1:00pm-1:30pm – Registration and Coffee Networking

1:30-1:40pm – Land Acknowledgement and Welcome Remarks

Summit Co-Chairs:

Gillian Akai, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, Postmedia Network

Mona Shah, North American General Counsel, Kellanova

Co-Host Representative:

Erin Kuzz, Employment Lawyer and Workplace Strategist, Sherrard Kuzz LLP

1:40-2:40pm – Empowering Your GC Brand

Ontario: This program contains 1 hour of Professionalism Content

Empowering Your GC Brand is a hands-on workshop that blends personal branding theory with practical insights. During the session, participants will identify their current persona and what persona/brand they aspire to have. It will include a discussion on whether being Indigenous, Black or People of Colour impact our personas. Participants will then craft a concise and compelling brand story to help advance their career goals, and have an opportunity to share and refine them with their peers.

Speakers:

Bindu Cudjoe, Strategic Advisor, Bindustries Consulting

Judith McKay, Principal and Strategic Advisor, JEM3 Consulting

2:40pm-2:50pm - Break

2:50pm-3:50pm – 51 Shades of Trade: Navigating Political and Economic Uncertainty

Ontario: This program contains 15 minutes of Professionalism Content and 45 minutes of Substantive Content

An uncertain Canadian political and economic landscape fueled by tariff threats, immigration policy stance, and related infrastructure investment hesitancy are but a few of the current issues facing Canadian organizations today. What can general counsel do when the legal advice offered an hour ago is no longer relevant, and a brand new set of circumstances presents itself? Our panel will discuss these and other emerging political and economic issues, and offer insights and suggestions on what general counsel can do to help their organizations survive and thrive in this rapidly changing environment.

Speakers:

Allyson Lee, Employment Lawyer, Sherrard Kuzz LLP

Khawar Nasim, Chief Executive Officer, Invest Ontario

William Pellerin, Partner, McMillan LLP

Moderator:

Joanna Leong, Manager, Legal Affairs & Counsel, Honda Canada Inc.

3:50pm-4:50pm - Is DEI the New Speakeasy?

Ontario: This program contains 1 hour of EDI Professionalism Content

This session will explore the evolving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) landscape, focusing on the political and legal shifts in Canada and the U.S., and the legal distinctions that shape DEI practices in both countries. Key strategies for managing internal stakeholders, including boards, management, and employees, will be discussed, including use of external advisors. The session will also delve into strategies for handling key external stakeholders, including shareholder activism. Participants will leave with actionable advice for navigating DEI discussions as a senior legal advisor and advancing DEI in today’s complex environment for lasting impact.

Speakers:

Devinder Lamsar, Account Director, McPherson Strategies

Poonam Puri, Professor & Chair in Corporate Governance, Osgoode Hall Law School, and Corporate Securities Lawyer and Affiliated Scholar, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP

Charlene Theodore, Chief Inclusion Officer, McCarthy Tétrault LLP

Moderator:

Alia Hussey, Vice President Legal, General Counsel & Secretary, HarperCollins Canada & Harlequin

4:50pm-5:00pm - Closing Remarks

5:30pm-8:30pm - Dinner (Location TBA)

Summit tickets:

Regular or Emeritus Member of National GC Network: Free - Included with membership & thanks to our generous co-host and sponsors

NGCN Associate Member: $45 + HST = $50.85

NGCN Emerging Leader Member: $45 + HST = $50.85

NGCN Ally Member: $60 + HST = $67.80

Non-members who are general counsel, in-house senior legal executive, or senior in-house legal leader: $110 + HST = $124.30

Non-members who are general counsel, in-house senior legal executive, or senior in-house legal leader who identify as Indigenous, Black, or People of Colour AND a member of invited affinity groups: $85 + HST = $96.05

Non-members can apply to become a member of NGCN. Approved members can benefit from the reduced rate that NGCN members receive upon paying the 2025 membership fee.