Change Management: Neurodiversity in the Workplace
Date and Time
Wednesday, June 26, 2024, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Please note: This is an in-person event.
Location and registration
Oak Bay Beach Hotel, 1175 Beach Dr, Victoria, BC
Language
This event will be in English. Please note that the events will not include simultaneous translation services. Participants will be able to submit their questions in the language of their choice and a moderator will help with translation.
Agenda
8:30 to 9:00
Welcome & Networking
9:00
Opening Remarks – Land Acknowledgement
9:05 to 9:30
Reflections: A 29 Year Journey in the Public Service – Aaron Billesberger, BC Region Co-Chair for the NMC and member of the Federal Speakers’ Bureau on Lived Experience, will share insights from his extensive career, focusing on customized communication, trust, embracing differences, resilience, and change management.
9:30 to 11:30
Part 1 – Change Management: Autism and Neurodiversity in the Workplace, Karen Bopp, PhD from the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism (CIRCA) at the University of British Columbia will present an innovative professional development program, offering practical strategies for creating inclusive workplaces, recruitment, and employee retention.
11:30 to 13:00
Lunch (not provided) & Networking
13:00 to 15:30
Part 2 – Change Management: Autism and Neurodiversity in the Workplace
15:30 to 16:00
Closing remarks – networking
16:00 to 18h00
Social Mixer – Snug Pub at Oak Bay Hotel
Speakers and Moderator Bios
Karen Bopp
Karen has worked extensively in the disability sector in British Columbia for over 28 years. She started her career as a Speech-Language Pathologist and a Program Director at a Child Development Centre. She then went on the complete a PhD in Special Education and then an interdisciplinary post-doctoral Fellowship at the University of BC (UBC).
Karen worked for the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) in Children and Youth with Support Needs (CYSN) Policy for 10 years before becoming the Director of Autism Information Services BC. Karen was then seconded from MCFD to UBC as the Director of Provincial Outreach at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism (CIRCA). At CIRCA, she created four continuing professional development programs for service providers in the fields of medicine; dentistry; employment; and childcare in order to improve access to effective, evidence-based services and promote accessibility, acceptance and inclusion for all neurodivergent individuals and their families.
Karen currently works at the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth of BC as the Executive Advisor for Children and Youth with Disabilities.
Aaron Billesberger
During his 29-year career with the Public Service, Aaron has spent 23 ½ years working as a middle and senior manager with the Correctional Service of Canada and co-managing the Joint Learning Program for the BC-Yukon Region. He has been a BC Region Co-Chair for the NMC since October 2021 and a Speaker with the Federal Speakers’ Bureau on Lived Experience since March 2021. Reflecting on his time in the Public Service, as he transitions to retirement, Aaron will share his key learnings and takeaways highlighting the importance of making the “right” choices, customizing communication, putting trust in others, supporting others according to their needs, embracing differences, being prepared to get it wrong, building resilience and focusing on relationships.
Jon Hoogerdyk
Jon Hoogerdyk started his adventure with the NMC on October 23, 2023 as the new Regional Lead for British Columbia and Yukon. Jon previously worked for the Correctional Service of Canada where he worked as Manager, Assessment and Intervention, and has been with CSC for 25 years where his focus was Public Safety and safe reintegration of offenders within the community.
Jon is an active facilitator with the Joint Learning Program. He is a certified conflict coach and mediator who values dynamic communication with counterparts and collateral resources as means or creating solutions exploring creative options. He is looking forward to this opportunity to make new connections and assist in creating positive change
Resources
Details to come
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