BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.4.6//EN TZID:America/Toronto X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/TorontoBEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.4.6//EN TZID:America/Toronto X-WR-TIMEZONE:America/Toronto BEGIN:VEVENT UID:23@ame-ont.com DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260923T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260923T190000 DTSTAMP:20260922T160014Z URL:https://ame-ont.com/events/workforce-agility-forum-networking-event-20 26/ SUMMARY:Workforce Agility Forum & Networking Event DESCRIPTION:\nSessions Include:\n\n High Level Workforce requirements in A viation &\; Aerospace Sectors (2026-2030)\n Understanding Inclusivity Barriers\n Academic Collaboration &\; Common Resources/Supports\n Bes t Practices - Industry Panel - Examples of Inclusivity Successes\n\nFollow ed by a networking event with cash bar and hors d’oeuvres and entertainm ent by Mysterion the Mindreader.\n\nPop-Up VR will be present throughout t he forum (during registration\, breaks\, and the networking portion) to pr ovide immersive experiences across the Aviation and Aerospace industries.\ n\n \;\nConfirmed Panelists Include:\n\n\n\n\nAlex Tsoulis\nSenior Adv isor - Business Development &\; Advanced Technologies\nMitsubishi Heavy Industries Canada Aerospace (MHICA)\nOver 40 years of experience with McD onnell Douglas\, Boeing and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Canada Aerospace ( MHICA).\nExtensive 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.\nInvol ved in initial concepts\, product implementation and product / fleet suppo rt. Covering life cycle technical\, quality\, schedule\, and cost activiti es in an Integrated Product Team (IPT) environment.\nLarge emphasis on adv anced design\, advanced manufacturing technology\, global collaboration\, and business development.\nConsiderable long-term interaction with governm ent\, university\, research\, and industry organizations.\nAlex Tsoulis gr aduated with a Diploma in Aerospace Engineering Technology in 1985\, and a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1986\, from Ry erson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University).\n\n\n\nDarryl Best \nDirector\nLine Maintenance YYZ\, Air Canada\nDarryl Best is the Director \, Line Maintenance YYZ at Air Canada\, bringing more than 27 years of avi ation maintenance and operational leadership experience to the organizatio n. Throughout his career\, he has held progressively responsible leadershi p positions within Aircraft Maintenance\, developing extensive expertise i n maintenance operations\, regulatory compliance\, workforce leadership\, safety management\, and operational performance.\nDarryl holds an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Diploma which was obtained through College of the North Atlantic in Gander NL. Darryl has built a broad technical foundatio n through multiple aircraft type endorsements\, including the Airbus A330/ A340\, Airbus A319/A320/A321\, Boeing 777\, Boeing 767\, and Embraer 175/1 90 fleets. These qualifications have supported his progression from front- line technical roles to senior leadership positions responsible for comple x maintenance operations.\nAs Director of Line Maintenance at Toronto Pear son (YYZ)\, Darryl is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership to support safe\, reliable\, and efficient maintenance operatio ns across one of Air Canada's largest and most complex maintenance environ ments. His focus includes operational excellence\, employee engagement\, s afety culture\, talent development\, resource planning\, and continuous im provement initiatives that enhance aircraft reliability and operational pe rformance.\nThroughout his career\, Darryl has demonstrated a commitment t o developing high-performing teams\, fostering collaboration across depart ments\, and driving initiatives that improve both employee and business ou tcomes. His combination of technical expertise\, operational knowledge\, a nd leadership experience enables him to effectively navigate the challenge s of a dynamic airline environment while maintaining a strong focus on saf ety\, compliance\, and customer service.\n\n\n\nDave Wackerlin\nAssociate Dean of Electrical\, Transportation\, and Innovation at the Marshall Schoo l of Skilled Trades &\; Apprenticeship\nMohawk College\nA post-secondar y educator and academic leader with 25 years of experience in Ontario’s college system\, Dave has led Applied Science and Skilled Trades schools w ith a focus on academic excellence\, innovation\, and responsible stewards hip. As Associate Dean of Mohawk College’s Aviation portfolio within the School of Electrical and Transportation Trades\, he cultivates industry a nd community partnerships to deliver hands-on learning experiences that pr epare graduates for careers as Aircraft Maintenance Engineers.