Charlottetown, PE – The Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Business Builder Breakfast titled Working on Your Workforce. The event, sponsored by Skills PEI, is presented in-person and virtually on Thursday, April 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Prince Edward. Four panelists will discuss a variety of topics of interest to employers in planning their workforce strategies.
The Business Builder Breakfast will open with a presentation on current labour force and workplace trends by Narrative Research CEO and Partner Margaret Brigley. Following the presentation, Margaret will join Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald, President of Holland College; Andrew Lavoie, President and CEO with Next Level Group; and Dr. Hayden Woodley, Assistant Professor of Organizational Behaviour in the Ivey Business School at Western University for a panel discussion. The panel will offer insights on their respective areas of focus including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labour market, recruiting and the workplace; the landscape for skills development as well as progressive approaches and strategies for recruiting and creating a welcoming and inclusive work environment.
“Employers from a variety of sectors continue to share the challenges and changes they are experiencing in recruiting, training, and retaining skilled employees,” said Chamber CEO, Penny Walsh-McGuire. “We’re pleased to host this event and our expert panel who will share some practical workforce insights and research from their respective fields.”
Breakfast Builder registration for in-person attendance is $40 plus HST for Chamber members and $55 plus HST for non-members and includes a hot breakfast. Virtual attendance is free for members and $10 plus HST for non-members. Register for in-person or virtual attendance at www.charlottetownchamber.com
The safety of all guests, volunteers, and staff is the Chamber’s top priority. This event will follow all COVID-19 public health protocols concerning large, organized gatherings.
-30-
About the Speakers
Margaret Brigley, CAIP – CEO & Partner, Narrative Research
With more than 25 years of market research and communications experience, Margaret provides client counsel across a wide range of sectors. A seasoned qualitative and quantitative researcher, Margaret brings a wealth of expertise and experience to all of her client work. As CEO of Narrative Research, Margaret is responsible for the executive oversight of the company. Passionate about family, Narrative Research and her community, Margaret is an outdoor enthusiast. She’s living proof that you don’t have to be a good golfer to get a hole in one!
Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald – President, Holland College
Dr. Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald became the President and Chief Executive Officer of Holland College in January 2019, located in Prince Edward Island. Prior to 2019, Dr. MacDonald served in the roles of Vice President, Academic and Applied Research at Holland College from 2015 to 2018, Deputy Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development from 2010 to 2015, and Deputy Minister of Workforce and Advanced Learning in 2015. He has contributed to the development of innovative educational policy and administrative excellence provincially, nationally, and internationally.
Dr. MacDonald holds a Ph.D. in Educational and Counseling Psychology from McGill University, a Masters degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Alberta, a Bachelor degree in Special Education from Memorial University, and Bachelor degrees in Secondary Education and Arts from the University of Prince Edward Island.
Dr. MacDonald is a member of the Future Skills Council and is active in numerous organizations including the Holland College Board of Governors, Atlantic Colleges Atlantique, PEI BioAlliance, University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) Board of Governors, and Innovation PEI. He is presently the Chair of Atlantic Colleges Atlantique which represents the seven colleges in Atlantic Canada. Dr. MacDonald is also a member of the Premier’s Council for Recovery and Growth.
Dr. Hayden J.R. Woodley – Assistant Professor, Organizational Behaviour, Ivey Business School at Western University
Dr. Hayden Woodley is an assistant professor of organizational behavior in the Ivey Business School at Western University. He completed both his MSc and Ph.D. in industrial/organizational psychology and has 10 years of practical experience, working on various human resource management and other business-related projects (e.g., leader coaching and emergency preparedness planning). Dr. Woodley’s primary research areas are equity, leadership, followership, and – more generally – the role of human resource management in team environments (e.g., selection and compensation). Dr. Woodley’s research has appeared in prestigious scholarly journals such as the Journal of Management and the Academy of Management Learning & Education.
Andrew Lavoie – President & CEO, Next Level Group
Andrew Lavoie, CEO, and Founder of multiple successful businesses, (such as Next Level Group, East Coast Accounting Solutions, and Next Level Business Coaching) prides himself on improving not only the productivity and profitability of an employer but also in opening opportunities for employees to maximize both their worth and their careers.
Born in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Andrew relocated to Prince Edward Island in 2010. The first of his businesses, Next Level Group (NLG), was founded less than one year later. Andrew’s nature is to bring a unique, hands-on approach when dealing with clients and candidates. Andrew oversees all business development and operations and has grown a client base spanning across Canada and the United States. NLG specializes in dealership services, manufacturing, and warehousing, and Andrew strongly believes in breaking the mold, creating a people-first organization that is grounded in partnership and focused on delivering countless success. Both Andrew and the NLG team specialize in contract, temporary and permanent placements, as well as payroll financing.
Andrew’s comprehensive knowledge of the recruitment industry, as well as his incredible business integrity, allow NLG to continuously expand the types of services offered to its clients. Andrew is a fair, dedicated, and compassionate manager.