Keynote Speaker Details

Thursday, June 9
8:30 am – 9:30 am

Ray Zahab

Challenge. Distance. Discovery.

Not your typical story of adventure, Ray Zahab's story has so many lessons learned and shared. Lessons that span hard life decisions, taking risks, believing in oneself, courage, compassion and the unexpected rewards that life and change can bring.

Ray's story chronicles the true-life eight-year journey from quitting smoking to dipping his hands into the Red Sea after crossing the continent of Africa. The path chosen, the risks taken in pursuit of a dream, and the resulting gift of awareness and knowledge of so many of life's complicated questions. His journey extends well beyond any physical or mental test. It was a journey of not only self-discovery, but a journey of appreciation of others and their management of their circumstances, as well as unimaginable social, cultural and environmental issues.

This visually stunning presentation takes the audience on an incredible journey through some of the world's most remote locations, and Ray exudes drama, excitement, humour and compassion. His presentations are based upon his adventures, but they also focus on his philanthropic values, and how his life changing has changed other lives.

Ray's international appeal is largely based in the fact that he has a relatable image of the regular guy doing extraordinary things. He became active and started running to change his life. Now adventure and running has provided Ray with a platform to not only inspire – but to change the lives of others as well.

Ray Zahab has achieved the impossible by converting from a pack-a-day smoker to being part of a team of three that was the first to run 7,500 km across the entire Sahara Desert. This life-changing decision to brave 111 days, in extreme desert conditions, to raise awareness for clean-water initiatives in Africa convinced him to dedicate himself to other worthy causes. He works with many humanitarian organizations, including the ONExONE organization. In 2008, Ray founded impossible2Possible (i2P), an organization that aims to inspire and educate youth through adventure learning, and inclusion and participation in expeditions. In addition to his running adventures, Ray speaks around the world spreading the message that we all have the ability to achieve anything we set our minds to and, in fact, the impossible is possible.

Thursday, June 9
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Amanda Lang

The Business Outlook with Amanda Lang

CBC's Senior Business Correspondent for "The National" and Co-Host of "The Lang & O'Leary Exchange", Amanda Lang reviews the current business and economic headlines, highlighting trends and providing insight on the implications for Canada and for the supply chain management profession.

The most prominent business journalist on Canada's airwaves, Amanda Lang is the senior business reporter for CBC News and Co-host of The Lang & O'Leary Exchange. Previously, she was co-anchor of SqueezePlay, the Business News Network's nightly national talk show featuring guests and discussions about business and politics. Prior to joining the CBC, Amanda was part of the team that helped launch Report on Business Television (BNN), where she covered U.S. markets from Manhattan. Before returning to Canada and to BNN in 2002, Amanda was an anchor and correspondent at CNN and its business network CNN in New York, where she reported from the New York Stock Exchange. She was also the New York correspondent for the Financial Post in 1998 and 1999. Amanda began her career in journalism at The Globe and Mail, where she edited the Classroom Edition. During her years as a business reporter she has covered stock markets, the economy, financial instruments, the technology beat, Wall Street, Canadian and U.S. politics, and more.

Friday, June 10
8:15 am – 9:15 am

Maureen Douglas

Turning Gold into Good: The Buying Power of the 2010 Winter Games

With an operating budget of $1.88 billion, the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games had serious buying power. From construction to office supplies to event production, the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee demonstrated its commitment to sustainability, inclusivity and unprecedented Aboriginal participation through every facet of the organization, including corporate policies and procurement choices. Leveraging the budget to achieve exponential impact, VANOC's commitment to socially responsible purchasing and policies resulted in many success stories – including Aboriginal business endeavours, work training programs and inspiring suppliers to embrace sustainable practices. As VANOC's Director of Community Relations for eight years, Maureen Douglas will share her first-hand experience of the potential of large-scale projects to influence best practices with business, suppliers, community and consumers.

Maureen (Mo) Douglas has been described many ways: consensus builder, motivator, candid communicator and dynamic event producer. She was a key member of the team that delivered an extraordinary Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games for Canada. She leads public relations firm, Mobilize Strategies, and has more than 20 years of experience. During her eight years as Director, Community Relations and Communications for VANOC, Mo's innovative approach to community engagement ensured that the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were understood and embraced by the public.

Friday, June 10
2:15 pm – 3:15 pm

Peter Legge

Reaching New Peaks with Leadership Lessons Learned From My Father

*Principles for life * Principles for business * Principles for success

Leadership is all about influence – nothing more, nothing less. But first, we have to influence ourselves with good habits, because good habits are as difficult to break as bad habits. Peter believes that leadership is never given, but rather taken, and he has a proven track record in this quality. His company, Canada Wide Media Limited is a Canadian success story – celebrating 35 years in business and never ever having lost money. Canada Wide has an impeccable reputation and is envied by many businesses. Peter will share seven principles that have worked for him; have earned him three honourary doctorate degrees and have helped him to reach the highest recognition in British Columbia for community service – The Order of British Columbia. These principles include:

1. Being resourceful, inventive and creative and doing what is required
2. Carefully choosing the five people you spend the most time with
3. Living every day with passion, a positive attitude and emotion. Never wasting a day
4. Seeking out mentors who will teach you, encourage you and guide you
5. Serving the community. Giving back to the community infinitely more than you take out
6. Setting big goals
7. Guarding your integrity

Peter Legge is Chairman and CEO of Canada Wide Media Limited, the largest independently owned magazine publishing company in Western Canada, with a network of over 50 magazines and $30 million in annual sales. Peter is tireless in his commitments to many worthwhile organizations. He has helped raise over $130 million for the Variety Club, was awarded the Order of the Red Cross and the Order of British Columbia. Both Simon Fraser and Royal Roads University have honoured Peter. He is the author of 14 books that have helped thousands of people towards positive change.