LearnX 2025: Bios

Navigation: Programmation (FR) | Agenda (EN)

Welcome remarks and opening address – Plenary

Kony Trudel

Kony is dedicated to learning and making a difference. With experience in various government departments, she has significantly advanced educational practices. As Co-Chair of LearnX and a member of several committees, she has driven numerous learning projects, and continues to foster a culture of continuous improvement and excellence. Her unique perspective and innovative solutions bridge the gap between learning and modern workforce needs.

Bernard Pochic

As a specialist in professional skills development, I help teams develop strategic, targeted training, using the principle of just enough, just in time. I believe that peer learning is a key catalyst, and I encourage the development of professional communities to support collaboration and collective excellence. I hold a master’s and a bachelor’s in education, and I am on the board of the Institute for Performance and Learning (I4PL).

Keynote #1 – Plenary  

Kevin Yates

Kevin M. Yates is a global expert in measuring the impact of training programs and learning solutions on workplace performance. Known as the L&D Detective®, Kevin uncovers learning's contribution to human and business using facts, evidence, and data. His unique approach empowers organizations to establish actionable strategies for linking training to measurable outcomes. Having worked with global brands including Grant Thornton, Kantar, McDonald’s, and Meta (Facebook), Kevin is a trusted voice in the training, learning, and talent development community. He is a sought-after keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, known for delivering immersive, engaging experiences that transform how organizations measure learning’s impact. His insights are shared globally through keynotes, conferences, and workshops. He also helps organizations build actionable impact measurement strategies. Kevin’s mission solving measurement mysteries by guiding professionals toward evidence-based practices that show the tangible contributions of training and learning. His work has influenced countless organizations and elevated the practice of measuring impact.

Concurrent Sessions 1

Alejandro Gomez Umana

Alejandro Gomez Umana is a dynamic professional specializing in the collaborative design of innovative training and educational materials. He leverages cutting-edge information and communication technologies to enhance performance and deliver measurable results. Alejandro excels at developing practical and creative solutions tailored to diverse audiences while emphasizing performance measurement and stakeholder engagement.

He holds a Bronze Kirkpatrick Certification (2024) and has graduate studies in Educational Technologies (Concordia, Montreal), International Project Management (Humber, Toronto), and Environmental Studies (Javeriana, Colombia), as well as a BA in Communications with a major in Educational Television (Javeriana, Colombia).

Alejandro has extensive experience in international development, where he led communications and capacity-building projects across Latin America. He spent 12 years at the University of Ottawa coordinating research and evaluation projects before becoming a public servant in 2019. Currently, he is the Training Evaluation Team Lead at the College@ESDC.

Known for his innovative and creative approach, Alejandro has expertise across mediums such as web, print, and video, demonstrating adaptability and technical proficiency. He thrives in high-pressure, challenging environments, consistently delivering impactful results. Fluent in English, French, and Spanish, he is also an avid cook with a passion for exploring new recipes.

Jennifer Page

Jennifer Page is a versatile learning and development expert with over 15 years of experience in instructional design, eLearning development, and training facilitation. She has educated hundreds of teams worldwide, leveraging her technical expertise and creativity to design accessible, multilingual training programs. Currently a Senior Advisor at the Public Health Agency of Canada, Jennifer develops and delivers training courses and videos to support emergency management and public health initiatives, reaching thousands of learners across the country. Jennifer’s career began after earning a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo, where she focused on statistics, combinatorics and optimization, and computer science. Following early roles in data and technical analysis, she ventured abroad, working on five continents while visiting over 80 countries! Transitioning into software training and consulting, Jennifer has thrived as an Implementation Consultant, Product Specialist, and Trainer, designing programs for global audiences in both live and virtual settings. Now based in Ottawa, Jennifer continues to bring her global perspective and innovative approach to every project she undertakes.

