Workforce Agility Forum & Networking Event
Sessions Include:
- High Level Workforce requirements in Aviation & Aerospace Sectors (2026-2030)
- Understanding Inclusivity Barriers
- Adademic Collaboration & Common Resources/Supports
- Best Practices – Industry Panel – Examples of Inclusivity Successes
Followed by a networking event with cash bar and hors d’oeuvres and entertainment by Mysterion the Mindreader.
Confirmed Panelists Include:
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Alex Tsoulis Senior Advisor – Business Development & Advanced Technologies Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Canada Aerospace (MHICA) Over 40 years of experience with McDonnell Douglas, Boeing and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Canada Aerospace (MHICA). Extensive experience in the design and development of commercial aircraft (regional jet through wide body), military aircraft (transport, helicopter, fighter) and business jet (light to heavy) platforms. Involved in initial concepts, product implementation and product / fleet support. Covering life cycle technical, quality, schedule, and cost activities in an Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment. Large emphasis on advanced design, advanced manufacturing technology, global collaboration, and business development. Considerable long-term interaction with government, university, research, and industry organizations. Alex Tsoulis graduated with a Diploma in Aerospace Engineering Technology in 1985, and a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1986, from Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University). |
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Darryl Best Director Line Maintenance YYZ, Air Canada |
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Dave Wackerlin Associate Dean of Electrical, Transportation, and Innovation at the Marshall School of Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship Mohawk College A post-secondary educator and academic leader with 25 years of experience in Ontario’s college system, Dave has led Applied Science and Skilled Trades schools with a focus on academic excellence, innovation, and responsible stewardship. As Associate Dean of Mohawk College’s Aviation portfolio within the School of Electrical and Transportation Trades, he cultivates industry and community partnerships to deliver hands-on learning experiences that prepare graduates for careers as Aircraft Maintenance Engineers. |
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Fadi El Masry Executive Director Canadian Aviation Pride |
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Florent Lefevre-Schlick Faculty of Engineering McMaster University Dr. Florent “Flo” Lefevre-Schlick draws on a career in Defence and Aerospace that began in the French Foreign Legion, continued through several leadership roles in industrial operations, defence-sector advisory work, and founding several ventures including his main practice: AADF Ventures Inc. Since 2018 he has been bringing that same execution discipline to McMaster University’s Faculty of Engineering, as Manager of Industrial Training, and has led multiple consortiums in collaboration with industry, which raised over $9.2 million in government funding and supported the training of more than 3,500 professionals across 175+ partner organizations. In a time of geopolitical challenges, technological disruptions and demographics changes, he has always advocated for more collaboration to better align training with in-demand skills and support meaningful employment in Canada. |
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Matt Bunn Associate Dean – Aviation Confederate College Matt Bunn is the Associate Dean of Aviation at Confederation College and a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) and Commercial Pilot with more than 20 years of aviation experience. A graduate of both of Confederation College’s aviation programs, his career has included roles as an aerial survey pilot, floatplane pilot, AME with Aircraft Certification Authority, Director of Maintenance, and Flight Operations Manager. Since joining Confederation College in 2020, Matt has strengthened industry partnerships and supported growth in the Aviation Technician – Aircraft Maintenance program while maintaining the small class sizes and hands-on training that define the program. He is passionate about developing the next generation of aviation professionals and addressing workforce needs across the aviation and aerospace sectors. |
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Major Daniel Conway Major, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) |
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Natasha Gagnon CEO Ontario Aerospace Council |
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Nikki Morshedi Executive Director Women in Aerospace Canada (WIA Canada) Nikou Morshedi is an executive leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for women in aerospace and technology. As Executive Director of Women in Aerospace Canada, she leads national programs, industry partnerships, and initiatives focused on advancing women into leadership and driving systemic change across the aerospace sector. With a background spanning operations, technology, talent, and business leadership, Nikou brings both industry experience and a passion for building stronger, more inclusive organizations. She holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science from Queen’s University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). |
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Phil Arthurs Executive Director Downsview Aerospace Innovation & Research (DAIR) Phil Arthurs is the Executive Director of Downsview Aerospace Innovation & Research (DAIR), where he provides overall strategic leadership and governance for the organization. He leads the DAIR team in delivering the organization’s mission to strengthen Canada’s aerospace and defence innovation ecosystem through collaboration between industry, academia, and government. Phil is responsible for setting DAIR’s long-term direction, supporting the Board of Directors, ensuring financial sustainability, and securing strategic partnerships and funding. Prior to being appointed Executive Director, Phil served as DAIR’s Director of Operations, helping establish the organization, secure funding, expand its physical footprint, and launch programs that support innovation and competitiveness across Ontario’s aerospace and defence sectors. Before joining DAIR, Phil held positions within the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Economic Development supporting the aerospace, defence, and advanced manufacturing sectors. Earlier in his career, he worked with Dassault Systèmes in support of Boeing’s commercial aircraft programs in Everett, Washington, and as a researcher with the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels, Belgium. Phil holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace) and a Master of Business Administration. He currently serves on multiple Program Advisory Committees supporting aerospace education across Ontario. |
