Brand Positioning Strategist & Business Performance Catalyst, Bestselling Author, Host
Certified Mental Performance Consultant
Senior Vice President, Partnerships, and Head of Insurance at Export Development Canada
Chairman, President and Dean of the Credit Institute of Canada Controller, Brett Young Seeds
Isabelle Mercier Turcotte is an accomplished branding, marketing, and customer experience expert with over 25 years of experience. She is known as a "no-nonsense" dynamo who is passionate about helping entrepreneurs and thought leaders build businesses and brands designed to make life better. Isabelle is a bestselling author of the marketing and business book "The Next Big Thing: Top Trends from Today's Leading Experts to Help You Dominate the New Economy." Isabelle is a two-time TEDx speaker with over 2.5 million views and a TV show host. She is one of North America's top business influencers and is renowned for her "No BS" approach to articulating strategies that others can understand and implement accordingly. Her ability to tell captivating stories and provide real-life examples of businesses she has run or helped, as well as her innovative tools that work in today's fast paced environment, make her a leading-edge facilitator of change. Isabelle co-founded her first business venture in her teens, which quickly became one of Canada's most awarded branding and creative firms. She is one of Canada's pioneers in branding and marketing and helps organizations capitalize on delivering exceptional customer service through the blend of the "brand and customer experience." By combining the psychology of the customer's needs with the outreach of the business, organizations thrive by generating new leads and retaining customer loyalty.
Topic: Brand to Make Life Better: What Makes You the First, the Best, or the Only?
With nearly 20 years of experience working with elite athletes, Alayne Hing has helped Olympians, Paralympians, and professional teams perform at their peak on the biggest stages in sport. She’s not just a consultant, she’s a trusted partner behind the scenes of some of Canada’s most unforgettable athletic moments. Whether it’s guiding athletes to stay focused in the final seconds of competition or helping teams build championship-level mindset and resilience, Alayne’s work transforms pressure into performance. Her approach is grounded in science, fueled by empathy, and driven by a passion for inclusion, helping athletes from all backgrounds and abilities reach their full potential. Today, she’s here to share the secrets of elite mental preparation and how the tools of high-performance sport can help you thrive in your own arena.
Topics: Keynote Presentation: Performing Under Pressure: Mental Skills for High-Stakes Decision-Making Breakout Session: Resilient Performances in Uncertain Times
Senior Vice-President, Partnership, and Head of Insurance, Julie Pottier’s mandate is at the core of how EDC serves Canadian companies as they grow their businesses internationally. Ms. Pottier oversees teams that deliver a wide range of services for every segment of EDC’s customer portfolio, from small businesses only beginning their exporting journey, to those larger and established exporters seeking to take their next step toward international growth. Her responsibilities include small business sales, the insurance underwriting teams and working capital solutions, customer care, banking channels and strategic alliances. In addition to serving EDC’s mandate to grow Canadian exports, these teams have played a vital role in supporting our customers and partners throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to provide many critical services as Canada builds back toward economic recovery. Since joining EDC in 1992, Ms. Pottier has held a variety of leadership positions, and played a key role in a major system transformation within the organization. In addition to leading EDC’s national business development team, she has also served as Regional Underwriting Director, leading teams responsible for providing insurance, bonding and financing solutions to Quebec customers, and has led teams been a leader player in negotiating a number of EDC’s major strategic alliances.
Topic: Judgment Under Pressure: Leadership, Risk & Responsibility in Uncertain Times
Senior financial leader in the agri-business sector, bringing stability to organizations and positioning them for growth and success. During times of significant workplace challenges, he leads staff effectively, preserving key relationships while guiding the team and organization through difficulties. Whether in professional roles or volunteer organizations, Peter seeks meaningful, respectful, and fun work, offering his energy, commitment, and shared enjoyment in return.
Martin Girard, CPA, is an Accounting Manager at Barrette Structural, where he has been with the organization for nearly 15 years and plays a key role in optimizing sales, billing, and accounts receivable processes. Specializing in credit management, data analysis, and automation, he designs advanced tools, including Power BI solutions, to improve financial performance, decision making, and operational efficiency. Prior to joining Barrette Structural, he gained close to ten years of experience in key finance roles within several large organizations across various industries. An active speaker within the credit community in Canada and the United States, he is recognized for his practical, results driven approach and his ability to turn data into clear, usable insights.
Topic: Power BI for Credit Management: Dashboards That Truly Drive Results
Scott Harwardt is a Statute Administrator with Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction. He is responsible for several regulated areas, including collection practices, credit reporting, cost of credit, high-cost credit, and payday lending, providing guidance to regulated businesses and the public. Scott holds a J.D. from Queen’s University and a B.A. from the University of Alberta and practiced law for over a decade in both Ontario and Alberta. His practice encompassed the areas of administrative law, construction law, and commercial and general litigation. Scott brings his legal background to bear in ensuring the fair regulation of businesses in the Province of Alberta.
Topic: Commercial collections practices, commercial credit reporting, and other regulated areas
Howie Sniderman is a partner with the law firm of WITTEN LLP in Edmonton and served for many years as chair of the firm’s Litigation Department. His undergrad studies were at the University of Calgary and the University of Manitoba. He received his law degree from the University of Alberta in 1981 and was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1982. Howie has a commercial litigation practice with an emphasis on Commercial Landlord/Tenant lease litigation with supporting areas of practice in Bankruptcy & Insolvency; Security Priorities & Enforcement; and Builder’s Lien and Construction litigation.
