NextGen 2025:Shaping the Future of Public Affairs Today
Description:
Join us for our second annual national professional development event tailored for the public affairs and government relations sector, from those just starting out to seasoned professionals. It’s a chance to connect, learn, and advance your career through professional development, insightful sessions, and networking opportunities.
Draft Agenda:
7:45 am - 8:15 am - Networking, Coffee & Tea and Pastries
8:15 am - 8:30 am - Opening Remarks
Mona Fortier, MP | Ottawa-Vanier, Chief Government Whip
Stephanie Mitton, Founder and CEO, Beacon North Strategies and Co-Founder & Host NextGen
Natasha Hope Morano, Founder & President, NHM Connect & Co-Founder & Host NextGen
8:30 am - 9:10 am - Navigating Public Affairs: A Global Perspective
Maryscott (Scotty) Greenwood, Global Head of Government Relations, Manulife Financial Corporation
9:10 am - 9:50 am - Recent Developments in the Canadian Lobbying Regime & Looking Ahead to the Next Federal Election
Nancy Bélanger, Canada’s Commissioner of Lobbying
Hunter Doubt, Manager, Government & Corporate Affairs - Canada, Expedia Group; President, Government Relations Institute of Canada (GRIC)
9:50 am - 10:15 am - How to Read the Federal Budget
Robert Asselin, Senior Vice President, Policy, Business Council of Canada
10:15 am - 10:30 am - Break
10:30 am - 11:10 am - Leveraging Polling for Advocacy: Why Bringing the Public Into Your Advocacy is More Important Than Ever
David Coletto, Founder, Chair & CEO, Abacus Data
11:10 am - 11:50 am - AI in Public Affairs: Examining the Application of AI in the Political Landscape
Chris Moffatt Armes, Founder, PoliTraQ
Murray Simser, Founder and CEO, CITIZN
Stephanie Mitton, Founder & CEO, Beacon North Strategies and Co-Founder & Host NextGen
11:50 am - 12:35 pm - Communications in a Shifting Landscape: From Prorogation to Election Readiness
George Soule, Communications and Government Relations Strategist
Carlene Variyan, Associate Vice President of Summa Strategies
Melanie Paradis, President, Texture Communications
Moderated by: Pari Johnston, President & CEO, Colleges & Institutes Canada (CICan)
12:35 pm - 1:00 pm - Networking and Lunch Service
Afternoon Networking and Learning
1:00 pm - 1:50 pm - Ask the Expert: What to Expect with the Upcoming Election
Mona Fortier, MP | Ottawa-Vanier, Chief Government Whip
Yaroslav Baran, Partner, Co-Founder, Pendulum
Hamish Marshall, Partner, One Persuasion
Mary-Rose Brown, Chief of Staff to Minister, Public Services and Procurement Canada
Moderated by: Idee Inyangudor, Vice President Global Partnerships, Wellington Advocacy
1:50 - 2:00 pm - Closing Remarks
Natasha Hope Morano, Founder & President, NHM Connect & Co-Founder & Host NextGen
Stephanie Mitton, Founder and CEO Beacon North Strategies and Co-Founder & Host NextGen
2:00 pm - Event Ends
Event Hosts:
Natasha Hope Morano
President, NHM Connect
Co-Founder & Host NextGen
Stephanie Mitton
Founder & CEO Beacon North Strategies
Co-Founder & Host NextGen & WOMENdontDOthat
Advisory Committee:
Alexis Easton, President, Public Affairs Association of Canada (PAAC); Chief Public Affairs Officer & Board Secretary, Royal Ontario Museum
Hunter Doubt, Manager, Government & Corporate Affairs - Canada, Expedia Group; President, Government Relations Institute of Canada (GRIC)
Denise Siele, Chair, Province of Ontario, Lincoln Alexander Awards, Senior Advisor, Artful Strategies.
Stephanie Delorme, Chief Operating Officer, Rubicon Strategy Inc.
Megan Buttle, National Digital Lead, Earnscliffe Strategies
David Coletto, Chief Executive Officer, Abacus Data
Hardave Birk, Director, Government Relations, Rogers Communications; Vice-President, Government Relations Institute of Canada (GRIC)
Thank You To Our Event Partners: