Lab 
Leadership development courses do a great job of teaching frameworks and theories – but not of supporting leaders to actually test them out, learn, and iterate them until they actually build the skills.  Referencing research in cognitive science, Angelina examines the limitations of traditional programs – and introduces an innovative model that can be much more effective at building skills and capabilities.

Bio: Angelina Tilley is a Senior Consultant with Higher Talent and has twenty years of broad business experience.
She has over 20 years of experience building and leading teams in public and private organizations, and has overseen all aspects of human resource management, including talent management, recruitment, employee engagement, and leadership development. She has served as a consultant, independent auditor, risk manager, and senior leader in financial services, energy, and construction environments. She also has extensive facilitation and training experience in both small and large group settings, along with expert-level knowledge of strategic planning and governance.
Angelina holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Co-op) degree from Memorial University and has earned CPA-CMA, CIA, and CRMA designations. She has held numerous board positions, including Chair of the Governance and Oversight Committee with the East Coast Trail Association, Eastern Canada Representative on the Board of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) of Canada, and member of the Chapter Relations Subcommittee for the IIA’s North American Board.

Dallas Mercer

Topic: Future-Proofing HR: Turning Absence Into Connection and Recovery
In this thought-provoking session, Dallas explores the evolving relationship between work, health, and recovery—and why prolonged absence (“worklessness”) is one of the most significant, yet overlooked risks facing modern organizations.
Designed for HR leaders navigating increasing mental health claims, complex disability cases, and workforce pressures, this session highlights how connection and emotional intelligence serve as strategic tools for improving recovery outcomes and strengthening culture. Rather than focusing solely on claims processes, Dallas reframes absence as a leadership and organizational opportunity. Participants will gain practical, evidence-informed strategies to support early engagement, maintain connection during absence, and build workplaces where employees remain supported, engaged, and able to return to meaningful work

Bio: Dallas Mercer is a nationally recognized leader in workplace health, disability management, and leadership development. With over two decades of experience supporting organizations across Canada, she has partnered extensively with HR leaders, executives, and operational teams to strengthen workforce sustainability, improve recovery outcomes, and navigate complex absence challenges.

Gerard Kenny, BBA MBA CHE, Senior Director Human Resources NL Health Services

Topic: The role of Human Resources during emergency and adverse events

Bio: Gerard started his career with Eastern Health in 2006 as a Human Resources Consultant in Employee Relations/ Employee Wellness. In his time with Eastern Health, he has held various roles within the Health Authority, including HR Consultant, Manager of Central Staffing, Workforce Planning Strategist, and Director of Human Resources.
He is currently one of three Senior Directors in Human Resources with Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services with a focus on Labour Relations and Strategic Human Resources Partnerships.

TBA

Discussion Panel Sponsored by Employment Hero

Topic: Retention Beyond Pay: Culture, Growth, and Belonging

 Participants:

Heather Peters, PCC, MER, LINX-EF, Senior Associate KRBS

Bio: An energetic and engaging facilitator, solutions-focused consultant, and insightful leadership coach, Heather Peters brings deep expertise in helping leaders and teams create inclusive and high‑performing workplaces. As a Senior Associate with KBRS, she plays a key role in delivering integrated talent solutions that support organizational culture, leadership and team effectiveness, and long‑term retention.
Heather draws on more than twenty years of leadership, entrepreneurial, and strategic HR experience across the insurance, IT, healthcare, and financial sectors. Her hands‑on business background enables her to quickly connect with clients, understand their challenges, and build strong relationships rooted in trust and collaboration. She has supported thousands of leaders across Canada and internationally through coaching, facilitation, and advisory work.
An experienced speaker, Heather regularly presents on leadership development, employee engagement, DEI, and workplace culture for audiences in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.

Denise Riggs, Director of Human Resources at North Atlantic

Bio: Denise is the Director of Human Resources with North Atlantic. Denise joined North Atlantic just over a year ago. Denise’s career began with a local francophone association in St. John’s and then she continued on to work for a national retail company where she worked in various positions, until she moved into the HR Manager role in 2010. She has managed all areas of HR, including performance management, policy and procedures, compensation, employee relations, recruitment and retention, as well as payroll functions. She has previously worked on various upgrade projects including the upgrade of ERP software, an ecommerce website and most recently as project manager for a payroll software transition. This year Denise completed the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training at the McGill Executive Institute. Denise completed a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in French, as well as a Certificate in French at the Université du Québec in Québec. She completed an MBA in 2010, graduating on Dean’s list.  

Melissa Spearns, CPHR, Human Resources Manager, Director of HR & Safety, Cermaq

Bio: Melissa is a senior HR leader with over 15 years of experience across oil and gas, refining, mining, and aquaculture. Industries where strong leadership, risk management, and accountability are critical. She holds her CPHR designation through the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources.
Melissa began her career in labour and industrial relations, a foundation that continues to shape her leadership approach today. Over the past six years, she has expanded her scope to include safety, immigration, HRIS, compensation, benefits, performance management, training, and talent acquisition, alongside governance, compliance, and organizational design.
As part of the senior leadership team, Melissa focuses on building the structures, standards, and accountability required to support both people and operations. She is particularly passionate about strengthening workplace culture, creating environments grounded in respect and accountability, and ensuring employees have the clarity, support, and development opportunities needed to succeed and stay.

Moderator:

Meghan Felt, Immigration Lawyer, McInnes Cooper

Bio: Meghan is an immigration lawyer in St. John’s. She represents clients on a variety of Canadian immigration issues, ranging from individuals seeking temporary resident visas, study permits, work permits and permanent residency, to large corporations seeking labour market impact assessments and work permits to hire foreign workers. Meghan has extensive experience with obtaining work permits under the International Mobility Program and other international agreements, including CUSMA, CETA and GATS.
Meghan is a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Canadian Bar Association. She is the current Chair of the CBA-NL Citizenship and Immigration Section, where she also participates in submission drafting and editing in conjunction with the CBA for new developments in immigration law. In addition to her daily practice, Meghan is involved with the firm’s pro bono program, offering immigration legal services to individuals in need. 

HR Day Emcee

Nick Beynon
Bio: 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.

Morning Energizer

Ryan Osborne
Bio: Ryan provides fitness and lifestyle coaching exclusively for entrepreneurs, professionals, and business leaders over 40. He is a Kinesiologist and owner of OZ Coaching as well as a Certified Ergonomic Coordinator and corporate wellness consultant. Ryan has 20 years of habitual coaching, biomechanics, injury prevention/ergonomic, healthy lifestyle management experience and have coached well over 1500 business professionals and leaders to regain control of their fitness.
He is the creator of The Fit Leaders program with a transform leaders into fit leaders and has coached clients from seven different countries and all industries. Ryan’s corporate wellness division offers workplace wellness solutions to enhance engagement and culture of healthy, happy, and productive employees