Inside Day 2: National Member Conference
Day 2 of the 2025 TEC Canada National Member Conference brought another wave of connection, inspiration, and actionable insight for business leaders, who gathered for a full day of learning, collaboration, and forward-thinking conversation.
Opening Remarks & Morning Momentum
After a vibrant networking breakfast, TEC Canada President & CEO Todd Millar welcomed attendees back, setting the tone for a day centred around growth, strategy, and shared leadership.
Breakout Sessions: Real Strategies for Real Business Challenges
From sales and M&A, to health, pricing, and the future of work, the day’s breakout sessions covered ground where leaders need it most:
- Morné Smit, CEO of Emerse Group, led morning and afternoon sessions on Creating a Sales Playbook, helping leaders unlock sales potential through systems and structure.
- Terry Mocherniak, Founder of Apex Capital, explored how to Prepare Your Company for a Sale, drawing on his experience leading over $400M in transactions.
- Dr. Shaan Chugh of Cleveland Clinic Canada made a compelling case for why Employee Health Must Be a Strategic Priority in today’s competitive talent market.
- Paul Hunt (TEC Canada Chair) and Kirk Jackisch, pricing strategy experts from Canada and the U.S., teamed up to share high-impact pricing frameworks to drive margin and growth.
- Anne-Marie Pham, a national voice on equity and inclusion, examined the Future of Work in Canada, emphasizing the importance of inclusive practices in building resilient organizations.
Panel Discussion: A Spotlight on Canada-U.S. Trade
The Trade & Tariff Panel featured a powerhouse lineup unpacking the challenges and opportunities of cross-border trade:
- Charles St-Arnaud, Chief Economist, Central Alberta
- Goldy Hyder, President & CEO, Business Council of Canada
- Brian Topp, Policy Leader and Member of the Prime Minister’s Council on Canada-U.S. Relations
- Chris Casey, Partner and Industrial Manufacturing Lead at PwC Canada
- Moderated by Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of Ottawa and former TEC Chair
The panel explored how shifting policy, supply chains, and global dynamics are shaping business in 2025 and beyond.
Keynote: Arlene Dickinson – Lessons from the Den
In one of the most powerful moments of the day, Arlene Dickinson shared her journey of reinvention, resilience, and bold leadership. As Founder and General Partner of District Ventures Capital, and a long-time Dragons’ Den star, she offered a candid look at what it truly takes to scale a business, stay grounded in your values, and lead through transformation. Her stories were raw, her insights practical, and her message clear: success isn’t just about grit, it’s about the courage to evolve.
From national spotlights to boardroom decisions, Arlene reflected on the highs and lows of her career, highlighting the discipline it takes to lead with conviction. She reminded the room that when leaders are willing to bet on themselves, embrace change, and put people first, the impact can be limitless.
Fun fact: Did you know Arlene Dickinson was a member of not one, but two TEC groups? She credits being part of TEC as a key reason behind her decision to join Dragon’s Den.
Keynote: The Right Honourable Stephen J. Harper – Leadership in a Disrupted World
In a compelling one-on-one conversation with TEC Canada President & CEO Todd Millar, The Right Honourable Stephen J. Harper offered an insider’s perspective on the global shifts impacting today’s business environment. Drawing from his experience as Canada’s 22nd Prime Minister and a global strategic advisor, Mr. Harper reflected on the economic, political, and social dynamics shaping the world, and how business leaders can respond with clarity and conviction.
His message reinforced a core belief shared across the TEC community: that in times of disruption, strong leadership grounded in principle and purpose is not just necessary, it’s transformative.
Thank You for Being Part of It
To every speaker, member, Chair, and guest, thank you for making the National Member Conference a huge success. The ideas shared, the strategies explored, and the relationships built will continue to ripple outward long after the conference wraps.
Let’s carry this momentum forward.
