Florence Sofoluwe, CPHR 

Regions West - Talent Attraction Specialist, KPMG Canada 

Florence is a CPHR with a strong background in Talent Management/Acquisition and has a proven track record of identifying, sourcing, attracting, and hiring top talent and is passionate about helping organizations build strong, dynamic teams and supporting individuals in achieving their career goals.

Florence has successfully recruited both experienced professionals and students in the health and professional services industry utilizing her expertise in talent sourcing, attraction, acquisition, and onboarding. Their achievements in the field include receiving the Top Recruiter Award in 2020 for outstanding performance in talent acquisition (Best Corporate Recruiter- Winnipeg) and being recognized as the Top 10 Nigerian professionals in Manitoba.

Florence has a Master’s Degree in Industrial and Labour Relations, a diploma in HR & Management and has CTMP & CPHR designations.

At work, Florence has overseen the recruitment activities for 9 locations in Regions West (Winnipeg, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Regina, Saskatoon, Kelowna Kamloops, Vernon & Prince George) with excellent results, has managed early careers recruitment, is a brand advocate and has championed the DEI initiatives in their organization.

Danielle Vanderwey, CPHR

Director, Talent Acquisition, People Corporation 

Danielle is an avid learner of HR best practices and is interested in HR thought leadership. She takes these practices and ideas and shares them with her team during their team meetings or during one-to-one sessions.

Danielle continues to demonstrate her commitment to the HR profession through maintaining her CPHR designation and participating in CPHR Manitoba events. She also holds the Registered Professional Recruiter designation. She sees these designations as excellent networking opportunities, allowing her to connect with peers, mentors, and other professional/industry leaders.

Danielle has fueled an incredible amount of change and inspiration, which has influenced not just the HR team, but also the organization as a whole. Some of these initiatives include moving People Corporation to internal sourcing model which directly reduced the reliance on external sourcing support resulting both in cost reduction, but the identification of talent based on a deep understanding of the organizational requirements and fit, developing a team structure that aligns with the organizational operating model, allowing for talent acquisition specialists to be aligned to areas of the business based on their skills, while allowing for allocation of effort based on capacity planning and more. 

Maria Gonzalez, CPHR Candidate

Compensation and Benefits Specialist, Farmers Edge

Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Maria moved to Winnipeg in 2017 to pursue a Master of Business Administration at the University of Manitoba, joining Farmers Edge after graduation in 2019. Maria took on a payroll role, before quickly moving into the role of HR and Benefits Coordinator. She was then promoted to her current position, Compensation and Benefits Specialist. In this role, she handles multiple time-sensitive tasks related to internal and external reporting requirements, immigration matters, and disability claims, among others.

Over the last few years, Maria has participated in key HR projects within the organization, such as the implementation of a new HRMS, and the creation of their first online benefit resource centre. In 2023, Maria developed their first job evaluation system and is working on building the salary structure, which will be finalized in early 2024.

Maria finds helping others humbling and rewarding and is involved in a few volunteering programs. She leads a team of volunteers at a local food bank, and through a program that supports newcomers to Canada, she delivers training sessions on relevant HR matters.

Maria became a CPHR candidate in 2021 and is working towards earning the CPHR designation. She is energetic, committed to continuous learning, and passionate about her work, and does not hesitate to take on the latest HR challenge. 

Stephanie Mages, CPHR

Senior Manager, Corporate HR Services, The City of Winnipeg

Stephanie Mages is a CPHR that holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Labour and Workplace Studies from the University of Manitoba.  Stephanie is the Senior Manager, Employee Health and Safety Programs, Human Resources with the City of Winnipeg.  Stephanie provides oversight to a variety of HR programs including Occupational Health and Wellness; Health Resources Services and WCB Coordination, Organizational Safety Services, Employee Development and Training as well as Health Resource Services.

She leads program development and modernization efforts that are helping the City of Winnipeg to keep its workplace safe and healthy. She does this in an organizational climate of cost reductions and high public scrutiny. She partners with other departments to find resources, share resources, and seems to magically create or stretch resources to maximize outcomes.

As an HR professional, Stephanie has consistently demonstrated dedication to community engagement by actively participating in various conferences related to her field. Her insightful presentations at these conferences not only showcase her expertise but also contribute significantly to the professional development of others in the HR community. Beyond her professional commitments, Stephanie's impact extends into her personal life, where she generously volunteers her time and skills to the local Hockey association. Her involvement in the community as a volunteer not only reflects her passion for making a positive difference but also exemplifies the values of collaboration and service. 

Avelia (Shabi) Stewart, CPHR

Director, Social Impact and Internal Communications, Western Financial Group 

Avelia Stewart is an accomplished trailblazer in the fields of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), sustainability, and internal communications. With over 15 years of experience, Avelia has a proven track record of developing and implementing innovative strategies that promote DEI while ensuring sustainability remains at the forefront of all business operations.

