PRE-CONFERENCE SOCIAL DINNER - Wednesday, November 12, 2025

6:00pm-9:00pm - Social Dinner for National GC Network Regular members (Minami Toronto, 225 King Street West)

CONFERENCE DAY - Thursday, November 13, 2025

(Limberlost Place, 10th Floor, 185 Queens Quay East)

8:45am-9:15am - Registration, Breakfast, Networking

9:15am-9:30am - Land Acknowledgement and Welcome Remarks

Conference Co-Chairs:

Olivia A. Bautista, General Counsel, Toronto Lands Corporation

Ana Jung, Strategic Legal Executive

9:30am-10:45am - Leading with Purpose: In Conversation with Canada’s Leading CEOs

Ontario: This program contains 1 hour of Professionalism Content and 15 minutes of EDI Professionalism Content

Hear from Canada’s leading CEOs as they share insights from their leadership journeys, the values and vision that define their success, and the ways they align business performance with civic responsibility and equity. Rooted in their lived experiences, their stories will inspire and empower legal leaders to continue to lead with purpose.

Speakers:

Mohamad Fakih, CEO and President, Paramount Fine Foods

Kevin Johnson, CEO, WPP Media Canada

Leslie Woo, CEO, CivicAction

Moderator:

Jeanette Lee, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Arterra Wines Canada

10:45am-11:00am - Break

11:00am-12:00pm - Keynote Address: The Future Is Us: What Unites Today’s Leaders and Inspires Tomorrow’s

Ontario: This program contains 45 minutes of Professionalism Content and 15 minutes of EDI Professionalism Content

As senior legal professionals, how do we move from being leaders in our organizations to becoming a force for change across the profession? Drawing from a custom research study built exclusively for NGCN, David Allison will unveil what unites this powerful community and share critical insight into the next generation of legal professionals — what they care about, what they’re watching for, and how you can actively shape the future by being who you are, more loudly than ever.

David Allison, Founder, The Valuegraphics Research Company

12:00pm-1:00pm - Lunch

1:00pm-2:30pm - Leading with Visibility and Voice: A Storytelling Workshop

Ontario: This program contains 1 hour and 30 minutes of Professionalism Content

In this workshop, learn how to strengthen your voice while navigating the tension between fitting in and standing out. Go beyond having a "seat at the table” and explore how to lead with greater presence and influence by turning lived experience into leadership power. Through storytelling, reflection, and practical tools, you will uncover how visibility, narrative, and intentional voice can shape confidence, mentorship, and lasting cultural change.

Speaker:

Mahfuz Chowdhury, Brand Storyteller & Author

2:30pm-2:40pm - Break

2:40pm-3:40pm - Leading with Trust: Decoding the Edelman Trust Barometer for Legal Leaders

Ontario: This program contains 45 minutes of Professionalism Content and 15 minutes of EDI Professionalism Content

The Edelman Trust Barometer is a leading global study on how institutions gain, lose, and rebuild trust. Now in its 25th year, the research highlights why trust remains a critical asset for organizational resilience, reputation, and performance. We will share key findings from the latest global and Canadian reports with specific relevance for legal professionals, discuss how trust intersects with core legal responsibilities, and examine how equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) has become a central expectation of trusted organizations.  

Speakers:

Christine Chen, General Counsel, University Pension Plan Ontario

Greg Vanier, Senior Vice President for Edelman Canada, and National Lead of Edelman’s Data Security and Privacy Group

Moderator:

Husein Panju, Senior Legal Counsel and Manager, Litigation, Travel Industry Council of Ontario

3:40pm-3:55pm - Break

3:55pm-4:55pm - Leading with Connections: The Ripple Effect of Networking for Success

Ontario: This program contains 1 hour of Professionalism Content

How can networking opportunities be a more fulfilling experience for legal leaders? Panelists the Honourable David Tsubouchi and Yung Wu (contributing authors of the book The Ripple Effect: Networking for Success), and Rosemarie Davis (contributing author of LIVING, LOVING, AND THRIVING: Our Stories of Resilience and Hope in a New Country), will share their incredible stories and valuable guidance on establishing and nurturing more meaningful and long-term connections.

Speakers:

Rosemarie Davis, Director, Legal & Compliance, Business Conduct, Chief Compliance Officer, Allstate

The Honourable David Tsubouchi, Independent Director, OMERS

Yung Wu, Executive Chair, NFQ Ventures

Moderator:

Ashley Butts, Head of Corporate & Commercial Law, BDO

4:55pm-5:10pm - President’s Award Ceremony

The 2025 President’s Award is a peer-adjudicated award that recognizes a legal professional who is Black, Indigenous or a Person of Colour (BIPOC) for their remarkable impact or service to advance Truth & Reconciliation and equity, diversity and inclusion.

5:10pm-5:15pm - Closing Remarks

5:45pm-7:00pm - Cocktail Reception (Laylak, 25 Toronto St.)

7:00pm-9:00pm - Dinner (Laylak, 25 Toronto St.)