Executive Team
Louise Taylor Green, CHRL, CHRE
CEO
Claude Balthazard, PhD., C.Psych, CHRL
Registrar and VP Regulation
Brian Buchan
Vice President, Public Relations and Communications
Mike Somerville
Vice President, Information Technology & Enterprise Business Solutions Delivery
Keren Stephen, CFA, CPA, CMA
Vice President, Finance and Decision Support
Louise Tagliacozzo
Vice President, Corporate Affairs
Kris Tierney, CHRP, CHRL
Vice President, Human Resources and Learning
Board of Directors Bios
Patricia (Patty) Johns, CHRP, CHRL
Chair of the Board, Founder and Principal, HRxlence Consulting Inc.
Patty provides HR consulting services to organizations dealing with business and digital transformation and changes in strategy or leadership.
As a strategic and pragmatic executive with private and public sector experience and deep expertise in Human Resources and Operations, she helps small and large organizations manage leadership transitions, rethink operating models, digitize their HR service approach, strategically reposition their workforce, and develop talent attraction and retention strategies.
As a business leader at a highly complex, global financial services company, Patty managed large, diverse teams across Canada, the US and Asia with a successful track record of delivering results, driving change and improving employee engagement. She has worked closely with the C-Suite as CHRO & HR Partner and held global leadership roles in shared services, executive talent and succession, rewards, technology, operations, workforce analytics, employee relations, compliance and risk management.
Patty is known for solving business issues, driving continuous improvement, gaining efficiencies, and taking things to the next level. She has led large transformation projects requiring strong leadership, strategic change management, and cultural sensitivity. Patty is skilled at managing mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures from an HR perspective.
Patty is committed to building healthy, respectful work environments that become accelerators of organizational success. She enjoys connecting people and working with others to improve collaboration, build trust, and achieve exceptional business results.
Robert (Bob) Thompson, MBA, LL.B., LL.M., CHRP, CHRL
Past Chair, Professor of Human Resources, Faculty of Business, Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology
Bob Thompson has been an active Director of the HRPA Board since first elected in 2013. He lectures on Employment and Business Law, Negotiations, Industrial Relations, and Business Case Analysis to college, university and graduate Human Resources students in Toronto. Bob started his career as an industrial engineering co-op student in the automotive industry. Subsequently, he gained experience in human resources, labour relations and workplace law first at a large Canadian retailer and then at a large Canadian financial institution handling grievances, engaging in collective bargaining and resolving large volumes of workplace disputes. Bob received his human resources professional designation in 2000.
He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1995, and is currently a non-practicing lawyer. Bob is a graduate of Osgoode’s LLM Program in Dispute Resolution, he obtained his joint LLB/MBA degree at the University of Ottawa, an MBA specializing in environmental issues at Kent University in England, and his Industrial Engineering Degree at Kettering University in Michigan.
Annette van't Spyker, MBA, LL.M., CHRE
EVP, Talent, Connected
Annette is a senior business leader with experience in all functional areas of human resources across regional to multi-national companies within both public and private sector organizations. She has worked in multiple countries outside of Canada including the US, Australia and India.
Annette’s HR expertise falls within the areas of strategic HR, talent development and employee engagement. She is focused on integrating business strategy with operational requirements and capability and ensuring transparent execution.
Annette a Bachelor of Public Administration from Carleton University, a Master of Business Administration from McMaster University and a Master of Laws from Osgoode Law School. She is also a Group Benefits Associate through the CEBS Program from Dalhousie University. She is fluent in English and Dutch and has basic working knowledge of French and German.
John Hannah, CEC, CHRP, CHRL, CHRE
Global Head of Human Resources at Northland Power Inc.
John Hannah currently serves as the Global Head of Human Resources at Northland Power Inc, an independent power producer dedicated to developing, building, owning and operating clean and green energy power projects in Canada, Europe, Latin American, and Asia Pacific. He previously held the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Purolator.
