MEET THE Event Speakers
Bizu Mushe Ph. D.
Employment Engagement Manager, Association for New Canadians
Bizu Mushe Ph. D.
Employment Engagement Manager, Association for New Canadians
Bizu Muche is an Employment Engagement Manager at the Association for New Canadians (ANC) with extensive experience in career development, employer engagement, and workforce integration. She leads initiatives that connect newcomers with meaningful employment opportunities, collaborating with industry partners to support workforce integration. Bizu holds a Ph.D. in Food Science from Dalhousie University and is dedicated to fostering inclusive, safe, and sustainable workplaces for newcomers.
Billy Thompson
Impact Speaker
Billy Thompson
Impact Speaker
Billy Thompson is in his 10th year as a Senior Group Home Counsellor for Central Residential Services Board. He operates a 16-bed transitional house in Central NL supporting individuals who are struggling with homelessness, addictions, and financial difficulties. Billy can often relate to the individuals he helps as he was once in the same position struggling with his own addiction with substance use.
He is the founder and president of You Are Not Alone Incorporated and a training facilitator for Opioid Poisoning Response Training through St. John’s Ambulance. Billy trains organizations and individuals supplying them with Nasal and IM Naloxone and offers recovery coaching to individuals and their families dealing with addictions. His non-profit organization is focused on harm reduction in the hope to minimize the negative social, health and legal impact associated with substance use.
Billy’s true passion is to open a Recovery Home through his nonprofit organization using his 11+ years of recovery to be a peer supporter to individuals struggling with addictions and wanting a new life.
Cory Chubbs
Health and Safety Advisor, Dyno Nobel Canada Inc.
Cory Chubbs
Health and Safety Advisor, Dyno Nobel Canada Inc.
Cory Chubbs is currently the Health & Safety Advisor with Dyno Nobel Canada Inc. Started in industry in 1999 at the Paper Mill with Kruger, progressing into health, safety & environment field in 2010. He served as Chair of FSANL and Board Member of NLCSA, in addition, achieved and maintains the CRSP, CHSC and NCSO certifications.
Within his career, Cory operates a consulting company as his side mission, providing direction on H&S programs and certified trainings. His ongoing passion for worker safety and health for everyone, have driven him to initiate and promote initiatives within any role challenged. His motto is “be curious, not judgmental”.
Marie Trimm
Occupational Health and Safety and Continuous Improvement Coordinator, Clearwater Seafoods LP
Marie Trimm
Occupational Health and Safety and Continuous Improvement Coordinator, Clearwater Seafoods LP
As the Occupational Health and Safety and Continuous Improvement Coordinator at Clearwater Seafoods LP for the past nine years, Marie Trimm has been instrumental in overseeing the well-being of 155 employees at the Grand Bank division. With over 30 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, Marie has excelled in various roles encompassing quality, production, and safety management, while also engaging with the public.
A proud graduate of the University of New Brunswick, Marie actively participates in four committees, has spoken on several conference panels, and volunteers with seniors in the community. Recognized for her contributions, Marie received the 2021 YMAD award for making a significant difference within the company. Her leadership in initiatives has notably increased training requirements by 25% and achieved cost improvements and avoidance ranging from $150,000 to $250,000 annually.
Outside of work, Marie enjoys spending time at their cabin, exploring the countryside, hunting, skidooing, ATVing, traveling, and crafting. Married to her handsome husband for 35 years, they share a son, Devon, who is 22, and a beloved 15-year-old Maltese dog. Marie is dedicated to fostering a positive work environment, believing that employees are the most valuable resource. She takes pride in ensuring a safe workplace and continuously strive to enhance the knowledge and expertise of her colleagues.
Frank Martin
Occupational Healh and Safety Nurse
Frank Martin
Occupational Healh and Safety Nurse
Frank Martin is a registered Occupational Health Nurse who has been involved in the Energy Sector for over 30 years. Franks has worked in rotational roles providing direct worker care and emergency response team management
He has worked in many settings and organizational levels with major Oil and Gas producers and has worked to develop practical and knowledge based Occupational Health Programs. Frank has worked on various industry committees related to Impairment in the workplace including the COAA "Canadian model" and the CSA workplace impairment standard. Frank currently works in an Occupational Health leadership role with a major Canadian-American Energy and Utilities Company
Kim Munroe
National Director of Corporate Sales and Marketing, Sleep Therapeutics
Kim Munroe
National Director of Corporate Sales and Marketing, Sleep Therapeutics
Kim Munroe is an inspiring professional with a diverse background in healthcare, sales, marketing, team development, and corporate strategy. As the National Director of Corporate Sales and Marketing at Sleep Therapeutics, she co-created the innovative Sleep First employee health and safety program, highlighting the vital importance of sleep for employees across Canada. With a solid business and human resources foundation, Kim has successfully managed teams, thrived as an entrepreneur, and established herself as a compelling public speaker, motivating others to achieve their full potential.