\n\n\n\nFadi El Masry\nExecutive Director\nCanadian Aviation Pride\nFadi El Masry is t he Executive Director of Canadian Aviation Pride (CAP)\, leading the orga nization in its mission to foster inclusion\, advocacy\, and professional support for LGBTQ+ individuals in aviation. With nearly 15 years of experi ence in government\, business\, and the non-profit sector\, Fadi brings a strong background in leadership\, strategic planning\, and community engag ement to his role.\nA passionate aviator\, Fadi began flying in 2017 and n ow works as a Medivac Pilot serving Canada's Arctic. His deep connection t o aviation\, combined with his commitment to diversity and inclusion\, has made him a key advocate for creating safe and welcoming spaces within the industry.\nSince stepping into the role of Executive Director in May 2024 \, Fadi has been instrumental in expanding CAP’s impact nationwide. Unde r his leadership\, CAP has strengthened industry partnerships\, increased its presence at Pride events and aviation forums\, and grown its scholarsh ip program from $1\,500 in 2024 to $20\,000 for the 2026 cycle.\nAs CAP co ntinues to grow\, Fadi remains focused on its mission: to be a home for C anada’s LGBTQ+ aviation community\, where members can connect\, support one another\, and thrive in their aviation careers.\n\n\n\nFlorent Lefevre -Schlick\nFaculty of Engineering\nMcMaster University\nDr. Florent "Flo" L efevre-Schlick draws on a career in Defence and Aerospace that began in th e French Foreign Legion\, continued through several leadership roles in in dustrial 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 Fac ulty of Engineering\, as Manager of Industrial Training\, and has led mult iple consortiums in collaboration with industry\, which raised over $9.2 m illion in government funding and supported the training of more than 3\,50 0 professionals across 175+ partner organizations. In a time of geopolitic al challenges\, technological disruptions and demographics changes\, he ha s always advocated for more collaboration to better align training with in -demand skills and support meaningful employment in Canada.\n\n\n\nMatt Bu nn\nAssociate Dean - Aviation\nConfederate College\nMatt Bunn is the Assoc iate Dean of Aviation at Confederation College and a licensed Aircraft Mai ntenance Engineer (AME) and Commercial Pilot with more than 20 years of av iation experience. A graduate of both of Confederation College's aviation programs\, his career has included roles as an aerial survey pilot\, float plane pilot\, AME with Aircraft Certification Authority\, Director of Main tenance\, and Flight Operations Manager. Since joining Confederation Colle ge in 2020\, Matt has strengthened industry partnerships and supported gro wth in the Aviation Technician - Aircraft Maintenance program while mainta ining the small class sizes and hands-on training that define the program. He is passionate about developing the next generation of aviation profess ionals and addressing workforce needs across the aviation and aerospace se ctors.\n\n\n\nMajor Daniel Conway\nMajor\, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) \nMaj Conway is the current Deputy Commandant of 3 Canadian Forces Flight School (CFFTS). He joined the Royal Canadian Airforce (RCAF) in 2005 and a ttended the Royal Military College of Canada. In 2012 he earned his RCAF P ilot wings from 3 CFFTS. He flew Search and Rescue from 2012-2016 on the C C115 Buffalo on the west coast and was then posted to 3 CFFTS as a qualifi ed flight instructor from 2016-2021. During that time he earned qualificat ions as an A- Category instructor\, the highest rating of military flight instructor\, a Standards and Instrument Check Pilot\, as well as a Trainin g Plan Manager and Qualification Standard Manager. He was then posted to 1 Canadian Air Division as the Division Instrument Check Pilot 2\, conducti ng check rides on multiple RCAF fleets including F-18\, Rotary and multipl e Fixed Wing aircraft. In 2022 he was posted to 413 Sqn in Greenwood flyin g the CC130H Hercules search and rescue as an instructor pilot on that fle et and as the deputy commanding officer of 413 Sqn. In 2025 he was posted back to 3 CFFTS in his current position. He has flown more that 5000 fligh t hours spread across more than 10 aircraft types\, including over 2000 hr s of instructional flight hours.