Presenter Bios:
Privacy and Legal Update
Stephen D. Burns
Partner, Trademark Agent, Co-Head of Innovation, Technology and Branding Practice, Bennett Jones LLP
Stephen Burns' practice focuses on energy, utility and infrastructure related technology, procurement and outsourcing, technology transfers, intellectual property, mergers and
acquisitions, and corporate / commercial matters related to technology. Stephen is the Co-Head of the ITB Practice Group. Stephen has extensive IT procurement related experience. Recently, he has lead a number of large multi-stage, multi-vendor outsourcing transactions on behalf of large, integrated energy companies and utilities. He has also completed similar work for clients in health, financial markets and banking. In addition, he has lead the creation of multi-vendor private IT marketplaces for large energy companies. Stephen is regularly retained by clients for IT procurement, RFP and contract negotiation matters, including development, customization, co-location and cloud services.
Stephen has significant technology related experience in connection with the engineering, construction, commissioning, operation, debottlenecking and revamping of energy, utility
and infrastructure facilities: including, in connection with LNG, oil sands (mining and in situ), pipelines, storage, upgrading, refining, power generation (coal, natural gas, bio-mass,
wind), power transmission, power distribution (including, automated meter infrastructure), and water and sewage treatment. Stephen's practice includes a focus on information law, including data governance, cybersecurity, seismic, privacy, social media, document retention and access to government information. Stephen regularly appears before Canada's various Information and Privacy Commissioners.
Stephen advises on matters concerning licensing, registration and protection of intellectual property in Canada and abroad. Stephen is a registered trade-mark agent. Stephen is regularly recognized for his leading practice, including in Chambers Canada, Legal 500 Canada, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, IAM Patent 1000 and Best Lawyers 0in Canada.
Stephen regularly lectures and publishes papers on technology, outsourcing and procurement, social media, data governance, cyber-security, privacy, confidential information, software, seismic data, e-commerce, intellectual property portfolio management and trademark licensing. He is a member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada. Stephen earned his H.B.A. from Ivey at The University of Western Ontario, his LL.B. from the University of Manitoba and his M.B.A. from Haskayne at the University of Calgary.
Jordan Fremont - Partner, Bennett Jones LLP
Jordan advises on pension, benefits and compensation plan design, compliance, governance, administration, regulatory investigations, disputes and business transactions,
including downsizings, spin-offs, mergers and acquisitions and wind-ups. He is also regularly engaged to advise on executive employment matters and employment-related tax
issues. The pension, benefits and executive compensation community have benefited from Jordan's support. Jordan frequently speaks at and contributes to professional and industry conferences and events, and he is a long-time industry volunteer, having held several leadership positions with the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute (CPBI), both with CPBI’s Ontario Regional Council and as a member of the CPBI's National Board of Directors. Jordan is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Pension Office of the Anglican Church of Canada, a trustee for the Anglican Church's pension and benefits plans, a member of the Benefits Canada Pension & Investment Advisory Board, and a member of the Executive of the Pension and Benefits Section of the Ontario Bar Association. Jordan has been recognized for his work in the area of pensions & employee benefits by the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Chambers Canada, and Best Lawyers in Canada. He is a member of CPBI, the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, the Canadian Bar Association and the Pension and Benefits, and Taxation Sections of the Ontario Bar Association.
Q&A with the Regulator
Jeff Boxer
Manager, Actuarial and Policy Division - CRA
Nikita Buffone
Technical Policy Advisor, Legislative Policy and Regulatory Affairs Branch, Registered Plans Directorate, Government of Canada
Nikita Buffone is a Technical Policy Advisor at the Registered Plans Directorate (RPD) on the RPP Policy and Technical Services team. She started her career in the private sector working at a Financial Institution and then joined CRA in May 2008 with the T3 Estate and Returns Department. Nikita had the opportunity to work at the RPD in September 2012 and started on the enquiry lines, which answers questions relating to all registered products in Canada. She moved to the RPP Policy and Technical Services team in September 2019.
Retirement Income Products - Accumulation/Decumulation
Ashley Kapustiak
Communication and Education Manager, Group Retirement Services, Canada Life
Ashley has joined the Canada Life team in 2021 and is bringing with her over 15 years of experie in the finance industry with a focus on wealth management and financial planning. In her role as Communication & Education Manager within our organization, Ashley is responsible for coordinating and conducting education sessions that are tailored to the plan member’s needs.
Technology: How can we make Technology our Friend?
Tracy Gromniski
VP of Business Solutions and Technology, Strive Business Solutions
Tracey has been passionate about providing innovative solutions to business problems using technology and software for over 20 years. The breadth of experience from Agriculture, Manufacturing, Health, and Finance, makes her uniquely qualified to support many types of businesses. Her enthusiasm for problem solving and leadership goes beyond work - she is a mother of four, and a dedicated volunteer on multiple committees from Minor Hockey to the Chamber of Commerce.
Relationship Breakdowns
Johanna Caithness
Partner, Fillmore Riley
Johanna is a partner who practises primarily in the area of taxation law. She provides advice to a wide variety of clients concerning the following: Estate planning, including planning for high net worth individuals and cross-border planning, Business succession planning, Corporate reorganizations, Trusts, Business structuring (including professional corporations), Complex estate administration, including post-mortem tax strategies, Provincial retail sales tax and GST.
Johanna understands that providing proper legal advice requires knowledge of and experience in many different areas of the law. She is able to draw on her experience involving real estate, corporate governance, transactional matters, and family law and engage other lawyers at Fillmore Riley so that her clients receive reliable and trusted advice in an efficient manner.
Johanna is a frequent presenter to lawyers and other professionals through the Law Society of Manitoba, the Manitoba Bar Association, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, the Canadian Tax Foundation and CPA Manitoba.
Jessica Isaak
Associate, Fillmore Riley
Jessica is an associate who practises in the area of family law. She is a member of Collaborative Practice Manitoba. Her professional activities include: Member, Collaborative Practice Manitoba, Board Member/Secretary, Athena Leadership, Board Member, Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute, Strategic Relations Committee Chair, Manitoba Law Students Association (2014-2015), First Year Class Representative, Manitoba Law Students Association (2013-2014), Pro Bono Students Canada, Robson Hall Chapter (2012-2013), Member, Manitoba Bar Association and Member, Canadian Bar Association.
Pension Admin Potpourri
Brad Prokop
Vice President, Pensions, Teachers’ Retirement Allowance Fund (TRAF)
As Vice President, Pensions at TRAF, Brad is responsible for the accurate and timely delivery of pension information to plan members. He also oversees member records, employer services, member and employer communications and actuarial services. Prior to joining TRAF, he was a senior actuarial consultant in the retirement practice of a large consulting firm, consulting to both public and private sector clients on defined benefit plan funding and plan design.
Brad is a graduate of the University of Manitoba and is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA) and a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA).
Jennifer Ryan
Director, Communications, Teachers' Retirement Allowance Fund (TRAF)
As Director, Communications at TRAF, Jennifer is responsible for overseeing the development and delivery of TRAF’s print and digital communications to various audiences, including members, employers and employees.
Jennifer holds a degree from the University of Winnipeg and a diploma in Creative Communications from Red River College Polytech.