Jennifer Bouzane
Senior Clinical Manager, FIT for Work - Lifemark
Jennifer Bouzane
Senior Clinical Manager, FIT for Work - Lifemark
Jennifer Bouzane is an experienced Occupational Therapist and Senior Clinical Manager at FIT for Work - Lifemark in St. John’s. With over 26 years of clinical practice, Jennifer has built a career focused on occupational rehabilitation, mainly serving third-party clients, including insurers and employers. A graduate of the Dalhousie University Occupational Therapy program and an alumnus of St. Mary’s University, she has established an advanced level of Occupational Therapy skill, collaborative practice with other healthcare providers and a commitment to enhancing workplace health for clients and customers.
Throughout her career, Jennifer has provided interdisciplinary clinical leadership, mentoring junior staff while establishing innovative programs and practice approaches. Her professional expertise includes numerous varieties of functional assessments, return-to-work consultations, rehabilitation and mental health interventions. At FIT for Work, she conducts a variety of specialized assessments and develops tailored programs that address functional limitations, psychosocial risk factors and mental health care. Additionally, Jennifer is dedicated to providing rehabilitation support for Veterans and providing interdisciplinary trauma care, specifically for traumatic psychological workplace injuries.
Jennifer has served as the OHS Management Chairperson at FIT For Work for many years, and is extensively involved in volunteer activities with the Newfoundland and Labrador Occupational Therapy Board, the licensing body for OT in the province.
Brandon Button
SSHE Lead, ExxonMobil
Brandon Button
SSHE Lead, ExxonMobil
Brandon is a dedicated Safety, Security, Health, and Environment (SSHE) professional with over a decade of experience in the field. A graduate of operating engineer college, he began his career working on major construction projects across Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador. Driven by a passion for health and safety, he pursued further education, earning an Occupational Health and Safety Diploma in Safety Management Systems and Disability Management. Currently, he applies his expertise offshore on the Hibernia platform.
Jess Chapman
Principal, ethree Consulting/ethree Online
Jess Chapman
Principal, ethree Consulting/ethree Online
Jess is the owner of ethree Consulting, an organizational effectiveness consultancy that specializes in helping organisations handle the ‘tough people stuff’ like developing strategy and culture, leading change, increasing engagement levels, driving workforce performance, improving leadership skills and more. In 2019 Jess started a second business, ethree Online that develops and delivers custom online and virtual training for all sizes of organization.
With a background in HR, organizational performance, learning and development and training in neuroscience; and, over a decade of experience working in different countries, a variety of industries, and with some of the largest organizations in the world, Jess has a unique combination of skills and experience that is hard to beat.
Jess leads the ethree team helping companies engage, enable and empower their people. Known for her ability to “read minds”, deliver creative yet practical solutions, and “just get it”, working with Jess and ethree is an all-round “phenomenal experience” according to their clients.
Hailing from Great Britain, Jess moved to Canada in 2005 and settled in Newfoundland in 2007. She lives in Torbay with her partner, Mike, two stepchildren, Liam and Logan and dog, Molly.
Vignesh Shanmuga Sundaram
Instructor, Hydrogen Technology, College of the North Atlantic
Vignesh Shanmuga Sundaram
Instructor, Hydrogen Technology, College of the North Atlantic
Vignesh is a dedicated chemical engineer with over 16 years of diverse experience across the hydrogen ammonia, and oil and gas industries. Currently he is shaping the future of sustainable energy as an instructor in the hydrogen technology program at the college of the North Atlantic and Corner Brook. His career is driven by a passion for advancing green energy solutions and mentoring the next generation of professionals poise to lead the global hydrogen sector.
