PRE-CONFERENCE SOCIAL DINNER - Monday, November 16, 2026

6:00pm-9:00pm - Social Dinner for National GC Network Regular members and Pre-Conference Social Dinner sponsor only (Arbequina Restaurant, 325 Roncesvalles Ave., Toronto) - LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE

CONFERENCE DAY - Tuesday, November 17, 2026

(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:

Ashley Butts, Head of Corporate & Commercial Law, BDO Canada

Arun Krishnamurti, Senior Counsel, Google Canada Corporation

9:30am-11:00am - Leading Beyond Legal: The Executive Presence Advantage

Participate in an interactive workshop exploring how executive presence builds influence, inspires confidence, and strengthens leadership impact.

Speaker:

Nouman Ashraf, Associate Professor, Rotman School of Management

11:00am-11:15am - Break

11:15am-11:20am - Fellowship Program Remarks

11:20am-12:35pm - CEO Insights: Leading From the Inside Out

This conversation brings together accomplished CEOs to share their experiences on purposeful leadership and business performance. The panel will explore how senior executives set direction, build trust, inspire their organizations, and translate purpose into results, while considering the broader role of business in advancing civic responsibility and equity.

Speakers:

Dr. Shyra Barberstock, President & CEO, Kebaonish Inc.

Michael Huynh, President & CEO, College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants

Sheba Zaidi, Co-Founder, Mahara Mindfulness

Moderator:

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

12:35pm-1:35pm - Lunch

1:35pm-2:20pm - Keynote Address: Counsel for Change

In this inspiring and actionable talk, Mark John Stewart will connect the unique capabilities of senior legal experts to opportunities to create transformative change in society. Drawing on his personal experience as a leader who leverages his professional skill sets to help empower organizations, communities, and individuals, Mark will challenge participants to consider how they are proactively seeking to make the most of their potential to contribute. 

This keynote presentation will center on a case study of the work that Mark is co-leading at a thriving Canadian-based charity that is breaking new ground by rebuilding civic and social infrastructure in a nation recovering from the devastating impacts of civil war. This case study will showcase how education can serve as a foundation of systemic change, no matter how difficult the circumstances.

Keynote Speaker:

Mark John Stewart, Managing Director at Wentworth Strategy Group; Industry Professor at McMaster University 

2:20pm-2:35pm - Break

2:35pm-3:50pm - GCs in the Hot Seat: Risk, Reputation & Results

The legal function is being asked to do more than ever, and the stakes have never been higher. In this candid and forward-looking conversation, experienced General Counsels and Chief Legal Officers will tackle the issues keeping them up at night: navigating regulatory and geopolitical uncertainty, managing the opportunities and risks of AI, responding to cybersecurity and other emerging threats, meeting rising expectations from boards and business leaders, and making difficult calls when legal, commercial and reputational considerations collide. How is the role of the GC evolving, and what does it take to be an effective strategic adviser in an environment where the rules, and the risks, are constantly changing? This session will offer practical perspectives, frank observations and lessons from the front lines of today’s in-house legal leadership.   

Speakers:

Jason Fung, General Counsel, MacEwan University

Seema Reddy, General Counsel, Yahoo Canada

Bassem Shakeel, Senior Vice-President & General Counsel, Magna International Inc.

Moderator:

Ashley Butts, Head of Corporate & Commercial Law, BDO Canada

3:50pm-4:05pm - Break

4:05pm-5:05pm - Making the Move: Inside the Executive Talent Hunt

What are legal executive search consultants seeing in today’s market—and what does it mean for GCs considering their next move? In this candid, practical conversation, leading search consultants will share insights on hiring trends, what organizations look for, common candidate mistakes and how to avoid them, with particular consideration for diverse legal leaders. Whether you’re actively looking or simply thinking about what comes next, don't miss this important conversation.

Speakers:

Lawrence Chan, Partner, Rosenzweig & Company

Helen Mekonen, Partner, BES Executive Search

Lorene Nagata, Managing Director, NagataCONNEX Executive Legal Search

Moderator:

Melissa Krishna, Associate General Counsel, BGO

5:05pm-5:10pm - President’s Award Ceremony

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

5:45pm-7:00pm - Cocktail Reception (Urban Maharajas, 22 The Esplanade)

7:00pm-9:00pm - Dinner (Urban Maharajas, 22 The Esplanade)