As Manager, of DEI and Sustainability at Western Financial Group until February 2024, Avelia is a valuable member of the people and culture leadership team. Her vast experience spanning various industries such as insurance, technology, manufacturing, and advertising, allows her to bring a unique, long-term perspective to her work with executives, as well as the empathy to connect with talent at all levels.

Avelia holds an impressive array of qualifications, including a Master of Arts in Communication and Culture and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Howard University in Washington, DC. She also has a post-graduate certificate in Human Resource Management from the University of Manitoba and holds her Chartered Professional Human Resources (CPHR) and Society for Human Resource Management – Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) designations.

In addition, Avelia completed a DEI certificate from Cornell University, a certificate in Reconciliation Education from First Nations University, and most recently, a certificate in Sustainability Leadership from the University of Toronto. Avelia's academic and professional experience has also allowed her to serve as a human resources instructor at the tertiary level, sharing her knowledge and expertise with students and staying abreast of current industry content.

In February 2024, Avelia assumed the position of Director, Social Impact and Internal Communications. Her objective is to make a positive impact on the welfare of society by promoting inclusivity, ensuring fairness, fostering engagement, and establishing connections with customers and communities. Utilizing her expertise in business management, data analysis, and collaborative skills, Avelia is committed to delivering results and adding value. 

Sherrie Rauth, CPHR

Senior Manager, People & Culture, Celero Solutions 

Sherrie Rauth brings over 25 years of comprehensive human resource expertise spanning diverse industries including finance, technology, agriculture, telecommunications, and manufacturing. Currently working in leadership role with a dynamic team of HR professionals in the fast-paced technology sector, Sherrie dedicates her efforts to leading impactful programs and projects aimed at elevating the overall employee experience. She brings notable experience in HR planning, performance management, staffing, legislation compliance, compensation, recognition, and employee relations. Known for her drive and as a catalyst for continuous improvement and innovation, she consistently seeks opportunities to evolve and align programs with best practices and empower organizations to achieve key outcomes.

Sherrie has been a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) for more than two decades. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree as well as a Human Resources Certificate through the University of Manitoba and has focused additional learning in the areas of project management, coaching, process improvement and organizational change management.

Sherrie embodies a growth mindset, consistently driving process improvement within the Human Resources team. Her leadership is evident in guiding the team through annual campaigns focused on identifying and implementing enhancements in the HR, payroll, and benefits processes. She is committed to creating positive, impactful environments that help individuals and organizations reach their goals. 

Jordan Crouch, CPHR

Chief People Officer, DASCH 

Jordan is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team at DASCH where she holds the position of Chief People Officer. Jordan began her career at DASCH in 2014 where she quickly took on the task of relaunching the company’s group benefits plan, and moved into the position of Payroll and Benefits Manager.

Jordan’s expertise in streamlining processes along with her strong leadership skills led to her quickly taking on additional major projects across the human resources department, including implementing the company’s first integrated payroll and HRIS system. In 2017 Jordan became responsible for the oversight of the human resources department, including the organization’s learning and development department. Since this time Jordan has had many successes from executing a company restructure, to streamlining the recruitment and onboarding process, through to launching a blended online learning management platform to support the 600 employees of DASCH.

Jordan is a dedicated mentor to those within her team and beyond, where she is seen as a significant driver of change. Jordan’s compassionate and straightforward approach ensures everyone feels heard, supported, and empowered to reach their personal goals and team objectives. Her unwavering energy and support have allowed DASCH to experience growth and success in many areas beyond her immediate responsibilities. 

Sina Barkman, CPHR

Chief HR Officer, Riverview Health Centre 

Sina is a respected leader whose experience, work ethic, engagement style, and commitment to continuous learning and improvement is well recognized. Her broad perspective and understanding of the dynamics and impact of a decision is evident in her thoughtful and practical advice. She leads by example, setting a high benchmark for which she holds herself accountable. She is an involved leader, forming strong bonds with those that she leads as well as with her Executive and HR peers.

In collaboration with the leadership team, Sina presided over RHC’s recognition as a Manitoba Top Employer in 2023 and achievement of the highest staff engagement scores of any Winnipeg hospital in 2022. Sina supported the establishment of an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, successfully implemented four new collective agreements, and recently achieved a year over year 30% reduction in paid WCB time loss days.

Sina shows-up, speaks-up, stands-up and sometimes sits down to lend an ear or hand in support when it matters. She is fair-minded, creative, accountable, ethical and strives every day to engage in and improve the work lives and operations at Riverview, never hesitating to challenge leadership to focus on ensuring a safe, inclusive, and engaging work environment at Riverview.

