Our Speakers
Our speakers aren't just experts; they're here to share ideas that can change the game in long-term and continuing care. Expect to leave with fresh, practical insights on how to make a real difference in the lives of our seniors, in the senior care community.
Our Sessions
Dr. Kevin Bryan
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BC: Dementia Care Village
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Nursing Home Without Walls: Helping Older Adults Age Where They Call Home
Voices Choices Solutions
The Future of Long-Term Care in Manitoba: Beyond Beds and Buildings
Dr. Kevin Bryan
Kevin Bryan is an Associate Professor of Strategic Management at the University of Toronto, the cofounder and CEO of AI Edtech company All Day TA, the cofounder of the NBER Innovation Research PhD Boot Camp, a member of the board of editors of the Journal of Economic Literature, and a contributor to the Longitudinal Expert AI Panel. He was previously a visiting professor at Duke Fuqua and the Université Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar, and an Associate Editor of Management Science. He holds Masters degrees in pure mathematics, economics, and managerial strategy, and a PhD in Managerial Economics and Strategy from Northwestern University. His research applies game theoretic models, economic history, and empirical data to study the creation, diffusion, and regulation of innovation, in particular artificial intelligence.
The Challenges of Integrating AI
Person Directed Living - A Culture Transformation
Kathleen Klaasen
Kathleen Klaasen is the Chief Executive Officer at Riverview Health Centre, a 387-bed health care organization located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada that specializes in long term care, palliative care and rehabilitation. In this role, Kathleen is leading an organizational culture transformation focused on person directed living. Kathleen was previously the Chief Nursing Officer at Deer Lodge Centre, River Park Gardens and Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg and the Director of Centralized Operations for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Home Care Program leading provincial and regional specialty home care services. Kathleen is proud to be a Registered Nurse. She obtained her Bachelor of Nursing and Masters of Nursing Degrees from the University of Manitoba. She is a fellow of Healthcare Excellence Canada having completed their Executive Training Program and recently obtained her designation with the Institute of Corporate Directors. Kathleen is deeply committed to her family and enjoys any activities involving the outdoors, wildlife and nature.
Victoria Marek, RN, BN,GNC(C), LTC-CIP
I began my career as a HCA in 1991 at Seven Oaks Hospital. In 2003 after my youngest child went off to school, I followed suit and went fulltime at the University of Manitoba Nursing program. I graduated in 2007. Some of the areas I have worked as a nurse are: ER, CEF for the U of M, Nursing Specialist at Great West Life, LTC educator at Misericordia Health Centre, Resident Care Manager at Misericordia Health Centre/Misericordia Place, Clinical Nurse Specialist at River Park Gardens PCH, and now Director of Care and Allied Health at Riverview Health Centre. I am the Past President of the Manitoba Gerontological Nurses Association. I have my Certification of Infection Control in Long Term Care from CBIC and in Gerontological nursing from CNA. I am passionate about Person Directed Living and excited to join so many talented and compassionate people in this journey.
Dr. Deanne O'Rourke, R.N., PhD, GNC(C)
Dr. Deanne O'Rourke is an avid advocate for the adoption and integration of Person Directed Living approaches to support individuals as they journey within the health care continuum. Deanne is currently the Person Directed Living Coordinator at Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. She is a doctoral-prepared Registered Nurse with over 30 years of nursing experience in a variety of aged care, acute, community, and academic settings. She completed her undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She holds a Canadian Nurses Association certification in Gerontological Nursing. Her areas of interest and specialty include the fields of gerontology, leadership development, and implementation science.
Kelly Dutiaume
Kelly Dutiaume began her nursing career at Riverview Health Centre 17 years ago as a direct care provider working throughout the whole organization, with the majority on the Special Needs Unit (Community). She has been in her current position as Clinical Educator for the past 8 years and is very excited to join Riverview’s Person Directed Living Coordinator, Deanne O’Rourke to support the education and learning as staff embark on this culture transformation journey. Kelly believes that focusing on the “living” component for the residents and individuals who live and receive care at Riverview is crucial and we all have the ability to change the historical “institutional” medical model to provide purpose and meaning to the individuals we serve. She holds her Gerontological Nursing Certification through the Canadian Nurses Association and is a member of the Manitoba Gerontological Nursing Association Executive.
