Talent Across Generations

Kris Tierney, CHRP, CHRL, Vice President, Human Resources and Learning, HRPA 

Kris’ approach as an executive leader is to achieve results by creating outstanding workplaces where people and culture are strategic priorities. She is a passionate and skilled business executive with 15 years’ experience leading HR in hi-tech, high growth companies in automotive and financial services, where she served as a trusted people and culture strategist, advisor, and business partner to the C-Suite.

Kris started her career in hospitality where she held various leadership and management positions. For more than 20 years, Kris has served as a valued member of senior and executive leadership teams, where her skills in HR, leadership, strategy, and culture were honed and her passion for business and human resources were developed. She is periodically called upon by media, conferences, and academia to contribute her experience and perspectives as an HR and business leader.

Kris has achieved the Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) and Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designations as awarded by the Human Resources Professionals Association in Ontario, Canada. As a lifelong learner, Kris is thrilled to bring professional development and learning opportunities to the HR community in her role as Vice-President, Human Resources and Learning at the HRPA.

Breanna DeFreitas, Geography and Environmental Management, Faculty of Environment Student

Breanna DeFreitas (she/her) is in her fourth year, studying Geography and Environmental Management, specializing in Climate Change and Environment. She is the recipient of the Co-op Student of the Year Award for the Faculty of Environment. Breanna delves into the details of her journey at Evolugen by Brookfield Renewable, who nominated her for this recognition.

Dr. David Drewery, Associate Director, Work-Learn Institute, University of Waterloo 

Dr. David Drewery is the Associate Director of the Work-Learn Institute, the world’s only research and education centre dedicated to exploring the development of talent through quality work-integrated learning (WIL) programs. His research focuses on how participation in WIL contributes to desirable outcomes for students (such as learning and employability) and employers (such as the development of talent pipelines). David is also an associate editor of the International Journal for Work-Integrated Learning. He holds a doctorate in Recreation and Leisure Studies from the University of Waterloo.

Alison Grenier, Senior Consultant and Head of Culture & Research Great Place to Work® Canada

Alison Grenier is a Senior Consultant and Head of Culture & Research for Great Place to Work® Canada. With over 15 years’ experience in the field, Alison leverages GPTW’s unparalleled data library to uncover emerging workplace trends and insights. She is skilled in high-level analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and supports some of Canada’s leading organizations with specific and actionable feedback to improve their workplace culture. Prior to joining the Institute, Alison worked in a variety of human resource roles in the manufacturing, not-for-profit and service sectors. She holds a Master’s degree in Workplace Learning and Change.

Ingrid Kaffa, BA ’22, English and Political Science Graduate, University of Waterloo

English and Political Science Graduate, University of Waterloo
Ingrid Kaffka, 2021 Co-op Student of the Year Award winner, graduated from the University of Waterloo of English and Political Science in 2022. As the former president of English Society, she spearheaded a mentorship program which sought to support Gen Z throughout their academic careers. Her four co-op positions instilled a passion for shaping the Future of Work for her generation.

Frank Monteleone, Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer, Rexall Pharmacy Group

In over 20 years of HR experience, Frank has distinguished himself as a trusted advisor, a change champion and a devoted employee advocate – leadership qualities that help unlock employees’ potential and strengthen the corporate brand. Frank is proud to also be the President & Chair of the Board for the Rexall Care Network. Previously, he has worked for McKesson Canada, Indigo Books and Music Inc. and RONA in various progressive HR positions. He has supported key priorities critical to business success, such as employee engagement, DEI, cultural transformation, leadership talent planning and strategic total rewards.

Under Frank’s leadership, the Rexall HR team has won the Gold Award for the HRD Canada HR Team of the Year (Hospitality/Retail), and the Gold Award for Best Employer Branding at the prestigious Canadian HR Awards. Rexall’s HR team has also been awarded the Innovative HR team of the Year for three consecutive years. In addition, Rexall has been named to Canada’s Best Workplaces and Canada’s Best Workplaces for Women for 2022 and 2023.

Frank has completed his Certified Human Resources Executive designation (CHRE) from HRPA, as well as being Prosci ADKAR certified in change management. He also has a Master’s Certificate in Adult Training and Development from the Schulich Executive Education Centre. Frank holds a Bachelors of Arts, Mathematics for Commerce from York University in Toronto as well as a diploma in Human Resources Management from Humber College.

Janet Morris-Reade, CEO, ASPECT BC (Association of Service Providers for Employability and Career Training)

Janet Morris-Reade provides expertise in leadership, education, advocacy and public awareness to support community-based workforce development of service providers. She works with government and stakeholders to ensure that the needs of those seeking a meaningful and sustainable livelihood are met. With over 20 years’ experience in the non-profit sector, she serves on several boards and committees in BC and across Canada.

Eric Termuende, Future of Work and Leadership Expert  A globally recognized thought leader, bestselling author and keynote speaker, Eric Termuende brings a fresh perspective to the future of work, leadership, workplace culture and talent management. He has spent years studying the world’s greatest places to work to learn what sets amazing leaders apart and how to build resilient and innovative teams. Termuende’s refreshing, down-to-earth messaging not only leaves audiences excited about the future, but also equips them with the practical tools to thrive in it.

Termuende has delivered hundreds of keynotes around the world, with clients like Amazon, Coca-Cola, Nationwide, IBM, Zoom, Nokia, John Deere and Toyota, to name a few. His research and insights have also been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., and many other prominent publications. He has been named one of the world’s Top 100 Emerging Innovators by American Express and is a former World Economic Forum Global Shaper.

In addition, Termuende is the co-founder of NoW of Work, where he advises industry-leading organizations on future-proofing their teams, talent management and rehumanizing the workplace. His bestselling book, Rethink Work, has become a must-read for today’s leaders. From the stages of TEDx to BUILDEX to the Milken Global Conference, Termuende challenges and inspires minds to opportunities for growth.

Barbara Wilson, Career Coach, Career Consultant, Speaker, Thrive Career Consulting  Barbara Wilson is a career development and learning professional with a 20-year track record of improving individual capability, and helping teams and organizations achieve their objectives. She leverages her strengths as an educator, coach and trusted advisor to help others find clearer direction and goals, move forward with confidence, and achieve success

In her practice, Thrive Career Consulting, Barbara supports mid-career professionals to find career clarity, confidence and change. For three years, she provided career transition and outplacement counselling for Felix Global. Currently, she maintains a roster of private coaching and consulting clients. She also provides dedicated internal mobility coaching and career education workshops for University of Toronto employees.

Barbara brings with her over 13 years of experience in the financial services sector in various talent development roles. She led the creation of a multi-year strategy for integrated, enterprise internal career mobility at CIBC, including a supporting curriculum and tools to improve individual career literacy across the organization. She also consulted with internal business partner teams to create career development strategies and tactics to support their integrated talent management plans.

Barbara volunteers on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Association of Career Management and has served as Chair from 2018-2021. She has also been an Advisory Committee member of CERIC since 2016, and in 2021 she joined the CERIC Board of Directors.

Alex Zhu, Computing and Financial Management, Faculty of Mathematic Student  

Alex Zhu (he/him) is a third-year student in the Computer and Financial Management program, in the Faculty of Math. He is a recipient of the Co-op Student of the Year Award for his role at Mastercard as an associate consultant intern. Alex discusses his journey navigating the corporate world while diversifying his professional skills.