Mr. Hannah held various senior roles in Canada and globally developing and executing transformative organizational change in leading organizations including LCBO and Brinks. His last appointment was with Brinks as its Vice President of Human Resources, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Mr. Hannah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from the University of Toronto and is a Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE). He is also a well-versed speaker who has presented at numerous developmental conferences relating to labour relations, competency development and human rights.
John Hardisty, MBA, CHRP, CHRL
Professor, Sheridan College
John Hardisty is a Professor and Coordinator of Human Resources Management programs at Sheridan College and is the principal at Hardisty & Co. HR Consulting. His career began with a focus on training and management in large corporate environments before working his way up to executive HR leadership roles for major financial institutions CIBC and Scotiabank. He has worked in North America, the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
As a professor he has taught a broad range of courses at the degree, diploma and graduate certificate levels, preparing graduates for professional careers in HR. He has designed and delivered courses in Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Learning and Development, Strategic HR Competencies and HR Metrics.
John holds an MBA from York University in Organizational Behaviour. He is a past member of the HRPA Board of Directors (2007-2013) and has contributed to many HRPA communities including the Halton Chapter Board of Directors and the Academic Standards and Appeals Committees. John has a Certified Human Resources Leader designation from HRPA. He is a longstanding member of the Advisory Board of the Greater Toronto Area Rewards Association and is a past member of the Sheridan College Senate.
Kevin Hawkins, CHRP, CHRL
Vice President, Global HR Shared Services, Morneau Shepell
Kevin Hawkins is the Vice President, Global HR Shared Services at Morneau Shepell and Principal for 33 Group, an independent consulting firm. He is an experienced HR executive, transformation leader, emerging HR technology strategist, people analytics proponent and self-proclaimed student of the future of work. He has spent two decades in increasingly senior HR roles for large organizations such as CIBC, IMAX, Deloitte and RSA Canada.
Kevin holds an MBA from the University of Toronto and an LLM from York University. He is a Certified Human Resources Leader and completed the ICD Not-for-Profit Board Certificate Program. He served as Director Emeriti with Right To Play for five years and volunteered in home hospice with the Philip Aziz Centre for six years.
Lisa Isaac, CHRP, CHRL
Owner and Founder, Lisa Isaac Human Resources
Lisa is a Certified HR Leader and Professional, who is passionate about helping leaders with their people. Her authentic approach to leadership is to work in partnership for sustainable success, with a focus on creating strong communities.
Prior to founding Lisa Isaac Human Resources, Lisa cultivated broad experience and expertise in the manufacturing, energy and banking industries in Alberta, Nunavut and Ontario, including her home community, Moose Deer Point First Nation, on beautiful Georgian Bay.
Lisa is an active member of the entrepreneurial community and volunteers at the local college – she is committed to giving back, not only to those who supported her growth and development, but seeing her community grow as a whole. She values sharing knowledge and continuous learning, finding creative solutions and helping others succeed.
Lisa is a graduate of the University of Ottawa and the University of Lethbridge, holding the designations of Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) and Professional (CHRP). When she’s not finding solutions, you can often find Lisa with her dog and kayak, checking out beautiful lakes and rivers.
Louis Kan, CPA, CA, CFE, FCPA, FCA
Non-Member Director
An experienced finance and governance executive, Louis Kan is the former Chief Executive Officer of Professional Geoscientists Ontario. His professional experiences also include senior administrative roles at the Chartered Professional Accountants Ontario, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Elections Ontario and the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario.
Throughout his professional and private life, Louis has shown a passion for serving the public interest with a focus on public policy, Louis has extensive board experience, including St. John Ambulance – Toronto Chapter and currently serves on the board of Community Living Ontario Foundation and Heritage Toronto, where he is the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee. Working in partnership with the former Auditor General of Ontario, Louis participated in a high-profile review of the City of Brampton’s finances at the request of the city council in 2015. His ongoing involvement in electoral finance reform included appearing as an expert witness at committee at Queen’s Park in 2016. A long-time volunteer of CPA Ontario’s tax clinics for low-income Ontarians, Louis is a recipient of the 2015 Government of Canada Volunteer Award.
Louis moved to Toronto from Hong Kong with his family in 1974 and obtained his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and was elected as a Fellow (FCPA, FCA) of Chartered Professional Accountants Ontario in 2018.
Louise Taylor Green, MBA, CMC, PCC, CHRP, CHRL, CHRE
CEO, HRPA
Louise Taylor Green is Chief Executive Officer of the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA), the regulatory association for the HR profession in Ontario with 26 chapters and over 24,000 members.
Louise is one of those rare Chief Human Resources Officers who has transitioned in and out of HR and into running a line of business. In fact, she’s done this several times in multi-billion dollar corporations in aviation, financial services, property & casualty insurance and healthcare.
Over the course of her career, Louise has held an unwavering belief that an organization’s talent is the key to unlocking and elevating organizational performance. By advocating for a talent-first agenda, she believes that the HR leadership must assume responsibility as the architect of optimal organizational effectiveness through intentional culture design, a dynamic HR operating model and an HR team that have real skin-in-the-game for their clients success. She believes that HR has never been more influential to business than they are right now.
Louise is a certified HR professional (holding the CHRP, CHRL and CHRE designations), an ICF-certified coach (PCC), a certified management consultant with Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Ontario (CMC), an accredited director with the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D).
Mary Madigan-Lee, CHRP, CHRL, CHRE
Mary Madigan-Lee is a human resources Executive with extensive experience leading complex business change and $1B+ mergers and operations within union and non-unionized environments. Most recently, Ms. Madigan-Lee was the Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) with the Greater Toronto Airport Authority and Unity Health Toronto, responsible for the integration of a network of hospitals with over 11,000 employees. Prior to that role, Ms. Madigan-Lee was Vice President of HR for Loblaw Companies Limited, as well as Manulife Financial, US Division and Global Talent.
Mary obtained her degree in Sociology from Glendon College at York University, along with a Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE) designation. She has also completed the Advanced Healthcare Program with Rotman, University of Toronto. Mary is on the Board of Directors for the HRPA and sits on the HR Committee of the Board of Directors for Pickering College.
Robert Maich, LL.B., J.D.
Order in Council Appointee
Experienced Executive Leader with a demonstrated history of working in the legal and business communities. Skilled in Administrative Law, Negotiation, Governmental Relations and Advocacy, including Regulatory Compliance. Member of the Law Society of Ontario, Juris Doctor from Western University, Faculty of Law.
Selomon Menghsha, RPR
Order in Council Appointee, Sr. Manager, Talent Acquisition, J.D. Power
Selomon brings over 10 years of talent acquisition experience as an accomplished professional for both recruitment agencies and corporate environments. Highly-skilled in creating effective search strategies for niche roles and sectors, Selomon focuses on creating long-lasting relationships.
Over the years, Selomon has specialized in executive searches for numerous sectors, such as Construction/Infrastructure, International Business and Market Research on a global level. Selomon is currently responsible for the total delivery of Talent Acquisition for J.D. Power, creating processes, policies and managing teams of recruiters to ensure the company’s mission, value and vision are followed from the sourcing stages all the way to offer acceptance, as well ensuring retention of new hires.
Selomon is educated in engineering and holds a Business Administration Diploma from McMaster University specializing in Human Resources. He has earned the Registered Professional Recruiter (RPR) designation.
Dr. Sue Haywood, DBA, CHRP, CHRL
Sue Haywood is the Business Lead for the Human Resource practice of Business Sherpa Group and an Adjunct Professor at the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University. Her years of experience in HR and labour relations with Pepsi, the City of Ottawa, and AECL (now CNL), as well as experience working in Africa and the Middle East, enhance Sue’s ability to partner with clients to develop strategic plans for the people function within their organization. Serving as an educator allows Sue to mentor and to share her knowledge with students and to learn first-hand what motivates and engages members of the future workforce.