Nursing Home Without Walls: Helping Older Adults Age Where They Call Home
Dr. Suzanne Dupuis-Blanchard
Dr. Suzanne Dupuis-Blanchard, Ph.D. RN is Professor at the School of Nursing at the Université de Moncton where she also holds a Research Chair in Population Aging and serves as Director of the Centre on Aging. She has worked with older adults for 35 years, first as a community health nurse and now as a professor and researcher. Her research program focuses on the many facets of aging in place, including among older adults living in Official Language Minority Communities (OLMC). She is recognized for developing Nursing Home Without Walls, an innovative approach to support aging in place. She has co-chaired the development of the New Brunswick provincial strategy on aging, is a past chairperson of the National Seniors Council and a former president of the Canadian Association on Gerontology.
Andrea Piché
Andrea is passionate about health system improvement through enhancing approaches to quality and patient safety. She has supported improvement initiatives at local, provincial and national levels in healthcare organizations across the continuum of care. Recently, Andrea led HEC’s Enabling Aging in Place Collaborative, supporting 26 organizations across Canada to deliver programs that support older adults in the community to age where they call home using an Asset-Based Community Development approach.
Andrea holds a M.A.Sc. in Industrial Engineering and began her career as a Human Factors Engineer. She continues to teach and embed this approach to systems thinking across her work portfolio.
The Future of Long-Term Care in Manitoba: Beyond Beds and Buildings
Yann Boissonneault
Yann Boissonneault is the Chief Executive Officer of Villa Youville Inc., a Francophone and Catholic charitable organization in Ste. Anne, Manitoba, that has been providing housing and care for seniors since 1964. Leading a team of more than 200 employees, he is responsible for guiding Villa Youville through a time of unprecedented change in health care, senior housing, and community development. Under his leadership, Villa Youville has embraced a bold vision for the future, one that combines person-directed living with financial independence from government volatility. Recent initiatives include major campus renewal projects, partnerships with CMHC to improve housing, and the development of new intergenerational, community-focused services. Yann is also spearheading the creation of the “Villa Youville Model,” an integrated approach to aging in place that emphasizes empowerment, flexibility, and sustainability. With a background in executive leadership, strategic planning, and nonprofit governance, Yann brings both business discipline and human-centered values to his work. He is currently completing his Executive MBA at the University of Fredericton with a focus on transforming organizational culture in health and social care. A passionate advocate for seniors, Yann is committed to advancing innovative solutions that honour dignity, choice, and community, not only at Villa Youville but across Manitoba and beyond.
Tannis Nickel
Tannis began her career in healthcare as a volunteer and then as a Health Care Aide. Working as a health care aide, she quickly developed a profound understanding of the diverse needs of residents. Being naturally empathetic, she constantly found herself reflecting on how to best meet the residents’ diverse spiritual and social needs.
In 1993, Tannis completed her RN Diploma Program through Red River College Tannis secured a position in Vita at the Vita and Health District Health Centre, working in the Emergency/Acute Care, and Personal Care Home. In her ten years in Vita, she became a Ward Nurse and later a Clinical Resource Nurse. When an opportunity presented itself at Rest Haven Care Home, it was here she knew where her heart belonged. For the next sixteen years she served as the Director of Resident Care. Tannis became heavily involved in designing and constructing the new, small-house-modeled personal care home.
On October 16, 2023, Tannis assumed the role of CEO. As CEO, Tannis emphasizes enhancing care for seniors, fostering a positive staff culture, continuing the organization’s growth and living by the organization’s Mission, Vision and Values.
Ron Parent
Ron Parent is the Executive Director of the Niverville Heritage Centre and has more than 20 years of leadership experience in long-term care and seniors housing across three provinces. His career has included roles as an Administrator, Regional Director, and as a Director of Licensing and Standards supporting eight First Nation personal care homes in Manitoba. Ron currently serves on the Board of the Long Term & Continuing Care Association of Manitoba (LTCAM) and previously served from 2017 to 2022, including two years as Vice Chair. He holds credentials in health administration, business management, and leadership development and is passionate about improving systems that support seniors and their families.
