2018 Conference Speakers!
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Sponsored Speaking Opportunities are now available!
Scott Adel
Vice President Retail Excellence
Tulip Retail
Scott Adel is currently Vice President of Retail Excellence at Tulip. He previously served as Head of Omnichannel Retail for the Canadian lifestyle brand, Frank And Oak. With an extensive 20 year retail track record at some of North America’s largest brands, he continues to drive innovation in the companies he serves by integrating technology and business processes in unique ways to drive engagement and business growth.
Melissa Austria
Founder
Gotstyle
Melissa Austria has been a fixture in the menswear industry for over 20 years. Her early career in retail started at the veritable Harry Rosen, which started her passion for menswear. From there she moved to wholesale, working as a Sales Manager and brand builder for such collections as Mexx, Claiborne for Men, Valentino and Clavin Klein menswear and launched Kenneth Cole men's sportswear and tailored clothing divisions in Canada. Dealing with the majors such as Holts, Harry's, The Bay and all of the best independent menswear stores across Canada helped to educate Melissa on the Canadian male consumer and the needs of the retailers. Sensing a void in the Toronto menswear retail landscape, Melissa opened Gotstyle The Menswear store in 2005, featuring a diverse range of over 35 different menswear brands appealing to the different life styles of a guy (casual, social, business) and their different body types. Within the second year of business, Gotstyle won Best Menswear store from NOW magazine, and won consecutively for 6 years in a row. In 2011, Gotstyle opened their second store, a 6,700 sq foot men's and ladies store int he Historic Distillery district and launched their e-commerce site.
Don Berezowski
Director Environmental Health and Safety, Walmart Canada
RCC Retail Secure Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Click here to read more about 2018’s RCC Retail Secure Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, Don Berezowski.
Don Berezowski has worked in the Loss Prevention / Health and Safety industry for over 30 years. He started his career with Sears Canada over 29 years ago and has held several positions in Operations, Returns, Productivity leading up to Divisional Vice President for Loss Prevention & Health and Safety. His role was to support all business channels of the corporation. Don along with his team were responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring Loss Prevention / Health and Safety programs that would improve corporate shrinkage and reduce workplace injuries. Don has been an active member of the RCC Loss Prevention Advisory Committee promoting excellence in the profession as well as developing strong relationships with industry partners sharing and developing best of breed strategies to reduce loss. Don has now joined the Walmart Canada team and is the Director of Environmental Health and Safety. He is responsible for the Health and Safety program for all stores and Distribution centers ensuring a best in class safety program for the corporation.
Carl Boutet
Retail Strategist
RxStudio
2018 Retail Secure Advisory Council Member
Carl is a Montreal based retail strategist and board advisor with over 25 years of hands on operational, marketing, merchandising and retail executive experience. He has worked across a full array of retailer environments from the very large, such as 10 years with Costco Wholesale to working as a strategy consultant for a group of 800 independent retailers across Canada. As founder of StudioRx, he guides senior retailer leaders to better leverage their combined choices of technology, analytics & design to create positive outcomes both for their customers and bottom line. He also advises technology companies on how to best tailor their solutions to address needs that matter most to retailers. He spent the last year working with a team of computer vision (AI) researchers as their retail strategy & global commercial lead. He holds an MBA from Queen’s University and advices on several retail innovation labs including CieTech and the recently announced Bensadoun Retail Management School at McGill University.
Sonny Brar
Vice President, Member Programs & Services
Retail Council of Canada
2018 Retail Secure Advisory Council Member
Sonny Brar comes with over 15 years of Corporate Retail, Human Resources, Health, Safety, Energy and Environmental experience. He is currently the Vice President, Member Programs & Services at Retail Council of Canada and is an honors graduate of Criminology, Justice and Public Safety from Manitoba. Along with other functions, Sonny leads and supports RCC’s Membership, Benefit Partner Programs, Human Resources, Health, Safety, Energy initiatives and RCC’s Advisory Councils. Sonny has had great successes in his tenure and has held Corporate Senior and Executive positions at Maple Leaf Foods, Toys“R”Us, Sobeys and IKEA. Sonny has also been a recipient of 3 Presidential Excellence awards with Maple Leaf Foods and Toys“R”Us along with several successes and recognitions with his tenure at Sobeys and IKEA.
