Session Speakers and Bios

Deri Latimer
Thursday, May 8, 9:30–10:30 a.m.
Mind Your Mind

You already know about the importance of proper nutrition and adequate exercise to keep your body fit and your energy high. Well, what about nourishing your mind? What are the strategies for positive mental health? The latest research in neuroscience is helping you to understand how to ‘mind your mind’, for improved personal well-being, more collaborative interpersonal relationships, and better performance results overall.

During this keynote, you will discover 5 simple, practical and proven strategies that you can turn into habits – to transform yourself, your team and your organization!

Deri Latimer
Friday, May 9, 8:30–9:30 a.m.
The psychologically Healthy Workplace

A psychologically healthy workplace is one that is positive (energized), productive (engaged) and profitable (eminent). It is one that honors and values every member of the organization. It is one that in which people are seen, heard, and known in the employment relationship. It is free of harassment, bullying, and incivility.

Join us for this inspiring and informative session to discover the essential elements included in the new Psychological Health and Safety Standard, and learn simple and meaningful practices that you can start implementing in your workplace right away.

Deri Latimer is an expert in positive possibilities for people! She is one of fewer than 10% of speakers globally who hold the designation of CSP (Certified Speaking Professional), the international measure of excellence for professional competence, proven experience, and optimal client satisfaction. A TEDx speaker and author of ‘Wake Up to Your Habits’, Deri combines a business degree in human resources management with 20 years of experience engaging audiences across every business sector. Deri provides inspiration and information to create psychologically healthy organizations for increased positivity, productivity, and profitability!

Bob Parker
Friday, May 9, 1:00–2:45 p.m.
Presenting Like a Pro

Let's face it...your success at presenting your ideas to others can mean the difference between rejection and success. In this fun and entertaining presentation, you will learn the dynamics that the pros use to influence and shape other's opinions while overcoming common fears of presenting. You will learn how easy it can actually be to formulate your ideas and share them convincingly. You will change the way you see how presentations are made and delivered while seeing yourself in a completely different way.

Bob Parker is President of Robert A. Parker & Associates Inc., an International Training Consulting company located in London, Ontario, that specializes in providing unconventional training for innovative companies.

Bob is the President of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, where he has earned his Certified Speaking Professional Designation (CSP, one of only 565 in Canada to earn the designation. As a speaker and trainer for over 25 years, Bob speaks to thousands of people each year on helping them improve their organizations and personal lives.

Tammy Vornbrock
Thursday, May 8, 10:45–11:45 a.m.
Going Lean: Ingredients to Nourish Your Business and Boost Results

The Saskatchewan Lean Management System (LMS) is an innovative practice that addresses the need for a patient-focused approach to reducing waste within the health system. Launched across the entire provincial health system in Saskatchewan in 2012, this program supports related capacity building and quality improvement initiatives. Learn about Rapid Process Improvement Workshops, Kanban, value stream mapping and other ingredients that are key to going lean!

Tammy Vornbrock is passionate about quality and for over 12 years she has dedicated herself to improving processes in business, government and industry settings using Six Sigma and Lean methodology. Tammy is now immersed in advancing the Saskatchewan Lean Management System within the Saskatoon Health Region. She is responsible for the development and execution of the Finance & Corporate Services annual kaizen plan which includes the Food & Nutrition Services and Supply Chain Management portfolios.

Tammy holds a Master of Business Administration in Executive Management from Royal Roads University and is also a certified Project Management Professional through PMI.

Allison Kapp
Thursday, May 8, 1:30–2:45 p.m.
Hidden Allergens - Hidden Danger

Experts believe that the prevalence of food allergies and the severity of reactions are increasing worldwide. The accidental ingestion of even trace amounts of a food allergen in an allergic individual can result in a reaction and in severe cases can even be fatal.  For these reasons, it is increasingly important for food service providers to have a good understanding of food allergens, how to identify hidden sources of these allergens, and how to keep patients, residents, and customers safe.  This will be an interactive session with a practical approach.  After attending this session, the participants will be able to recognize the top 10 allergens, be aware of hidden allergens, and will know where to seek additional information regarding food allergies and food labeling.