The Village Langley
Elroy Jespersen
After spending the first 2 decades of his life in Alberta, Elroy moved to BC to escape the cold and to attend University. He graduated from UBC in 1975 with a degree in Community Recreation and spent the next 15 years working in both public and private organizations managing community recreation facilities, including Senior Centers. In 1989, he changed careers and joined Diversicare (now Verve Senior Living) as their first employee in Western Canada, and as GM of a senior’s residence under construction in Richmond, BC. Over the next 30 years, he was given increasing opportunity and responsibility and was involved in the development, construction and operation of numerous senior living communities throughout Western Canada. As his retirement approached, he felt that there was one more Project that needed to be done; developing a different type of community where people living with dementia could live their own best life, and thrive. In 2019, The Village Langley welcomed its first Villagers, and Elroy retired as Verve’s Vice President of Western Operations. He now spends some of his time volunteering as President, Friends of The Village, a not for profit society whose mandate is to promote and support other organizations in developing a Village, in their community.
Voices Choices Solutions
John Falk
John Falk grew up on a farm southwest of Altona and farmed alongside his father before taking over the family farm when his father retired for health reasons. Over approximately 30 years in farming, he became involved in municipal politics, serving as both Councillor and later Reeve of the RM of Rhineland. He has also contributed to numerous community and church committees.
In 2011, John was appointed to the Board of Directors at The Gardens on Tenth in Altona. Since then, he has served on several committees, including Policy and Procedures, and chaired the Finance Committee before being elected Board Chair in 2020.
Connie Newman
Connie Newman (BSc, MEd at UofMB) is the Executive Director (consultant) for the Manitoba Association of Senior Communities. MASC is a member association currently with 90 member Centres throughout Manitoba. She travels the province providing guidance and encouragement to member centres.
She leads the Manitoba’s Age Friendly initiative which provides her and her with opportunities to connect with local Age Friendly communities all around Manitoba. She is also a member of the Manitoba Seniors Coalition (formerly Seniors Vote 2016).
She is 78 years young – in her other life she was a junior high teacher/principal for 34 years. She is a boomer – independent so far with many connections in Manitoba, Canada and beyond.
Her favorite pastime is her dog – Yoshi, a companion, a friend.
She believes in active aging and all that it means – keeping one’s mind and body active helps her to assist those around her who may need information and support as we all age together.
Graham Todd
Graham Todd is the President of Reliable Mobility, a leading provider of home healthcare, home modifications, and complex rehabilitation services across the Prairies. Since founding the company in 2012, he has focused on practical, dignity‑centred innovations that help people live safely and independently in their homes and communities.
He is a nationally recognized voice in disability and brain injury advocacy, serving as Chair of Brain Injury Canada and Vice Chair of March of Dimes Canada.
Grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience with multiple concussions, Graham has been involved in major national and provincial initiatives, including the development of a National Brain Injury Strategy through Bill C‑206, advocacy for the Canadian Disability Benefit, and Manitoba’s Safe and Healthy Homes for Seniors Grant.
He brings a pragmatic, solutions‑focused perspective to improving systems of care and advancing the rights and independence of people living with disabilities.
Gina Trinidad
Gina Trinidad is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 25 years of experience, ranging from front-line nursing to provincial leadership of multi-million-dollar operations. A dedicated champion for the seniors' care sector, Gina’s expertise spans long term care (LTC), community health, and health system strategy.
Currently the CEO of MD Practice Solutions and a healthcare consultant, Gina focuses on critical sector needs such as digital health, global recruitment, clinical training, and leadership coaching. She is a collaborator on several major research initiatives specifically targeting long term care and leadership studies. Gina holds a Master’s degree in Nursing and is currently completing the AI in Health Care Certificate program through the Johns Hopkins University, leveraging AI to enhance care outcomes, optimize clinical workflows, and drive better decision-making. Guided by the values of service, success, and integrity, she remains committed to advancing the sustainability and quality of continuing care in Manitoba.
Pauline as presented by Amical AI
Pauline is a conversational AI developed by Amical, designed to support people living with cognitive disorders.
Accessible through a screen-free, buttonless phone, she allows users to simply pick up and start talking. Available 24/7, she provides a constant presence during moments when no one else can be there.
Born on October 1st, 2024. Pauline has quickly grown into a daily companion for residents across more than 70 care homes, primarily in Quebec, as well as in France, Luxembourg, and the United States. She has already accumulated over 10,000 hours of conversations with individuals living with Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injuries, and other neurocognitive conditions.
Her approach is intentionally simple: listen, respond, and chat. She is patient, warm, and able to sustain conversations without limits or fatigue.