Keynote Speakers 2023

Day 1 Opening Keynote Address (9:30AM - 10:30 AM)

Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa 

Physician | Changemaker | Transformative Leadership | Advocate for Diversity and Inclusion

One of Time magazine’s “2021 Next Generational Leaders”, Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa is a medical trailblazer spearheading change in healthcare and beyond. She is an accomplished physician, spoken word poet, and advocate for racialized and marginalized populations. Oriuwa draws on her personal and professional experience to share insight and actionable strategies into transformative leadership, mental health and wellness, and igniting change to build a more equitable future for all.

Currently a resident doctor in psychiatry at the University of Toronto (U of T), Oriuwa is a graduate of the University’s Faculty of Medicine. When she arrived as an incoming medical student to find she was the only Black student in her cohort, she channeled this disappointment into action, becoming a vocal advocate for improving disparities in Black health and confronting institutional discrimination.

Since then, Oriuwa has become the first Black woman to be named sole valedictorian of the department and has spoken at numerous national and international events on the topics of DEI, leadership, mental health, and her journey as an underrepresented minority in medicine. Oriuwa was also an ambassador and educator of U of T’s Black Student Application Program, where she saw the faculty admit the largest group of Black medical students in Canadian history.

In addition, Oriuwa is a professional spoken word artist. Working under the Hamilton Youth Poets, she has earned her place as a national slam poetry finalist twice. In 2017, she released her renowned slam poem “Woman, Black” and in 2018 published her seminal article In My White Coat, I am More Black than Ever for FLARE magazine’s Black History Month campaign. She has also been featured on CBC’s The National, CTV News, CP24, Toronto Star, Time magazine, and TODAY, amongst others. She is slated to release her first memoir with HarperCollins in 2023.

A recipient of numerous prestigious awards and honours, Oriuwa was named on Maclean’s Power 50 List in 2022 and was recognized as one of Best Health Magazine‘s “2020 Women of the Year”. She was also recently honoured in Mattel’s #ThankYouHeroes campaign alongside five other women with a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll made in her image to commemorate her contributions as a frontline healthcare worker.

In addition to her medical degree, Oriuwa has a master’s degree in Health Systems Leadership and Innovation from the University of Toronto. She also serves on Indigo’s board of directors, using her expertise to inform their efforts in advancing equity and curating spaces of wellness and inclusion.

Day 2 Opening Keynote Address (9:00AM - 10:00 AM)

Tina Varughese: The Human Side of Unconscious Bias

Energetic │Relevant │Thought-provoking │Hilarious

Named one of Canada’s Top 10 Notable Speakers by Ignite Magazine, Tina cleverly tackles hot button topics, like diversity and inclusion, in today’s complex climate. She consistently rates as the ‘best speaker of the conference’. By carefully weaving personal stories with touching humour, her interactive and highly entertaining approach disarms attendees as she breaks down barriers while building bridges. She ignites authenticity, transparency and ultimately inclusion.

See Tina's "hello" to BCFHPS members with outline of Sept 2023 workshop here>> 

Tina’s work has been featured in the Toronto Star, TSN, CBC Eyeopener, Adrenaline Magazine, Alberta Venture Magazine and U of S Alumni Magazine. Clients include Pfizer Canada, Kraft-Heinz, Hockey Canada, Hyundai Canada, and Canada Life. She is the President of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (Calgary). Tina is also a Council Member of McMaster University’s esteemed Canada Projecta project based on Canada’s future for the better. She has a strong professional background in immigration where she ran her own successful relocation and settlement firm prior to speaking professionally. Tina has been the face of diversity, literally, when she was chosen to be in Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty representing beauty in diversity. Tina resides in Calgary, AB with her husband and two children.

The Human Side of Unconscious Bias

Are issues like these causing stress, conflict, confusion, time and money in the workplace?

• Emily is 30 years old. This role involves a lot of travel – should she be promoted? What if she decides to have children?
• Manuel has such a strong accent that I’m just not sure if he’s a good cultural fit for our organization?
• As an ambitious white male I am the minority these days! I can’t check any of the boxes. Will I be passed over for this promotion yet again? I’m ready to quit.
• Should Morton really lead the charge of the IT department? He just seems ancient to me.

Why this topic? First impressions, positive or negative, are made in seven seconds or less. We all make quick assessments of others without even realizing it. We are not born with bias. Biases are formed by past situations, experiences, background and culture. Unconscious biases typically exist towards gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability (both physical and mental), and weight. Most of us will say “I see people for who they are” but do we? Unconscious biases affect and impact decision making both professionally and personally with real impact. Recognizing, managing and mitigating unconscious bias promotes diversity and inclusion. Diversity and inclusion drives innovation, increases productivity, and stimulates creativity while promoting a healthy, happy, engaging workplace culture.

Key takeaways:

• The Neuroscience behind Unconscious Bias (“No blame, no shame”)
• Managing and Mitigating Unconscious Bias in Recruitment, Retention and Employee Engagement
• Breaking Bias – Strategies for Gender, Maternal, Affinity and Ageism
• Sesame Street 2.0 – One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn’t belong... or does it? How Diversity Drives Innovation, Creativity and Productivity
• Why Creating a Culture of Inclusion affects Positivity, Profits and Purpose

Day 2 Closing Keynote Address (1:30PM - 2:30 PM)

Jessica Holmes

Celebrated Comedian | Author | Mental Health Advocate

Beloved comedian Jessica Holmes has brought the house down opening for giants like Ellen DeGeneres, Russell Peters, Jerry Seinfeld, and Oprah Winfrey. She has also performed at Just For Laughs and The Second City, and starred in the hit comedy series, Royal Canadian Air Farce and The Holmes Show. Her hilarious take on life’s challenges as well as her unique knack for impersonating celebrities always leaves audiences in stitches.

Holmes, like millions of Canadians, has struggled both with post-partum depression and, as she puts it, “regular, run-of-the-mill, garden-variety depression”. Striving to help end the stigma around mental health issues, she openly shares her personal stories with the humour she’s known for, bringing light to what can often be a dark topic. Her funny and inspiring book, Depression The Comedy: A Tale of Perseverance, delves into her personal journey with validation and warmth. It was named one of the top 25 books about mental health by Reader’s Digest. Holmes is grateful to help end the stigma around mental illness and was honoured to join the Bell Let’s Talk team as a celebrity ambassador in 2018.

Today, Holmes’ greatest joy is working as an advocate for mental health and helping people take simple, sustainable steps towards fulfillment and well-being, one laugh at a time.