\n\n\n\nNatasha Gagnon\nCEO\nOntario Aeros pace Council\nNatasha Gagnon is the CEO of the Ontario Aerospace Council ( OAC)\, and an appointed member of the Ontario Advanced Manufacturing Counc il. Having held various roles during her 8 years with the OAC\, Natasha ha s helped grow the OAC’s operations\, strengthened internal capabilities\ , and fostered international partnerships for OAC’s membership. She has also led the development of new program streams in\nresearch and technolog y\, digital transformation\, cybersecurity\, and export development. While today\, she focuses on promoting Ontario’s aerospace capabilities\, Nat asha has over 15 years of international trade and industry advocacy experi ence. Her career began in Paris\, France as a Business Analyst for IP Netw ork\, a multinational advertising sales house. She is also a former Trade Officer for the UK Government (DIT)\, and led the Aerospace Portfolio acro ss Canada from the British Consulate-General in Montreal. Her work experie nce has given her a broad understanding of international dynamics and indu strial trends. However\, her personal life and passions have also played a big role in shaping her vision and leadership style. Natasha is an avid s alsa dancer\, a world traveler\, and an unapologetic foodie (even if she h as the occasional cappuccino in the afternoon). Rather than using her pass ions as distractions from work\, she actively uses the insights and inspir ation from them to guide her decision making. Freedom of movement brings j oy\; change your perspective by changing your location\; the consumption o f resources should yield more than just a singular output. Natasha holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Ottawa. and curre ntly serves as an appointed member of the Ontario Advanced Manufacturing C ouncil where she works promoting Ontario’s aerospace industrial capabili ties\n\n\n\nNikki Morshedi\nExecutive Director\nWomen in Aerospace Canada (WIA Canada)\nNikou Morshedi is an executive leader\, entrepreneur\, and a dvocate for women in aerospace and technology. As Executive Director of Wo men in Aerospace Canada\, she leads national programs\, industry partnersh ips\, and initiatives focused on advancing women into leadership and drivi ng 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 inclu sive organizations. She holds a B.Sc. in Computer Science from Queen’s U niversity and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).\n\n\n\ nOpeOluwa Iyortim\nHead of Pilot Programming &\; Development\nBlack Avi ation Professional Network (BAPN)\nOpeOluwa fell in love with aviation on his very first flight as a toddler. Since then\, he lived with the single- minded goal of becoming an Airline pilot. He enrolled in the integrated co mmercial pilot course (ICPC) at the Moncton Flight College in 2015. 18 mon ths\, numerous overnight study sessions and 200 hours later\, he was faced with the dilemma of how to move his career forward. His love of teaching won out and he enrolled in the instructor program\, after which he taught full time for two years before launching his airline career at a regional carrier in 2019. OpeOluwa is currently a first officer on one of the two b iggest airlines in Canada\, but still finds time to instruct and mentor pi lots when his schedule permits. It’s a juggling act\, however he finds j oy and fulfillment in bringing people into the family that is aviation. Wh olly appreciative of the peculiarities that enabled him build an airline c areer in just 4 years\, he decided to leverage on his experiences\; past a nd ongoing\, to create The Vectored Approach. An initiative driven by the vision of lowering the barriers to aviation and standardizing safety and p rofessionalism in the cockpit. A natural extension of his vision\; his pos ition at the Black Aviation Professional Network allows him give back to t he community. He stands among icons of the black community\, positioned to inspire and empower the next generation of pilots within the network. \n \n\n\nPhil Arthurs\nExecutive Director\nDownsview Aerospace Innovation &am p\; Research (DAIR)\nPhil Arthurs is the Executive Director of Downsview A erospace Innovation &\; Research (DAIR)\, where he provides overall str ategic leadership and governance for the organization. He leads the DAIR t eam in delivering the organization's mission to strengthen Canada's aerosp ace and defence innovation ecosystem through collaboration between industr y\, academia\, and government. Phil is responsible for setting DAIR's long -term direction\, supporting the Board of Directors\, ensuring financial s ustainability\, and securing strategic partnerships and funding.