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Phil Sims Senior Director Finance & Program Development Canadian Council for Aviation & Aerospace (CCAA) Philip Sims is the Senior Director of Finance and Program Development with the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace (CCAA). He has been involved with the CCAA for over ten years initially as an industry consultant and subsequently as a permanent member of staff. He holds an MBA with a specialty in aviation. His aviation experience spans more than 40 years, starting with British Airways, then moving to The International Air Transport Association (IATA) in Montreal where he became their worldwide Head of Cargo. This was followed by a spell of consulting for other industry groups and several years working in China as part of a domestic airline start-up operation. Working with the CCAA has further extended his experience into the arena of industry labour supply while building on his experience of managing Industry Association operations and Government Relations. Most recently, he has been involved in the development and management of the CCAA online Basic Theory Training for Maintenance and Structures technicians. |
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Tonya Yearwood CEO Black Aviation Professional Network (BAPN) Tonya was born in Toronto, Ontario to natives of Trinidad & Tobago. She worked in both Canada and the United States in a variety of careers; Finance, Fitness, Postal Service, and Automotive until she found herself in Aviation & Aerospace within the IT space. Working in the industry allowed Tonya to have a new found appreciation for air transportation but quickly learned that diversity in Aviation & Aerospace was non-existent compared to her previous professional experiences. Without its challenges, the Black Aviation Professionals Network (BAPN) was formed, a non-profit organization to help her fellow colleagues and the next generation of leaders and aviators in the sector. BAPN will promote Aviation, showcase it’s more than pilots and flight attendants, appeal to the Black community showing the variety of careers available and supply the resources to thrive. There are Aviation Professionals and professionals in Aviation. Together, we are BAPN! |
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Trent Sluiter General Manager Great Lakes Drones |
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Valerie Vanderwyk Executive Director Indigenous Skills, Employment, Apprenticeship and Development (ISEAD) Valerie is a proud Mi’kmaq woman whose family originated from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. In 2014, Valerie was nominated for a Woman of Distinction Award with the YWCA in Hamilton, ON for her work creating Ontario’s first pre-apprenticeship training program in Welding and Plumbing for Women. Working with the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board, Valerie was brought on to the team as a Community Engagement Coordinator to assist with the organization’s national expansion to the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick in 2019. Engaged in ensuring that Indigenous youth and their communities received equitable consideration for education and employment opportunities in apprenticeship, Valerie coordinates with stakeholders for the inclusion of Indigenous people with partners and was recently appointed as Executive Director. Valerie is leading the transition of the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario to the Indigenous Skills, Employment, Apprenticeship and Development as a federally registered national not-for-profit, expanding the organization’s reach and presence. With a deep passion for Occupational Health and Safety, Valerie partners with the province of Ontario’s designated training centre – Workers Health and Safety Centre. Making occupational health and safety a primary focus of their work at ISEAD, their efforts are fundamental in ensuring safety for workers through meaningful training and compliance with legislation and regulations across all sectors for Indigenous workers. Valerie has been a certified occupational health and safety instructor across all sectors since 2014. Valerie is a Director with the Aboriginal Skilled Workers Association (ASWA), the Treasurer of the Grand Valley Education Society (GVES), a Director with Roots to Roofs, and a Director with the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF). Recently, Valerie received the Award of Merit from CSA for her leadership role as Chair of the technical committee that developed the CSA Z301 Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility in Apprenticeship Programs national standard. |
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Yasna Taieb NLAF Junior Board Northern Lights Aero Foundation (NLAF) Yasna Taieb is currently an Inflight Operations Manager with Jazz Aviation. She co-leads Jazz’s Diversity and Inclusion Council and supports both the Fatigue Safety Committee and the Occupational Health and Safety Committee. She first joined the aviation community through the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Program, where she earned her glider and private pilot licenses. Yasna went on to join the Cadet Instructor Cadre of the Canadian Forces Reserves and currently holds the rank of Lieutenant. She has taught glider and private pilot ground schools to hundreds of youth in five different squadrons within South-Western Ontario. Yasna is actively involved with the Northern Lights Aero Foundation (NLAF) where she previously served on the Junior Board through co-leading the Mentorship Committee and the Social Media Committee. She remains involved with NLAF as a Mentor in the NLAF Mentorship Program, a volunteer for outreach events and assisting with grant applications. Yasna also volunteers with the Dreams Take Flight Toronto Chapter and Women in Aviation International. Yasna works with Afghan-Canadian youth in her community to reach their full potential through leading grant-funded community initiatives and empowers Afghans abroad with mentorship and educational opportunities. She holds her Commercial Pilot License and will be working on her multi-IFR ratings with the intention of continuing her studies in aviation safety, education and human factors. |