Sue is currently completing her doctorate at Walden University, with research focussed on voluntary absenteeism amongst female employees. She holds a Master of Arts degree from the Royal Military College (earned while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces), and a Bachelor of Arts from Dalhousie University. Sue holds the CHRL designation. Her previous board experience includes time with the Bernadette McCann House and FETCO (Federally Regulated Employers – Transportation and Communications).
Patricia (Patty) Johns, CHRP, CHRL
Chair of the Board, Founder and Principal, HRxlence Consulting Inc.
Patty provides HR consulting services to organizations dealing with business and digital transformation and changes in strategy or leadership.
As a strategic and pragmatic executive with private and public sector experience and deep expertise in Human Resources and Operations, she helps small and large organizations manage leadership transitions, rethink operating models, digitize their HR service approach, strategically reposition their workforce, and develop talent attraction and retention strategies.
As a business leader at a highly complex, global financial services company, Patty managed large, diverse teams across Canada, the US and Asia with a successful track record of delivering results, driving change and improving employee engagement. She has worked closely with the C-Suite as CHRO & HR Partner and held global leadership roles in shared services, executive talent and succession, rewards, technology, operations, workforce analytics, employee relations, compliance and risk management.
Patty is known for solving business issues, driving continuous improvement, gaining efficiencies, and taking things to the next level. She has led large transformation projects requiring strong leadership, strategic change management, and cultural sensitivity. Patty is skilled at managing mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures from an HR perspective.
Patty is committed to building healthy, respectful work environments that become accelerators of organizational success. She enjoys connecting people and working with others to improve collaboration, build trust, and achieve exceptional business results.
Robert (Bob) Thompson, MBA, LL.B., LL.M., CHRP, CHRL
Past Chair, Professor of Human Resources, Faculty of Business, Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology
Bob Thompson has been an active Director of the HRPA Board since first elected in 2013. He lectures on Employment and Business Law, Negotiations, Industrial Relations, and Business Case Analysis to college, university and graduate Human Resources students in Toronto. Bob started his career as an industrial engineering co-op student in the automotive industry. Subsequently, he gained experience in human resources, labour relations and workplace law first at a large Canadian retailer and then at a large Canadian financial institution handling grievances, engaging in collective bargaining and resolving large volumes of workplace disputes. Bob received his human resources professional designation in 2000.
He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1995, and is currently a non-practicing lawyer. Bob is a graduate of Osgoode’s LLM Program in Dispute Resolution, he obtained his joint LLB/MBA degree at the University of Ottawa, an MBA specializing in environmental issues at Kent University in England, and his Industrial Engineering Degree at Kettering University in Michigan.
Annette van't Spyker, MBA, LL.M., CHRE
EVP, Talent, Connected
Annette is a senior business leader with experience in all functional areas of human resources across regional to multi-national companies within both public and private sector organizations. She has worked in multiple countries outside of Canada including the US, Australia and India.
Annette’s HR expertise falls within the areas of strategic HR, talent development and employee engagement. She is focused on integrating business strategy with operational requirements and capability and ensuring transparent execution.
Annette a Bachelor of Public Administration from Carleton University, a Master of Business Administration from McMaster University and a Master of Laws from Osgoode Law School. She is also a Group Benefits Associate through the CEBS Program from Dalhousie University. She is fluent in English and Dutch and has basic working knowledge of French and German.
John Hannah, CEC, CHRP, CHRL, CHRE
Global Head of Human Resources at Northland Power Inc.
John Hannah currently serves as the Global Head of Human Resources at Northland Power Inc, an independent power producer dedicated to developing, building, owning and operating clean and green energy power projects in Canada, Europe, Latin American, and Asia Pacific. He previously held the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Purolator.
Mr. Hannah held various senior roles in Canada and globally developing and executing transformative organizational change in leading organizations including LCBO and Brinks. His last appointment was with Brinks as its Vice President of Human Resources, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Mr. Hannah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from the University of Toronto and is a Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE). He is also a well-versed speaker who has presented at numerous developmental conferences relating to labour relations, competency development and human rights.
