2024 MCABC Business Conference & Trade Show

SPEAKER: Will Bowen (Opening Keynote)

Certified Speaking Professional, Lamplighter, Inc.

A Complaint Free Movement

Will Bowen is the founder of the Complaint Free movement. More than 15 million people worldwide have taken Will’s 21-Day Complaint Free challenge. Will’s been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, NBC’s Today show, People, Forbes, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, and Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Will holds the CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation and is a top keynote speaker and trainer for businesses and associations worldwide. Will’s speaking clients include Volvo, Kimberly Clark, and The Million Dollar Roundtable. All five of Will’s books are international bestsellers.

SPEAKER: Anat Baron (Keynote)

Futurist & Tech Entrepreneur, CEO of StashWall

A Look into the Future – Unlock the Power of AI 

After three+ decades leading major organizations through periods of internal upheaval, intense competition, and market disruption, she has perfected the art of identifying, staying ahead of and shaping trends. Now, a sought-after futurist and strategic advisor, she helps business leaders drive innovation, create trends and leverage technological disruption. Anat is currently the Founder and CEO of StashWall, a technology startup, and she is perhaps best known as the chief executive behind Mike’s Hard Lemonade.

SPEAKER: Derek Strokon

Business Coach & Consultant, TedX Speaker, Sacred Line Consulting

Lean-in to Leadership

Derek Strokon is a 2x international best-selling author, TEDx Speaker, leader and philantropreneur whose practice focuses on resilience development and process implementation. His award-winning approach to sales excellence is driven by a team-centered approach of ‘Strength Through Vulnerability’. His relentless passion for evangelizing the ‘Human Journey’, is both inspiring and contagious.

Derek lives in Sun Peaks, BC, Canada, with his wife and 2 children. They love the outdoors, know what is sacred to them, and focus on lifestyle integration. His positive, essential approach is infectious and always 100% authentic.

SPEAKER: Jennifer Lee

Senior Economist & Managing Director, BMO Capital Markets Economics

Economic Outlook – It’s Complicated

Jennifer has been with BMO Capital Markets Economics for over two decades and is perhaps best known for her analysis on the U.S. economy, as well as her commentary on global financial market and economic activity. Her entertaining, easy-to-understand and call-it-like-it-is style has earned her a devoted following.

Jennifer is a regular in the media and is a frequent guest on Bloomberg. Most recently, she took the #3 spot in the 2023 Focus Economics Survey for Euro Area policy rates among 31 global firms.

SPEAKER: Klayton Gonçalves

Senior Economist & Head of Business Intelligence, BuildForce Canada

Navigating the Numbers – Understanding BC’s Current Labour Landscape

Klayton Gonçalves is Senior Economist and Head of Business Intelligence with BuildForce Canada. He is at the forefront of producing BuildForce Canada’s annual labour market forecasts, producing insightful reports and delivering engaging presentations.

SPEAKER: Steve Howe

Workplace Accident Survivor, Safety Expert, Inspirational Speaker, Keynote Speakers Canada

Worksite Safety: What’s your Why?

With over 18 years in the construction industry, Steve Howe understands the daily hazards faced by workers and why safety is often viewed as an impediment. In the spring of 2006, while working as a young tree faller on the Sea to Sky Highway project in British Columbia, Steve suffered an unimaginable injury.

As a safety consultant, Steve travels across the country sharing his story and inspiring audiences to trust their gut. He reminds us that he used to live to work but now he works to live. This keeps what’s important – his family, his health, his life – at the forefront of every safety decision he makes today.

SPEAKER: Elizabeth Petticrew (Panelist)

Senior Portfolio Manager & Senior Wealth Advisor, The Petticrew Group, BMO Nesbitt Burns

Grow your Wealth

This session will be facilitated by one of the Globe & Mail’s top-ranked wealth advisors of 2021 and 2022.  Specializing in individual and corporate portfolio management, Elizabeth is the lead portfolio manager on her team. Since entering the investment business in 1988, Elizabeth has been an active participant in education initiatives. She has delivered educational seminars for the UBC Law Society, BC Women’s Hospital, BCIT, SFU, local companies, associations, and investment clubs. In addition, she was sponsored by the Investment Dealers Association as night school instructor in the areas of financial planning and investing.