Diane J Brisebois
President & CEO
Retail Council of Canada
Diane J. Brisebois is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and has held that position since 1995. Prior to joining RCC, Diane held the position of President and CEO of the Canadian Office Products Association for 14 years.
Retail Council is the largest retail association in the country representing more than 45,000 retail establishments of all shapes and sizes from coast to coast. RCC`s membership covers all retail segments including general merchandise, grocery and pharmacy and accounts for more than 70% of all retail sales in the country excluding auto and gas sales.
Diane has and also continues to serve on several boards across North America:
- She currently serves as a Director on the Board of the Toronto Region Board of Trade, the Quebec Employers Council, Stewardship Ontario, and the Advisory Boards of the St. Mary’s David Sobey Centre for Retail, the School of Retailing at the University of Alberta and LIMA Canada
- She also served as the Chairman of the Board of the Canadian Society of Association Executives, the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, the Fair Factory Clearinghouse and The Forum of International Retail Association Executives
- Diane also served as a Director on the Board of Covenant House Toronto for eight years and the Board of the School of Retail at Ryerson University for more than 10 years
Ms. Brisebois is a native of Montreal, Quebec and now resides in Toronto, Ontario.
Tony Chapman
Keynote Speaker - Moderator - Host - Media Personality
Tony Chapman Reactions
Tony Chapman speaks his mind at Conferences and on National Television, Radio and in Social Media. He also does half day 'deep dives' with Boards and Leadership teams.
Tony is one of Canada's most successful speakers. In the past two years, he has delivered inspirational talks to audiences in China, Brazil, Spain, the United Kingdom, Poland, Mexico and across North America.
Tony prepares for and customizes each talk by working with his client, understanding the unique nuances of their marketplace and then drawing upon his three decades of experience helping Leaders of organizations large and small, locally and globally engage and persuade their customers and employees. This enables him to pack each talk with relevant and actionable ideas, insights and strategies.
In 2008 Tony became one of the youngest individuals to be inducted into the Marketing Hall of Legends, and two national and two international documentaries showcase his approach to branding.
Michael Coladipietro
Director, Risk Management
Advisory Committee
Michael has been active in the security and loss prevention industry since 1998, having worked in various organisations including the Canadian Forces, Starbucks and Canada Post. Michael currently leads the risk management portfolio at Longo Brothers Fruit Markets, where he is responsible for Asset Protection, Emergency Management, and Business Continuity programs. Michael holds a Certified Protection Professional designation from ASIS.
James Connell
VP, Ecommerce & Customer Experience
Roots Canada
As the Vice President, E-Commerce and Customer Experience, James is responsible for leading the digital commerce efforts at Roots with a focus on branded experience, non-traditional retail and the blend of digital marketing and commerce. Additionally, he is responsible for the company’s customer support area and integrated omni-channel commerce programs. He joined Roots over 20 years ago and has functioned in a number of roles within the organization primarily focused in the areas of digital commerce, marketing and direct to consumer sales. James has also spoken to audiences, press and industry journals on three continents on the topics of marketing, social media and online retail and co-authored a book published by Aspatore Books in addition to being named Marketer of the Year by the Canadian Association of Marketing Professionals.
Matt Crawford
Director, Emerging and Value Added Solutions
Moneris
With over 15 years of experience in the payments industry, Matt has worked with leading payment processors and card brands. His team is responsible for the evaluation and integration of new technology and solutions as part of Moneris’ strategic offerings.
Matt has a passion for the payments industry, constantly seeking out new technologies and acceptance opportunities. He’s worked with many card brands and technology provides including Kount, The Retail Equation, Shopify and others. Prior to Moneris, he worked at Mastercard, First Data and other payment services companies.
Bill Davies
Director Asset Protection
Advisory Committee
Bill is the Director of Asset Protection for Home Depot Canada. Bill’s team is responsible for Environmental Health & Safety Compliance, Physical Security, and all aspects of Loss Prevention. Bill joined The Home Depot in 1999 where he started in the stores as a Loss Prevention Specialist, and has held positions of increasing responsibility in Asset Protection, spent time in Store Operations, and was a part of the SAP integration team.
Prior to joining the Company, Bill held positions in sales, operations, and loss prevention at both Zellers and The Sports Authority.
Louis Davis
Director, Core Payments and Retail Solutions
Moneris
With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Louis brings a wealth of knowledge to the payments landscape. Louis drives the product roadmap and direction for stand-alone, wireless, unattended and integrated point-of sale solutions for Moneris, leveraging payment innovation.
He has managed revolutionary initiatives in both the issuer and acquirer space including, the adoption of contactless and EMV chip and PIN technology in Canada. Louis is a trusted payments advisor and regularly participates in industry-lead speaking engagements and conferences.
Amit Dayal
Regional Sales Manager
SOTI
Amit Dayal is the Regional Sales Manager (North America) at SOTI. With 15+ years in the industry, Amit brings vast experience to Mobile Solutions , Technology and Sales in the Enterprise Mobility space. He understands the current needs of enterprise businesses and is a trusted advisor to many North American Executives. Amit understands Business Critical Mobility and is a proven expert at discovering innovative ways to accelerate your Mobile Device Management Strategy.
Dan Demers
Senior Manager
CannAmm
Mr. Demers is a recognized international speaker and authority on the Canadian and international landscape of cannabis. Mr. Demers serves on the executive team of CannAmm as the senior manager responsible for educating Canadian employers on fit for duty best practices within occupational safety programs. Mr. Demers’ commitment to lifelong learning is rooted in science and supplemented through executive education. His international presence and commitment to best practices demonstrated by serving on the Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association (SAPAA) International and Government Relations Committees, and International Forum on Drug and Alcohol Testing (IFDAT) Legal Committee. Mr. Demers’ dedication to his community and the pursuit of a safer workplace pursued by serving on the board of directors, as president-elect, for SAPAA and the board of his local community Food Bank. By providing trustworthy information, tools, and best practices for occupational testing, Mr. Demers seeks to achieve his mission of sustainably ensuring more workers make it home to their families.
Rima Dib
Senior Manager, Diversity, Equity + Inclusion Programs
Harmony@Work
Rima Dib is the Senior Manager of Diversity, Equity + Inclusion Programs at Harmony@Work. Rima has been educating and speaking widely on issues of diversity and inclusion in the Canadian and international contexts for over 15 years. Born in Lebanon and raised in a multi-ethnic, multi-faith family, Rima is a skillful storyteller and highly engaging presenter with a unique ability to connect to her audience, inspiring them to think differently about the world around them.
As an expert in anti-bias and intercultural communication, Rima has designed and delivered educational programs and co-authored publications aimed at helping organizations and businesses achieve meaningful changes in their workplace culture while being proactive in addressing diversity.
With over 8,000 hours of training under her belt, Rima has trained thousands of people in the private, public and nonprofit sectors including leaders and staff in board of education, social agencies, as well as manufacturers and tech companies.
Rima has delivered thought-provoking keynote addresses to large audiences across institutions including the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, and Bukkyo University in Kyoto, Japan. She has been interviewed by CBC News, CTV News, Global TV and CBC Metro Morning shows across Canada as an expert on unconscious bias.
Stuart Ducoffe
Founder
e2r®
Stuart Ducoffe is a seasoned employment and labour lawyer. He is the founder of e2r® and partner and co-founder of Woolgar VanWiechen Cosgriffe Ducoffe LLP, practicing exclusively in the area of employment and labour law. Prior to founding e2r® and the law firm, Stuart practiced for many years with one of Canada’s largest and most prestigious Canadian law firms. He obtained his law degree from McGill University in 1984, and was called to the Ontario Bar in 1986. Stuart is one of only a small group of employment and labour lawyers certified by HRPA as a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL).
Don Duncan
Director Business Development - Canada
NuData Security, A Mastercard Company
Don Duncan is a security engineer at NuData Security, a Mastercard Company. He is a veteran technologist with many years of experience working with B2C customer’s technical security needs in the areas of fraud and risk management for industries such as finance, healthcare, and telecom. He has previously worked at such companies as MobileIron, VMWare, and HP specializing in the areas of mobility, cloud and end-user computing.
Rita Estwick
Director, Enterprise Security Development
Canada Post
2018 Retail Secure Advisory Council Member
In her capacity as Director, Enterprise Security Development at Canada Post, Rita is continuing to develop new security capabilities to respond to emerging threats impacting corporate and customer security interests and ensuring the required security imperatives are provided in order to drive the company’s future security program.
Throughout her career at Canada Post, Rita has established strategic partnerships with both the business and law enforcement communities where she has placed an important focus on information-sharing and preventative strategies to support risk reduction strategies. Highly regarded for her ground-breaking efforts in the security community, Rita is a frequent speaker at educational conferences.
Rita has been recognized twice on the cover of Canadian Security Magazine and was awarded the inaugural Loss Prevention Lifetime Achievement Award from Retail Council of Canada.
Rocco Galletto
Partner, Cyber Risk Services
Deloitte Canada
Rocco Galletto is a partner with Deloitte Canada’s Cyber Risk Services group and leader of the Managed Security Services and the Cyber Threat Intelligence business. With over 20 years’ experience in Information Technology, Rocco helps clients solve complex cyber risk business challenges. From identifying and prioritizing technology and business risks to recommending and implementing compensating controls.
As part of his role, Rocco engages with Deloitte’s global network of Cyber Intelligence Centres to understand the global threat landscape, new exploits clients face, and ensures Deloitte’s global capabilities are shared with Canadian clients. Bringing trusted insights, a global view and deep industry experience, Rocco helps empower Canadian clients to create smarter, faster, more connected futures.
Having worked across multiple retailers within Canada and the US during his 20 year career within Information Technology, Rocco leverages his knowledge of the retail industry, and the associated risks related to IT to help leading Canadian retailers build out and mature their cybersecurity capabilities.
Hamlin Grange
Senior Consultant, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Harmony@Work
Hamlin Grange is the Senior Consultant, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Harmony@Work, and the president and co-founder of DiversiPro Inc.
As a Harmony@Work diversity change management leader, Hamlin assists employees and managers in projects related to the integration of cultural diversity into their work and work force. He has led diversity management workshops for senior managers from a wide variety of sectors, including law enforcement, media, public service, healthcare, and the private sector.
Before starting a career as a diversity consultant, Hamlin had a stellar career as a journalist. He has been a reporter at Global Television and CBC Television, where he was assignment editor, municipal affairs reporter, host, interviewer and news anchor. He was also a reporter at the Toronto Star. Hamlin has hosted two popular television current affairs programs: Workweek on CBC Newsworld and TVOntario, and the CBC’s More to the Story.
After graduating from the University of Colorado with a degree in journalism, he worked as a reporter at Denver’s Rocky Mountain News. He returned to Canada as managing editor of Contrast, a black community newspaper.
He has received awards and recognition for the following;
Co-winner of a B’Nai Brith Human Rights Award for Journalism,
A Black Film and Video Achievement Award and a separate award for Leadership.
He is also a recipient of the African Canadian Achievement Award
Awards from the New York and Houston International Film and Video Festivals.
Hamlin’s significant community contributions have consisted of the following; acting trustee of the Royal Ontario Museum, a member of Toronto Police Services Board, a board member of YMCA of Greater Toronto, a member of the Board of Directors of ‘Innoversity’, and a past president of the Canadian Association of Black Journalists.
Patrick Jandard
Country Security Manager
Advisory Committee
Patrick is the Country Security Manager for H&M Canada for the last 12 years. In this role he is responsible for all life & safety, business continuity, physical security, data privacy and loss prevention policies, processes and equipment country wide.
Additionally, he also re-structured the H&M security department in the USA and supported new stores openings in Moscow and Tokyo.
Prior to his H&M career, Patrick was the Director, Resources of Protection for Roots Canada.
He is an A.S.I.S. board Certified Protection Professional.
Michael Leblanc
Founder and Principal
M.E. LeBlanc & Company
2018 Retail Secure Advisory Council Member
Michael has 20+ years of brand/retail/marketing leadership experience and is considered by many as a pioneer in the Canadian omni-channel and e-Commerce retail space. As an award-winning insight driven strategic marketer with a passion for holistic retail brand/customer experience, Michael has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career with brands such as Black & Decker, Levi Strauss & Co, Hudson’s Bay, CanWest Media, The Shopping Channel and Herbal Magic. After spending almost three years advocating and lobbying for the Canadian retail industry at Retail Council of Canada (RCC), Michael formed M. E. LeBlanc & Company to leverage this knowledge and experience back onto the front lines and regularly is invited to share his insights on the current and future retail industry in Canada and around the world.
Ben Makuch
Reporter
Vice News
Ben Makuch is an award winning national security reporter with VICE News in Toronto.
From sitting down with ISIS members to being on the ground during political assassinations in Russia, Ben brings unprecedented access to many of the world’s most dangerous regions. Previously with the Canadian Press’s Parliamentary Bureau, Makuch was in contact with several homegrown Islamic State militants from Canada. That reporting caught the attention of federal counterterrorism investigators who are trying to force Makuch to hand over all source materials connected to Farah Mohamed Shirdon, an alleged ISIS fighter from Calgary. Makuch refused and is now fighting the production order in court. He faces possible jail time if he loses.
Makuch is currently the correspondent for Cyberwar on the VICELAND network, an investigative documentary series examining the covert world of signals intelligence and hackers.
Sean McCormick
Vice President Sales, Ancillary Product & Services
Advisory Committee
Sean is a specialist in payment token applications for retailers, focusing on risk management and digital marketing attribution via big data analytics. This includes the successful launches of Offlinx digital to in-store sales attribution and Verify return authorization in Canada. Sean's portfolio of digital technology leverages statistical modelling and payment analytics to add speed and efficiency to business processes through marketing insights and POS risk management.
Vice President Sales, Ancillary Product & Services at Moneris
Ross McLean
,
Corporate Security Expert
Ross McLean call it as he sees it on issues of security, crime and terrorism on National Television, Radio, Print and Social Media. A former Toronto Police Officer who went on to provide Close Protection for several billionaire clients, he’s also protected Canada’s equivalent of Fort Knox as a Technical Security Specialist for the Bank of Canada. He’s worked multinationally for a Global Fortune 50 distribution company with $29 Billion in sales, designing high security distribution centers, reducing shrinkage to zero within a matter of years, and with lowest cost per square foot for security globally. He’s battled to defeat international hacking groups stealing millions in ecommerce. An engaging speaker who goal is to educate his audience, Ross has taught classes on security, management and business continuity across North America. His goal is measurable results for your career with insights and processes to help you win in the fast changing world.
Kate McNeill-Keller
Partner, Labour & Employment Group
McCarthy Tetrault
Kate McNeill-Keller is a partner in the firm’s Labour & Employment Group in Toronto.
Ms. McNeill-Keller represents management in all aspects of labour and employment-related issues including
employment standards matters, wrongful dismissal litigation, labour arbitrations, occupational health and
safety, human rights litigation and labour and employment issues arising in corporate transactions. Ms. McNeill-
Keller has represented both federally and provincially-regulated employers, in both the private and public
sectors, including before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Ontario
Human Rights Tribunal, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal, boards of arbitration and in private dispute
resolution. Her clients carry on business in a wide range of sectors, including government, retail, education,
communications, banking and finance, insurance, energy, technology, manufacturing, consumer goods, and
pharmaceuticals.
