Tanja Fratangeli is head of People & Culture for IKEA Canada, a world’s leading home furnishing retailer. For nearly 50 years, Canadians have welcomed IKEA into their homes and they have been strong supporters of the IKEA brand, roduct range, and its vision “to create a better everyday life for the many people”.
Tanja leads all aspects of IKEA People and Culture practices, policies, and processes to support co-workers across the country. She is also a member of the IKEA Canada management team, providing strategic advice and translating business needs into people requirements.
IKEA is known for hiring on values that contribute to an inclusive, open, and honest culture - Tanja passionately embodies this in her curious, collaborative, and pragmatic leadership approach.
She brings a wealth of knowledge from over 30 years of experience in human resources, overseeing significant change management, business transformation, leadership development, and talent management and retention initiatives.
Tanja earned an Honours BA in Sociology from York University and is an active member of the Human Resources Professional Association. She resides in Mississauga with her husband, their twin daughters, and her two cats, Ollie and Willow. Tanja’s favourite IKEA product is the LAUTERS floor lamp because it contributes to a warm living room space.
Dario Kosarac is Managing Director, Head of Talent Operations & Rewards at CPP Investments. His responsibilities include compensation, benefits and pension, global mobility, payroll, HR technology, shared services, and equity, diversity and inclusion.
Since joining CPP Investments in 2015, Dario has held progressively broader leadership roles across rewards, talent analytics, HR business partnering and HR operations. He has helped build and evolve the organization’s global rewards capabilities and has advised senior leaders on talent strategy, organizational priorities and significant workforce decisions.
Prior to joining CPP Investments, Dario spent six years with Sun Life Financial in progressively senior Total Rewards roles, including leading Total Rewards for several Asian markets while based in Hong Kong. Earlier in his career, he was a compensation consultant with Willis Towers Watson in Philadelphia and Toronto, advising large North American and multinational organizations on compensation, job architecture and organizational effectiveness.
Dario holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from York University and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He hold the Certified Compensation Professional designation.
Sandra Levy is a retired Human Resources C-suite executive with three decades of experience in Human Resources and legal roles. A lawyer by training, she brings proven management expertise from both national and global organizations including Magna International Inc., First Capital Reit and RioCan Reit. Ms. Levy has subject matter expertise in c-suite leadership, governance, strategy, executive and board compensation, and business and cultural transformation.
Ms. Levy has extensive corporate and volunteer board experience. She currently sits on three corporate boards, GFL Environmental Inc., Sir Royalty Income Fund and Starlight Capital’s Global Real Assets Trust. Ms. Levy chairs the Corporate Governance Committee for Sir Royalty Income Fund and is a member of the GFL Nomination, Governance, Compensation Committee. She also sits on one volunteer board, the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation where she is Vice-Chair and also chair of the Governance Committee. She has also chaired and supported Human Resources and Compensation Committees in the past.
She is a two-time Canadian Olympic athlete (1988 and 1992 Olympics).
Elizabeth McSavaney is SVP and Chief People Officer for Zurich Canada with more than 25 years of experience leading enterprise change and shaping people strategies across insurance, consumer goods, technology-enabled organizations, and government. Known for driving complex transformation and simplifying execution, she brings a pragmatic, business-first approach to aligning talent, leadership, and culture with measurable business outcomes. At Zurich Canada, Elizabeth leads the country’s people strategy and HR transformation agenda, focused on modernizing the HR operating model and embedding AI-enabled, data-driven decision-making. She is a frequent speaker on HR transformation, leadership effectiveness, and the future of work. Elizabeth also serves as a Board Member with the Pinball Clemons Foundation, supporting education and opportunity for youth from marginalized communities.
Cosmina Morariu is Managing Partner of Fragomen’s Canadian practice and a seasoned immigration lawyer with over two decades of experience. She leads Fragomen’s Canadian operations and is the Co-Chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Immigration Council.
She is known for shaping innovative, high-impact immigration solutions that help clients navigate complex global mobility challenges with confidence. Cosmina’s passion for immigration law is rooted in its power to transform lives, especially against the backdrop of shifting global dynamics. Her unwavering support for foreign talent reflects their belief in the significant contributions immigrants make to Canadian society and the broader global economy.
Eowynne Noble is the Chief People Officer for Fasken, leading the Firm’s strategies surrounding our talent, culture and people. People are at the center of everything within her role, from leading strategic management initiatives, to developing the Firms’ partners and business leaders. Prior to this, Eowynne served as Head of People for the Ontario region, which consolidated the Human Resources and Professional Development functions into one. In addition to her key role on the management team of the Ontario region, she also sits on the Firm’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the Professional Personnel Committee, which manages the Firm’s partnership process. She is also an active member of the National Association for Law Placement, recently joined the Strategic Capability Network, and is pursuing certification from the Chief Human Resource Officer program at Wharton. Eowynne started her legal career at Fasken and practiced in the Firm’s Labour, Employment and Human Rights Group before moving into a management role. Eowynne now leverages her vast array of experience to her role as Chief People Officer. Eowynne also worked in non-profit management prior to her legal career.
Executive Advisor, Author, & Sr. Director of Technology
Lowes
About Dr. Kalifa Oliver
Dr. Kalifa Oliver is a global HR industry expert and award winning Employee Experience (EX) strategist, distinguished scholar, author and a luminary in the intersection of academia, business, and innovation. Focused on creating brilliant employee experiences based on data analytics, people-centered design, and customer experience philosophy. Her groundbreaking research, talks, and published works have not only expanded the boundaries of knowledge but also inspires a new generation of leaders. Dr. Oliver’s unique ability to articulate complex ideas and tell stories with clarity and enthusiasm transcends traditional academic confines, making her a sought-after voice in both expert circles and with broader corporate leadership and executive audiences.
Dr. Oliver is the author of I Think I Love My Job: Secrets to Designing a People-Centered Employer Value Proposition (That You Can Actually Boast About) a must read book for professionals and executives connected to the HR space.
Steven Van Alstine is the Vice-President, Professional Standards and Education at the National Payroll Institute and is widely recognized as one of Canada’s leading experts in payroll legislation, education, and professional development.
In his current role, Steven provides strategic leadership for the Institute’s Professional Accreditation and Standards and Learning and Professional Development teams. He also leads Payroll Standards Canada and its Advisory Council, helping to shape the future of payroll standards and practice across the country.
With more than 29 years at the Institute, Steven has played a pivotal role in advancing the payroll profession. He has led high-impact initiatives that have transformed professional education, including the evolution of the Institute’s payroll designation programs and the delivery of learning through modern, integrated platforms spanning in-person, virtual, and online environments. His work has helped ensure that payroll professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills required in an increasingly complex legislative and technological landscape.
Steven’s contributions extend beyond education. He has been instrumental in leading national advocacy and government relations efforts, supporting research that informs program development, and contributing to governance enhancements that strengthen the profession. His ability to bridge policy, practice, and education has made him a trusted voice within the payroll community.
He holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science and History from Wilfrid Laurier University, the Payroll Leadership Professional (PLP) designation, and the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the Canadian Society of Association Executives.
Carina Vassilieva is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Apotex, a Canadian-Based Global Health Company, responsible for all aspects of Apotex’s global people, talent, and culture strategy. She brings more than 25 years of global strategic leadership in public and private sectors, combined with management consulting experience in a tier one management consulting firm.
Previously, Carina was Global CHRO at Mundipharma, a UK-based pharmaceutical company with operations worldwide. She also held leadership roles at Sofina Foods and Rexall Pharmacy Group. Carina is certified in HR & Compensation Committee (HRCC) Effectiveness by the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD). She was a Chair of York Region Housing Help Centre & ID Clinic Board of Directors, is a Program Advisory Committee member for the MS Biotechnology in Northeastern University, and a member of Human Resources Professionals Association, WorldAtWork, Society for Human Resources Management, and International Coaching Federation.
Carina holds an MBA from California Coast University and a BSc in Engineering from the State University of Printing Arts, Moscow, Russia. Carina is a Certified Executive Coach, Certified Compensation Professional, and Certified Global Remuneration Professional.
Manuelita Cherizard is a passionate advocate for human development and growth. This personal mission is driven by a deep knowledge of how to align talent with organizational objectives, as well as keen personal insight. She has learned first-hand how appropriate support can impact professional achievement. Throughout her varied career, she has made mentoring and development a top priority.
Manuelita has the ability to drive change and build relationships with her expertise extending to board committees, where she contributes insights to HR, governance, and nominations. Manuelita is a solutions-oriented leader dedicated to enhancing organizational success through thoughtful HR practices.
Manuelita has guided human resources efforts in private, public, not for-profit, and crown corporations having both unionized and non-unionized employees. She is currently the Chief Human Resources Officer at the Royal Ontario Museum, one of Canada’s pre-eminent cultural institutions. She has also led HR at Groupe Média TFO, the CBC's English Services, and held roles of increasing responsibility in Human Resources at various financial services institutions.
A life-long learner, Manuelita earned her MBA at Concordia University in Montreal, after obtaining a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM). She is fluent in French and English, and has a working knowledge of Spanish.
Manuelita’s commitment to helping others to develop their potential has led her to volunteer her time as an active and committed board member for organizations dedicated to helping under-employed and marginalized individuals improve their lives
David Rice is Executive Editor at People Managing People, where he leads coverage of HR, leadership, and how AI is reshaping work. He argues that HR's next chapter is about putting people first, and that leaders have a responsibility to be stewards of the workforce through the biggest technological shift in a century. He also hosts the People Managing People podcast, where he talks with executives and practitioners about the future of work. Over his career, David has written and edited for print and digital publications in the US, Canada, and the UK.
With over 20 years of experience in human resources across both the private and public sectors, Nadim has a proven track record of designing and implementing people strategies that drive organizational transformation and performance. He is known for aligning and advancing human resources priorities and functions in the context of changing market realities, and creating synergies with both leadership and operations to achieve strategic transformation.
As the Executive Vice President, Head of People and Culture, Nadim is focused on advancing GreenShield’s People & Culture function to foster a high-impact and highly engaged workforce where Purpose meets Passion and Performance.
Nadim holds a Masters in Industrial Relations from the University of Toronto and is designated as a Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE) and Certified Compensation Professional.
Larysa Workewych is senior associate in the Toronto office of Dentons Canada LLP, and practices in the Firm’s Employment, Labour & Pensions practice group. In her practice, Larysa advises provincially and federally regulated employers in all areas of labour and employment, including employment contracts and policies, terminations and wrongful dismissals, labour relations, collective bargaining, grievance arbitrations, human rights and workplace accommodations, and employment standards.
Larysa has advocated on behalf of clients in a variety of employment-related proceedings including employment standards complaints, wrongful dismissal claims, human rights applications, unjust dismissal claims, and civil litigation matters. For employers with unionized workforces, Larysa has supported with grievance arbitrations, collective bargaining negotiations, picketing injunctions, and certification and sale of business applications before the Ontario Labour Relations Board.
Larysa focuses on providing clients of all sizes and industries with strategic and practical advice based on the specific needs of their business. She understands the importance of being responsive to developing matters, and works closely with clients to put them in the best position to successfully manage their situation.