A supporter of community initiatives, Elizabeth has held the position of co-president of the Western Businesswomen’s Association, participated in the YWCA mentorship program, and sat on the Ethics Committee of Women’s Hospital. Elizabeth was nominated for the prestigious YWCA Women of Distinction Award; in 2015 she became one of the founding contributors to the SheEO’s year of radical giving campaign, and in 2016 she became a full member of the Women Presidents Organization.

SPEAKER: Kimiko Comeau, CFA, FEA (Panelist)

Business Advisory & Transition Planning, BMO Wealth Management

Grow your Wealth

A member of the Business Advisory and Transition Planning team, Kimiko contributes to providing high-net-worth business owners in transition with a sophisticated, forward-thinking wealth management plan. She works with individuals and business owners in the areas of business succession, transition, sale, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and valuations for the purposes of wealth planning and transfer. With a background as a mid-market M&A advisor at a Big Four professional services firm, Kimiko brings a breadth of experience, particularly on the sell-side for private companies in a range of industries including construction, manufacturing, distribution, and oil and gas services.

SPEAKER: Holly Castle, CPA, CA, CFP®, TEP (Panelist)

Wealth and Tax Planner, The Petticrew Group, BMO Nesbitt Burns

Grow your Wealth

Providing tax and estate planning expertise to families and business owners, Holly offers guidance on business succession, tax structuring, estate planning, post-mortem planning, and charitable giving. Holly brings insight from her extensive career in public accounting and in senior tax roles where she focused on tax and estate planning issues related to individuals, privately held corporations, trusts, and estates.

SPEAKER: Don Poole, P. Eng (Panelist)

Principal, Mechanical, Falcon Engineering

Commissioning & Recommissioning: Improving the Process to Maximize Building Performance

Don has over 30 years of industry experience since graduating in 1984 in Mechanical Engineering. Since this time, Don has been engaged in the design and inspection of heating, ventilation, refrigeration, air conditioning, fire protection and plumbing systems for municipal, institutional, recreational, healthcare, educational and commercial facilities. Don is affiliated with the Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta, and Engineers and Geoscientists BC.

SPEAKER: Kyle Wisniewski (Panelist)

General Manager, Black & McDonald Limited

Commissioning & Recommissioning: Improving the Process to Maximize Building Performance

Kyle has 18 years of experience in the mechanical contracting industry and is currently the General Manager at Black & McDonald. He has been an MCABC Board Director since 2018 and serves as the Vice Chair. On behalf of MCABC, Kyle is also a national Director of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC).

SPEAKER: Luke Buis (Panelist)

Owner, Inland Technical Ltd

Commissioning & Recommissioning: Improving the Process to Maximize Building Performance

Following his mechanical engineering technology studies in 2009, Luke joined Inland Technical Services Ltd (ITSL) and began the journey in the commissioning industry. Luke mentored under seasoned experts who instilled in him a commitment to integrity and commitment for sustainability. Beginning as a Testing and Balancing technician, Luke eventually transitioned to providing commissioning services on diverse projects, from hospitals to residential towers. Driven by a passion for energy conservation, he expanded Inlands operations into retro-commissioning existing buildings utilizing the company’s diverse skillset.

SPEAKER: Simon Miller (Panelist)

Owner, Porcupine Mechanical Ltd.

Commissioning & Recommissioning: Improving the Process to Maximize Building Performance

Simon has been in the mechanical contracting for 25 years. He started in HVAC as a Refrigeration Technician and worked multiple roles throughout his career, including installation foreperson, estimator/project manager, department head and eventually as an executive. Simon recently founded his own company, Porcupine Mechanical Ltd. which specializes in custom designed efficient heating & cooling technologies.

SPEAKER: Bertine Stelzer (Moderator)

Program Manager for New Construction, BC Hydro

Commissioning & Recommissioning: Improving the Process to Maximize Building Performance

Bertine is the Program Manager for New Construction with BC Hydro’s Market Transformation Team. Over the last 7 years, Bertine initiated and lead strategic industry partnerships and programs that supported the early adoption of the BC Energy Step Code across the Province. She continues to support market readiness for upcoming code changes, including working with industry partners to support education, training and communications on the new Zero Carbon Step Code and other energy efficiency codes and standards.

