Leadership in
focus Productivity
June 10, 2026 | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Steele Wheels Motor Museum, Halifax
in
focus ProductivityJune 10, 2026 | 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Steele Wheels Motor Museum, Halifax
Last year, we worked differently than ever before with employers like you. And together, we prevented injury and got people back to safe work faster. The results:
You don’t want to miss this event. We will also provide an update on our progress towards the first rate reduction in a generation.
The $50 registration fee will be donated to support Threads of Life, the Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support.
The registration form collects your name, workplace, industry, and email to provide Summit updates and relevant content about WCB, return to work, and injury prevention.
Steele Wheels Motor Museum features ample free parking. Entrance to the parking is on the left as you approach the venue.
For questions, please contact:
Register online or by phone, call 902-422-1886 or 1-877-731-1333.
LEADERSHIP IN FOCUS SUMMIT | PRODUCTIVITY
Anna Marenick is a successful human resources and transformational change leader with extensive regional and national experience leading multi-faceted and complex programs in diverse and challenging environments.
Anna joined Nova Scotia Health in 2021 in the role of Senior Director of Organizational Change Management and later took on the role of interim Senior Director of People Services.
Prior to joining Nova Scotia Health, she was the senior director of people and governance at Develop Nova Scotia. Her creative, inclusive approach to solving complex problems in a variety of settings makes her exceptional at collaboratively propelling ideas and people forward. She sits on the Boards of Directors of Immigrant Services Association of NS and Saint Mary’s University. She is also actively involved in the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference. Anna has a Master of Business Administration from Saint Mary’s University and Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) from St. Francis Xavier University. She is also a Prosci Certified Change Management Professional and a Chartered Professional in Human Resources.
LEADERSHIP IN FOCUS SUMMIT | PRODUCTIVITY
Jason Shannon is President of Shannex Incorporated. Under Jason’s leadership, Shannex has achieved significant growth over the past 20 years, while maintaining the organization’s focus and commitment to its values.
Jason provides thoughtful direction and maintains close connection with operational and organizational development activities. He is also engaged in the company’s business planning and development. Jason’s passion for innovation and delivering exceptional client service continues to inspire collaboration with stakeholders across Canada on ensuring the needs of seniors are being met in home care, retirement living and long-term care.
Jason is a graduate of Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Commerce (1994) and an L.L.B (1997). He is a member and chairs several public and private company boards that service the real estate, technology, and health care fields. Over the years he has also volunteered on many educational and not-for-profit boards that focus on education and advocacy for seniors’ wellness and aging.
LEADERSHIP IN FOCUS SUMMIT | PRODUCTIVITY
Matthew Crossman joined Emergency Medical Care Inc. (EMCI) as Chief Operating Officer (COO) in January 2024. As COO, Matthew provides leadership and direction for the day-to-day operations of the EHS Ambulance Operations system in Nova Scotia (ground/air/medical communications), as well as 811 Telecare for both Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Since joining Medavie in 2007, Matthew has held multiple positions including his immediate past role as Vice President of Operations for Medavie Health Services (MHS). He has served as President and CEO of Ambulance New Brunswick and held extensive leadership roles at Island Emergency Medical Services and Medacom Atlantic.
As a Canadian executive leader with national experience in health care, mental health and addictions, tele-health, communications and public safety, Matthew has over 24 years of industry experience across North America. Matthew is a licensed paramedic and has a Bachelor of Healthcare Administration from Dalhousie and Executive Masters of Business Administration from the University of Fredericton. He also holds an executive leadership certification from the Rotman School of Management.
LEADERSHIP IN FOCUS SUMMIT | PRODUCTIVITY
Valerie holds MBA and B.Comm. (Hons) degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland, the Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) designation and a Workplace Mental Health Leadership Certificate from Queen’s University. With decades of leadership experience across post-secondary, workers’ compensation, government and the private sector, Valerie understands the practical realities facing organizations and brings her considerable experience to Rock DM to help your organization maximize its workforce potential through organizational design, culture, human resource management, technology, occupational safety and return to work.
She started her career with Workplace NL in roles ranging from Extended Earning Loss Specialist to Manager of Assessments, Director of Human Resources, to Executive Director of Worker Services. From there, Valerie was recruited to the Yukon Workers’ Compensation, Health and Safety Board for their President/CEO from 2005 -2012. Between 2012 and 2021, Valerie has served as Yukon’s Deputy Minister of Education, Tourism & Culture, the Women & Gender Equity Directorate and the French Language Services Directorate. In 2015, she left Yukon Government for two years and promptly entered the private sector as Vice-President of Workplace Safety and Apprenticeship with Bluedrop ISM using technology as a tool to advance workforce potential.
While she was doing all that, for two decades Valerie also taught organizational behaviour, organizational theory and design, strategic management, marketing and business communications at Memorial University and workers’ compensation and return to work with the National Institution of Disability Management and Research and the Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences.
LEADERSHIP IN FOCUS SUMMIT | PRODUCTIVITY
Amanda Penney is Vice President, People & Culture at Lindsay Construction, where she leads the organization’s people and culture strategy with a focus on leadership development, psychological safety, employee wellbeing, and building high-performing teams.
A trusted advisor, executive coach, and People & Culture leader, Amanda believes strong organizations are built through courage, connection, trust, and a genuine investment in people. Throughout her career, she has partnered with leaders and teams to navigate growth, change, culture transformation, and complex people challenges. She is passionate about helping leaders create environments where accountability and compassion coexist, where healthy conflict and honest conversations are encouraged, and where people can do their best work and reach their full potential.
A Certified Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Amanda is also a dedicated advocate and supporter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, an avid runner, proud mom, grandmother, and lifelong learner.
LEADERSHIP IN FOCUS SUMMIT | PRODUCTIVITY
Margaret is a co-owner of Narrative Research and has worked as a consultant since 1999. She has worked with a wide range of private, public sector and not-for-profit organisations in Canada, the U.S. and in Bermuda. As a moderator she regularly conducts focus groups and facilitates engagement sessions and also has extensive experience in conducting quantitative research across a vast number of industries and topics. She has in-depth experience in the financial services, utility and consumer goods industries, among others.
Her consultation experience encompasses strategic market research and change management consultation, having worked closely with numerous clients during international mergers and acquisitions and periods of significant market challenge.
Margaret holds a BA from Simon Fraser University, and an MA from the University of Southern California. Margaret is a member of the Canadian Research Insights Council, and is a designated Certified Analytics and Insight Professional (CAIP).
Margaret is also actively involved in the community, currently serving as Chair for Symphony Nova Scotia, and has served as chair of the board for the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, a board member for Hospice Halifax and Dalhousie University’s Rowe School of Business MBA program, a mentor of international students, past chair of the board of both 2b theatre and Metroworks. She chaired the QEII Hospital’s Ride for Cancer for two record-breaking years. She currently co-chairs CRIC’s AI Ethical Guidelines & Public Policy Advocacy Sub-Committee.
LEADERSHIP IN FOCUS SUMMIT | PRODUCTIVITY
With a background in business administration, Paulette worked as a ward clerk in children’s oncology. She is a proud mom of three children, as well as a very proud grandma to two grandsons and a granddaughter. Paulette is a tremendous baker and was chosen to audition for the Great Canadian Baker Show. Paulette volunteers in many capacities and has even traveled to Nicaragua for a mission trip.
Today, Paulette is here as a volunteer of Threads of Life—the Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support and its Speakers Bureau.
Threads of Life helps families affected by a workplace fatality, life-altering injury or occupational disease along their journey of healing. It provides these families with referrals and a one-on-one peer support program delivered by trained Volunteer Family Guides who have also experienced a workplace tragedy. Threads of Life is currently working with thousands of family members from across Canada who have been affected by a workplace tragedy.
Threads of Life promotes public awareness and accountability for workplace health and safety. Its mission is to lead and inspire a culture shift where work-related injuries and illnesses are morally, socially and economically unacceptable.
Paulette will share her personal story with us today. We do ask that to honour Paulette’s privacy, please do not record her presentation.
LEADERSHIP IN FOCUS SUMMIT | PRODUCTIVITY
Karen Adams is a CEO and Board Director with international and multi-industry experience. She became the CEO of WCB Nova Scotia in August 2023.
Karen was recognized in 2017 as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network and was voted by her peers as “CEO of the Year” by Wealth Professional in 2019.
Karen has served as the CEO of numerous companies, including Fundserv Inc, Alberta Pensions Corporation, and HSBC Bank. She is a change leader, repeatedly managing large technology transformation projects and leading people through cultural change.
Although born and raised in Toronto, Karen spent much of her career outside Canada. She has lived and worked in Mumbai, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Seoul, Dubai, London and Amman.
Karen snowshoed 100 km across the Article Circle on The True Patriot Love Women’s Expedition – Baffin Island 2019, raising over $1 million to support Canadian military members, Veterans, and their families.
Karen has a double major in Mathematics and Economics from Queen’s University in Kingston, an MBA in International Finance from The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, and an ICD.D designation from The Rotman School of Management and Institute of Corporate Directors.
LEADERSHIP IN FOCUS SUMMIT | PRODUCTIVITY
As Chief Engagement Officer, Shelly Dauphinee BA, MPL, ICD.D leads the WCB teams that advance Prevention, Employer Engagement, and Psychological Injury. Her vision, informed by decades of experience as an executive leader in workers’ compensation, will bring new ideas, new approaches, and new opportunities to improve how the WCB protects the Nova Scotia workforce, through an emphasis on innovation, strategy and keeping customers at the centre of design.
Shelly has spent her career in leadership roles across Canada with the Ontario Ministry of Health, the Canadian Red Cross, Pacific Coast University and WorkSafeNB, where she forged key relationships with employers, bringing expert knowledge and lived experience in strategy, policy and operational excellence to advance occupational health and safety, disability management and compensation insurance issues and opportunities. In New Brunswick, she led end-to-end prevention and compensation service delivery, including oversight of compliance officers under the OHS Act.
Shelly has a Corporate Director Designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. An accomplished executive with broad leadership and prevention experience, she was a former governor of the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety, and currently holds positions as a Director for Threads of Life - The Canadian Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support, a former member of the Nova Scotia Ministers Advisory Committee (OHSAC) and a member of the Executive Leadership Committee of the National Poverty Reduction Initiative through the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR).