Opportunities and Challenges for Newcomer Economic Inclusion

Description

Join us for an engaging panel discussion on newcomer inclusion and employment in the Burnaby community. 
This event is co-hosted with Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table (BIPT) and funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Meet Our Keynote Speaker - Anita Bhandari
Anita Bhandari, is the Chief Human Resources Officer for the City of Burnaby, where she serves as a dynamic leader, advocate, and catalyst for positive change, embodying the principles of philanthropy. With nearly 20 years of diverse experience spanning private and public sectors, she has excelled in roles ranging from founding her own company to consulting for educational institutions, associations, and working in municipal government. Anita's leadership style emphasizes leading by example, mentoring, and sharing knowledge to empower others. Anita is aware of the skills and attributes that newcomers to Canada can contribute to an organization and  also the hurdles they face. With this understanding, she actively works to facilitate Burnaby's efforts in supporting inclusion and fostering opportunities.

About Our Moderator
Monisha Mothilal, is the Co-Founder & Vice President of Tech2Step Network Canada. Monisha is at the forefront of creating vibrant, inclusive professional networks in Vancouver, empowering women+ and breaking barriers along the way. She is also a proud Canadian immigrant with a penchant for maple syrup, a doting pet parent, and a voice that amplifies the incredible journeys of first-generation Canadian immigrants through her engaging podcast, "Newcomers to Trailblazers." When she is not podcasting or leading at Tech2Step, Monisha is a talent, changes people development professional who transforms corporate cultures, advocates for meaningful workplace changes, and shares her insights on leadership, change management, and the immigrant experience at various speaking engagements.

About Our Panelists

Alison Verheyde, is the Human Resources Director at HTEC Hydrogen Technology & Energy, and she has has over 15 years of experience. Before joining HTEC, Alison served as the principal at People Matters Consulting, and held the position of Director of People and Culture at ePact Network Ltd. Throughout her career, Alison has provided HR support, managed employee relations, and implemented HR strategies in various organizations. Alison holds a B.A. in psychology, a Diploma in Education with a focus on counselling, an M.A. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and finally a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) qualifications/

Joshua Ludgate, is the Chief Operations Officer at Small Business BC. He has a background in leading and building technology and telecom start-ups in Vancouver, as well as international roles with Hewlett Packard Financial Services. More recently he has worked with small telecoms and agri-foods businesses on international sourcing, procurement and distribution projects. He applies his diverse and extensive business experience to help clients successfully plan and grow their business. With a BCom in Entrepreneurial Management and an international MBA, he works to continually expand and develop his small business knowledge, experience and global reach.

Ryan Drew, Director of Intergrated Services for Newcomers, began her career at S.U.C.C.E.S.S. 25 years ago. During that time, Ryan has held many different roles including Language Instructor, Best Practices Coordinator, Regional Manager, and Program Director.  For the past 5 years as the Director of Intergrated Services for Newcomers, Ryan has supported all of the service programming at S.U.C.C.E.S.S - services for newcomers, seniors, youth, families, entrepreneurs, and vulnerable populations. She is proud to ensure the delivery of quality services that supports people on their Canadian journey.

Alisa Stephenson, Business Development Manager at Futurpreneur, is a seasoned entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in various aspects of business management. Currently she is part of the Futurpreneur team, where she has the privilege of supporting and empowering young entrepreneurs. She finds great satisfaction helping entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of starting and growing their businesses, providing them with the guidance and resources they need to succeed. Alisa is driven by her passion for entrepreneurship and a desire to create positive change in the business world.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, April 10
Time: 8:30am to 11:00am
Venue: Hilton Vancouver Metrotown (6083 McKay Ave, Burnaby)
Tickets: $25 - BBOT Members
              $35 - Non-members
Register: Call 604-412-0100, sign up online, or email us

BBOT Event Cancellation Policy: Refunds or credits will only be considered when requested at least 3 days prior to an event.

The Centre for Burnaby Business and Workforce Development is supported by the following partners:

Platinum Sponsors: