Opening Keynote Speaker
Jackie Pichette
Director, Skills Policy | Royal Bank of Canada
Opening Keynote Speaker
Wednesday, May 13, 2026 @ 9:15 am AT
Topic: Modernizing the Continuing Education Model: From testing times to transformative opportunities
Canadian universities have been and will continue to be pillars of our country’s economic strength. But the university sector is seeing declining public support – both in funding and social license. The sector will need to pivot and chart a new course if it is to be resilient in the years ahead. Luckily, universities have an ace up their sleeves. Continuing education departments across the country have been experimenting with the kinds of innovative programs and partnerships that their institutions need to leverage and scale as part of modernization strategies. In this keynote presentation, Jackie will share RBC Thought Leadership skills research that continuing education leaders can use to inform their work and champion change across their institutions. She’ll share insights gathered from industry and postsecondary leaders across the country about where we’re headed, and how we can rethink our talent and innovation strategies to power Canadian prosperity.
Jackie Pichette Bio
Jackie Pichette is a research and policy expert dedicated to driving transformation in Canada’s education and skills ecosystem. As Policy Lead, Skills & Higher Education at RBC Thought Leadership, Jackie drives conversation between policy makers, educators and employers, and provides actionable insights to strengthen Canada’s workforce and human capital advantage.
Prior to joining RBC, Jackie was the Director of Policy, Research & Partnerships at the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario. While at HEQCO, she led collaborative research projects aimed at enhancing learning experiences and labour market outcomes for Ontarians.
Jackie has also worked as a consultant at an Indigenous advisory services firm, focusing on workforce development strategies. And she was part of the team that launched Simon Fraser University’s Public Square initiative, building connections between the university and surrounding communities. Jackie has a Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s University and a Master’s of Public Policy from Simon Fraser University.
Celina Caesar-Chavannes
Business consultant, coach, and speaker
Closing Keynote Speaker
Friday, May 15, 2026 @ 10:30 am AT
Topic: Description to follow
Celina Caesar-Chavannes is a business consultant, coach and international speaker, who currently serves part time as the Sr. Advisor, EDI Initiatives and Adjunct Lecturer at Queen’s University. Her new memoir, “Can You Hear Me Now?” was published by Random House Canada, in February 2021 and was selected as a finalist for the 2021 Shaughnessy Cohen prize for political writing and a book award finalist for the Speaker of Ontario Legislature. Her new leadership development app, MaximizingU, is available on Google Play and the App Store.
Celina was the former Member of Parliament for Whitby, Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Parliamentary Secretary for International Development. During her term as a Member of Parliament, Celina was awarded several distinctions including a feature in the April 2018 edition of O (Oprah Winfrey) Magazine entitled, “What would you stand up for” and named Chatelaine Magazine’s Woman of the Year (2019).
She has a Bachelor of Science, an MBA in Healthcare Management, an Executive MBA from the Rotman School of Management, and is currently enrolled in a neuroscience PhD program at Queen’s University exploring the intersection of empathy, leadership and equity. Celina is also a [Deepak] Chopra Certified Health, Meditation Instructor, and Coach, and bases much of her work on Ayurvedic principles, as well as self-awareness and development.
Prior to politics, Celina founded Resolve Research Solutions, Inc. – a research management consulting firm with the aim to provide research, consulting and education services to organizations seeking equity and advancing progress for those with multiple intersecting identities.
She can be followed on all social media platforms @iamcelinacc. You can learn more about her at www.celinacc.ca.
Concurrent Session Speakers
The list of presenters will be available in early March.