SPEAKER: Steve Robinson (Panelist)

President/Owner, Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Heating Systems

The Workforce Dilemma: Taking the Lead & Driving Solutions

Steve started in the mechanical contracting industry nearly 50 years ago. A plumber by trade, he opened his family-based company, Pitt Meadows Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Ltd., in 1979. Steve sees MCABC as the dedicated Association advancing the mechanical contracting industry in BC. As an MCABC Board Director, Steve also represents MCABC as a national Director for the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC).

SPEAKER: Marcello Simoncioni (Panelist)

Project Director, Davidson Bros. Mechanical Contractors Ltd

The Workforce Dilemma: Taking the Lead & Driving Solutions

Marcello began his journey by attending a trades program during grade 12, where he specialized in plumbing. He went on to obtain his Red Seal certification in plumbing and worked in the trades industry. Seeking further education, Marcello pursued studies at the University of British Columbia (UBC). During the evenings, he acquired his Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and obtained his realtor license.

SPEAKER: Tobias Grabmann (Panelist)

Senior Programmer, Genesis Building Controls

The Workforce Dilemma: Taking the Lead & Driving Solutions

Tobias began his journey in 2007 as an electrical journeyman, where he cultivated a deep understanding of electrical systems. By 2011, he expanded his expertise, becoming a bachelor professional in Germany. For five years, Tobias delved into the world of control contracting, mastering the intricacies of system regulation and optimization. Two years ago, Tobias embarked on a new chapter, relocating to Canada. He now serves as one of two senior programmers, leveraging his extensive experience to innovate and advance the field of controls. With a passion for technology and a commitment to excellence, Tobias continues to shape the future of controls, one line of code at a time.

SPEAKER: Kourtney Trill (Panelist)

Apprentice Plumber, Frontier Plumbing & Heating Ltd

The Workforce Dilemma: Taking the Lead & Driving Solutions

Kourtney’s journey into the trades began at her dad’s side when she learned about construction building. After gaining hands-on experience at Towne Millwork, Kourtney discovered her passion for plumbing.  In 2020, Kourtney participated in Your Place, a program by Women Building Futures in Kitimat BC, sponsored by LNG Canada. With her combination of hands-on experience, technical proficiency, hard work and dedication to lifelong learning, Kourtney is a shining example of success in the world of plumbing. Kourtney is currently a member of the team at Frontier Plumbing & Heating Ltd. where she is challenged and continues to grow within the industry. 

SPEAKER: Ruby Ng (Panelist)

CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association

Deep Dive – The Mental Health Crisis

With a Bachelor of Arts, Communications (Simon Fraser University) and a Master of Arts, Leadership from Royal Roads University, Ruby brings a wealth of experience from both the non-profit and corporate sectors in community engagement, marketing and communications. She had previously held senior management roles at Variety – The Children’s Charity and the Alzheimer Society of BC.

Known as a results-oriented and collaborative professional, Ruby believes in the importance of building organizations from within with team members, and creating joint initiatives with community partners to better support the communities we serve. Her ‘concept to completion’ mindset has led teams through change and growth initiatives from strategic planning to effective implementation and balancing operational effectiveness with mission-driven community building. 

SPEAKER: Ric De Villa, M.A. MCP., RCC (Panelist)

Associate Director, Recovery and Innovation, Clinical, Canadian Mental Health Association

Deep Dive – The Mental Health Crisis

With over ten years of experience in providing organizational development and mental health support, Ric De Villa, M.A. MCP., RCC, has worked for the Canadian Mental Health Association Vancouver Fraser since 2014 managing programs dedicated to supporting adults and youth address challenges related to various forms of mental health challenges. As a licensed Clinical Counsellor, I rely on the organization’s Person-Centered, strengths-based approach, to programs that offer services designed to increase the individual’s autonomy and capacity to navigate through life challenges. These intersectional challenges have a direct impact on their relationships both personally and professionally.

SPEAKER: Candace Giesbrecht, CPHR, ACC (Panelist)

Director of People, Culture & Engagement, Canadian Mental Health Association

Deep Dive – The Mental Health Crisis

Candace Giesbrecht, CPHR, ACC has been rallying people together to do good work her entire life. One of her greatest joys is to help individuals and teams thrive at work.

With 25+ years of senior leadership experience, in both not-for-profit and private sectors, and expertise in social work, human resources and organizational leadership, she has a broad and deep toolbox to draw from.