Speakers and Presenters
Welcome to Connecting the Dots!
We are thrilled to introduce the dynamic and accomplished speakers and presenters who will be sharing their expertise and insights at this year's event. From thought leaders to industry pioneers, our speakers are at the forefront of innovation, hinting at the exceptional content and connections awaiting you as we explore the intersection of education, technology, and employment.
Danielle Migwans
Danielle Migwans is a youth, song carrier, and knowledge keeper from M’Chigeeng First Nation. She holds a deep connection to her culture and heritage, serving as a vital link between traditional knowledge and the younger generation. In addition to her cultural role, Danielle works as a Special Project Manager for Anishnawbe Health Toronto, where she leads initiatives that support Indigenous health, wellness, and community development. Her work is deeply rooted in the values of her people, ensuring that the wisdom of her ancestors continues to guide and uplift her community.
David Johnson
David Johnson is a remarkable Team Canada track athlete from Victoria, BC, who has overcome immense challenges to become a leading figure in para-athletics. Living with only 3% vision, David specializes in the 400m, navigating the track with precision alongside his guide runner. In 2018, he set a new Canadian record in the T12 400m, breaking a record that stood for over 30 years. Competing in events like the 2022 Commonwealth Games and 2019 Parapan Am Games, David demonstrates unwavering commitment. Off the track, he manages type 1 diabetes and uses his social media presence, with over 400,000 followers, to advocate for inclusivity and inspire others.
Kevin Kline
Kevin Kline is a dedicated Community Engagement Representative at GoodMaps, where he's been making a significant impact for the past year. As a blind individual, Kevin brings unique insights to his role, focusing on user engagement, product feedback, and accessibility testing. He works closely with the blindness community, ensuring GoodMaps' products meet their specific needs. Kevin's passion for accessible technology and his background from Western Kentucky University make him invaluable to the team. His work bridges the gap between innovative navigation solutions and the visually impaired community, championing inclusivity and independence. Through his efforts, Kevin is helping shape a more accessible future for all.
Loran Upton
Meet Loran, a DE&I Program Manager at Scotiabank with over 9 years of expertise in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Passionate about empowering the Talent Acquisition team to attract and hire diverse talent, Loran advocates for creating inclusive workplaces for candidates with disabilities. Her work includes developing accessible recruitment processes, training hiring managers, and partnering with disability organizations. She has been a part of numerous internal presentations and innovative projects, and actively advocates through the DiversAbility Employee Resource Group, all aimed at fostering an inclusive culture across the bank.
Mehdi Masoumi
Mehdi Masoumi, leads Deaf AI in Toronto, pioneering AI-powered sign language interpretation. His company tackles digital exclusion of the hearing impaired, developing innovative solutions that enhance communication accessibility in public spaces. Masoumi's leadership has positioned Deaf AI at the forefront of assistive technology for the Deaf community.
Parthiban Dhakshnamurthy
Parthiban Dhakshnamurthy, joined Public Services and Procurement Canada, Ontario Region as a Procurement Assistance Team Leader in 2023. He has held various positions in public sector and not-for-profit across multiple industries for over 12 years in fields such as Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Supply Chain Operations, and Project Management. Mr. Dhakshnamurthy is responsible for supplier outreach and engagement for PAC-OR. He also delivers seminars that assist and inform suppliers on how to do business with the Government of Canada.
Patrick Hung
Patrick Hung is a Professor at Ontario Tech University. He is a Leverhulme Visiting Professor at Aston University and a Scottish Science Council’s Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Abertay University. Hung worked with Boeing Research and Technology in Seattle with two U.S. patents on the mobile network dynamic workflow system. He was a research scientist with Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization. His current research interests focus on social robots and accessibility.
Robin Koczerginski
Robin has spent his career at the intersection of design, storytelling, and social innovation. He currently works at AccessNow as a Community Programs Manager, helping create the inclusion revolution. Previously he has helped support the growth of programs at Wattpad and BrainStation. He is trained in strategic human-centered design thinking and is equipped with a classical design toolkit. He is a vivid storyteller, public speaker and writer, and holds an MA in Interdisciplinary Design Strategy.
Mike Shoreman
Mike Shoreman, celebrated for his resilience and inspiring journey, empowers audiences to face adversity with positivity. After being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome in 2018, Mike defied medical expectations to become the first person to paddleboard across all five Great Lakes, raising mental health awareness across Canada. His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Marg Starzynski Mental Health Leadership Award and the 2024 Changemaker of the Year Award.