Keynote Speaker: Jean-Philippe (J.P.) Michel

JP Michel is the creator of the Challenge mindset and the founder of SparkPath. There are over 20,000 decks of Challenge Cards in use around the world that help students find inspiring challenges to solve, instead of job titles to fit into. JP holds a masters degree in industrial-organizational psychology from the University of Manchester and a degree in psychology from the University of Ottawa. He is a TEDx speaker and the recipient of the 2017 Outstanding Career Professional award from the Career Professionals of Canada.

PD Presentation: “Exploring Career Development through an Indigenous Lens”

Aanii/Wachay, Bradie Granger (she/they) is an Indigenous Two-Spirited educator who has spent the last 20 years in the education sector, both at the JK-12 and post-secondary levels. Before making the move to post-secondary education, she spent several years as a vice-principal for a JK-12 school in a small northern Ontario town.  Prior to that she was the Guidance Counsellor for a federally-funded Grade 7-12 school in Moose Factory.  She spent her first several years in education as a Special Education teacher in various areas of the province.  For the last four years, she has been the Academic Chair for the Schools of Justice and General Studies at Cambrian College in the beautiful northern city of Sudbury.  Her portfolio includes Academic Upgrading, General Arts & Science programs, English for Academic Purposes, English, General Education, and our Justice and Pre-Service Fire programs. She is also responsible for Indigenous academic programming throughout the college and works closely with Wabnode, the college’s Centre for Indigenous Services. Bradie is passionate about providing an Indigenous and LGBTQ2S+ perspective to education and encourages an outside-the-box, inclusive approach to education.

Renée Scott – Chair
(Cambrian College, Sudbury) 

RENEE.scott@cambriancollege.ca

Renee Scott is the Director of Student Success and Recruitment at Cambrian College located in Sudbury, Ontario and is the proud Chair of OCCE 2021/2022.  She is the Cambrian College representative on the Heads of Co-Op Committee, Heads of Career Committee and CEWIL.  Renee has over 17 years’ experience within the Post-Secondary education sector leading Admissions, Recruitment, Career Advisor and Work Integrated Learning professionals with a dedicated focus on student success, increased access and career achievement. Renee holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Higher Education Management and is an honoured recipient of the Greater City of Sudbury Community 40 under 40 achievement award.  She is a dedicated higher education professional committed to student success, career preparation and is passionate about serving others and the development of our current and future leaders.

Alice Hsiung – Secretary
(Centennial College, Toronto)

ahsiung@centennialcollege.ca

Alice Hsiung currently works as the Career Services Coordinator with the Career Services and Co-operative Education Department at Centennial College. She has over 15 years’ experience empowering post-secondary students toward their career success. She is passionate about leading a team of career professionals to engage students in creative career development activities to help them transition from college to career. Alice holds a Master of Education degree in Counselling Psychology from Western University. She is a recipient of the Centennial College Board of Governors Distinguished Support Staff Award in 2018. Previously, she served as a Large College Representative and Chair with OCCE. 

Sheila Bruce – Large Colleges Rep
(Seneca College, Toronto)

Sheila.Bruce@senecacollege.ca

Sheila Bruce has worked at Seneca College for the past 9 years. Her role began as a Career Development Coordinator and then she transition into WIL as a Coordinator. She has almost 15 years of career development experience and is the current Manager of Career Development and Work-Integrated Learning.

Nita Saini
(Centennial College)

Nita Saini is a Co-op Education Advisor at Centennial College with a passion for equity and social justice. Previous to working in post-secondary, Nita worked in newcomer settlement and employment services within the not-for-profit sector. 

Beth Salt – Medium Colleges Rep
(Georgian College, Barrie)

Beth.Salt@GeorgianCollege.ca

Beth Salt is a Co-op Consultant for the Computer Studies portfolio in the Co-operative Education & Career Success department at Georgian College in Barrie. She has also worked as an Employment Resource Officer, providing drop-in career preparation advising to students. Beth has been working in the Student Affairs field for over 15 years and has been part of the OCCE Executive as Medium-Sized Colleges Rep since May 2019. Beth completed the Career Development Practitioner program at Conestoga College in 2018.

Lyndsay Kerik – Small Colleges Rep
(Loyalist College, Peterborough)

LKerik@loyalistcollege.com

Lyndsay Kerik works at Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario. She has been employed with the College since 2006.  She started her career development employment as a student working for Workopolis Campus and then Service Canada before becoming a fulltime member of the Loyalist career centre team.     

Lyndsay completed her Bachelor of Professional Arts – Communications through Athabasca University and is now completing her final course in the Bachelor of Adult Education program through Brock University.    

Lyndsay is committed to assisting students and alumni in finding meaningful employment that matches their interests, values and career goals. In additional to her full-time role in Career Services, Lyndsay also teaches part-time both online and in person, facilitating various Career Research and Placement courses within various programs. 

Kelleen Schonfeldt – Treasurer
(Cambrian College, Sudbury)

kelleen.schonfeldt@cambriancollege.ca

Kelleen Schonfeldt is a Clinical Placement Coordinator in Cambrian’s Career Centre. She has served on the OCCE Executive committee for several years in the roles of Northern Region Rep, Chair-Elect, Chair, Past-Chair and now Treasurer. Kelleen is a graduate from Cambrian College and Laurentian University with a diploma in Advertising and a Honours BA in Communications.

Kelleen works with students and graduates to help them prepare for and navigate the changing world of work by empowering them to be actively engaged in their own career development and career journey. Kelleen also works closely with the academic area, other student services, and employers and community partners to help bridge the gap from school to work, by addressing the needs of our economy, our students and graduates, and our partners. Kelleen is a life-long advocate for positive change and continuous improvement.