2025 Keynote & Presenters

Amanda Nguyen

Presenter - Pack Your Professional Backpack: Tools for the Trail Ahead

She oversees “The Bird Coop,” Arc'teryx’s internship program, and drives innovation in employer branding, recruitment operations, and mobility programs. Prior to this role, Amanda led recruitment for the company’s Supply Chain business for two…

Christianne Zurowski

Presenter of Breakout Session 1 - Power in Your Posture: Body-Based Confidence for a New Beginning

Through 1-1 coaching and workshops, she teaches practical body-based ways to break free from overthinking, regulate stress, and create meaningful change from the inside out.

Grace Douglas-Valentin

Breakout Session 1 Moderator

She holds a BSc in Psychology and a Certified Employment Strategist, specializing in supporting newcomer refugees in their job search. Grace provides tailored guidance in resume-building, job search strategies, interview preparation, and understanding Canadian…

Naina Shakdher Menon

Presenter of Breakout Session 2 - Navigating Stress, Burnout, and Belonging in a New Country

An immigrant myself, I moved here to complete my studies — a journey that deeply shapes the way I connect with others in my work. For the past four years, I’ve had the privilege…

Lucy Southen

Breakout Session 2 Moderator

After completing her MA in Philosophy and English Literature, she immigrated to Canada in 2019. Working a wide range of roles during the pandemic, she has lived experience of the immigrant journey.

Sandy McLeod

Presenter of Breakout Session 3 - Understanding Your Personality During Change

She uses this tool in teambuilding workshops as well as in career planning and employment counselling workshops. Sandy has over 20 years of combined experience in Career/Employment Facilitation, Child and Youth Care Counselling, and…

Marie Poe

Breakout Session 3 Moderator

She is a Certified Career Development Practitioner through Simon Fraser University and currently serves as Employer Relations Coordinator at MOSAIC. In her current role, Maria builds and nurtures strategic relationships with employers across sectors…

Zena Merali

Employer Panelist - BCIT

She also has a consulting practice and works with clients on issues such as strategic planning, performance management, talent acquisition and employee relations as well as management and leadership development. She has a Master’s…

Connie Chong

Employer Panelist - Langara College

A champion for innovative and inclusive education, Connie recently launched Stackable by Langara — a new strategy designed to make upskilling and reskilling more accessible through short, modular, and industry-aligned learning pathways. With over…

Khalid Samim

Employer Panelist - RBC

He began his banking career at Scotiabank in 2015, advancing through various client-facing and leadership roles in branch and commercial banking while earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Business Administration and multiple financial planning…

Karen Wall

Employer Panelist - Providence Health Care

She leads a dynamic team dedicated to creating equitable and innovative recruitment practices that reflect Providence’s mission of compassion and social justice. Her work focuses on building pathways for internationally educated professionals, advancing Truth…

David Lee

Employer Panel Moderator

Over the last 15 years, David has worked with numerous non-profit organizations, both as a consultant and in leadership roles, with a focus on the social services, local employment and non-profit housing sectors.

Sunita Dhir

Opening Remarks

Before being elected to the legislature, Sunita worked as a language instructor at SUCCESS, a non-profit organization that supports newcomers on their settlement journey, Sunita has helped hundreds of people learn English and connect…

Ava Zhang

Opening Remarks

Ava has been working in corporate and commercial banking for 8 years supporting businesses in diverse industries such as construction, food and beverage, retail fashion, private schools, etc. Ava is a proud UBC Sauder…

Olga Stachova

Opening Remarks

Olga brings 20 years of experience managing a fast growing, distributing, non-profit organization, as well as operational expertise in program design, delivery, and evaluation, and a proven track record of building strategic partnerships among…

Darcy Chow

Co-Master of Ceremonies

As a second-generation immigrant, Darcy has lived the immigrant experience through his family and his own experiences. Before joining MOSAIC, he spent over 6 years teaching English, with 4 of those years abroad in…

Justine Kowal

Co-Master of Ceremonies

Justine has worked in different roles including Career Advisor, Program Coordinator and Curriculum Developer. With experience in the private and non-profit sectors, she has had the privilege of supporting many diverse individuals throughout their career…