LearnX 2025: Bios

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Keynote #2 – Plenary Panel

Aaron Feniak

Aaron Feniak is the Executive Director of the Human Resources Council (HRC), where he works collaboratively with all members of the broad and diverse HR community to build, support, empower, nurture, and mobilize the community.  

Prior to accepting this role, Aaron has had an extensive and diverse career in HR across the Federal Public Service, both regionally and within the National Capital Region. This included working within a highly operational environment with Department of National Defence (DND), a parliamentary environment with the House of Commons administration, and a significant growth and transformational environment with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Throughout his career, Aaron has tried to adhere to the mantra of “be curious, be active, and be proud” and he has found a great home at the HRC living this mantra, supporting the HR community. Aaron’s role with the HRC allows him to share his passion for HR, to work with amazing individuals, and to ensure that the community continues to be leveraged and further amplified, fostering effective and sustainable change in people management for the benefit of all public servants.

The ”be active” aspect of his life gets challenged at times in keeping up with his two teenage boys, especially on the ski slopes, but Aaron could not be more proud of them and his amazing partner.  

William Eric Sinden

William Eric Sinden is currently the Director General at College@ESDC and the ESDC’s Accessibility Office. His diverse career began as a Receptionist in the Government of Canada, then continued at SuperClub Videotron and Lionsgate.

In 1999, he rejoined the public sector at the Department of National Defense. Since 2011, he has worked at Collège@ESDC, initially holding the position of Quebec Learning Center Manager. He progressively expanded his responsibilities, including Official Languages and Corporate Training.

In May 2016, he joined the Executive Group. In 2022, he became Executive Director of the Benefit Delivery Modernization Program. In January 2024, he took on his current position as Director General.

Academically trained, William Eric holds a B.B.A. in Industrial Relations from the Université du Québec à Hull and a M.P.A. from the École nationale d'administration publique.

His professional trajectory illustrates a constant progression through public and private sectors, marked by diverse experiences and continuous evolution.

Patti Forsyth-Stevenson

Patti Forsyth-Stevenson has served as the Manager of Learning and Leadership Development for the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) since 2022. In this role, she has successfully led her dedicated team through several key initiatives, including the onboarding to D2L Brightspace, the relaunch of an orientation and onboarding program, and the revision of OSFI’s approach to leadership development.

From 2012 to 2021, Patti worked in various roles within the Learning Directorate at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), starting as a team lead and ultimately serving as Acting Executive Director. Patti is known for getting things done using an authentic and empathetic leadership style which embodies the desired traits of a successful leader. She is deeply committed to empowering her staff and recognizes the critical role of learning in organizational success.