John Hardisty, MBA, CHRP, CHRL
Professor, Sheridan College
John Hardisty is a Professor and Coordinator of Human Resources Management programs at Sheridan College and is the principal at Hardisty & Co. HR Consulting. His career began with a focus on training and management in large corporate environments before working his way up to executive HR leadership roles for major financial institutions CIBC and Scotiabank. He has worked in North America, the UK, Europe and the Middle East.
As a professor he has taught a broad range of courses at the degree, diploma and graduate certificate levels, preparing graduates for professional careers in HR. He has designed and delivered courses in Talent Acquisition, Total Rewards, Learning and Development, Strategic HR Competencies and HR Metrics.
John holds an MBA from York University in Organizational Behaviour. He is a past member of the HRPA Board of Directors (2007-2013) and has contributed to many HRPA communities including the Halton Chapter Board of Directors and the Academic Standards and Appeals Committees. John has a Certified Human Resources Leader designation from HRPA. He is a longstanding member of the Advisory Board of the Greater Toronto Area Rewards Association and is a past member of the Sheridan College Senate.
Kevin Hawkins, CHRP, CHRL
Vice President, Global HR Shared Services, Morneau Shepell
Kevin Hawkins is the Vice President, Global HR Shared Services at Morneau Shepell and Principal for 33 Group, an independent consulting firm. He is an experienced HR executive, transformation leader, emerging HR technology strategist, people analytics proponent and self-proclaimed student of the future of work. He has spent two decades in increasingly senior HR roles for large organizations such as CIBC, IMAX, Deloitte and RSA Canada.
Kevin holds an MBA from the University of Toronto and an LLM from York University. He is a Certified Human Resources Leader and completed the ICD Not-for-Profit Board Certificate Program. He served as Director Emeriti with Right To Play for five years and volunteered in home hospice with the Philip Aziz Centre for six years.
Lisa Isaac, CHRP, CHRL
Owner and Founder, Lisa Isaac Human Resources
Lisa is a Certified HR Leader and Professional, who is passionate about helping leaders with their people. Her authentic approach to leadership is to work in partnership for sustainable success, with a focus on creating strong communities.
Prior to founding Lisa Isaac Human Resources, Lisa cultivated broad experience and expertise in the manufacturing, energy and banking industries in Alberta, Nunavut and Ontario, including her home community, Moose Deer Point First Nation, on beautiful Georgian Bay.
Lisa is an active member of the entrepreneurial community and volunteers at the local college – she is committed to giving back, not only to those who supported her growth and development, but seeing her community grow as a whole. She values sharing knowledge and continuous learning, finding creative solutions and helping others succeed.
Lisa is a graduate of the University of Ottawa and the University of Lethbridge, holding the designations of Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) and Professional (CHRP). When she’s not finding solutions, you can often find Lisa with her dog and kayak, checking out beautiful lakes and rivers.
Louis Kan, CPA, CA, CFE, FCPA, FCA
Non-Member Director
An experienced finance and governance executive, Louis Kan is the former Chief Executive Officer of Professional Geoscientists Ontario. His professional experiences also include senior administrative roles at the Chartered Professional Accountants Ontario, the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Elections Ontario and the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario.
Throughout his professional and private life, Louis has shown a passion for serving the public interest with a focus on public policy, Louis has extensive board experience, including St. John Ambulance – Toronto Chapter and currently serves on the board of Community Living Ontario Foundation and Heritage Toronto, where he is the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee. Working in partnership with the former Auditor General of Ontario, Louis participated in a high-profile review of the City of Brampton’s finances at the request of the city council in 2015. His ongoing involvement in electoral finance reform included appearing as an expert witness at committee at Queen’s Park in 2016. A long-time volunteer of CPA Ontario’s tax clinics for low-income Ontarians, Louis is a recipient of the 2015 Government of Canada Volunteer Award.
Louis moved to Toronto from Hong Kong with his family in 1974 and obtained his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and was elected as a Fellow (FCPA, FCA) of Chartered Professional Accountants Ontario in 2018.