Sina graduated with her Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) with Distinction from the Asper School of Business in 2004 with a double major in HR and Finance, receiving the University Gold Medal for Excellence. She completed the Human Resources Management Certificate from the Continuing Education Program at the University of Manitoba in 2007 and has committed over 400 hours to continued learning in the past 5 years. 

Kelsey Zaste, CPHR

VP, Human Resources, Emergent Biosolutions 

Kelsey Zaste is an experienced HR strategist currently serving as the Vice President of Human Resources at Emergent BioSolutions in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. With a decade of dedicated service to the company, Kelsey has progressively advanced through key roles, through her expertise in HR management, business savvy, and strategic leadership.

In her current position as Vice President, HR Business Partners, Kelsey has been instrumental in shaping and implementing human resources strategies to support Emergent BioSolutions' overall business objectives. Kelsey's extensive career at Emergent BioSolutions began in 2013 as a Human Resources Business Partner, and she has since demonstrated consistent excellence in various capacities.

Kelsey Zaste completed the Human Resource Program at Queen's School of Business in 2012, and she is currently pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration. In her spare time, Kelsey enjoys time at the lake with her family, and DIY home improvements.

Known for her strategic mindset and commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture, Kelsey Zaste continues to make significant contributions to the field of human resources. 

Maynard Dueck

Director of Customer Care, Vidir Solutions Inc. 

Maynard has been leading the drive for ever-improving customer centric operations as an executive leader since 2008. Currently at Vidir Solutions, Maynard leads a team of 10 managers caring for global customers, many on the Fortune 50 list. Self-reflection is a key to Maynard’s leadership, and has led to the development of three practices: ALL life is a valuable gift that requires respect and dignity; the nature of life is completing work within organic systems that are set in the context of relationships; and, work done in a way that promotes respect and dignity results in positive and mutually beneficial relationships.

Maynard has involved HR in the strategic planning of Vidir Solutions, contributing to the organization’s success is a multitude of ways. Some of these collaborations include all matters pertaining to hiring and internal advancements. Maynard has strong appreciation for the HR established recruitment and onboarding process. He communicates its value and is always sensitive to ensure inclusiveness and diversity perspectives are respected and models this to his team and peers. He is a strong champion of cultural diversity and building relationships for talent acquisition within the indigenous communities.

He seeks HR for support in workforce planning with strategic approach for future business need. He pulls in all members of his leadership team for collaboration and alignment on all matters pertaining to hiring and internal advancements. 

Ken Jur

Restaurant Owner, Jur Family Group 

Ken is a passionate and people focused entrepreneur leader. He and his wife own four Tim Hortons locations and are the franchisees for Firehouse Subs in Manitoba. Ken has grown up in the guest service business, serving people since he was 11 years old.

Today, their organization has nearly 200 Team Members and they are still growing. He has always exhibited that the core to building a strong business is having a great foundation and employment experience for their people. Ken regularly talks about the impact his decisions make on the families and livelihoods his Team Members.

Ken has created a culture of people first in his organization, Jur Family Group, and has found the best talent and the best people to live out that mandate. HR is always at the table on every business decision and in many cases, they are the ones driving the decisions. Ken embodies what it means to be a people focused leader, giving opportunities for development, growth and expansion to others.

Ken is a strategic leader who achieves exceptional results by believing in his teams potential, sparking their passion, and leveraging their abilities. He is a motivating and inspirational storyteller, whose positive energy and enthusiasm is contagious. 

Susan Black, CPHR

Partner, HR Services, FH Black & Company 

Susan assumes the pivotal role of overseeing and managing FH Black & Company’s Human Resource Consulting practice, which encompasses recruitment, employee relations, strategic HR planning, restructurings, and compensation analysis. With adept guidance, Susan leads a team of Senior HR Consultants, nurturing their professional growth and development across diverse career stages. Over the past two decades, Susan has demonstrated her expertise in addressing multifaceted HR management challenges across a spectrum of industries and organizations, collaborating closely with executive leadership to fortify organizational structures.

Susan's professional journey commenced in Toronto and Vancouver, where she cultivated her proficiency in financial services and business development during the initial decade of her career. Joining F.H. Black & Company in 2003 as the New Business Development Manager, Susan swiftly emerged as an indispensable resource for the firm's clientele, owing to her sharp business acumen. Recently, Susan assumed a new role within FH Black, assuming responsibility for internal employee and firm development alongside new business acquisition endeavors.

Susan achieved her Certified Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) designation in 2005 and is actively engaged as a member of the HR Association of Manitoba (HRMAM). Her academic pursuits include English literature at the University of Toronto and Human Resource Management at Red River College. Beyond her professional endeavors, Susan is deeply engaged as a Fitness Trainer, and she actively volunteers and serves as a Board Member for various local non-profit organizations, notably the Pan Am Boxing Club and Pan Am Place, both committed to addressing youth homelessness and fostering community engagement.