31 Event Directors at Canadian Education Associations
Event directors help turn a professional community into a real experience. They make the programme work, keep the details moving and create the conditions for people to learn from one another.
This is a current recognition directory of event directors, conference leads and association staff whose roles connect directly with education gatherings in Canada. It is not a ranking.
The people below work across universities, professional associations, learned societies and specialist conferences. Their job titles vary, but the practical challenge is similar: make it easier for a community to meet, learn and move forward together.
Why these people matter.
Education events are one of the places where ideas become relationships. The people who organise them shape the welcome, the rhythm and the practical conditions for useful conversations.
That work is easy to miss when it goes well. This list keeps the focus on the people whose public roles connect directly with conferences, professional learning and association gatherings.
1. Nabila Kazmi
Conference Manager, Canadian Society for the Study of Education
Nabila Kazmi is Conference Manager at Canadian Society for the Study of Education.
She joined the conference manager role in 2024 while continuing PhD work at the University of Victoria Faculty of Education.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
2. Barb Ford
Membership Services, Canadian Society for the Study of Education
Barb Ford is Membership Services at Canadian Society for the Study of Education.
She manages membership, conference and special-event registrations for CSSE and supports the same work for several partner education organisations.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
3. Sonia Tavares
Conference Coordinator, Early Childhood Educators of BC
Sonia Tavares is Conference Coordinator at Early Childhood Educators of BC.
She coordinates and oversees the ECEBC Annual Conference and brings more than 28 years of experience in early childhood education.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
4. Michelle Lee
Events Coordinator, Canadian Pharmacy Technician Educators Association
Michelle Lee is Events Coordinator at Canadian Pharmacy Technician Educators Association.
She coordinates CPTEA events including the annual conference and annual general meeting, and is based at Centennial College.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
5. Deanna Wolfe
Membership and Events Coordinator, Canadian Association for University Continuing Education
Deanna Wolfe is Membership and Events Coordinator at Canadian Association for University Continuing Education.
She supports the annual conference and awards programme alongside member management, professional development and other initiatives.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
6. Yann Brouillette
2027 Conference Coordinator, College Chemistry Canada
Yann Brouillette is 2027 Conference Coordinator at College Chemistry Canada.
He is listed at Dawson College for the 2027 conference, within an organisation that has held an annual conference tradition since 1972.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
7. Ola Ayoub
Conference Manager, International Conference on Academic Medicine
Ola Ayoub is Conference Manager at International Conference on Academic Medicine.
She is part of the planning team for a conference that brings together teaching, research, leadership and patient-care perspectives in academic medicine.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
8. Sherry Fox
Executive Director and Conference Manager, Canadian Sociological Association
Sherry Fox is Executive Director and Conference Manager at Canadian Sociological Association.
She is named in both association leadership and conference delivery for the 2026 annual conference, with Halifax and virtual participation.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
9. Shae Cameron
Manager Events, Canadian Society of Association Executives
Shae Cameron is Manager Events at Canadian Society of Association Executives.
Her events role sits inside the national association body that supports association executives and their professional communities.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
10. Hester Lai
Events Coordinator, Canadian Society of Association Executives
Hester Lai is Events Coordinator at Canadian Society of Association Executives.
She works on events within an organisation whose programmes help association professionals learn, connect and share practice.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
11. Brynne Wrigley
Director of Events, Canadian Association of Exposition Management
Brynne Wrigley is Director of Events at Canadian Association of Exposition Management.
Her portfolio includes the association conference, webinars, CEM courses and show-managers meetings.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
12. Cathy Wiederick
Conference Director, Council for Inclusive Education
Cathy Wiederick is Conference Director at Council for Inclusive Education.
She brings a retired 30-year teaching career and experience in gifted education to an event community focused on inclusive education.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
13. Arlene Foley
Co-Conference Director, Council for Inclusive Education
Arlene Foley is Co-Conference Director at Council for Inclusive Education.
She combines conference leadership with experience as a regional and council president, inclusive education study and school leadership.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
14. Cheryl Green
Co-Conference Director, Environmental Studies Association Canada
Cheryl Green is Co-Conference Director at Environmental Studies Association Canada.
Her board role includes helping lead the association conference within a national community for environmental studies.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
15. Tanya Bajric
Co-Conference Director and EUC Undergraduate Liaison, Environmental Studies Association Canada
Tanya Bajric is Co-Conference Director and EUC Undergraduate Liaison at Environmental Studies Association Canada.
She connects conference leadership with an undergraduate liaison role for the Environmental Undergraduate Caucus.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
16. Jennifer Hamilton
Executive Director, Canadian Association of College and University Student Services
Jennifer Hamilton is Executive Director at Canadian Association of College and University Student Services.
