Lang Leadership Conference Guide - 2023

We are Canada’s business school for developing and inspiring responsible leaders.

Welcome from the Associate Dean

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2023 Lang Leadership Conference offered by the Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph.

The Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics is a globally ranked business school with the bold mission of using business as a force for good. We are committed to developing leaders with a social conscience, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to their communities.

This year’s annual Lang conference brings together current Lang graduate students from a number of different programs, as well as alumni and members of the Guelph business community to participate in workshops, lectures, keynotes, and networking events. In addition, it is a monumental year for the Lang Professional Programs, with the inaugural cohort of the Master of Project Management program attending the conference.

As the Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies at Lang, I am excited for you to experience this year’s conference program centered around ‘Thriving in Uncertainty’. Each of our sessions and speakers will provide conference attendees with the knowledge, skills and tools to excel in their studies and in their career beyond their program. I am excited to join our students, alumni, faculty, scholars, researchers, and industry partners at this year’s conference; all committed to building a better world through business, developing leaders with a deep sense of purpose, and generating ideas that yield positive change.

Dr. Sean Lyons Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies

Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics University of Guelph

Schedule – Sunday, May 7th

A map of all conference locations is available on Page 13 of this program

All Attendees

3:30pm –

4:00pm Check In at University of Guelph East Town House Residences

4:00pm –

5:00pm

5:00pm –6:00pm

Exclusive Event for 2023 Cohorts: MBA, MA Leadership and Master of Project Management students – Meet Your Peers

Creelman Hall

6:00pm –

7:00pm Welcome Reception and Dinner

7:00pm –

8:00pm

Creelman Hall

Interested in getting your hands on some U of G merch while on campus? Head to the Bookstore and present this coupon to receive a discount!

Schedule – Monday, May 8th

*All Free Time activity options are noted on Page 11

2021 MBA 2022 MBA 2022 MA Leadership 2023 All Programs

7:30am –8:30am Breakfast Master in Project Management (2023 cohort) at PJs

All other attendees – Creelman Hall

9:00am –10:00am Free Time*

BUS*6600 Class Lecture ROZ 106

BUS*6800 Class Lecture ROZ 105

How to be a Successful Graduate Student ROZ 103

10:00am –10:30am Break in Rozanski Concourse (Snacks Provided)

10:30am –11:30am

From Aspiration to Actualization: Building Lang’s Sustainability Identity by Dr. Rumina Dhalla ROZ 101

Introduction to UofG Technology ROZ 103 11:30am –12:30pm Free Time*

12:30pm –

1:30pm Lunch Master of Arts, Leadership (2022 cohort) at PJs

All other attendees – Creelman Hall

1:30pm –

2:30pm

2:30pm –

3:30pm

3:30pm –

BUS*6700 Class Lecture ROZ 102 Free Time*

4:00pm Break in Rozanski Concourse (Snacks Provided)

4:00pm –5:00pm

BUS*6700 Class Lecture ROZ 102

Applying Trend Analysis to Forecasting and Budgeting by David Butler ROZ 103

5:00pm –6:00pm Dinner

Creelman Hall 6:00pm –7:00pm 7:00pm –8:00pm Keynote Address

Preventing Burnout in the New Future of Work by Jennifer Moss ROZ 101

*All Free Time activity options are noted on Page 11 2021

8:30am Breakfast

7:30am –

Master of Arts, Leadership (2023 cohort) at PJs

All other attendees – Creelman Hall

9:00am –10:00am

10:00am –10:30am

10:30am –

11:30am

11:30am –12:30pm

Leadership and Spirituality by Dr. Jamie Gruman ROZ 101

Break in Rozanski Concourse (Snacks Provided)

Your Degree Working For You by Kate Cooper ROZ 101

UoG Library Services ROZ 103

Navigating Uncertainty: Having Hard Conversations at Work by Dr. Nita Chhinzer ROZ 101

1:30pm Lunch

12:30pm –

Master in Business Administration (2021 cohort) at PJs

All other attendees – Creelman Hall

1:30pm –

2:30pm

2:30pm –

3:30pm

3:30pm –

4:00pm

Creating a Leadership Presence by Ivan Wanis Ruiz

Peter Clark Hall (University Center)

Break in Peter Clark Hall (Snacks Provided)

4:00pm –5:00pm Free Time*

5:00pm –6:00pm

Networking Night – Dinner & Trivia Brass Taps 6:00pm –7:00pm 7:00pm –8:00pm

Schedule – Wednesday, May 10th

*All Free Time activity options are noted on Page 11

2021 MBA 2022 MBA 2022 MA Leadership 2023 All Programs

7:30am –8:30am Breakfast

Master in Business Administration (2023 cohort) at PJs

All other attendees – Creelman Hall

9:00am –10:00am Major Research Project Information Session ROZ 103

BUS*6230 Class Lecture ROZ 105

Free Time* OR may join Info Session in Roz 103

10:00am –10:30am Break in Rozanski Concourse (Snacks Provided)

10:30am –11:30am Personal Energy Management by Kerry O’Brien ROZ 101

11:30am –12:30pm Free Time* Free Time*

BUS*6230 Class Lecture ROZ 105

Personal Energy Management by Kerry O’Brien ROZ 101

BUS*6230 Class Lecture ROZ 105 Free Time*

1:30pm Lunch Master in Business Administration (2022 cohort) at PJs

12:30pm –

All other attendees – Creelman Hall

2:30pm Discussion Panel with Lang Research Chairs moderated by Dr. Sean Lyons ROZ 101

1:30pm –

2:30pm –

3:00pm Break in Rozanski Concourse (Snacks Provided)

3:00pm –4:00pm Free Time* 4:00pm –5:00pm 5:00pm –6:00pm Dinner

Summerlee Science Complex 6:00pm –7:00pm 7:00pm –8:00pm

Keynote Address

The Shape of the Sustainability Agenda moderated by Dr. Rumina Dhalla

ROZ 101

Speaker Information

Speaker Information

Dr. Rumina Dhalla Associate Professor, Department of Management & Director, Institute for Sustainable Commerce

With research expertise in organizational identity and reputation and their influence and implications for organizational strategies, sustainability, and CSR; Dr. Rumina Dhalla is the resident expert on building sustainable futures. During her session she will explore Lang’s sustainable journey and how we built our authentic identity and reputation.

David Butler

Asset Manager, InnVest Hotels

A graduate of the Guelph MBA program (’21) with 15 years of experience in hospitality and hotel management. During his session, David will demonstrate concepts of trend analysis to budgeting and forecasting using historical data points to simplify the inputs necessary in forward looking financial models

Jennifer Moss Award-winning Writer, International Speaker, and Workplace Culture Strategist

A chronic state of urgency and heightened stress has made it more challenging to reach our potential. Many of us feel depleted and less effective in our jobs. Brain foga symptom of chronic stress - can make recall more difficult, and small tasks feel enormous. We’re distracted and lack motivation, so even making simple decisions can feel like a Herculean task. Jennifer Moss, a globally recognized well-being expert, and author of the book, The Burnout Epidemic, will share how to identify chronic stress and offer strategies to prevent it - for both managers and individuals.

Speaker Information

Dr. Jamie Gruman Professor, Department of Management

Who are you? Or, more specifically, what are you? Research from the cutting edge of quantum physics and other areas of investigation offers provocative ideas about what it means to be conscious and, to some extent, reconciles modern science with ancient wisdom. In his session, Dr. Jamie Gruman will touch on some of these ideas and discuss what they might suggest about how to be an effective leader.

Dr. Nita Chhinzer Associate Professor, Department of Management

In today’s world, given the high level of workplace and economic uncertainty, how well an organizational leader communicates both good and bad news can have significant repercussions on employee and workplace outcomes. Dr. Nita Chhinzer, one of Canada’s leading HR experts with areas of expertise in workforce planning, change management, employment law and more, will offer ways to help maintain positive relationships with employees during uncertain times, and how to improve the delivery of difficult conversation.

Ivan Wanis Ruiz Founder / Trainer / Speaker, Public Speaking Lab

An expert in public speaking and communications, and the official host for FIFA 2022, Invictus Games 2017 and PanAm Games 2015; Ivan is skilled in bringing people together to ensure they make meaningful connections. During his highly interactive session, participants will learn how to “break the ice”, enhance their communication confidence and create a curious audience.

Speaker Information

Kerry O’Brien Talent Development Lead, Axonify

A 14-year career in Talent Development, primarily growing and scaling teams in the tech sector combined with his Master of Arts, Leadership degree from UofG, have led Kerry to a leadership practice that centers on self-care, curiosity, and goal achievement. Kerry will walk you through the Energy Management framework where you will learn how your energy ebbs and flows, why it's important to pursue renewal times, and how to manage your daily rhythms to maximize your productivity without compromising your mental health.

Research Feature Lang Research Chairs

The Lang School is a vibrant research community that is home to over 85 full-time faculty members whose scholarship impacts consumers, employees, employers, industries, markets, economies, societies and indeed the entire planet. Join our Lang Research Chairs as they share their insights and the latest research with impact that informs policy, business and practice.