Louise Taylor Green, MBA, CMC, PCC, CHRP, CHRL, CHRE
CEO, HRPA
Louise Taylor Green is Chief Executive Officer of the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA), the regulatory association for the HR profession in Ontario with 26 chapters and over 24,000 members.
Louise is one of those rare Chief Human Resources Officers who has transitioned in and out of HR and into running a line of business. In fact, she’s done this several times in multi-billion dollar corporations in aviation, financial services, property & casualty insurance and healthcare.
Over the course of her career, Louise has held an unwavering belief that an organization’s talent is the key to unlocking and elevating organizational performance. By advocating for a talent-first agenda, she believes that the HR leadership must assume responsibility as the architect of optimal organizational effectiveness through intentional culture design, a dynamic HR operating model and an HR team that have real skin-in-the-game for their clients success. She believes that HR has never been more influential to business than they are right now.
Louise is a certified HR professional (holding the CHRP, CHRL and CHRE designations), an ICF-certified coach (PCC), a certified management consultant with Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Ontario (CMC), an accredited director with the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D).
Mary Madigan-Lee, CHRP, CHRL, CHRE
Mary Madigan-Lee is a human resources Executive with extensive experience leading complex business change and $1B+ mergers and operations within union and non-unionized environments. Most recently, Ms. Madigan-Lee was the Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) with the Greater Toronto Airport Authority and Unity Health Toronto, responsible for the integration of a network of hospitals with over 11,000 employees. Prior to that role, Ms. Madigan-Lee was Vice President of HR for Loblaw Companies Limited, as well as Manulife Financial, US Division and Global Talent.
Mary obtained her degree in Sociology from Glendon College at York University, along with a Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE) designation. She has also completed the Advanced Healthcare Program with Rotman, University of Toronto. Mary is on the Board of Directors for the HRPA and sits on the HR Committee of the Board of Directors for Pickering College.
Robert Maich, LL.B., J.D.
Order in Council Appointee
Experienced Executive Leader with a demonstrated history of working in the legal and business communities. Skilled in Administrative Law, Negotiation, Governmental Relations and Advocacy, including Regulatory Compliance. Member of the Law Society of Ontario, Juris Doctor from Western University, Faculty of Law.
Selomon Menghsha, RPR
Order in Council Appointee, Sr. Manager, Talent Acquisition, J.D. Power
Selomon brings over 10 years of talent acquisition experience as an accomplished professional for both recruitment agencies and corporate environments. Highly-skilled in creating effective search strategies for niche roles and sectors, Selomon focuses on creating long-lasting relationships.
Over the years, Selomon has specialized in executive searches for numerous sectors, such as Construction/Infrastructure, International Business and Market Research on a global level. Selomon is currently responsible for the total delivery of Talent Acquisition for J.D. Power, creating processes, policies and managing teams of recruiters to ensure the company’s mission, value and vision are followed from the sourcing stages all the way to offer acceptance, as well ensuring retention of new hires.
Selomon is educated in engineering and holds a Business Administration Diploma from McMaster University specializing in Human Resources. He has earned the Registered Professional Recruiter (RPR) designation.
Dr. Sue Haywood, DBA, CHRP, CHRL
Sue Haywood is the Business Lead for the Human Resource practice of Business Sherpa Group and an Adjunct Professor at the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University. Her years of experience in HR and labour relations with Pepsi, the City of Ottawa, and AECL (now CNL), as well as experience working in Africa and the Middle East, enhance Sue’s ability to partner with clients to develop strategic plans for the people function within their organization. Serving as an educator allows Sue to mentor and to share her knowledge with students and to learn first-hand what motivates and engages members of the future workforce.
Sue is currently completing her doctorate at Walden University, with research focussed on voluntary absenteeism amongst female employees. She holds a Master of Arts degree from the Royal Military College (earned while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces), and a Bachelor of Arts from Dalhousie University. Sue holds the CHRL designation. Her previous board experience includes time with the Bernadette McCann House and FETCO (Federally Regulated Employers – Transportation and Communications).