\nPrior to being appointed Executive Director\, Phil served as DAIR's Director of Op erations\, helping establish the organization\, secure funding\, expand it s physical footprint\, and launch programs that support innovation and com petitiveness across Ontario's aerospace and defence sectors.\nBefore joini ng 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 Sys tèmes in support of Boeing's commercial aircraft programs in Everett\, Wa shington\, and as a researcher with the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels\, Belgium.\nPhil holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace) and a Master of Business Administration. He currently serves on multiple P rogram Advisory Committees supporting aerospace education across Ontario.\ n\n\n\nPhil Sims\nSenior Director Finance &\; Program Development\nCana dian Council for Aviation &\; Aerospace (CCAA)\nPhilip Sims is the Seni or Director of Finance and Program Development with the Canadian Council f or Aviation and Aerospace (CCAA). He has been involved with the CCAA for o ver ten years initially as an industry consultant and subsequently as a pe rmanent member of staff. He holds an MBA with a specialty in aviation.\nHi s aviation experience spans more than 40 years\, starting with British Air ways\, then moving to The International Air Transport Association (IATA) i n Montreal where he became their worldwide Head of Cargo. This was followe d by a spell of consulting for other industry groups and several years wor king in China as part of a domestic airline start-up operation. \nWorking with the CCAA has further extended his experience into the arena of indust ry labour supply while building on his experience of managing Industry Ass ociation 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.\n\n\n\nTrent Sluiter \nGeneral Manager\nGreat Lakes Drones\nTrent is a technology\, operations\ , and creative professional with more than 20 years of experience across d rone operations\, GIS and geospatial intelligence\, regulatory compliance\ , automation\, and professional photography.\nHe currently serves as Gener al Manager\, Drones &\; GIS Operations at Great Lakes Helicopter\, wher e he sets the strategic direction and oversees the operational delivery an d commercial growth of the company's drone and GIS division. His work blen ds UAV operations\, high-accuracy mapping\, 3D modeling\, aerial sensing\, and spatial data analytics to help enterprise clients across North Americ a solve problems that don't have off-the-shelf answers. He's also leading the effort to bring geospatial and aerial sensing capabilities into the co mpany's manned aviation operations.\nAs a certified drone operator\, Trent has deep hands-on knowledge of complex flight operations — from Transpo rt Canada regulatory requirements and SFOCs to airspace logistics and safe ty management systems — along with the enterprise relationships and tech nology know-how needed to put emerging tools to work in the field. Notable projects include a digital twin creation of the Gordie Howe International Bridge\, a drone geophysics study at Hope Lake\, Nunavut\, and organizing and delivering a Level 1 Complexity RPAS course in Shoal Lake. Trent has also been the Pilot in Command on some large drone light shows\, including the first ever 1000 drone show in Regina\, Saskatchewan organized and tim e-synced with fireworks.\nBefore moving into drone industry leadership\, T rent spent time in the automation industry with ATS Automation\, working i n procurement and subcontract management.\nAlongside his technical and ope rational career\, Trent co-owns Fedora Media with his wife. Together with a collective team of 20 photographers\, videographers\, and content creato rs\, they capture more than 80 weddings a year\, and Trent himself has pho tographed over 400over a 15+ year span. His work has taken him well beyond the typical wedding circuit — including a wedding held in a 14th-centur y church in Norway — and he's also shot concerts and professional bands and artists such as July Talk\, City and Colour\, The Glorious Sons\, Carl y Rae Jepsen\, Sarah Hyland\, and Dragonette.\nTrent also serves on the bo ards of the Kidney Foundation and the Waterloo Regional Health Network (WR HN).\nIt's an unusual mix — aviation\, technology\, operations\, regulat ion\, business leadership\, visual storytelling\, and community involvemen t — and it's what shapes how Trent approaches new technology: less about the tools themselves\, more about what they actually let you build for pe ople.\n\n\n\nValerie Vanderwyk\nExecutive Director\nIndigenous Skills\, Em ployment\, Apprenticeship and Development (ISEAD)\nValerie is a proud Mi ’kmaq woman whose family originated from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.\ nIn 2014\, Valerie was nominated for a Woman of Distinction Award with the YWCA in Hamilton\, ON for her work creating Ontario’s first pre-apprent iceship training program in Welding and Plumbing for Women.\nWorking with the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board\, Valerie was brought on to the team a s a Community Engagement Coordinator to assist with the organization’s n ational expansion to the provinces of British Columbia\, Alberta\, Saskatc hewan and New Brunswick in 2019.  Engaged in ensuring that Indigenous you th and their communities received equitable consideration for education an d employment opportunities in apprenticeship\, Valerie coordinates with st akeholders for the inclusion of Indigenous people with partners and was re cently appointed as Executive Director.  Valerie is leading the transitio n of the Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario to the Indigenous Skil ls\, Employment\, Apprenticeship and Development as a federally registered national not-for-profit\, expanding the organization’s reach and presen ce.\nWith a deep passion for Occupational Health and Safety\, Valerie part ners with the province of Ontario’s designated training centre – Worke rs Health and Safety Centre.  Making occupational health and safety a pri mary focus of their work at ISEAD\, their efforts are fundamental in ensur ing safety for workers through meaningful training and compliance with leg islation and regulations across all sectors for Indigenous workers.  Vale rie has been a certified occupational health and safety instructor across all sectors since 2014.\nValerie 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).\nRecently\, Valerie received the Awar d of Merit from CSA for her leadership role as Chair of the technical comm ittee that developed the CSA Z301 Equity\, Diversity\, Inclusion and Acces sibility in Apprenticeship Programs national standard.\n\n\n\nYasna Taieb\ nInflight Operations Manager\, YYZ\nJazz Aviation LP\nYasna Taieb is curre ntly an Inflight Operations Manager with Jazz Aviation. She co-leads Jazz' s Diversity and Inclusion Council and supports both the Fatigue Safety Com mittee and the Occupational Health and Safety Committee. She first joined the aviation community through the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Program\, wher e she earned her glider and private pilot licenses. Yasna went on to join the Cadet Instructor Cadre of the Canadian Forces Reserves and currently h olds the rank of Lieutenant. She has taught glider and private pilot groun d schools to hundreds of youth in five different squadrons within South-We stern Ontario. Yasna is actively involved with the Northern Lights Aero Fo undation (NLAF) where she previously served on the Junior Board through co -leading the Mentorship Committee and the Social Media Committee. She rema ins involved with NLAF as a Mentor in the NLAF Mentorship Program\, a volu nteer for outreach events and assisting with grant applications. Yasna als o volunteers with the Dreams Take Flight Toronto Chapter and Women in Avia tion International. Yasna works with Afghan-Canadian youth in her communit y to reach their full potential through leading grant-funded community ini tiatives and empowers Afghans abroad with mentorship and educational oppor tunities. She holds her Commercial Pilot License and will be working on he r multi-IFR ratings with the intention of continuing her studies in aviati on safety\, education and human factors. \n\n\n\n \; CATEGORIES:Course/Workshop LOCATION:Pearson Conference Centre\, 2638 Steeles Ave E\, Brampton\, Ontari o\, L6T 4L7\, Canada GEO:43.721901;-79.672312 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=2638 Steeles Ave E\, Brampt on\, Ontario\, L6T 4L7\, Canada;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Pearson Confere nce Centre:geo:43.721901,-79.672312 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Toronto X-LIC-LOCATION:America/Toronto BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20260308T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR