Why attend?
The Battle for Talent is the New War for Market Share. Are You Ready?
In a time of accelerating disruption, from AI breakthroughs and economic volatility to shifting workforce values, one factor will define who leads and who lags: leadership capacity and talent strategy.
On September 10th, join our exclusive community of CEOs and senior executives for a high-impact evening of insight and foresight. Hosted at Toronto’s iconic Design Exchange in partnership with Robert Half, this event brings the future into focus, helping you navigate the next decade with clarity, confidence, and strategic advantage.
Through a candid panel discussion with successful business leaders, we’ll explore:
The Talent Crisis: Will Your Company Be Ready?
Robert Half’s latest survey of 100 Canadian C-suite executives reveals a stark truth: Attracting, developing, and retaining top talent will be one of the biggest business threats over the next 10 years. Expect deep insights on:
- The rising demand for AI and digital fluency
- The growing gap in C-suite leadership capabilities
- How to compete for niche, high-impact roles
Upskilling from Within: A Strategic Imperative
Technology will continue to outpace traditional training models. Forward-thinking executives must now architect cultures of continuous learning and internal mobility. We’ll explore:
- How to measure ROI on reskilling investments
- What it takes to build a learning organization that adapts faster than the market
With over half of Canadian business leaders concerned about a lack of successor readiness, succession planning is no longer optional, it’s mission-critical. This panel will tackle:
- How to identify and groom future-ready leaders
- The critical capabilities needed for tomorrow’s executive team
- Knowledge transfer frameworks as senior leaders retire
This isn’t a generic panel discussion. It’s a strategic forum tailored for CEOs and senior executives navigating complexity and growth. You will walk away with:
- Exclusive data from Robert Half’s national C-suite survey
- Tangible ideas to de-risk your leadership pipeline
- Executive-level networking with peers committed to long-term advantage
Our in-person event will begin with a networking reception followed by our panel about the talent crunch. The evening will conclude with another networking reception, providing an opportunity to connect with the PEO Leadership and Robert Half community.
All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Make-A-Wish International.
Robert Half is a proud partner of Make-A-Wish International, a charity raising funds to grant the wishes of critically ill children around the world. Every year our colleagues from across the globe have come together to support this incredible cause and in 2025 we have expanded our efforts to be a year-long campaign, concluding with our 5th annual Round The World Challenge. The Round The World Challenge launched in 2021 and is an opportunity for all our countries to host charitable events including quizzes, community volunteering days, bake sales and team running challenges. We are so proud to have raised over $530,000 USD to date and we are targeting to add at least another $100,000 USD to that amount this year. To make a donation, click here.
Registration closes at 11:00PM EST on September 8th. Space is limited and only those who register will be able to attend. For more information, contact our head of marketing and events, Joanna Thommee at jthommee@peo-leadership.com
AGENDA
Join us for an evening of strategy, collaboration, connection and empowerment specifically designed for CEOs and senior executives.
| 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM | Check-in & Networking Reception |
| 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Panel Discussion |
| 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM | Networking Reception |
Our Panelists
Lisa Butler
Lisa Butler
Before joining Aviva, Lisa provided strategic leadership for a broad range of HR functions globally. As Chief Human Resources Officer for Viamo she gained experience in a growing digital technology organization operating largely in African markets. As Senior Vice president with Manulife she was appointed as the global Head of Talent Acquisition, Diversity and Talent Management . During her tenure with Manulife she was the Head of HR for both Manulife Asia (13000 employees in 12 countries) and Manulife Canada (10000 employees). Lisa has held a variety of roles as an HR business leader and has been a key member on Merger and Acquisition teams. Lisa’s wealth of HR experience and knowledge have made her a trusted and dynamic leader known for driving positive transformational change and fostering inclusive workplaces.
Areas of Expertise: HR Business Partner, Leadership Development, Leadership Character, Talent Management and Succession, Executive Coaching, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Corporate Culture, Talent Acquisition, Talent Operations, Talent Assessment and Development, Employee Value Proposition, Employee Engagement.
Kelly Albert
Kelly Albert
Kelly Albert is the Senior VP in the Ontario Corrugated Division at Atlantic Packaging. He is an accomplished C-level executive with experience leading and managing international sales, manufacturing, operations, and engineering teams. He has broad experience within a variety of sectors including the CPG, Pharmaceutical, Packaging and Medical Device industries. Kelly his significant international management experience while leading multiple P&L business units. He identifies as a geeky jock - learning as much as possible while enjoying playing multiple sports.
David Douglas
David Douglas
David King
David King
David King is the Senior Managing Director for Canada and South America at Robert Half. He is an accomplished results oriented executive with proven sales, operational and strategic leadership experience in various disciplines of the recruitment and consulting industry.
Specialties: Business to Business C-Suite Sales; Operations; Strategic Market Analysis; Public Speaking.
About PEO Leadership & Member Stories
If you would like to hear more about the difference that PEO Leadership can make in your career and business trajectory, reach out! Our peer advisory and executive coaching services have significantly changed the lives of many leaders. We are here to maximize your potential. Contact Joanna Thommee at jthommee@peo-leadership.com for more details.