He acts for numerous national and local developers, property managers, landlords and tenants. He has appeared before all levels of court in Alberta on trial and appeal matters. He was a Sessional Lecturer on Trial Advocacy at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law for 17 years and is a past chair of the Commercial Leasing Section of the Canadian Bar Association. Howie has lectured extensively on all aspects of the landlord & tenant relationship; insolvency; and trial advocacy for the Law Society of Alberta, Legal Education Society of Alberta, International Council of Shopping Centers, Building Owner Managers Association, Canadian Association of Insolvency & Restructuring Professionals, and the Canadian Bar Association. He has been a member of the board of the Edmonton Chapter of the Credit Institute of Canada for many years, serving as chair of the Bylaws & Legislation Committee.
Topic: The commercial litigation process, what are the steps, do you have to sue, and if you do will I win!
Rhonda obtained her diploma in Social Work and General Arts & Science in 1992 from Grant MacEwan Community College and is a Registered Social Worker. She is a licensed Alberta trustee in Bankruptcy, and has a broad range of insolvency experience. She has dealt with a variety of corporate insolvencies including engagements in the forestry, real estate, employment agency and retail industries. She has also conducted investigations and initiated legislation to trace and recover assets as well as negotiating proposals under the BIA.
Topic: Commercial insolvency, what does this mean for the corporate credit manager, and what can you do to protect your company?
Andrea Browne is a finance and credit specialist with a passion for transforming complex financial concepts into clear, actionable insights. With nearly 30 years experience across various industries, Andrea brings a fun, engaging approach to problem solving. Earning her CCP designation in 2018 enhanced her ability to balance risk and opportunity. Whether driving business performance, optimizing credit strategies, mentoring colleagues, or building high performing teams, Andrea delivers clarity, energy and a touch of humour to every discussion. When not crunching the numbers or chasing the cash, Andrea enjoys reading and staying active on the Pickleball court.
Topic: Credit decisioning through financial statement analysis
Kyle Hanlon plays a central role in how Export Development Canada (EDC) supports Canadian exporters in managing risk and pursuing international growth. Kyle leads underwriting teams responsible for delivering EDC’s insurance and working capital solutions to established and growing Mid-market exporters across Western Canada. In this role, he is responsible for oversight of regional underwriting strategy, risk governance in close collaboration with EDC’s relationship management teams and external partners. Since joining EDC in 2007, Mr. Hanlon has held a variety of progressively senior roles across relationship management, underwriting, and regional leadership. He has worked with companies across Canada and across a wide range of industries, and has held roles based in Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver. His experience provides him with a broad, practical perspective on the evolving needs of Canadian exporters.
Topic: Credit Risk Trends in Canadian Mid Market & Small Business Segments
This session explores emerging credit risk trends shaping Canada’s mid market and small business landscape. Drawing on macroeconomic insights, portfolio level data, and frontline risk experience, the discussion will examine how external conditions and business fundamentals are influencing credit performance across sectors. The session will highlight where risks are emerging, where resilience is being observed, and what these trends mean for Canadian companies navigating an evolving economic environment.”
Trina has been active in the recruitment industry in Calgary for over 20 years, with the majority of that time with Robert Half International. During her tenure, she has held various leadership positions and is currently the Regional Director for Alberta. She has been instrumental in building and maintaining key relationships with many of Robert Half’s top clients. Through her dedication to service excellence, Trina holds her team accountable to ensuring that processes are upheld to the highest degree. She takes a keen interest in developing a relationship with all clients interacting with Robert Half, and has been recognized on a global platform for her teams’ accomplishments. Her consistency in processes and the ability to identify opportunities has positioned Robert Half Alberta in an enviable position in the marketplace. Trina continues to grow and develop the footprint that her team is making by providing exceptional service to both clients and candidates. Trina is also actively involved with several of the associations that Robert Half is partnered with – CPA Calgary, Credit Institute of Canada, Calgary Chapter along with several post secondary institutions. Because of Trina’s knowledge of the employment market, she often asked to speak at various conferences to share her insights.
Topic: Securing Tomorrow's Leaders by Succession Planning Today
Are you concerned that your pool of internal succession candidates isn't as robust as it should be? Are you seeking the best ways to cultivate leadership and managerial skills in your rising talent? Succession planning — the process of identifying and developing future leaders — must be proactive, strategic and continuous. Leading organizations use it to cultivate leadership at every level, ensuring that their workforce is equipped with the skills necessary for both today and the future. Join Robert Half for this insightful session to hear tactical strategies to prioritize and improve your succession planning and leadership training efforts.
Siddhartha Bhattacharya is a Senior Economist at ATB Financial, where he develops comprehensive forecasts and scenarios for Alberta’s economy through the analysis of provincial, national and global economic trends. With over a decade of experience in macroeconomic research—including five years leading forecasting and impact analysis for the Alberta Treasury Board and Finance—Siddhartha brings a deep, data-driven perspective to the provincial landscape. He holds Master’s degrees in Economics from the University of Calgary and International Business from the University of Dundee.
Topic: Economic Update