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KEYNOTE Sessions
Plenary Session | 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM | Rose Garden
Understanding and Managing the backlash for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
Dr. Wendy Cukier, The Diversity Institute
As organizations advance Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), backlash has become a common challenge. Dr Wendy Cukier, Founder and Academic Director of the Diversity Institute, will deliver a presentation that provides an up-to-date overview of the state of the backlash against equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
Through practical insights, this session will help leaders communicate the value of EDI, showing how it drives innovation, business success, and a stronger workplace culture. Participants will learn how to reframe EDI as a unifying effort that benefits everyone, to create understanding and reduce opposition. The discussion will highlight several strategies, such as leveraging data, building allyship, and promoting positive engagement across teams. Leaders will leave with tools to navigate backlash effectively, turning challenges into opportunities for connection, growth, and meaningful progress.
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About Dr. Wendy Cukier
Dr. Wendy Cukier is a professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Ted Rogers School of Management, Founder and Academic Director of the Diversity Institute (DI) at Toronto Metropolitan University, Academic Director of the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) and Academic Research Director of the Future Skills Centre. The Diversity Institute has more than 100 research staff, 100 research associates from around the world, 200 industry partners and focuses on dimensions of advancing gender equity in the workplace and advancing women in leadership and entrepreneurship. She has led large-scale and multi-partner projects, including DiversityLeads, the Black Experience Project, and the Workforce Innovation and Inclusion Project, which have focused on advancing EDI in Canada and internationally. Under her leadership, DI has spearheaded the effort to ensure that Bill C-25, which addresses diversity on boards, defines diversity beyond gender and addresses intersectional identities.
Wendy has been recognized with many awards for her volunteer work including a YWCA Women of Distinction Award, an International Women’s Forum (IWF) 2020 Women Who Make a Difference Award, a Metropolis Canada Researcher Award and was named one of the "100 Alumni who shaped the Century" by the University of Toronto. She was recently awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for her significant contributions to Canada and has also received Canada’s Meritorious Service Cross, one of the country’s highest civilian honours. She holds a PhD in Information Systems from the Schulich School of Business, an MBA (Marketing and Information Systems), an MA, and honourary doctorates from Laval and Concordia universities.
Closing Session | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Rose Garden
Gift Giving & Belonging
Presented by Grandmother's Voice
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