Print this page | DAY 1 |
Sherry Cooper EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT AND CHIEF ECONOMIST, BMO FINANCIAL GROUP |
| DAY 2 |
HONORARY CHAIR - Michelle d'Auray SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY BOARD OF CANADA |
| DAY 3 |
Robert Blain SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, CIRQUE DU SOLEIL |
| DAY 4 |
The Honourable Senator Jacques Demers CANADIAN SENATOR & FORMER NHL COACH OF THE YEAR |
| DAY 5 |
Meg Soper MOTIVATIONAL HUMOURIST |
|
Monday, November 22, 2010 |
Sherry Cooper, Executive Vice-President and Chief Economist, BMO Financial Group
Dr. Sherry Cooper is in constant demand as a speaker and writer because of her ability to simplify and de-mystify the complex subjects of economics and finance.
Dr. Cooper received the Lawrence R. Klein Award for U.S. forecasting accuracy in 2010, beating out a panel of 50 economists predicting the four-year period from 2006 to 2009—the period encompassing the U.S. housing bubble, financial crisis, recession and recovery.
Canada’s national newspaper calls Dr. Cooper “the megawatt celebrity economist.” She leads a highly respected economics team and has been repeatedly cited as one of the most influential women in Canada. Dr. Cooper is regularly quoted in the financial press and you have heard her often on radio and TV. She published her third book, The New Retirement: How It Will Change Our Future, in January 2008 and it was a blockbuster bestseller.
Dr. Cooper has an MA and PhD in economics from the University of Pittsburgh and began her career at the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, D.C. Following five years at the Fed, she joined the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) as Director of Financial Economics and moved to Canada in 1983 to become Chief Economist at Burns Fry.
|
Tuesday, November 23, 2010 |
HONORARY CHAIR
Michelle d'Auray, Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada
|
Previous to that, Ms. d'Auray was Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans since August 2007, where she was responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs in support of Canada's scientific, ecological, social and economic interests in oceans and fresh waters. She also served as President of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for Quebec Regions (EDC) for three years. During her mandate at EDC, she worked on the development and the implementation of a law that created EDC, reformulated the strategic orientations and revised the programs.
Ms. d'Auray has held numerous management positions in various federal departments and agencies, including the Treasury Board Secretariat, where she headed the Government On-Line Service Improvement initiative, and Canadian Heritage, where, as Assistant Deputy Minister of Strategic Management, she was responsible for planning, policy coordination and research, international and intergovernmental affairs, and public affairs.
As well, Ms. d'Auray was Director of the Government of Canada's Task Force on Electronic Commerce at Industry Canada, and led the department's Communications Division (1996-1997), set up and headed the Privy Council of Canada's Intergovernmental Communications Secretariat (1994-1996), and directed the National Film Board of Canada's Corporate Affairs, Distribution and Communications Division (1990-1994).
Prior to joining the Public Service, Ms. d'Auray headed Canada's largest lobby group for cultural industries and the arts (1985-1990), which was responsible for introducing new copyright legislation, broadcasting legislation and revised tax treatment of artists. She has also worked on a number of public policy task forces on Canada's economic and social unions, and on the country's cultural policy.
|
Wednesday, November 24, 2010 |
Robert Blain, Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, Cirque du Soleil
|
Robert joined Cirque du Soleil in October 1994 as Administrative Director at International Headquarters. In June 1995, he was promoted to Vice-President of Finance, and remained in that position until he was named Chief Financial Officer.
Because he attaches the utmost importance to education, Robert has always remained in close contact with his alma mater and has served consecutively as vice-president, treasurer and president of the HEC Alumni Association. He has also served on the board of the COOP HEC, been treasurer of the HEC Alumni Foundation and sat on the committee of the Prix Relève Excellence HEC.
Robert has also chaired the Business and Industrial CA Committee of the Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec (OCAQ), and is currently in charge of the international aspects of OCAQ’s continuing education endeavours. Since 2007, he has been a member and director of the ONE DROP Foundation for worldwide access to water.
A graduate of the École des Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC Montreal), he was granted a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1979, with a major in accounting sciences. Robert has been a member of the Ordre des comptables agréés du Québec since 1981 and earned the title of FCA in January 2000. Robert began his career in 1979 as audit director for the Montreal accounting firm Samson Bélair Deloitte & Touche.
|
Thursday, November 25, 2010 |
|
Jacques Demers (Senatorial designation - Rigaud, Quebec) is the former head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, taking the team to a Stanley Cup victory in 1993. In addition to the Canadiens, Mr. Demers was head coach of numerous other hockey franchises including the former Quebec Nordiques during the 1978-80 hockey seasons. Mr. Demers is a well respected figure in the hockey world, winning the Jack Adams Award for NHL Coach of the Year in 1987 and 1988, the only person to do so in consecutive years. In 2007, he was named one of the 100 most influential personalities in hockey by The Hockey News magazine. Mr. Demers is active in the community, including a strong support for literacy. In 2006, he served as Honorary President of the fundraising campaign of the Fondation de l’alphabétisation, and made numerous presentations on the subject throughout Quebec. He also supports other causes including la Fondation québécoise pour les enfants malades du cœur (the Quebec Foundation for Children with Heart Disease). Mr. Demers is a current member of the Standing Senate Committee on Social affairs, Science and Technology and of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples.
|
Friday, November 26, 2010 |
Meg Soper, Motivational Humourist
|
Professional speaker and comedienne Meg Soper is recognized as one of the premiere motivators in Canada. She combines her remarkable sense of humor with her unique perspective of life to captivate her audience and provide them with a presentation filled with inspiration and entertainment.
Meg has appeared as a keynote speaker and feature performer at conventions and corporate functions across North America and internationally. She has shared the stage with such celebrities as Ray Romano and Ellen Degeneres. With over 25 years experience in the health care industry and as a Registered Nurse in the Operating Room, she understands how your attitude affects those around you in the workplace environment. Meg is co-author of the book “Expert Women Who Speak ...Speak Out”. She has appeared on the CBC Television Network, Women’s Television Network and Prime TV, as well as being featured in many radio programs and comedy festivals. Meg has a tremendous ability to connect with her audience and take every event to a higher level.
MegSoper.com