The Shape of the Sustainability Agenda Industry Insiders & Faculty

Sustainability (the environmental, social, and governance (ESG)) issues affect every sector, including in how a company manages its operations and in how the future of work will be influenced. Join us to hear how current trends are shaping the sustainability agenda, and how to leverage those opportunities in your own career.

Information Sessions

How to be a successful Graduate Student – May 8, Roz 103

Starting a new program of study can be hard and usually there is much more to learn than just the course material. This opening session will provide you with all you need to know about beginning your program and being a Graduate Student at the University of Guelph.

Introduction to U of G Technologies – May 8, Roz 103

On campus, we use certain websites and technologies which new students might not be familiar with. During this session we will provide a quick overview and tutorial of common U of G technologies so that students are prepped with the information they need prior to starting their courses.

Your Degree Working For You with Kate Cooper – May 9, Roz 101

You’re working hard on your degree. How is your degree going to work for you? In this session, we will discuss how to market the experiences you’re gaining in your program and strategies to consider when making your next career move.

UofG Library Services with Sarah Gibbons and Melanie Cassidy – May 9, Roz 103

Learn about the abundant resources available to you as a University of Guelph student. This session will touch on Writing Services supports, using OMNI, journal databases, Library Guides, and tips on citation management

Major Research Project – May 10, Roz 103

For MA Leadership and MBA students, at the end of your program you will have the option to complete your program by course work or with a research paper. Learn more about what the research paper entails and if it might be a good option for you.

Optional Activities

While the Lang Leadership Conference aims to bring students, faculty and alumni together to engage in informative academic sessions and speakers, one of its main goals is to also connect students with their peers – whether in the same cohort or from other programs. Additionally, the University of Guelph campus offers many services and has so much to explore. Therefore, we would like to offer attendees the opportunity to explore campus on their own time while also creating social connections with their peers in a non-academic setting. On the conference schedule there are “Free Time” blocks that coincide with scheduled activities on campus that attendees may participate in if they wish. On the following page you will find a list and description of all the activities being offered. Kindly note that most of the activities require registration ahead of time.

Want to head off campus and explore the City of Guelph instead? We recommend trying out some of the following options:

Experiences:

• Victoria Park East Golf Club

• The Royal Garrison

• Play with Clay

• Khronos Gauntlet Escape Room

• Guelph Civic Museum

Please note, pre-registration is required for ALL activities below (except daily gym use) as space is limited.

Athletic Centre

Daily Use – May 8 to 10

Feel like getting a workout in? Head to the Athletic Centre with your UofG student card, sign in at the front desk and head on up to the gym.

Professional Headshots

May 8 – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Looking to update your LinkedIn profile picture or just require some new professional quality headshots? Now is your chance! Photographer Jer Harman will be on site to provide you with 23 professionally edited headshots which you may choose immediately after your session.

Arboretum Tour

May 8 – 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM

The Arboretum is home to 400 acres of greenspace located right on the University of Guelph campus. There are old-growth forests, plant collections, walking trails, and manicured gardens. Get to know

The Arboretum grounds and some of the creatures that call it home!

Campus Tour

May 8 – 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

The University of Guelph is a vast campus with beauty in every corner. Join our very own UofG Tour Guides on a guided tour across campus to find out more about its rich history.

Rock Climbing

May 10 – 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM

Want to learn a new skill and try something you’ve never done before? Trained Instructors will provide an indoor rock-climbing orientation, support and encouragement for individuals to experience bouldering, top rope climbing and auto belays. Climbing Monitors will be the belayers as they provide climbing tips and suggestions. Includes: climbing shoes (sizing dependent) and harnesses

Wine Tasting

May 10 – 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Join WSET certified sommelier Melissa Pulvermacher and discover the diversity of wine through a selection of Ontario wines. Additional cost, please see registration link.

For the full interactive map, visit uoguelph.ca/maps/

Student Resources

Wellness

The Department of Student Wellness is comprised of 7 different units, all of which provide health and wellbeing support and services to students and to the campus community.

• Counselling

• Student Health Services

• Health & Performance Centre (HPC)

• Student Support Network (SSN)

• Wellness Education & Promotion Centre

• Student Accessibility Services (SAS)

• Sexual and Gender Based Violence Support & Education

John F. Wood Centre for Business and Student Enterprise

Do you have an idea for a new business? Lang's John F. Wood Centre for Business and Student Enterprise offers funding, mentorship and resources for U of G students and alumni that want to scale up their business idea to the next level. The Wood Centre has helped launch hundreds of startups, all of which provide sustainable solutions to economic, social and environmental problems.

Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics - University of Guelph

Lang School of Business and Economics - University of Guelph