Wodil 2025 Conference
Schedule
Theme: Navigating New Frontiers: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion in the AI and Automation Era
Thursday, September 18th, 2025 | 7:00 am - 05:30 pm MDT
Understanding the Intersection of AI, Automation, and Diversity
TIME
07:00 am – 08:30 am
08:30 am – 09:00 am
09:00 am – 09:15am
09:15 am – 09:30 am
EVENT DETAILS
Registration, Breakfast & Cultural Display
Set-up, Opening Prayers
Canada National Anthem
Fun Activity
Welcome Speech & Purpose of event
SPEAKER(s)
Dr. Hilda Fankah-Arthur
09:30 am – 10:30 am
10:30 am – 11:00 am
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Panel Discussion – AI Ethics and Diversity: Ensuring Inclusive Algorithms
Presentation|-Future Leaders: How Youth are Harnessing AI for Change
Panel Discussion – Reskilling for the Future To Empowering The Future Workforce
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm
Lunch Break
01:00 pm – 01:45 pm
Break Out Sessions
1. Topic: Mitigating Bias in Data: Best Practices for Building Fair AI Systems
2. Topic: Empowering Women in AI and Automation: Pathways to Leadership
3.Topic: Community-Driven AI: Co-Creating Solutions with Marginalized Groups
01:45 pm – 02:00 pm
02:00 pm – 02:30 pm
Networking & Coffee Break
Presentation – Cultural Competency in AI Development: Integrating Global Perspectives
02:30 pm – 03:00 pm
03:00 pm – 04:00 pm
04:00 pm – 04:20 pm
04:20 pm – 04:30 pm
04:30 pm – 05:30 pm
05:30pm – 05:45pm
Panel Discussion – Building Skills for Tomorrow: Empowering Marginalized Communities
The WODIL Journey
Coffee Break
Keynote Adress- The Future of Work – Embracing Diversity in the AI Revolution
Day Key Highlights & Closing Remarks
07:00 pm – 09:30 pm
Welcome Cultural Ceremony & Cocktail Session
07:00 am – 08:30 am
Registration, Breakfast & Cultural Display
08:30 am – 09:00 am
Set-up, Opening Prayers, & Canada National Anthem
09:00 am – 09:15 am
Fun Activity – Choreography Dance
09:15 am – 09:30 am
Welcome Speech & Purpose of event
by Dr. Hilda Fankah-Arthur
09:30 am – 10:30 am
Panel Discussion – Integrating I.D.E.A. in ESG Frameworks
Panelists:
Jonathan Moser
AJ Bird
Nicholas Marcus Thompson
Dennis Kennedy
Moderator:
Anton James
10:30 am – 11:00 am
Presentation –Equity in Environmental Policy
MaryAnne Howland
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Keynote
H.E. Prosper Higiro / Rwandese Ambassador
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch Break
01:00 pm – 01:45 pm
Break Out Sessions:
Plaza 3 – The Missing Key In Resilience – Your Pathway to Lasting Personal and Professional Success
Lena Thompson
Plaza 4 – Elevating the “I” in DEI and Unmaksing Injustice: The Hidden Crisis of Disability Rights
Lloyd Lewis
Plaza 5 – Ignite Success: Empowering Leadership and Culture Excellence for Maximum Performance
Jason Leduc
01:45 pm – 02:00 pm
Networking & Coffee Break
02:00 pm – 02:30 pm
Presentation – Engaging Fathers and Couples to Break Cycles of Violence in Rwanda
Fidèle Rutayisire
02:30 pm – 03:00 pm
Presentation – Empowering Change: Leveraging Communication for Sustainable I.D.E.A Initiatives
Tihanna Louise
03:00 pm – 04:00 pm
Panel Discussion: Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Engagement
Panelists:
Adam Schwarz
Lloyd Lewis
Brad Krizan
Dr. Chika Daniels
Moderator:
Anton James
04:00 pm – 04:20 pm
The WODIL Journey
Dr. Hilda Fankah-Arthur
04:20 pm – 04:30 pm
Coffee Break
04:30 pm – 05:30 pm
Keynote
Dr. Makaziwe Mandela
05:30pm – 05:40pm
Day Key Highlights|
By Dr. Khristine Carino
