People and Culture

Samantha Osaduke is a Bilingual HR Manager with over 8 years' of experience. She is currently leading HR Services nationally for approx. 1,800 while managing one direct report to start. She provides HR consulting services and she is the HR Manager for 4 companies (West Egg Security, Gatsby Valet, Carraway Inc. and R.E.D Staffing). She brings her past 5 years of Health & Safety experience where she worked her way up in the field and prior HR knowledge. Samantha is a continuous learner and emerging leader in the HR field striving to make an impact

Immaculate Adarkwa is an undergraduate student studying Behavioural Psychology. Immaculate believes that community plays a key role in the development of youth, it is not only essential in fostering their growth but also in cultivating a supportive environment where they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. She leads a community initiative that runs diverse programs in both Canada and Ghana. Leveraging the power of sports, they empower youth and foster leadership skills within the communities they serve. Her dedication to sports and youth development has earned her recognitions, such as the CCAA Torchbearer Scholarship. Moreover, her impactful contributions have been featured on various news stations, where she passionately shares her experiences and commitment to empowering the next generation through sports.

Priyanka is a passionate and forward-thinking leader in People and Culture, dedicated to shaping workplaces where people thrive. With over a decade of experience spanning financial services, consulting, manufacturing, and retail at organizations, she has successfully driven talent strategies, leadership development, large-scale workforce transformations, strategic workforce planning, and culture initiatives, leveraging people insights to drive meaningful impact. Currently, as Lead – Change Management at Aviva Canada, she helps the organization navigate complex change with empathy and clarity, ensuring people remain at the heart of transformation. An MBA graduate and a certified Prosci Change Agent and Scrum Master, Priyanka’s leadership has been recognized through prestigious awards such as the Economic Times Young Leaders Award and the NHRDN Young HR Icon Award. Her ability to drive meaningful change and foster inclusive workplaces has positioned her as a trusted advisor in the People & Culture space. A collaborative and engaging leader, Priyanka is a sought-after speaker on leadership and culture, sharing insights at events like Innovate Work Toronto, DisruptHR, and the Toronto OD Network. She is also committed to shaping the future of HR as Chair of Sheridan College’s HR Program Advisory Committee. Beyond her professional work, Priyanka believes in building meaningful connections. Whether she’s traveling, paddleboarding, or painting, she brings curiosity and creativity into everything she does. Her warmth, expertise, and dedication to people continue to make a lasting impact on organizations and individuals alike.

With over seven years of experience, Reshmi specializes in finding niche talent for hard to fill roles across multiple companies and industries. With a background in psychology, DEI and Business Management, Reshmi brings a human centered approach to recruitment, fostering diverse workplaces. She excels in strategic hiring, partnering closely with stakeholders and reporting to deliver tailored talent solutions.

Rohin Bansal is a purpose-driven leader with over 15 years of experience at the intersection of data governance, analytics, law, and technology. As Director at TELUS, he drives the company’s technology and data strategy, chairs the Enterprise Data Council and Health Data Council, and leads hundreds of data stewards to achieve excellence in governance and responsible data use. His leadership ensures TELUS leverages data as a strategic asset, fostering innovation through advanced analytics while maintaining rigorous ethical standards. In 2024, Rohin was recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 by Peak and one of Corinium’s Top 100 Innovators in Data and Analytics, underscoring his impact in shaping modern data governance practices. Prior to TELUS, Rohin served as Director of Data Governance at CIBC, leading enterprise-wide initiatives that integrated governance with cutting-edge analytics to unlock business value. His career spans impactful roles at Capital One, Rogers Communications, and the City of Toronto. As Vice President on the Board of Directors for DAMA Toronto, he champions industry leadership in data governance. He is also on Northeastern University's Board of Directors, offering program advisory. Rohin holds a Juris Doctor (JD) and a Master of International Business from Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business, alongside a Bachelor of Business Administration from York University’s Schulich School of Business.

Known for her dynamism and purpose-driven mindset, Chi-Chi Egbo is an award-winning career development leader transforming how organizations approach skills development and career growth. As a certified career strategist and speaker with over a decade of experience in career and people development, she founded Workthrough in 2023 to change the systems where career growth happens. Through her work, she helps organizations build inclusive, growth-focused workplaces and has supported over 1,000 individuals in advancing their careers. Before launching her consultancy, Chi-Chi was the Director of Career Outcomes at Juno College and worked in career services at Toronto Metropolitan University. She has collaborated with organizations across tech, non-profit, and professional services sectors, including Jobber, Loopio, Canada Learning Code, WSP Canada, YWCA Canada, and RBCx. Her expertise has been featured in The Globe and Mail, Dice, and Teen Vogue, and she has spoken at some of Canada’s leading HR conferences. Passionate about mentorship and community-building, Chi-Chi is dedicated to helping people thrive and feel supported in their careers. She looks forward to growing Workthrough, championing career-first leadership in organizations, and shaping the future of inclusive career development across Canada.

 Kendra is one of Canada’s leading soft skills and leadership experts and the founder of The Venned Group. With a background in hospitality and over two decades working closely with founders, entrepreneurs, and growing teams, she’s seen time and time again that good leadership has less to do with titles and more to do with how well leaders connect with their teams, communicate what matters, and actually follow through on what they say they’ll do. About a decade ago, Kendra saw middle managers stretched thin, caught between expectations from senior leadership and the everyday realities of managing people, often without the training or support they actually needed. Having been a middle manager herself, she knew first-hand how challenging that space can be and how much difference the right tools and strategies can make. In 2018, she founded The Venned Group to bring middle managers the tools and support she once needed herself. Her focus is on practical strategies that help leaders build strong teams, lead effectively, and avoid the kind of burnout that drives good people out the door. Since then, she and her team have partnered with organizations across North America — spanning industries, cultures, and time zones — to help middle managers build the skills they need most. Whether it’s giving feedback that sticks, navigating tough conversations, or building the kind of trust that keeps teams engaged and productive, her work focuses on the human side of leadership. More than 1500 leaders (and counting) have gone through her programs, and her approach keeps people engaged, growing, and thinking differently about what it really means to lead well. When she’s not in a room with leaders or sharing insights online, you’ll probably find Kendra at a yoga class, a loud spin class, or exploring a new restaurant with her fiancé. 

