Keynote 03 · Culture
Best in Class™ Culture
The power of purpose, connection, contribution and impact.
The problem this keynote solves
People are working hard, but they can feel disconnected from the purpose of the work and from one another. When that happens, they lose sight of why their contribution matters.
Karen helps teams connect their everyday work to each other and to the difference they can make.
of employed Canadians report feeling burnt out, up from 35% in 2023.Source: Mental Health Research Canada, Mental Health in the Workplace 2025
Participants will learn how to
- Articulate how their work contributes to shared purpose.
- Recognize colleagues' contributions in specific, meaningful ways.
- Choose a team practice that strengthens connection.
Each person names who benefits from their work, recognizes a colleague, and the team agrees on one practice to review together.
Putting Shared Purpose into Practice. Guided team activities connect purpose, contribution and concrete commitments.
For multicultural and newcomer audiences: Karen can tailor a session on cultural intelligence and belonging across difference, recognizing the perspectives people bring and how those perspectives shape participation and decisions.
Why Karen
Karen's work spans inclusive leadership, anti-racism, psychological safety and organizational culture, including system-wide anti-racism work with Ontario Health.
Also available as: Building an Inclusive Workplace Culture · Anti-Racism & Anti-Oppression · Multiculturalism & Cultural Intelligence · Bias & Difficult Conversations
"She makes people feel safe and open."
"Karen is an absolutely captivating speaker. She engages people in difficult conversations and simultaneously makes them feel safe and open."
Bianca Bernardi, Q4