Allison is a Registered Dietitian with 19 years of clinical experience.  She graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition, and completed her Dietetic Internship at the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre in 1995.  After working for a year in Northern Ontario, she returned to Saskatchewan and has been employed with the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region as a clinical dietitian ever since.  She is the mother of two young sons, and both have life threatening food allergies.  For this reason, she has become passionate about promoting awareness of food allergies, anaphylaxis, and how to keep people with allergies safe. In 2008 she founded Regina Anaphylaxis Awareness to provide a support and education network for other parents of children with food allergies.  When she is not busy reading food labels, and preparing meals free of egg, milk, and fish, you might see her running around Regina’s Wascana Lake!

Dr. Awie du Toit
Thursday, May 8, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
The Art of Olive Oil - an Explosion of Flavour

Dr Awie du Toit was born in South Africa where he received his medical training, and specialized in Radiology.

Awie came to Canada in 1998 when he arrived in Winnipeg to further his studies. He moved to Moose Jaw in 1999 when the Five Hills Health Region recruited him to the post of “Chief of Radiology” for Moose Jaw.

In November 2011, he started the OLiV Tasting Room. In two and a half years, OLiV has grown to 16 stores across Canada and counting…

Today’s topic is the story of OLiV with a focus on the Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Shannon Floer
Friday, May 9, 10:00–11:30 a.m.
Deep Listening Deep Questioning

When was the last time you felt truly listened to? Lean how to create a culture of listening that goes from “me to we” and see the positive effects of deep listening.

How many questions do you ask in a day? Are they effective? Learn how deep questions are constructed and how to ask powerful questions that inspire better discussions, and get better results.

Shannon believes in empowering people do to their best work. Her goal is to help create workplaces that are people focused by bridging the gap between “soft and hard skills”. She opened her own consulting business in 2008.

Michael G. Smith
Friday, May 9, 11:45-12:45 p.m.
Social Media - Time Waster or Enabler, Michael Smith

Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Blogs and Smart Phones - you've heard the terms but do you know what each does and how you can use various social media tools to enable you to do your job (and yes, enhance your personal life too), or have you used these tools and find them a complete waste of time?  Join Michael to find out how to make Social Media work best for you... even if it means taking your Smart Phone into the bathroom

Michael G. Smith, PMP is the President of Assoc-IT, a company that specializes in helping Professional Associations, Non-Profit Organizations and other Groups with their technology challenges.  Michael is a self-professed technology watcher and Face Book user, and has been working with computers and software and following their trends since the early 70’s. He is also a lifelong volunteer, with active leadership roles in associations, credit unions, youth sports groups and golf leagues.

Khaleed Khan
Friday, May 9, 11:45-12:45 p.m.
Healthy concepts, healthy trends, and healthy profit margins in healthcare food service

Healthcare facilities staff, visitors and patients have increasingly  high demands for food service options including extended hours of operation, better quality meals and low prices; so what  can we do to keep everyone satisfied here are some practical business solutions to optimize service and efficiency.  1.Take a business approach aligned with your organization’s Business Plan 2. Analyze the business opportunity by measuring key industry KPI metrics 3. Make fact-based business decisions 4. Measure results including customer feedback . Repeat 1 to 4 as often as necessary to make sound business decisions.

Executive Director, Retail Food Services, Alberta Health Services. His responsibilities include retail food service operations at the 7 largest hospitals, design/development and support for the other 103 provincial sites. He has 35 years food service experience with 14 branded restaurant concepts, airports & Westin Hotels. He serves as a volunteer on the NAIT Culinary Arts Advisory Committee and was the last Chairman of the Alberta Restaurant & Foodservices Association. He was the June 2004 FSD of the Month, the 2004 Capital Health Award of Distinction recipient, 2005 FSD of the Year and the 2010 AHF Spotlight Award winner.