Conference Team

Deborah Connors, MPE

President, Well-Advised Consulting Inc.
President & Managing Director
deb@healthworkandwellness.com

Deb founded the Health Work & Wellness™ Conference in 1997 and has watched it grow over the past 14years into Canada’s premier business conference on organizational health. Her commitment to helping organizations plan and implement healthier working environments has earned Deb a reputation as a visionary leader, which was recognized by her peers when she received the Canadian Workplace Wellness Pioneer Award in 2004. Deb’s company, Well-Advised Consulting Inc., which she established in 1991, provides strategic guidance to organizations looking to improve organizational health and the well-being of their employees. Deb and her family enjoy a high quality of life on Vancouver Island.

Sarah Lane

Owner, SEL Conference Services
Conference Planner
sarah@healthworkandwellness.com

Prior to moving to Nanaimo and launching SEL Conference Services, Sarah worked with a premier Destination Management Company in Victoria, British Columbia. She gained extensive knowledge through being involved in, and executing a gamut of events, including: multi-day conferences, unique grand openings and gala events, a large scale cruise ship re-fit, multiple tour & activity coordinations, client familiarity trips to Vancouver Island, international industry trade shows and tailored-to-fit themed evenings. She is a creative, warm individual with high energy levels, strong organizational flare and a meticulous eye for detail. Through extensive overseas travel, she has gained invaluable experience in foreign business practices and has an aptitude for language.

Theresa Mackay

CEO & Managing Director, Larchgrove Marketing Group
Marketing & Communications Lead
tmackay@larchgrovemarketing.com

Theresa drives the marketing and communications strategy for the Health Work & Wellness™ Conference. A proven leader in the marketing and communications landscape, Theresa brings nearly 25 years of experience to her role. Having worked for private companies, non-profit organizations and the public sector in a wide variety of industries, including education, arts & culture, financial services, tourism and agriculture, Theresa brings her business acumen and a unique perspective to her work with her clients. She is a Communications and Advertising Accredited Professional (a recognized industry standard in Canada), past President of the American Marketing Association, BC Chapter, and has been a regular columnist on brand issues for Marketing Magazine.

Deborah Ng

Media Director, Integrated Advertising Solutions
Marketing & Communications Team – Media Strategist
deborah.ng@integratedadsolutions.com

A well-respected media professional, Deborah has nearly 20 years of experience in private industries and the public sector, with a specialized focus in retail, hospitality and tourism, and food and beverage. The breadth of her experience and disciplined approach to media provide a practical perspective for campaign development in delivering creative and effective media solutions. She has held senior media positions with the top advertising agencies including Cossette Communications, TBWA, and Media Director at Zenithoptimedia/Publicis. Deborah is a Communications and Advertising Accredited Professional (CAAP) and is also a past member of the Vancouver Media Directors’ Council (VMDC).

Ray Lancashire

Owner, Writing Your Business
Marketing & Communications Team – Media Relations
ray.lancashire@hotmail.com

Ray has more than 40 years experience in the communications business in a career that spans journalism, public relations, publishing, private sector corporate and investor communications, and public sector media relations. Based in Kettleby, Ontario, he is lending his considerable talents to increase awareness of Conference 2011 among the media, and appeal to a wide audience of business leaders in all sectors of the economy.

Tracy Hedberg

Accountant
tracy@healthworkandwellness.com

Brenda Cadman

Partner & COO, October 17 Media Inc
Marketing & Communications Team – Website and eCommunications Coordinator
brenda@october17media.com

Brenda brings a level of detail-oriented organization to businesses that you could only expect from a former professional organizer. Sixteen years of administrative, project coordination and organizational experience as well as a Bachelors of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University, enables her to assist companies with developing web marketing solutions that aid business exposure and growth. As co-owner of October 17 Media, Brenda and her team have had the privilege of working alongside clients such as Future Shop, Sutton Group Realty, the North Shore News, Park Royal, City of Burnaby, and the Canadian Gene Cure Foundation.

Marta Devellano

Executive Assistant
marta@healthworkandwellness.com

Originally from Slovakia, Marta has over 10 years experience in business administration, most of which has been spent working as an office manager at the Painted Turtle Guesthouse in Nanaimo, BC where she learned the hospitality industry from ground up. She has her certificate in Canadian Life Insurance, earned while working as coordinator in a life insurance brokerage. As the newest addition to Conference Team, Marta is always ready for a new challenge and is known for consistently meeting tight deadlines with her ability to efficiently organize multiple, varied and overlapping tasks.