7:00 pm – 9:30pm
Welcome Ceremony Cocktail Session
Friday, September 19th, 2025 | 07:00 am - 5:45 pm MDT
TIME
07:00 am – 08:30 am
08:30 am – 09:00 am
09:00 am – 10:00 am
EVENT DETAILS
Breakfast & Check In
Presentation – Inclusive Design in AI Products: From Concept to Deployment
Panel Discussion – The Role of Education: Preparing a Diverse Workforce for the AI Era
SPEAKER(s)
Panelists:
Moderator:
10:00 am – 10:30 am
10:30 am – 11:00 am
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Fun Activity
Presentation: AI-Driven Decision-Making: Balancing Efficiency with Human-Centered Values
Keynote & Fireside Chat
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm
Lunch Break
01:00 pm – 01:45 pm
Break Out Sessions
1. Topic: AI Literacy for All: Bridging the Knowledge Gap in Underrepresented Communities
2. Topic: Ethical AI Auditing: Tools and Frameworks for Inclusive Algorithm Design
3. Topic: The Creative Potential of AI: Elevating Diversity in Arts and Media
01:45 pm – 02:00 pm
02:00 pm – 02:30 pm
02:30 pm – 03:30 pm
Networking & Coffee Break
Special Guest
Panel Discussion: AI for Social Good: Leveraging Technology to Address Inequities
Networking & Coffee Break
CeFIE Team
Panelists:
Moderator:
03:30 pm – 03:45 pm
03:45 pm – 04:00 pm
04:00 pm – 05:00 pm
05:00 pm – 05:30 pm
05:30 pm – 05:45 pm
05:45pm – 06:00pm
Launch of WODIL 5th Anniversary
Coffee Break
Main Keynote address (The Road Ahead – Embracing Change and Shaping an Inclusive AI Future) and FireSide Chat
Fireside Chat:
Key Highlights
Closing Remarks
07:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Leadership Reception / Award Night
07:00 am – 08:30 am
Breakfast & Check In
08:30 am – 09:00 am
Presentation – Skill Development and Immigrant Inclusion
Paula Calderon
09:00 am – 10:00 am
Panel Discussion – The Future of Work: ESG and I.D.E.A. in Talent Management
Panelists:
Courtney Johnson
Lorin MacDonald
Maya Colombani
Donnovan SImon
Moderator:
Angie Seth
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Fun Activity
Sangea Druming Group
10:30 am – 11:00 am
Presentation: Intersectional environmentalism – how white dominant climate orgs incorporate inclusive voices
Jamiah Adams
Keynote with FireSide Chat
Hon. Selma Lakhani / Lt. Governor of Alberta
FireSide Moderator: Dr. Hilda Fankah-Arthur
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch Break
01:00 pm – 01:45 pm
Break Out Sessions:
Plaza 3: Challenging the L.I.E.S. we tell ourselves
Wagner Denuzzo
Plaza 4: A Global Shift Toward Healthcare Equity
Maria Wu
Plaza 5: Elevating Equity & Inclusion: Navigating with the Right Lens for Sustainable Governance
Maria Drueco
01:45 pm – 02:00 pm
Networking & Coffee Break
02:00 pm – 02:30 pm
Special Guest
To be Announced
02:30 pm – 03:30 pm
Panel Discussion: Shaping a Sustainable Future: ESG Initiatives for Next Generations
Panelists:
Lianne Hannaway
Angie Redecopp
Desiree Bombenon
Shakti Rmkumar
Moderator:
Angie Seth
03:30 pm – 03:45 pm
Launch of WODIL 5th Anniversary
by Dr. Hilda Fankah-Arthur
03:45 pm – 04:00 pm
Coffee Break
04:00 pm – 05:00 pm
Main Keynote with FireSide Chat
H.E Felipe Calderon / Former Mexican President
FireSide Moderator: Dr. Hilda Fankah-Arthur
05:00 pm – 05:30 pm
Fireside Chat: EcoTourism
Hon. Soraya Martinez Ferrada
Moderator:
Ross Pambrun
05:30 pm – 05:45 pm
Key Highlights
Dr. Yvonne Kangkong &
05:45 pm – 06:00 pm
Closing Remarks
Patrick Arthur (Exec. Director – CeFIE Canada)
07:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Leadership Reception / Award Night