Featured Speakers
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Zahid Salman President and Chief Executive Officer, GreenShieldSince joining GreenShield as President and CEO in 2018, Zahid Salman has led its evolution into Canada’s first payer‑provider. During his tenure, GreenShield has grown more than 2.5x and now serves over 7.5 million Canadians. During this time, the organization has also been recognized as one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures, a leading Imagine Canada Caring Company, and one of Fortune’s Change the World companies.
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Raine Maida Lead Singer, Our Lady PeaceRaine Maida has successfully and passionately blurred the lines between music, tech and humanitarianism for the past two decades. A five time Juno award winning artist fronting the multi platinum selling alt rock band OurLadyPeace, Raine has also written & produced for internationally acclaimed artists Carrie Underwood, Pink, Kid Inc and Avril Lavigne.
A calculated risk taker with deep industry knowledge, Raine has spent the past 15 years building & developing solutions on the technology side to help support creators during the paradigm shift to digital & beyond. From SaaS Geo marketing applications to Live Streaming platforms to Blockchain & Web 3.0, Raine applies the same holistic approach to music to his technology endeavors. Raine is currently the Co-Founder & CEO of Fandrop.com a Location Based Engagement platform for live events driven by his obsession with fandom.
At the core of Raine’s pursuits is his desire to be vigilant, conscious & aware. This ethos has been highlighted throughout his career garnering multiple distinctions including the prestigious Tiffany Mark award in 2014 , The Allen Slaight Humanitarian Juno Award in 2015 and his appointment to The Order of Canada in 2016 & Canada Walk Of Fame in 2025.
Raine is married to fellow artist & activist Chantal Kreviazuk. They have three boys together & spend their time between Los Angeles and Toronto.
Additional Speakers
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Akela Peoples CEO, Mental Health Research CanadaAkela Peoples is the CEO of Mental Health Research Canada. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education, a Bachelor of Education, an Honours B.A. and Executive Leadership Certificates from Harvard University, Western University’s Ivey School of Business, the Harvard-Kennedy School, and the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. A values-driven, impact-focused leader, Akela has twice been awarded the WXN Top 100: Canada’s Most Powerful Women award, as well as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, the YWCA Award of Distinction and the Paul Harris Award from Rotary International. Akela is a world traveller who has ventured to all seven continents and more than 100 countries and independent territories. She also combined travel with her passion for community - she has volunteered in Chile and El Salvador building houses with Habitat for Humanity. She feels fortunate to always have had work that she loves and is proud to live a life of contribution through her leadership roles and volunteer activities.
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Corey Hirsch Former NHL Goalie & Mental Health AdvocateCorey Hirsch is a former NHL goaltender and coach, Olympic silver medalist, and former NHL color commentator for the Vancouver Canucks. He is also the author of The Save of My Life.
In 1994, just three years after being drafted by the New York Rangers, Corey won an Olympic silver medal and drank from the Stanley Cup as part of the Rangers’ championship team. That same year, while at the peak of his career, Corey privately struggled with mental health challenges and a suicide attempt.
After being traded to the Vancouver Canucks, Corey went on to play over 100 NHL games before finishing his career in Europe. Debilitating panic attacks and severe weight loss eventually led him to seek help, where he was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder and began life-saving treatment.
Today, Corey is a leading mental health advocate, Wellness Ambassador for ICBA, and an engaging speaker who educates, motivates, and inspires audiences by sharing his lived experience. Through vulnerability and honesty, Corey offers hope and reminds people they are not alone.
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Dr. Andrew Bond SVP & Chief Medical Officer, GreenShieldDr. Andrew Bond is the Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs and Health Systems Innovation, and Chief Medical Officer at GreenShield. He leads clinical governance for quality, service and product innovation, and health policy and partnerships across GreenShield’s insurance, pharmacy, administration and health divisions. Prior to his work at GreenShield, he was the Executive Medical Officer at Inner City Health Associates in Toronto, one of the largest community clinical organizations in Canada. He is a Board Member of AMS Healthcare, focused on AI and technology adoption in the healthcare sector, and a member of the Health Policy Council of the C.D. Howe Institute. Dr. Bond continues to practice as a primary care physician and is a faculty member of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. Originally from Winnipeg, Dr. Bond completed his undergraduate training at Queen’s University, his MD from the University ofOttawa, postgraduate specialty training in Family Medicine at the University of Toronto and a Master of Health Administration from the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy at the Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina and a Master of Business Administration at MIT.
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Dr. Andrew Boozary Founding Executive Director, Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine, University Health NetworkDr. Andrew Boozary is a primary care physician, policy leader, and researcher focused on advancing health equity and improving outcomes for underserved populations. He is the founding Executive Director of the Gattuso Centre for Social Medicine at the University Health Network and the driving force behind Dunn House, Canada’s first social medicine housing initiative, integrating health care and housing to address the social determinants of health.
Dr. Boozary completed his medical training at the University of Toronto and pursued health policy training at Princeton and Harvard. He has advised governments on primary care reform and pharmacare policy, is the founding Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Public Health Review, and holds the Dalla Lana Professorship in Policy Innovation at the University of Toronto.
Recognized for his leadership in health equity and social justice, he is a Clarkson Laureate for Public Service and recipient of the Louise Lemieux-Charles Health System Leadership Award. In 2025, he was appointed Clinical Lead, Population Health at Ontario Health, where he continues to advance innovation at the intersection of health systems and social policy.
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Dr. Kayla Osterhoff Doctor, Founder & CEO of Her BiorhythmKayla is a Neuropsychophysiologist and Women's Health Expert best know for her research and innovations in the field of women's health. Formally trained across the health sciences with degrees in health ecology, public health, epidemiology, neuropsychophysiology and mind body medicine, Kayla has dedicated her career to advancing women's health science through a holistic understanding of female biology. Having previously held a senior scientist position at the CDC, Kayla collaborated closely with global health leaders such as the WHO and Ministries of Health to develop and implement major health initiatives and craft public health policy. However, driven by a desire for more flexibility and a recognition of the limitations within corporate and government structures, Kayla embarked on an independent path. In her pursuit of transformative research and health policy reform, Kayla founded Her Biorhythm—a platform dedicated to addressing gender disparities in health research and education.
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Dr. Nawal Mustafa Supervised Practice, BC Neuropsychiatry UBCDr. Nawal Mustafa holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with specialized training in neuropsychology, focusing on brain-behavior relationships and cognitive health. Her work centers on helping individuals understand how thoughts, emotions, and cognitive processes interact, particularly in the context of mood and anxiety concerns, stress-related burnout, and self-efficacy challenges. She is especially interested in strengthening psychological resilience through intentional shifts in thinking, behavior, and lifestyle. Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Mustafa is an educator and mental health advocate committed to making psychology and neuroscience accessible and applicable in daily life, empowering individuals with tools that are scientifically grounded and genuinely usable.
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Erica Ehm Host, Creator and SpeakerErica Ehm is a media personality, award-winning entrepreneur, writer, and force for positive change. After a decade hosting live television on MuchMusic, she reinvented herself by pioneering a new approach to grassroots content marketing, social media and community building, earning her over a dozen prestigious marketing and leadership awards, including a Governor General’s Innovation nomination. Erica is a storyteller at heart: author, journalist, playwright, award-winning songwriter, and podcaster. Harnessing three decades in front of audiences, Erica lights up every stage she’s on, most recently performing a one woman show opening up for Glass Tiger on their Canadian tour. Erica remarkable ability to reinvent, influence, create and lead with relentless positivity is what keeps her relevant and in demand.
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Gail Whitlow Owner, Ancestral Voices Healing CentreMy home is on the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation in Southern Ontario, Canada. My mothers bloodline extents back many generations as ‘a bear clan (shaking the rattle) woman of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. I am Kanien’keha:ka (Mohawk). My father was Mohawk, Turtle Clan
I opened Ancestral Voices Healing Centre many years ago to offer alternatives to those seeking healing on their path. We offer many modalities to help with health and wellness.
As a Traditional Wellness Guide (Pipe Carrier, ceremonial knowledge keeper), I focus on Traditional Medicine as an herbalist and provide individual and Group Counselling, workshops, speaking engagements, healing circles, and guided tours to sacred sites.
Founder of Ancestral Voices Healing Centre Founder Land of the Dancing Deer, Land Based Learning Site Co-Founder Grandmothers Voice Founder of Sacred Sites Sacred Journeys Co-Founder of Grandmothers Circle the Earth -
Janet Ko President and Co-founder, Menopause Foundation CanadaJanet Ko is the President and Co-Founder of the Menopause Foundation of Canada, a national nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of menopause and its impact on women and society. A passionate advocate for women’s health, she is committed to closing the menopause knowledge gap and improving access to care and treatment.
Janet is on a mission to redefine menopause—shifting the narrative from stigma to renewal, strength and wisdom. She sees menopause as a crucial health transition that demands better support from the medical community, government, workplaces and society. Like many women, she was unprepared for menopause and knows firsthand how unmanaged symptoms can hold women back. Determined to drive change, she co-founded the Menopause Foundation of Canada, launching landmark research and advocacy campaigns that ignited a national conversation and spurred meaningful action.
An award-winning leader in strategic communications, Janet has spearheaded innovative thought leadership initiatives on ageism, intergenerational learning and menopause in the workplace. She has held senior executive roles across diverse health-related sectors, bringing a depth of expertise to her advocacy. A compelling speaker and champion for change, she was recognized as one of the Top 25 Women of Influence in 2023 for her impact and leadership.
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Kearie Daniel Black Women's Institute for Health -
Komal Minhas CEO and Founder of KersevaKomal is a powerhouse global speaker, interviewer, and business strategist, celebrated for her impactful storytelling and authentic approach to resilience education and leadership. Drawing from her own experiences of overcoming adversity, she blends research-backed strategies and deeply personal stories to deliver impactful keynotes, trainings, and interviews that leave lasting impressions on individuals and organizations. She was a guest columnist for Fortune Magazine, and has been featured in NBC, Forbes, and more. Along the way, Komal produced the documentary Dream, Girl, earning her a spot on Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul 100 list, and has interviewed notable figures including Michelle Obama and Prime Minister Kim Campbell.
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Mandy Mail Executive Vice President, Head of Marketing, Corporate Affairs & GreenShield Cares, GreenShieldMandy Mail is the Executive Vice President, Head of Marketing, Corporate Affairs & GreenShield Cares. A strategic and purpose-driven leader, she joined GreenShield in 2022, drawn by its unique model for integrating business and social impact. At GreenShield, Mandy leads the alignment of brand, reputation, and purpose to drive enterprise performance, with the organization positively impacting the health and well-being of over one million Canadians.
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Mary Deacon Chair, Bell Let's Talk mental health initiativeMary Deacon is Chair of the Bell Let’s Talk mental health initiative, the largest-ever corporate initiative of its kind in Canada. Launched in 2010, Bell Let’s Talk supports improved access to care, workplace leadership, research and anti-stigma programs, including the annual Bell Let’s Talk Day, which in 2021 resulted in a record 159,173,435 messages of support, driving $7,958,671.75 more in Bell funding for mental health.
Intended to build awareness, acceptance and action in mental health, Bell Let’s Talk Day has become a global phenomenon with people around the world sharing their stories of both struggling with mental illness and taking action to support mental health in their communities. In March 2020, Bell announced the extension of the Bell Let’s Talk program for another 5 years and a total commitment of at least $150 million, to which Bell later added another $5 million specifically to address the impact of COVID-19.
Mary came to Bell Let’s Talk after a long and successful career in the philanthropic sector including almost a decade as the inaugural President of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation – supporting Canada’s largest mental health hospital. A passionate advocate and leader in the mental health community, Mary is respected and known for bringing people and ideas together to create positive change.