After 8 years of managerial experience in the golf industry, I transitioned to business leadership and economic development, where I spent the last 8 years as a senior leader with Indigenous EcDev corporations. After 7 years as a director of operations with Splatsin Development Corporation, I was thrilled to accept the role of CEO with Tla-o-qui-aht Development Corporation in Tofino. I currently oversee a diverse portfolio of companies, including an ocean-front hotel resort, RV resort and campground, three micro hydro facilities, construction company, and an Indigenous seafood operation. We are currently working on the development of a service centre with gas bar, convenience store, and restaurant. Throughout my tenure, I have organized three corporate fundraising golf tournaments, raising over $100,000 for Indigenous youth recreation programs. Outside of the workplace, I serve on the regional chamber of commerce and participate in local community initiatives whenever possible. I also officiate basketball at a high level, and serve on two sporting committees and coach minor hockey. I have previously been recognized as a Business Leader of the Year in Greater Vernon, and now I am honoured to be nominated as an Emerging Leader under 40.

Farial is the founder of HRXconnect, a business focused on providing comprehensive HR and recruitment services to owner/founder-led businesses and early-stage startups. With over 8 years of experience in the HR field, she has worked across industries including construction, media, and SaaS, specializing in strategy, execution, and implementation for companies with 15-100 employees. Her mission is to foster inclusive, people-first cultures, where collaboration and empowerment thrive. Farial is passionate about helping organizations build positive work environments, offering tailored solutions like fractional HR support, co-op opportunities, and health and wellness programs. A York University graduate in HR, she combines practical experience with a strong academic foundation. Farial is also committed to driving innovation in HR through tech, with a focus on automating processes to save time and provide actionable insights. She believes in the power of teamwork and strives to create meaningful connections within the business community. Her values are rooted in inclusivity, empowerment, and collaboration, as she continuously seeks to help others grow and thrive in both professional and personal spheres.

Erin O'Halloran is the Director of Programming at The League of Innovators, Canada’s largest young founder accelerator, offering no-equity, free programs for all types of startups at any stage. With a BA specializing in Accounting, Erin won $300K in the NBIF Breakthru National Pitch Competition in her final year of university. A proud East Coaster, Erin first joined LOI in 2019 as a startup founder and became part of the core team in 2021. She has helped over 500 founders and counting, passionate about connecting young entrepreneurs to ensure they’re not alone, learn from each other, and accelerate their growth.

Certified as an Insights Practitioner and Talent Management Practitioner, I specialize in driving high performance in sports HR while promoting fairness and opportunity for all. I’m passionate about solving HR challenges creatively and with kindness, ensuring that every individual is heard and empowered. I began my career as a swim coach, where I co-developed a successful learn-to-swim program. The skills I developed in coaching have been the foundation of my HR work, where I blend sports expertise and people-focused leadership to help organizations thrive. Though I love Victoria, much of my career has been spent living and traveling abroad, mainly in the UK. These experiences led me to do a Disrupt HR talk on why “you need to go away.” Outside of work, I serve on the Victoria Therapeutic Riding​ Board because I believe sports should have no barriers. Access to sports and the community it fosters should be available to everyone, regardless of ability or background. I also continue to coach junior swimming, fueled by my lifelong passion for aquatics.

Leigh began her career in Marketing and Account Management at a leading global advertising agency. After completing her MBA at the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics, she was inspired to tackle one of the biggest challenges for tech companies: finding the right leaders to transform their growth and impact. In joining Artemis Canada in its founding year, Leigh saw recruitment as an ideal blend of her business acumen and passion for organizational development & leadership. Fast forward 10 years and Leigh is now a Partner and Practice Leader, with an inspiring and values-driven team at Artemis, entrusted by top Canadian tech companies with their most critical executive hires. Passionate about supporting women in tech, Leigh mentors young leaders through volunteer work at local schools to help shape the future of tech. Making a meaningful impact on someone's career and partnering with companies that are changing the world inspires her daily!

Abhishek Sarathy [a-bee-shake sa-ra-thee] (he/him) Compassionate. Connector. Change-maker. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging | Change Management | People Leadership Born in the Middle East with south Indian heritage, Abhishek recognizes his responsibility as an immigrant settler in, what is currently known as, Toronto. Since 2022, Abhishek has been co-leading Canadian Tire Corporation’s journey to cultivate a culture where belonging thrives and makes life in Canada better. In 2020, he was a founding member of the Equity Secretariat at Trillium Health Partners, where he co-facilitated the organization’s pathway to become an antiracist hospital. Prior to this, Abhishek led marketing, communications, product development and operations teams for 10 years at Sun Life Canada, which supported employees at Canada’s largest workplaces to achieve their financial, physical and mental health goals. Abhishek co-created employee resource groups to embed racial inclusion and workplace philanthropy in Sun Life’s culture. Abhishek has been acknowledged as a 2024 Top 10 Diversity & Culture Impact Leader by DiversityCan Magazine. Abhishek is an inaugural Board Member for the Catalysts’ Circle, and the former Board Chair for the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights. Abhishek is a 2019 Civic Action DiverseCity Fellow and 2022 Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference alumnus. Abhishek is a binge watcher, rookie curler, French fry aficionado, and never not thinking about travel.