SPEAKERS
Dr. Kaleb Dahlgren is a widely recognized expert on resilience, leadership, and health. A former elite hockey player and survivor of the Humboldt Broncos tragedy with severe injuries, he has transformed adversity into purpose, inspiring individuals and organizations worldwide. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age four, Kaleb refused to let it define him, fueling a successful hockey
career and a lifelong commitment to advocacy.
As the founder of Dahlgren’s Diabeauties, he empowers young athletes with type 1 diabetes while
serving as a National Ambassador for two diabetes non-profits. His impact extends beyond the diabetes community—his insights on resilience, mindset, and health have reached millions through
global media, including CNN, BBC, CBC, TSN, Maclean’s, and The Players’ Tribune.
Kaleb’s memoir, Crossroads, became a #1 National Bestseller, earning praise from hockey legend Wayne Gretzky as a book that “will change your life for the better.” As an International Keynote
Speaker, he has worked with industry leaders such as Google, Rogers, TD, Nestle, the NHL, and the Government of Canada, using his powerful story to inspire transformation.
Earning his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in June of 2025, Kaleb will be completing his residency specializing in sports with a focus on nutrition, neurology, and concussion management to help elevate and optimize high-performing individuals.
His journey is a testament to grit, passion, and purpose, which most recently earned him the prestigious King Charles III’s Coronation Medal (2025). Whether mentoring, speaking, in the
community, or providing care, he continues to drive positive change in the lives of others.
With over a decade of experience, starting on construction sites across Canada and working up to safety leadership on billion-dollar infrastructure projects, throughout his career, Iqbal has influenced safety culture at every level of an organization, from frontline crews to the C-Suite. Before founding IQ Safety Solutions, he served as Regional Health and Safety Manager for one of Canada's largest powerline utility contractors.
As President of IQ Safety Solutions, Iqbal works with companies of all sizes across construction, manufacturing, and beyond, acting as an outsourced safety department, providing fractional safety leadership, and coaching internal safety teams. The firm's approach is hands-on and built around what works in the field.
Iqbal also instructs in Red River College's Occupational Health and Safety Program.
Vicki Choy is the Head of Process Excellence at Sanofi, where she brings over eight years of progressive leadership experience in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) to drive operational excellence across the organization. In her current role, Vicki leads strategic initiatives that optimize processes and strengthen safety management frameworks.
Throughout her career, Vicki has built a distinguished track record of implementing transformational change that enhances organizational performance. A passionate change agent for safety culture, she believes that true safety excellence begins with openness and trust — championing near-miss reporting as a cornerstone of proactive safety management. By fostering an environment where employees feel empowered to surface and share near-miss events without fear, Vicki has helped shift organizational mindsets from reactive to preventive, turning everyday observations into powerful drivers of systemic improvement. Her expertise spans process optimization, compliance management, and continuous improvement, enabling her to translate complex operational challenges into scalable, sustainable solutions.
Wayne Arondus is the chief executive of a nonprofit health and safety association supporting more than 3,000 British Columbia manufacturing and food processing companies, and host of the Make It Safe Canada conference series.
An experienced manufacturing leader and mentor, Wayne has taught business and operations management at the BC Institute for Technology for 20 years. He is vice-chair of the board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation BC Yukon, and has served on multiple nonprofit boards, including past terms as board chair for Habitat for Humanity Canada and president of a chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association. Wayne is an alumnus of the 8th Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference of Canada.
Atul Garg is Chief Operating Officer of Laserglow Technologies, a Smart Hazard Management company that uses photonics, smart automation, and analytics to make industrial hazards visible and keep everyday operational risk under consistent, dependable control. As a chemical engineer with an MBA in the Management of Technology and Innovation, Atul began his career in nuclear energy and energy infrastructure before moving into operations, business development, and international growth. Over more than a decade at Laserglow, he has led the operations behind its growth across North America and Europe, guided by a simple belief: strong relationships and the right technology are what make progress last. Across every role, he has kept the same conviction: better information leads to better decisions. At the Canadian Safety Summit, Atul joins Beyond the Paperwork to explore how near misses become predictive risk intelligence.