Ms. McNeill-Keller is also co-author of “A Legal Guide to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act,
2005”, published by Canada Law Book.
Ms. McNeill-Keller is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the New York State Bar Association, the
Ontario Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the Canadian Bar Association.
Ms. McNeill-Keller received her BA (Hon.) in Sociology from Queen's University in 2002. As a participant in the
Joint JD/LLB Program, she received her JD from Michigan State University College of Law in 2005 and her LLB
from the University of Ottawa Law School in 2006.
She was called to the New York State Bar in 2006 and the Ontario Bar in 2007.
Marty Musters
Principal
Computer Forensics Inc.
Marty Musters is a graduate of Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Waterloo and is the principal of Computer Forensics Inc. His practice focuses on Cyber Security breach and Digital forensic investigations. Between 2000 and 2006 Marty was responsible for the Cyber Security of Bruce Power. In this capacity he had the opportunity to work with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) protecting Nuclear Assets against terrorist threats. Marty has also worked as a consultant for the RCMP and numerous police agencies. He has been qualified in the courts as an expert in both computer and cell phone forensics. Based on his background Marty is uniquely qualified to speak on the gaps between IT Security and Business Risk.
Andrew Quibell
Detective, Financial Crimes Unit
York Regional Police
Andrew Quibell has been a police officer with York Regional Police since November 26, 1990. His career has combined working in community and investigative positions within the service. He has a passion for fraud investigations and he has returned to the Financial Crimes Unit for a third time. Detective Quibell balances fraud prevention through presentations and educational opportunities with fraud enforcement including partnering with other agencies.
Detective Quibell has a Police Leadership Certificate from Dalhousie University. He is active in his community coaching rep soccer and participating in a film production group.
Dave Rodgerson
Retail Industry Lead
Microsoft Canada
Dave Rodgerson is the Retail Industry Lead at Microsoft Canada. His career includes experience both as a line of business executive for some of Canada’s leading retailers and more recently with technology leaders that support the industry.
Dave works closely with clients and industry associations that share an interest in creating a new consumer experience. More recently, he has been sharing stories about digital transformation and its impact on consumers and the Omni channel experience, helping his clients create their own vision for the future of retail.
Chris Strongman
Senior Director, Enterprise Risk Management
Advisory Committee
Chris has spent over 25 years gaining diverse leadership experience in the areas of Operations, Safety & Security, and Risk Management. He has an extensive background in both the gaming and hospitality industry and retail sector. Chris’ passion for motivating people and change management is evident in his current role with Aritzia, where he has been re-scoping the Loss Prevention functions into an Enterprise Risk Management department, responsible for LP, OH&S, Compliance, BCP, and risk management. Known for being a long term strategist, he is well-suited to support the growth ambitions of Aritzia.
Rob Vingerhoets
Detective Constable, Financial Crimes Unit
York Regional Police
Rob Vingerhoets has been a police officer with York Regional Police for 13 years, and has spent the past 5 years as a member of the Financial Crimes Unit. During that time, he has developed a specialization in investigating payment card frauds and identity thefts. D/C Vingerhoets has built partnerships between law enforcement and the retail sector to combat organized retail crimes, and he has developed and teaches the YRP Financial Crimes Investigations course for criminal investigators.
D/C Vingerhoets has a Master’s degree in Forensic Archaeology from Bournemouth University in the UK, and in addition to his financial crimes duties, he is a member of the YRP Archaeological Forensic Recovery Team.
Brett Walker
Regional Loss Prevention Manager
Signet Jewelers
Brett has managed Loss Prevention operations for all of Canada, for both Peoples Jewellers and Mappins Jewellers for the past 8 years. For the past seven years he has also been a Senior Advisor on the Crime Prevention Committee for JVC (Jewellers Vigilance Canada). He brings with him 7 years in Private Security and 24 combined years of Retail Experience including Home Depot and Future Shop and Signet Jewelers in various rolls such as Security and Operations Managers.