20 Canadian Association Conference Leaders to Know

Last updated: August 2026

20 Canadian Association Conference Leaders to Know brings together 20 people whose public roles connect them with conferences, events, education and professional communities across Canada. The list covers association teams, national organisations and event-led professional bodies.

Why these leaders matter.

A strong association conference is more than a calendar entry. It turns specialist knowledge into a shared experience, gives members a reason to participate and helps an organisation keep its community connected. The people below work in roles that sit close to that challenge.

The list is a practical starting point for anyone researching Canadian association events, conference partnerships or event leadership.

1. Julie Auger

Director, Events

Julie Auger is Director, Events at the Canadian Psychological Association and chair of the 2026 convention. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

2. Stephanie Godinho

Director, Events

Stephanie Godinho is Director, Events at the Canadian Finance & Leasing Association. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

3. Jessica Clifford

Acting Director, Events

Jessica Clifford is Acting Director, Events at the Canadian Nuclear Association. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

4. Joan Probert

Director, Events & Education

Joan Probert is Director, Events & Education at the National Golf Course Owners Association Canada. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

5. Angela Acres

Manager, Events

Angela Acres is Manager, Events at the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies Canada. Her work spans conferences, summits and trade shows. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

6. Élaine Legault

Director of Events and Professional Development

Élaine Legault is Director of Events and Professional Development at the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

7. Florica Vlad

Events Manager

Florica Vlad is Events Manager at the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance. She is also a Certified Event Planner. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

8. Marbella Berroa

Conference Manager, Canadian Surgery Forum

Marbella Berroa is Conference Manager for the Canadian Surgery Forum at the Canadian Association of General Surgeons. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

9. Courtney Jones

Manager, Conferences and Events

Courtney Jones is Manager, Conferences and Events at the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

10. Karen Morrison

Director, Membership & Events

Karen Morrison is Director, Membership & Events at the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

11. Kate Kelly

Conference Manager

Kate Kelly is Conference Manager for the Alberta Condominium & Real Estate Conference. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

12. Courtney Coulombe

Conference Coordinator

Courtney Coulombe is Conference Coordinator for the Health & Safety Conference Society of Alberta and owner and lead planner of Planit Events. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

13. Rachel Gilmour

Events Manager

Rachel Gilmour is Events Manager at the Sign Association of Canada. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

14. Kenneshia Duffus

Events Manager

Kenneshia Duffus is Events Manager at the Ontario BIA Association. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

15. Poonam Ruparelia

Director, Events

Poonam Ruparelia is Director Events at MPI Toronto Chapter. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

16. Theresa Gatto

Vice President Education & Events

Theresa Gatto is Vice President Education & Events at MPI Toronto Chapter. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

17. Tiziana Marcellitti

Director of Events

Tiziana Marcellitti is Director of Events at the Canadian Association of Insurance Women. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

18. Janelle Eisler

Partnerships & Events Manager

Janelle Eisler is Partnerships & Events Manager at Supply Chain Canada. In 2026, she has been working on the association's National Conference in Québec City. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

19. Sherry Fox

Executive Director and Conference Manager

Sherry Fox is Executive Director and Conference Manager for the Canadian Sociological Association. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

20. Brynne Wrigley

Director of Events

Brynne Wrigley is Director of Events at the Canadian Association of Exposition Management. Her remit places her close to the practical work of making an association event useful, welcoming and worth returning to. For conference producers and planners, her public role is a useful reminder that event quality is both a programme question and an organisational question.

Frequently asked questions.

What is an association conference leader?

It is a person whose role helps an association or professional body plan, deliver or improve conferences, events, education and member experiences. Titles vary, so this list keeps each person's own public title.

Who is this list for?

It is for conference producers, event planners, association executives, sponsors, speakers and people researching the Canadian professional events landscape.

Related reading.

For a wider look at practical leadership, read Consult Clarity's pieces on Working Genius and the Enneagram, ways to lead a team with the same Working Genius types and the Working Genius implementation guide.

If you are building a stronger event team, the same principle applies: make the work visible, give people clear ownership and create a shared language for the work that has to happen before, during and after the event.

A practical next step.

If your organisation is planning a conference or leadership event, start by writing down the one change you want attendees to make after the event. That simple sentence can guide the programme, the room design, the follow-up and the way the event team measures success.

About the author.

Jonno White helps leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at. His work is practical rather than motivational: something people can use on Monday morning, not a feeling that fades by Friday.