His expertise encompasses the entire hydrogen value chain from production and distribution to integration with renewable energy systems. He has lead and contributed to innovative projects aimed at optimizing, hydrogen technologies, enhancing energy, efficiency, and ensuring safety in ammonia, production processes as a certified hydrogen energy expert accredited by the European Centre of Technology. He brings a global perspective, having worked on complex, hydrogen and ammonia systems in Europe, Asia, and North America.
At College of the North Atlantic he specializes in design designing and delivering cutting edge, educational programs that integrate sustainability, decarbonization strategies and hands-on learning and hydrogen tech technologies. His role involves curriculum development of creation of industry aligned to learning resources and fostering partnerships with leading energy organizations. By emphasizing real world, applications and industry trends, he strives to equip his students with a technical knowledge and practical skills needed to excel in this rapidly evolving industry.
In addition to his teaching role, he is actively involved in advancing research and innovation and hydrogen and ammonia tech technologies he has committed to fostering collaboration between academia and industry to drive progress and achieving global clean energy goals his work reflects a steadfast, commitment to sustainability and a vision for a de carbonized future powered by green hydrogen.
Cathy Dormody
Senior Occupational Health Nurse, NL Power
Cathy Dormody
Senior Occupational Health Nurse, NL Power
Cathy is the Senior Occupational Health Nurse for Newfoundland Power. She has spent most of her career in the field of occupational health and safety, and has a diverse nursing background in adult and pediatric care; community and public health; mental health; geriatrics, as a nursing instructor; and worker’s compensation which allows her to further support employees through their stages of work and home life.
At Newfoundland Power, Cathy provides leadership, guidance, and expertise to positively influence both employee and organizational health, safety and well-being and advocates fostering a health-conscious work environment. Cathy leads the development, training and implementation of several corporate occupational health and safety programs including the injury / illness recovery program at Newfoundland Power which focuses on supporting employees to stay connected to the workplace as they recover.
Cathy was the recipient of the 2019 Award of Excellence from the Canadian Occupational Health Nurses Association.
Cathy has been called upon to sit on several provincial and national committees and provide input to Stakeholders guiding policies and standards development and updates. She also led the first Canadian Occupational Health Nursing Forum, bringing together Occupational Health Nurses from across the country to discuss issues and solutions facing OHN practice.
Cathy loves travelling with her fiancé Barry, hanging out with her dog, Fiddle, and spending time with her new grandson.
Cathy holds a Registered Nursing Diploma from St. Clare’s School of Nursing in NL, a Bachelor of Nursing Degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland, a Nursing and Healthcare Leadership/Management Diploma from McMaster University in ON, and a Disability Management Diploma from Dalhousie University in NS. Cathy has obtained Certification in Occupational Health Nursing through the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and completed the Certified Health and Safety Consultant (CHSC) Certification through the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE).
Cathy has held several voluntary Executive positions over the years:
- President, Vice President and Board of Director of COHNA-ACIIST
- President and Secretary of Association of Occupational Health Nurses Newfoundland and Labrador (AOHNNL)
- Vice-Chair and Secretary of the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) Avalon Chapter, NL.
- Master of Ceremonies for the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial launch of North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week.
Crystal Ford
Team Lead, WorkplaceNL
Crystal Ford
Team Lead, WorkplaceNL
Crystal Ford is a Team Lead at WorkplaceNL, where she has worked for the past 3 years, and has a total of 6 years with the organization. She began in 2019 as a Return to Work Facilitator after graduating from CNA with a degree in Business Management – Human Resource Management. Crystal also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Memorial University and has approximately 5 years of experience in the field. She is passionate about education, public speaking, and learning, and actively seeks opportunities to expand her knowledge of the organization and its operations. Crystal also enjoys sharing her expertise with others, including workers, business owners, and college students, particularly in the areas of return to work and workers’ compensation information and legislation.
Kenny Gaudet
Instructor, College of the North Atlantic
Kenny Gaudet
Instructor, College of the North Atlantic
Kenny Gaudet is from Stephenville, NL. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy for 11 years as a Marine Engineer Technician, working as an Operator, Diesel Mechanic, and Gas Turbine Maintenance Instructor. Before leaving the Navy, he acquired his Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) Red Seal. Kenny then moved back to Newfoundland and Labrador and became a Millwright instructor at the College of the North Atlantic (CNA) at the Corner Brook Campus. He is currently teaching the Mechanical component of the Wind Turbine Technician Program at CNA Bay St. George Campus. Kenny is married with 2 children and enjoys reading, playing board games, and music.
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