Conference Speakers
Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
Dr. Robyne Hanley Dafoe is an award-winning psychology and education behaviorist, recognized as one of the most trusted voices on resiliency, stress and hope. She helps people and organizations achieve meaningful success and productivity, without sacrificing well-being.
Known for her unique ability to bridge research and real-life application, Dr. Robyne delivers science with heart. Her work makes complex ideas simple, relatable and immediately usable, offering practical frameworks for staying steady, capable and kind in a world that often feels anything but.
A former high school dropout turned university professor, bestselling author and mother of three, Dr. Robyne’s story is as compelling as her science. She has delivered more than 2,000 keynotes globally and reached millions through her writing, teaching and digital platforms.
Her award-winning books Calm Within the Storm and Stress Wisely have established her as a global authority on resiliency, sustainable performance and psychological safety. Her upcoming release, I Hope So: How to Choose Hope, Even When It Is Hard (February 2026), offers a groundbreaking perspective on hope as a practical skill, a strategic advantage that fuels leadership, protects mental health and strengthens communities.
Dr. Robyne has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, Fast Company, Shondaland and Live Happy. She is a weekly contributor to Psychology Today, was recognized by BookLife as a Grand Prize Non-Fiction Winner and is trusted by Fortune 500 companies, healthcare systems and educators around the world. She is the expert organizations call when they want their people to perform at their best and stay well doing it.
Website: https://drrobyne.ca/
Mireille Saurette
Mireille Saurette’s ancestry is rooted with Southeastern Quebec French Settlers. Born and raised in Treaty 1 Territory in Winnipeg, Mireille now lives on the lands of the Dakota Oyate, Nakoda Oyate, Ininiwak, Nehethowak, Nehiyawak, Anishininewuk, Denesuline, Anishinaabeg, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.
She has provided academic and wellness support to Assiniboine College students since 2013. As wellness advisor, she collaborates with other advisors and colleagues to promote holistic well-being across the college community and helps foster a sense of belonging with a culture of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness.
Mireille has facilitated hundreds of mindfulness-based sessions for students and staff at Assiniboine College since 2017 after taking part in a 9-day Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Fundamentals course offered through the Centre for Mindfulness (now UMass Memorial Health Centre for Mindfulness).
Her passion for mindfulness and yoga is deep. She has a strong personal practice that includes mindfulness, yoga, and other somatic and embodiment exercises. Mireille completed ten MBSR courses since 2012. She also completed the Mindfulness-Based Teaching and Learning graduate certificate with University of the Fraser Valley in 2022. Mireille has also had the opportunity to participate in seven silent retreats since 2015. Additionally, she completed a 200-hour YogaFit teacher-training program in 2019 and guides a weekly yoga class at Anytime Fitness in Brandon.
Cece Tardiff
Cece is a Registered Clinical Social Worker and the founder of Amani Routes Counselling in Brandon, Manitoba. She is an active member of both the Manitoba College of Social Workers and the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She is currently in private practice as a mental health therapist committed to sustainable, accessible, trauma-informed care.
With experience across government, private, and community-based settings in Canada and the United States, Cece has spent her career working at the intersection of trauma, systems, and everyday coping. Her work is shaped by a deep understanding of how chronic stress, responsibility, and how these intersect with mental health and substance use. She is also actively involved in providing mental health services within First Nations communities, specifically in northern remote regions, where access to care is often limited.
Cece is a certified Anger Management Specialist and facilitates psychoeducational groups and workshops focused on anger, boundaries, and relational patterns that contribute to burnout and emotional exhaustion. Her work challenges the belief that over-functioning and self-sacrifice are sustainable, and instead emphasizes boundaries, self-awareness, and long-term wellbeing.
Beyond therapy, Cece is deeply committed to community mental health and substance use recovery efforts. With her team, she creates awareness through fundraising initiatives and offers free support groups to individuals who might otherwise go without care, believing that support should be available before crisis - not only after.
Grounded in a trauma-informed, emotionally focused, and strength-based approach, Cece meets people where they are and supports change without judgment. Outside of her work, she is multilingual, curious about culture and food, and finds grounding in writing, nature, family, and a growing flock of chickens that keep her honest!
Dawn Chartrand
Dawn Marie Chartrand is a visual artist based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is from Rolling River First Nation.
A married mom and koko, Dawn began painting in 2017 and was inspired to express her visions, dreams and experiences through art.
She is a singer/songwriter, musical entertainer, and a certified Yoga and Laughing Yoga Instructor.
Dawn provides “Yoga and Wellness”, “Laughing Yoga” and “Painting and Wellness” classes to all ages through her business, “OM-Digneous Yoga and Wellness.
Jessica Dumas
Jessica is an Executive Speaker Coach and Leadership Strategist, known for her leadership in amplifying voices across Canada and the U.S.
She works with leaders, teams, and organizations to elevate their confidence, communication, and stage presence.
She is the only person who has served as Chairperson for both the Indigenous Chamber and the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, being the first Indigenous woman to hold that role.
Jessica is a band member of Keeseekowenin First Nation in Manitoba.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadumasca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicadumas.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessica.dumas.ca/
Website: https://jessicadumas.ca