Mandy is the visionary behind the External Violence Against Paramedics (EVAP) program, which she began as a grassroots initiative while working on the front line. Driven by both lived experience and a deep commitment to paramedic safety, she has grown EVAP into a research-informed, provincially adopted violence prevention program that continues to gain national and international recognition.
Her work has been recognized with Visionary and Leadership Awards, and an Excellence Award from the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada - honours she values most for what they represent: real impact on the safety and well-being of paramedics across the profession.
As a leader and speaker, Mandy is known for her authenticity, energy, and practical insight. She speaks candidly about the realities of workplace culture, violence in healthcare, and what it takes to build programs that don’t just exist - but make a measurable difference. Her approach is grounded in experience, driven by purpose, and focused on creating safer, stronger systems for those on the front line.
Shannon Jones has over 30 years of experience in environment, health, safety (EHS) and sustainability leadership roles within a variety of organizations, including Weston Foods, Mondelez International Inc., Sofina Foods Inc. Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd., Teknion Corporation, and Avery Dennison. A Six Sigma Greenbelt, she has won many awards for her EHS leadership and accomplishments, demonstrating a strong track record of leading teams to achieve and exceed goals.
Shannon completed both her undergrad and graduate studies at the University of Toronto and she still enjoys a teaching connection with the University. She holds both an Honours Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Health Sciences degree in Occupational and Environmental Health, specializing in Occupational Hygiene. Shannon currently leads the Global EHS function for Apotex Inc.
Shane Mercer is the senior editor of Canadian Occupational Safety, a leading publication covering workplace safety, regulation, and risk management for professionals across Canada’s most complex industries. Drawing on more than two decades in broadcast and digital media, he leads editorial strategy and day‑to‑day operations for the COS website, shaping story selection, commissioning, and publication across channels to drive audience engagement and industry impact.
He reports and edits original news, long‑form features, and investigative pieces, and regularly conducts in‑depth interviews with senior safety professionals, executives, and industry leaders to surface practical insights for readers.
Outside of his editorial work, Shane is an active nature lover and sports enthusiast, which helps keep his reporting grounded in real‑world experience.
Connect with Shane on LinkedIn.
With over 24 years of experience across multiple sectors and international environments, Kirwin Lalla is a strategic, people-first leader who partners with organizations to deliver sustainable performance and long-term stakeholder value. His approach is grounded in systems thinking, enabling organizations to align mission, vision, and operations with evolving customer and stakeholder needs. By designing integrated strategies and scalable support systems, he helps organizations optimize performance today while building capability for tomorrow.
Kirwin has worked extensively with C-suite executives, senior leadership teams, and frontline employees, creating alignment across all levels of organizations. His leadership philosophy is clear and unwavering:
“People first in everything you do, and the best will follow.”
He believes that individuals drive behaviour, behaviour shapes culture, and culture ultimately determines organizational success. Through this lens, he has consistently enabled high-performing, resilient cultures that support innovation, growth, and operational excellence.
With over 17 years of experience leading Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) across diverse industries and geographies, Kirwin brings a multi-disciplinary, business-integrated perspective to safety leadership. He holds the globally recognized designations of Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) and Certified Safety Professional (CSP), underscoring his expertise and commitment to advancing the profession.
Kirwin is a strong advocate for reframing safety as a value-generating function, rather than a compliance-driven obligation. He emphasizes that safety cannot be a zero-sum outcome—organizations must not compromise one stakeholder group to satisfy another. By embedding safety into the broader value proposition, he has enabled organizations to achieve financial performance, environmental stewardship, and positive societal impact simultaneously.
Emily’s accountabilities include oversight of the Legal and Policy groups, Data and Safety, Engineering and Technical Services and Licensing. As a member of the organization’s executive leadership team, she works with her peers on integrated business planning, strategy development and culture.
Prior to joining ESA, Emily practised civil litigation and regulatory law, specializing in the life sciences and energy sectors.
Emily is a member of the Research Ethics Board of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
Shilo’s career has spanned from the worksite, to the courtroom, to the boardroom. Having received his Environmental Degree, Shilo started his career in Toronto working for PCL Construction Ltd. as a Loss Prevention Supervisor. While at PCL, Shilo oversaw HSE operations on projects ranging from $1 Million to over $1 Billion dollars throughout Canada. Following his time at PCL, Shilo obtained his Law Degree and passed the Alberta bar exams. As a lawyer, Shilo worked for a number of prestigious law firms in Alberta and had a legal practice primarily focused on Occupational Health and Safety.
