Strengthening mental health supports in the workplace will be critical for businesses as we look to address the impacts of COVID-19 on our employees. With blurred lines between personal time and work, new working arrangements, and increased anxiety, what can be done to innovate your workplace? Employers will need to offer wellness programs, flexible work, and practical solutions to help ease employee stress around return to work.
Join Canadian Club Toronto on May 17 to hear our expert panelists discuss the growing needs for these types of supports, what options are available, and the benefits to businesses that react quickly to this critical issue in the months to come. This conversation will be moderated by Paula Allen, Global Leader, Research & Total Wellbeing, LifeWorks and will feature:
Jennifer Elia
Founder, Jewell Works
A recognized pioneer in workplace health and benefits, Jennifer led the design and delivery of integrated, technology enabled, and data-driven employee health models for some of North America’s most progressive brands. She has influenced Canadian and global HR teams to adopt an agile approach to employee health and engagement strategies, leading to award-winning programs and improved performance.
Inspired by the opportunity to elevate health and well-being as the cornerstone of economic sustainability, Jennifer left the corporate world in 2020 to pursue her next chapter as an entrepreneur. Jewell is the culmination of Jennifer’s expertise and leadership skills, backed by nearly two decades of leading teams to thrive in times of significant change.
Jennifer is a vibrant strategist, speaker, and panelist. In 2020 she joined Excellence Canada in the newly created position of VP, Future of Work where she supports organizations in their journey towards Excellence, Healthy Workplaces, and Mental Health.
Jennifer has a degree in Health and Psychology from Queen’s University, a certificate in Workplace Health and Wellness from Centennial college (where she is a Program Advisor), and a certificate in Human Resources Management from Sheridan College. Jennifer is a Director of the Foundation Board at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences.
Beyond reimagining work, leading change, and serving clients, Jennifer is raising two kids with her partner and their Goldendoodle. She can often be found on her paddleboard or hiking the Bruce Trail.
Christine Hildebrand
VP Health & Ability Strategy for Canada Life
Christine Hildebrand has over 20 years of experience in leadership roles and is proudly serving as the VP Health & Ability Strategy for Canada Life. After achieving a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Manitoba, she gained experience as a community nurse and has held several positions with Canada Life in their life, disability, drug and health and dental operations. As a leader, she is passionate about fostering psychologically health workplace to support the success of her employees and the organization.
Dr. Deepy Sur
CEO, Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW)
Dr. Deepy Sur is the Chief Executive Officer of Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW). She is an innovative and collaborative leader with diverse social work expertise, including, clinical social work experience in private and hospital settings, health promotion experience within public health, various leadership roles during her 12 year tenure at Trillium Health Partners. She has worked with government and focused on health system change and has also been an Assistant and Adjunct Clinical Professor at McMaster University. In addition, Deepy is a Faculty Instructor and Curriculum designer for the Medical Psychiatry Alliance – Collaborative Care Certificate Program. She has specialized training in several other areas, including child trauma, DBT, trauma assessment, PTSD, EMDR, and suicide, crisis and transformational leadership.
Deepy holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Ryerson University, a Master of Social Work from York University and PhD in Social Work Administration from Walden University, where her research focused on interprofessional teamwork and empathy and the development of Interprofessional Intentional Empathy Centered Care (IP-IECC).
Paul Trudel
Senior Vice President, People & Culture, EllisDon
Paula Allen
Global Leader & Senior Vice-President, Research and Total Wellbeing, LifeWorks
Paula Allen is the Global Leader, Research and Total Wellbeing and a Senior Vice-President at LifeWorks. In this role she manages the research agenda for LifeWorks, which includes primary research, exploratory data science, research collaborations and meta-analyses. Given her focus on industry leading research, Paula also leads LifeWorks’s thought leadership and is co-chair of the organization’s product and innovation strategy.
Paula is focused on the current and emerging issues that impact health and productivity and related costs. Her scope includes all areas of wellbeing – social, physical, financial and mental. She is also a well-recognized expert in all areas of workplace mental health, learning strategies, disability management and drug plan management. She designed and led the most comprehensive employer response to the H1N1 pandemic and is currently LifeWorks’s business response and resource lead for the COVID-19 pandemic. She also works directly with many of Canada’s leading organizations.
Paula is a member of the Women’s College Hospital’s Board of Directors, a member of the Virtual Learning Advisory Board consulting to the public sector’s post-secondary on-line learning strategy, a member of the International Women’s Forum, a Civic Action Diversity Fellow mentor, was Co-chair of Civic Action’s Champions Council on workplace mental health, was a member of the Income Security Working Group providing advice to the Ontario Government on issues relating to disability and income support, and sits on several research and strategy advisory boards that address issues ranging from e-mental health solutions to substance abuse in the workplace.
Paula completed undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Toronto in psychological research and neuropsychological testing and clinical intervention. She has more than 20 years of experience relating to workplace research, product development and operational leadership that spans the range of EFAP, Workplace Learning, Attendance and Disability Management and Health and Benefits Consulting.
Paula is a sought-after speaker by organizations, national media and at conferences for her knowledge and expertise in current issues and the future direction of health, wellbeing, productivity and related risk management.
