Keynote Sessions and Speakers

Opening Keynote

The Magic Four Lines: Becoming a More Effective Communicator
Linda Russell-Callecod

Wednesday, February 22, 4:30–5:45 p.m.

Would you want a magic wand that would immediately make you a more effective communicator? Or how about a system that would make everyone you talk with more open and more willing to listen to what you have to say? Well, it’s no magic wand, but understanding the "Magic Four Lines" of how people are different — and learning how to alter your own communication style to suit your audience — is a close second.

We all need to find ways to communicate more effectively with people who are different from us, because most people are different from us. The better our communication, the more successful we are likely to be. With the help of the Magic Four Lines, you will learn how to identify your own distinct pattern of behaviour, and then figure out what it takes to connect with others, no matter how different they might be.

Linda Russell-Callecod, partner and consultant at The Effectiveness Institute, Inc. of Seattle, WA, will lead you through this interactive opening keynote. As a consultant, master trainer and executive, Linda contributes to substantial increases in productivity and bottom-line results for her clients. With a passion for team development, she teaches skills to improve interpersonal dynamics, effective communication and leadership at every level of an organization.

Spontaneous, humorous and inclusive, Linda is the very definition of high energy. She creates a safe and entertaining learning environment. Participants are challenged to stretch beyond their comfort zones to explore their potential and maximize their performance. She has developed or co-authored a variety of programs, including Diversity: Beyond Compliance, Interviewing and Selecting High Performers, Effective Selection & Retention of Managers, The Motivational Supervisor, Foundational Supervisory Skills, Customer Service, and Presentation Skills.

The diverse group of clients Linda has served ranges from Bon Marche/Macy’s to McDonalds to Silver Cloud Inns to the University of Washington. She is particularly proud of her work with the Seattle Mariners staff.

Conference Keynote

FUN-raising and Deep Sea Fishing
Dr. Billy Strean

Thursday, February 23, 9:30–10:30 a.m.

We all know about fund-raising and friend-raising — but what about fun-raising? In this dynamic and (of course) fun conference keynote, you will learn about the evolutionary and exciting approaches to building positive attitudes. You’ll also discover how to help drive successful performance and motivation in the busy field of educational advancement.

In this keynote, we will dive into and beyond the well known ' FISH Philosophy' — a life-long learning approach that inspires us to feel alive and engaged in the work we do — and teach you how to make someone’s day. You will examine the roles of emotion and identity in daily conversations with peers and supporters. And you’ll hear one person’s theory on the role humour can play in teaching and learning, as well as interacting with others in our institutions.

Dr. Billy Strean, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta who specializes in sport psychology, will be our FUN guide in this conference keynote. His primary research interests are “play, fun, and games” and the role of laughter and humour in learning.

An advocate of life-long learning, Billy has acquired several professional coaching certifications and has completed a variety of coaching courses, including the curriculum and certification program of The Coaches Training Institute and the Somatic Coach certification from Strozzi Institute. He teaches a graduate course, "Coaching Skills and Paradigms for Managers and Leaders."

Billy also continues to enhance his commitment to students and teaching. In 1991 Billy received the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching at the University of Illinois. More recently, Billy received the Faculty of Physical Education & Recreation’s highest teaching honour: the 2005 Excellence in Teaching Award. Mentor to nearly every student in the faculty and greatly admired by his peers for his dedication to students, Billy also finds time to serve his community through volunteerism and inspirational speaking engagements.

Dr. Billy Strean is a Certified Laughter Leader and is on faculty with the World Laughter Tour. His work seeks to combat TOTS (Taking Ourselves Too Seriously) and helps to diminish YALE Syndrome (You Aren’t Laughing Enough).

Closing Keynote

Setting a Course for the Future: Creating Global Citizens

Friday, February 23, 3:00–4:00 p.m.

If you are looking for the model of a Global Citizen, you’d be well-advised to go first to the nearest university. These are places that honour logic and nurture discovery. They are places that promote diversity and celebrate dissent. There are, in every great university, pockets of artistic and scientific creativity. And in the best universities there are robust connections to the people, cultures and traditions in the rest of the world. In such an atmosphere, Global Citizens arise almost by accident.

In the modern age, however, serendipity is no longer good enough. The challenges we face – whether political, ethical or environmental – are all global. Pollution, poverty, disease, disaffection: none of these respect national boundaries. They are challenges to all humankind. Similarly our responses must be global. To be competitive – and to answer the needs of our own countries and of the world – we must be strategic in marshalling our universities’ resources, from the students we recruit to the alumni whose contacts, counsel and generosity we so desperately need.

Dr. Martha C. Piper, President of the University of British Columbia, will describe the globalization of her university and set out the challenges and opportunities that await us all.

Since 1997, Dr. Martha C. Piper has served as the eleventh President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of British Columbia (UBC), one of Canada’s largest and most prestigious research universities.

Dr. Piper received her B.Sc. (1967) in Physical Therapy from the University of Michigan, her M.A. (1970) in Child Development from the University of Connecticut, and her Ph.D. (1979) in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from McGill University. Upon completion of her Ph.D., Dr. Piper was appointed Director of the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at McGill University. In 1985, she joined the University of Alberta as Dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, and was appointed Vice-President Research in 1993. The portfolio was expanded in 1995 to include External Affairs.

Prime Minister Chrétien appointed Dr. Piper to the National Advisory Board on Science and Technology in 1994 and, in 1996, to the Board of the Advisory Council on Science and Technology (ACST), a position she held until 2004. In 2001, she was appointed by the Premier of British Columbia to the B.C. Progress Board. Dr. Piper was also the 2001 General Campaign Chair for the United Way of the Lower Mainland. In 2002, she was appointed a Member of the Board of Directors for the Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation, and the Singapore Minister of Education appointed her to the National University of Singapore Council. In 2005, she was appointed a Public Governor of the Board for the Canadian Academies of Science and was named a member of the Board of Directors for PrioNet Canada. Dr. Piper has been awarded six honourary degrees: a D.Sc. from McGill University in 1998, an LL.D. from Dalhousie University in 1999, an LL.D. from the University of Toronto in 2001, a D.Sc. from the University of Western Ontario in 2002, an LL.D. from The University of Melbourne in 2003, and an LL.D. from the University of Saskatchewan in 2005. Dr. Piper was named Educator of the Year by The Learning Partnership in 2004. She is an officer of the Order of Canada and a recipient of the Order of British Columbia.