A graduate of the University of Guelph, Mary has received honourary doctorates from her alma mater, Wilfrid Laurier University and Dalhousie University for her pivotal leadership role in Canadian philanthropy, most notably in the field of mental health. She received the Queen Elizabeth ll Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 and in 2019 was appointed to the Order of Canada.
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Maureen Halushak Editor-in-Chief, ChatelaineMaureen Halushak is the editor-in-chief of Chatelaine, the iconic media brand that has been talking about all of the issues, big and small, that matter to Canadian women for nearly 100 years. Outside of work, she's an avid reader, writer, runner and dog walker.
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Michael Braithwaite CEO, Jack.orgMichael Braithwaite, President & CEO of Jack.org, is a nationally recognized nonprofit leader with 30+ years advancing housing, homelessness, and youth mental health. Formerly CEO of Blue Door and Raising the Roof, he pioneered supportive housing for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, national affordable housing initiatives, and innovative youth programs. Honoured with the King Charles III Medal and a DEI leadership award, Michael is dedicated to ensuring all young Canadians have access to the mental health support they need to thrive.
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Mitzie Hunter President and CEO, Canadian Women’s FoundationMitzie Hunter is a dynamic, community-grounded trailblazer whose 30 years of leadership spans the nonprofit sector, private sector, and government. She was the first Black woman to serve as Ontario’s Minister of Education. She also served as Ontario’s Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development and Associate Minister of Finance. Mitzie is a respected advocate for women, girls, and gender-diverse people. She is known for her expertise in an array of issues, from women’s leadership to inclusive economies to sustainable neighbourhood and city building.
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Randi Ray Founder of the Aazhoganike Group of Companies, including Miikana Consulting, Noojimo Health, and Indigenous Workplace WellnessRandi Ray, PhD, is a proud Anishinaabe Kwe from Flying Post First Nation and founder of Miikana Consulting and Noojimo Health (Canada’s first all-Indigenous Virtual Mental Health Clinic). Randi is passionate and committed to working with people and organizations to bridge the social and economic gaps through innovative Indigenous-designed solutions. Randi has experience, both educationally and professionally, with both First Nations and the public and private sectors in education, economic development, health, and finance, as an entrepreneur, provincial lead, professor, advocate, strategist, facilitator, researcher, and lifelong learner.
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Saraansh Mehta GreenShield Youth AmbassadorSaraansh Mehta is a Master’s student graduating from the Relational and Family Therapy program at the University of Guelph, where he is training to become a registered psychotherapist. As a therapist, his work focuses on supporting individuals, couples, and families through a relational, systemic lens, recognizing how broader systems such as relationships, culture, and community shape mental health and well-being. Saraansh’s experience also includes working with diverse populations through university and community-based settings, including his role as an ABA Therapist at Always Connected, supporting children diagnosed with Autism.
Alongside his clinical work, he has engaged in mental health research and led community initiatives, including youth mental health education programs and research exploring cultural identity and wellbeing. He is passionate about holistic wellness, culturally responsive care, and fostering meaningful conversations around mental health.
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Shahaddah Jack Toronto’s Youth Poet LaureateShahaddah Jack is a bilingual spoken word poet, recording artist, and human rights advocate from Tkaronto. As Toronto’s first Youth Poet Laureate, she has brought poetry into civic spaces, national announcements, and international platforms, including delivering a keynote at the United Nations General Assembly. Rooted in her diverse heritage, her work explores anti-Black racism, mental health, environmental justice, and community safety, using art to bridge lived experience and systemic change.
She has performed on over 100 stages, including TIFF, Hot Docs Cinema, the Meridian Arts Centre, and History, and has been featured at the Toronto International Festival of Authors and other major cultural platforms. Her work has contributed to Canada’s 2024 Anti-Racism Strategy and has been shared internationally by the Canadian Consulate in Los Angeles.
A recipient of BGC Canada’s 2022 National Youth of the Year and named one of Streets of Toronto’s Most Inspirational Women, Shahaddah is also the author of Underrated Royalty and continues to use her art to inspire dialogue, healing, and change.