She leads a national association that supports learning, collaboration and professional practice in post-secondary student services.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
17. Sultan Sandur
Coordinator, Professional Development and Learning, Canadian Association of College and University Student Services
Sultan Sandur is Coordinator, Professional Development and Learning at Canadian Association of College and University Student Services.
His role connects professional development with national learning events for people working in post-secondary education.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
18. Marbella Berroa
Conference Manager, Canadian Association of General Surgeons
Marbella Berroa is Conference Manager at Canadian Association of General Surgeons.
She is named as Conference Manager for the Canadian Surgery Forum, alongside a conference assistant in the association secretariat.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
19. Brittany Ellis
CAEP26 National Conference Chair, Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians
Brittany Ellis is CAEP26 National Conference Chair at Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians.
She has held earlier conference leadership roles and also serves in emergency medicine and provincial geriatric emergency medicine leadership.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
20. Madeleine Lemyre
2026 Conference Chair, Canadian Society for the Study of Aging
Madeleine Lemyre is 2026 Conference Chair at Canadian Society for the Study of Aging.
She is listed in the 2026 scientific planning team for a national ageing research and education conference.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
21. Meghan O’Leary
2026 Conference Director, Canadian Society for the Study of Aging
Meghan O’Leary is 2026 Conference Director at Canadian Society for the Study of Aging.
She is part of the 2026 conference leadership team responsible for turning the scientific programme into a national gathering.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
22. Jessica Strong
2026 Conference Co-Chair, Canadian Association on Gerontology
Jessica Strong is 2026 Conference Co-Chair at Canadian Association on Gerontology.
She is named as a co-chair for the association’s 2026 scientific and educational meeting in Charlottetown.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
23. Janice Keefe
2026 Conference Co-Chair, Canadian Association on Gerontology
Janice Keefe is 2026 Conference Co-Chair at Canadian Association on Gerontology.
She is named alongside Jessica Strong for the 2026 scientific and educational meeting in Charlottetown.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
24. Gérard Poitras
Conference Chair, Canadian Engineering Education Association
Gérard Poitras is Conference Chair at Canadian Engineering Education Association.
He is the Conference Chair for the 2026 annual Canadian engineering education conference in Moncton.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
25. Azeddine Kaddouri
Technical Committee Co-Chair, Canadian Engineering Education Association
Azeddine Kaddouri is Technical Committee Co-Chair at Canadian Engineering Education Association.
He helps lead the technical committee for the 2026 Canadian engineering education conference.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
26. Melissa Mullis
Conference Chair, BC Digital Learning Symposium
Melissa Mullis is Conference Chair at BC Digital Learning Symposium.
She chairs a professional learning event for educators, administrators, technology coordinators and researchers across British Columbia.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
27. Shijing Xu
Conference Chair, Chinese Society for Education
Shijing Xu is Conference Chair at Chinese Society for Education.
She chaired an international education conference at the University of Windsor and works in teacher education and university leadership.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
28. Liam Cole Young
Vice-President and Conference Chair, Canadian Communication Association
Liam Cole Young is Vice-President and Conference Chair at Canadian Communication Association.
He is responsible for programming and overall planning for the association’s conference.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
29. Tahmid Huq Easher
Conference Chair, Alberta Soil Science Workshop
Tahmid Huq Easher is Conference Chair at Alberta Soil Science Workshop.
He chaired the 2026 workshop, which brought together more than 30 speakers around soil health, regenerative agriculture and applied research.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
30. David Ting
Conference Chair, CEA Conference
David Ting is Conference Chair at CEA Conference.
He chairs a University of Windsor conference that brings together energy, environment, education and other technical themes.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
31. Jacqueline Stagner
Logistics Chair, CEA Conference
Jacqueline Stagner is Logistics Chair at CEA Conference.
She helps lead logistics for the conference and is also listed with the education stream of its technical programme.
What stands out here is the connection between a specialist community and the practical work of bringing people together.
Conclusion
The strongest pattern across this group is that event work is community work. A conference is more than a room, a programme or a registration page. It is a chance for people to find one another around work that matters.
The second pattern is range. Some people hold formal conference titles, while others carry events alongside membership, professional learning, association leadership or a specialist subject. That variety is part of what makes education communities work.
If you lead an organisation, the practical question is simple: are your events helping good people do good work together?
About the Author
Jonno White is the founder of Consult Clarity. He helps leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at, with practical ideas they can use on Monday morning.
Next Read
If you are building leadership capability, training topics for managers is a useful next read. For work that brings a leadership group together, see leadership team development.
If your leadership team is working through culture, capability or organisational change, write to jonno@consultclarity.org.