Shilo also teaches and develops programs for the University of Alberta OHS diploma program. Shilo likes to give back to the community – he is on the CRSP regional screening committee and is a frequent presenter for non-profit organizations across Canada. In addition, Shilo has also achieved his CRSP and CUSP designation.
experience in occupational health and safety, construction operations,
and workforce training. As the Director of Health & Safety at Empire
Homes, she oversees health and safety programs across residential
low-rise and high-rise construction projects.
Since joining Empire Homes in 2007, Maria has led the development
and implementation of comprehensive corporate health and safety
programs, including auditing and inspection systems, return-to-work
initiatives, and regulatory compliance strategies aligned with Ontario's
Occupational Health and Safety Act and Construction Regulation
213/91. She has also contributed to numerous industry committees
and working groups, championing continuous improvement and best
practices across the construction sector.
Maria holds both a Gold Seal Certification and National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO) designation.
Recognized for her collaborative leadership style and practical approach to risk management, she is
committed to building strong safety cultures, improving organizational performance, and ensuring every
worker returns home safely each day.
His leadership roles include:
- Chair CSA Z1005 Incident Investigation Standard
- Past President, Canadian Society of Safety Engineering,
- Director & Executive Team member of Minerva Canada,
- Past Board Governor of the Canadian Registered Safety Professionals Board
- Executive Board member of the Centre for Safety & Health Sustainability
He holds the designations of Canadian Registered Safety Professional, Professional Member (CSSE) & Certified Health & Safety Consultant as well as an Executive MBA in Global Leadership,
He was awarded the CSSE Safety Professional of the Year in 2015, & Outstanding Service to CSSE/Volunteer of the Year in 2019.
Jeremy is a co-author of the Annotated Occupational Health and Safety Act, a leading text used by lawyers and human resources and health and health and safety professionals. He is also a frequent writer, speaker and lecturer on health and safety law and issues. As well, Jeremy is a past Chair of the Occupational Health and Safety Subcommittee of the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (CACE).
Shortly after entering private practice, and for more than a decade, Jeremy has been recognized as a leading occupational health and safety lawyer. He has the highest ranking, as “most frequently recommended”, in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and is also listed in the Best Lawyers in Canada.
Troy Winters is the National Coordinator, Health and Safety for the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Canada's largest union. A Certified Registered Safety Professional, he leads the development and implementation of the national occupational health and safety program for CUPE's 800,000 members across 2,300 locals.
Troy represents CUPE members on multiple governmental committees and legislative reviews and contributes to the development of national and international standards in occupational health and safety management, infectious disease control, and ergonomics.
Serving as Deputy Chair of ISO Technical Committee 283 on occupational health and safety and Convener of working group six, Troy leads the committee revising ISO 45001, the global occupational health and safety management system standard. At the Canadian Standards Association, he chairs the Canadian Mirror Committee for ISO/TC 283 and has led or vice-chaired technical committees developing CSA Z45001, Z1005, Z1008, Z1002, Z1006, and Z412. In 2026, Troy received CSA Group's John Jenkins Award, its highest honour, in recognition of his leadership and contributions to occupational health and safety standards.
Troy will be releasing his first book, Hazards not Headspace, The Three-Level Framework for Workplace Psychological Safety in the fall.
Scott Witte is a safety technology specialist, advising organizations on how to protect their distributed workforces in the field. Using the People, Environment, Task risk assessment system, Scott helps to develop the right approach using OK Alone’s safety platform to improve organizational oversight and emergency response.
With more than 15 years of developing solutions for organizations across North America, he uses this broad experience to find the right technology and set-up for each organization. His recent experience includes setting up dedicated personal safety technology and oversight for corrections facilities, such as Florida and Nabraska, as well as utility companies across North America.
Sobi Ragunathan is the Co-Founder and Vice President of Operations, Strategy & Services at 4S Consulting Services Inc. She holds a degree in Occupational Health & Safety from Toronto Metropolitan University and brings over 26 years of experience designing and implementing safety management systems across multiple sectors.
She leads teams of safety professionals supporting organizations with safety management systems, gap analyses, compliance reviews, COR® certification support, and ISO 45001 implementation. She is also a certified COR® External Auditor and ISO 45001 Lead Auditor.
Sobi is focused on helping clients build sustainable, formalized safety programs by aligning consulting, software, and training solutions with their operational needs. This approach is reflected within 4S Consulting itself, which maintains certifications to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 27001, and ISO 45001. In 2026 4S Consulting was also recognized as a Safe Employer by Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer through the Supporting Ontario’s Safe Employers (SOSE) program.
4S Consulting is one of Canada’s leading occupational health and safety organizations, working with government bodies, trade associations, and workers’ compensation groups to develop and implement safety programs across Canada.
She was recognized as one of Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine’s “Top Women in Safety 2022” and received the 2022 Markham Board of Trade Business Excellence Award in the “Women-Led Business” category. She was also instrumental in 4S Consulting being recognized as “Best Safety Industry Provider 2023” at Canada’s Safest Employers Awards. Sobi also serves on the Board of Governors at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Stacia Gunn, CRSP, P.Eng., NCSO, is an award‑winning health and safety leader recognized nationally for her impact, innovation, and ability to make safety real for people at every level. With over 15 years of experience, she is the Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Manager at MacKinnon and Olding Ltd. in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
Her career path has been anything but linear, starting as a Field Engineer in oil and gas in Abu Dhabi, moving through marine operations leadership across multiple Canadian cities, and ultimately finding her passion in occupational health and safety. That journey gives her a unique perspective. She understands both the operational realities of the field and what actually drives safer workplaces.
Today, Stacia leads company-wide safety and quality systems and is known for translating complex requirements into practical, people-focused solutions that stick.
Jason practices in labour and employment law with a focus on occupational health and safety (OHS) matters. He advises employers on a wide range of workplace issues such as employee relations, workplace policies, employment standards compliance, and health and safety obligations.
Jason has over 30 years of combined experience in the field of occupational health and safety as a safety consultant, regulatory Health and Safety Officer and Prosecutor with the Ontario Ministry of Labour (now “Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development”), in-house Assistant General Counsel and OHS defence litigation counsel to clients charged and issued administrative “Orders to Comply” under provincial regulatory law, including Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Jason brings a pragmatic and wholistic approach to his OHS defence practice after running his own law firm servicing clients across all sectors including construction, industrial and manufacturing sectors. As an OHS litigator and former “Canadian Registered Safety Professional”, Jason brings a wealth of OHS knowledge and experience, both legal and consultative, to bear in assisting clients to comply with OHS legal requirements and provide valuable insight and direction to improve their health and safety management systems.
Dan Strand is a senior workplace health and safety leader with more than 25 years of experience across operations, healthcare, aviation, and regulatory environments. As Director of Workplace Health & Safety for Amazon Canada's Customer Fulfillment, he provides strategic leadership for safety across Canada's fulfillment network, strengthening risk management, injury prevention, and safety culture.
Before Amazon, Dan served as Executive Director of Health, Wellness, Safety & Ability Management at Island Health, and spent nine years as Director of Prevention Field Services at WorkSafeBC, where risk-based prevention approaches contributed to a 12.7% reduction in B.C.'s provincial injury rate in 2023. Earlier, he spent 15 years with the Vancouver Airport Authority.
Dan holds a Master of Science in Occupational & Environmental Health from UBC and professional designations including CIH, ROH, and CRSP.
Angie Trumpler, NCSO, is an award-winning construction and safety leader with more than 35 years of experience spanning heavy civil construction, manufacturing, emergency response, and occupational health and safety. Throughout her career, she has led complex projects, developed innovative safety strategies, and built high-performing teams across diverse industries.
Recognized as a Top Woman in Safety and a returning industry speaker, Angie is known for her practical, people-centered approach to creating strong safety cultures that protect workers while supporting operational excellence.
Drawing on decades of leadership experience, including 17 years as a frontline firefighter, Angie brings a unique perspective on risk management, workforce engagement, and emergency preparedness. Her commitment to innovation includes co-developing and patenting an ergonomic device designed to reduce workplace injuries. Angie remains passionate about mentoring others and helping organizations build safer workplaces through leadership, compassion, and lessons learned on the fireground.