Christine Gardhouse

Christine is A/Manager with the Training and Development Unit at the Public Health Agency of Canada where her team leads the design, development, and delivery of applied public health and public health emergency management training. Christine is an epidemiologist by training, having worked in public health at the local, provincial, and federal level in three different provinces and internationally for the past 15 years. She is a graduate of the Canadian Field Epidemiology Program (CFEP) and has completed her MSc (McMaster University) and HBSc (University of Toronto). During her time as a CFEP fellow, she realized she had a strong passion for public health training and went on to pursue certificates in Adult and Continuing Education (University of Victoria) and Learner Experience Design (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education) and volunteering to develop or deliver training wherever possible. Christine is at her happiest when she's able to blend her subject matter expertise in public health with her love for instructional design and facilitation. While she loves embracing new technology and online learning, she also enjoys training through facilitating experiential learning, storytelling, and face-to-face workshops. Christine is thrilled to be presenting at LearnX for the first time.

Kristen Nazareth

Kristen is a seasoned instructional designer with the National Learning Unit who has experience in both higher education and public service contexts. With a passion for creating engaging and effective learning experiences, she has successfully designed and implemented a variety of innovative eLearning and virtual courses for Health Canada.   

Danita Midena

Danita is one of the National Learning Unit’s senior instructional designers with extensive experience in facilitation and course design, specializing in higher education and public service sectors. Renowned for her ability to create dynamic and impactful learning experiences, she has developed a diverse range of courses that effectively meet the needs of varied adult learners.

Concurrent Sessions 2

Josh Cavalier

Josh Cavalier is a trailblazer in Learning & Development and a pioneer in leveraging Generative AI to transform education. With over 30 years of industry expertise, he’s the go-to authority for AI-driven learning strategies. As the founder of JoshCavalier.ai, Josh empowers organizations with cutting-edge solutions, consulting, workshops, and courses that redefine how we learn. A dynamic educator and influencer, Josh makes the complexities of AI approachable through his popular YouTube channel and live show, Brainpower. His engaging content has inspired a global audience, cementing his status as a trusted thought leader. Josh is a sought-after speaker, captivating audiences at industry-leading events like DevLearn, ATD ICE, Adobe MAX, and Learning Solutions. Josh’s mission is clear: to equip professionals with the tools to thrive in the AI era, sparking innovation and driving results.

Jean-Philippe Bradette

Jean-Philippe Bradette is the co-founder and president of Apprentx, developer of the B12 application, which offers personalized post-training programs to help overcome the forgetting curve and put new knowledge into practice. B12 uses cognitive science, artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to reinforce memorization and develop skills, while giving administrators an overview of employees’ confidence and performance. At Apprentx, projects use technology creatively to transfer knowledge effectively.  

Jean-Philippe is a speaker with the soul of an entrepreneur, a dad of twin daughters and a seasoned cyclist, and his mission is to make a difference in people’s lives with learning solutions that help them with their day-to-day work.

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.

Ruth Lam

Director Learning Division (CRA) and Brian Enright – Director Business Transformation Office (ESDC) have amassed together years of working in Learning (Private Sector, Public Sector and Academia). They bring a wealth of insight and experience to their current roles in some of the largest government organizations. Each of these directors has demonstrated exceptional skill in navigating and shaping complex learning ecosystems, making significant contributions to the advancement of learning, training and educational practices.  They have between them transformed numerous learning environments, fostered a culture of continuous improvement and excellence, led multiple large-scale learning initiatives, and bring a unique perspective to pushing innovative learning solutions to bridge the gap between learning and modern workforce needs.

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.

Neil Hunter

With over 30 years of industry experience, Neil Hunter is currently the Chief Learning Officer for Deloitte Canada. He is the Dean of Deloitte University North and sits on the Deloitte Global Learning Executive. He has also held senior HR roles in the energy industry, higher education, public sector (civic) and not-for-profit organizations. As a former CHRO, Neil brings a deep understanding of best practice in leadership & learning work, putting work at the center of the end-to-end talent processes in various industries, and how they are converging in the skills landscape.  

Today, Neil leads a team focused on enhancing human performance and bringing potential to life, to improve productivity and the overall workforce experience inside Deloitte Canada and Chile. Neil is sought after for future proofing people strategies in support of evolving business strategies. All in service of creating workplaces where people can thrive.