BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//GayOut//Event Export//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT UID:245421@gayout.com DTSTAMP:20260913T020003Z DTSTART:20261112T133000Z DTEND:20261112T190000Z SUMMARY:SPARK Toronto 2026 DESCRIPTION:Find Inspiration. Leave with a new perspective. Spark impactf ul change.\\nSPARK Toronto 2026 is an exclusive\\, interactive event that convenes business leaders and 2SLGBTQIA+ changemakers to explore the evo lving role of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Affinity Networks in sh aping inclusive workplaces. Designed to move beyond passive learning\\, S PARK fosters meaningful\\, face-to-face engagement with those driving org anizational and cultural transformation across Canada and globally.\\nThi s is not a “sit and listen” event that can be replicated online. SPAR K Toronto 2026 is a dynamic\\, in-room experience focused on practical st rategies\\, peer exchange\\, and actionable insights for organizations re ady to invest in the next generation of inclusion leadership.\\nThis Year ’s Theme: Employee Groups\\nEmployee Groups have long been a cornerston e of workplace inclusion—but their role is rapidly evolving. From grass roots community-building spaces to strategic drivers of organizational ch ange\\, ERGs are increasingly being called upon to influence talent devel opment\\, inform business strategy\\, and respond to a complex and shifti ng socio-political landscape.\\nSPARK Toronto 2026 will explore how Emplo yee Groups can be resourced\\, empowered\\, and integrated into core busi ness functions while maintaining their authenticity and community-driven roots. Through the voices of ERG leaders\\, executives\\, and community e xperts\\, this year’s event will examine how organizations can unlock t he full potential of Employee Groups to advance equity\\, resilience\\, a nd innovation.\\nEvent Objectives:\\nElevating ERG Impact: Explore leadin g practices for structuring\\, funding\\, and scaling Employee Groups as strategic partners within organizations.\\nLeadership &\\; Accountabil ity: Examine the role of senior leadership in supporting ERGs and embeddi ng inclusion into governance\\, talent pipelines\\, and organizational pr iorities.\\nConnection &\\; Community: Create space for meaningful dia logue between ERG leaders\\, HR professionals\\, and executives to share challenges\\, successes\\, and emerging approaches.\\nRoundtable Discussi on Themes:\\nLeadership\\, Sustainability\\, and Engagement:\\nExplore wh at it takes to build an employee group that can thrive for the long term. This roundtable will invite participants to share approaches to developi ng new leaders\\, preventing burnout\\, distributing responsibilities\\, sustaining member engagement\\, and recognizing the often-invisible labou r behind employee group leadership.\\nPride in a Polarized Environment:\\ nHow can employee groups respond when 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion faces increase d scrutiny\\, resistance\\, or public debate? Participants will discuss s trategies for navigating organizational uncertainty\\, supporting communi ty members\\, maintaining meaningful inclusion commitments\\, and helping their organizations move from reactive responses to sustained action.\\n From Social Club to Strategic Partner:\\nEmployee groups create vital spa ces for connection and community\\, but their potential can extend much f urther. This roundtable will explore how ERGs can strengthen their organi zational influence\\, build productive relationships with senior leaders\ \, contribute to policies and workplace practices\\, and connect communit y priorities with broader organizational goals.\\nHOST SPONSOR &\\; LO CATION\\n[vc_row equal_height=”\\;yes”\\; content_placement= 221\\;middle”\\;][vc_column width=”\\;1/4″\\;][/vc_column] [vc_column width=”\\;1/4″\\;]\\n[/vc_column][vc_column width=&# 8221\\;1/4″\\;]\\nEY\\nEY Tower\\n100 Adelaide St W –\\; 40th F loor\\nToronto\\, ON M5H 0E2\\n[/vc_column][vc_column width=”\\;1/4& #8243\\;][/vc_column][/vc_row]\\n[vc_row nav_skin=”\\;light”\\; consent_include=”\\;include”\\;][vc_column width=”\\;1/4& #8243\\; css_animation=”\\;”\\;]\\nAngelica Ross (she/her)\\n[/ vc_column][vc_column width=”\\;3/4″\\; css_animation=”\\;& #8221\\;][vc_text_element css_animation=”\\;”\\;]Angelica Ross is an Emmy-nominated actor\\, human rights advocate\\, and entrepreneur w hose work spans Hollywood\\, technology\\, media\\, and grassroots organi zing. She rose to international recognition for her role in FX’\\;s Pose\\, becoming one of the most visible trans actors in American televis ion\\, and has continued to build a body of work across film\\, televisio n\\, and stage. A member of the Television Academy and the Screen Actors Guild\\, she brings her platform as an artist directly into her advocacy — and her advocacy directly into her art.\\nA Black trans woman\\, Ross has spent decades as a human rights advocate\\, and her worldview is roo ted in her practice as a Nichiren Buddhist and member of the SGI (Soka Ga kkai International) lay Buddhist organization. That practice — a discip line of transforming personal and collective struggle into value — runs through everything she builds\\, from her nonprofit work to her media ve ntures.\\nIn 2014\\, Ross founded TransTech Social Enterprises\\, a nonpr ofit dedicated to empowering trans and gender-diverse people through job training\\, employment pathways\\, and economic opportunity — work she continues to lead. Alongside TransTech\\, she operates Miss Ross Inc.\\, her production company for film\\, television\\, and stage work\\, and is currently developing new projects under that banner.[/vc_text_element][v c_expandable_list skin=”\\;light”\\; css_animation=”\\; 221\\;][vc_expandable_list_item title=”\\;Read more about Angelica&# 8221\\;][vc_text_element css_animation=”\\;”\\;]Most recently\\ , Ross served as Director of Communications and Deputy Campaign Manager f or Dr. Butch Ware’\\;s campaign for Governor of California — a rol e that put her communications instincts and organizing experience to work at the center of electoral politics. Rather than following that experien ce into a campaign of her own\\, Ross made the decision to found The Left Current\\, an independent\\, multi-media political platform built to inf orm and organize outside the boundaries of party politics. Miss Ross has structured her public life to remain independent of all political parties \\, and The Left Current reflects that commitment — a home for reportin g and commentary built to outlast any single figure\\, election cycle\\, or affiliation.\\nRoss is also a working singer/songwriter and producer\\ , currently in production on an upcoming album. In keeping with her broad er commitment to independence and to building alternatives outside of ext ractive systems\\, she has committed to boycotting traditional music stre aming platforms\\, releasing her music exclusively through Scrybe Streami ng and Bandcamp.\\nAcross every arm of her work — TransTech\\, Miss Ros s Inc.\\, The Left Current\\, and her music — Ross’\\;s throughlin e is the same: building independent infrastructure\\, for herself and for the communities she represents\\, rather than waiting for existing insti tutions to make room. Her only formal affiliations are the ones she has c hosen deliberately: her membership in SGI-USA\\, the Television Academy\\ , the Screen Actors Guild\\, and BMI.[/vc_text_element][/vc_expandable_li st_item][/vc_expandable_list][/vc_column][/vc_row]\\nAgenda:\\n1:30 PM &# 8211\\; 2:45 PM: Welcome and Opening Keynotes\\n2:45 PM –\\; 3:00 PM : Networking Session / Break\\n3:00 PM –\\; 4:00 PM: Employee Group Roundtable Discussions\\n4:00 PM –\\; 4:15 PM: Networking Session / Break\\n4:15 PM –\\; 5:00 PM: The Future of ERGs Panel and Closing\\ n5:00 PM –\\; 7:00 PM: Networking Reception\\nWhat Makes SPARK Uniqu e?\\nIntimacy and Access: This is an event where you don’t just hear fr om the leaders—you meet them.\\nEmployee Perspectives: SPARK provides t he rare opportunity to engage with advocates and experts from employee re source groups from a variety of organizations.\\nFuture-Focused: With a f ocus on actionable insights\\, attendees leave equipped to drive real cha nge within their organizations.\\nAudience:\\nEmployee Resource Group Lea ders\\nExecutive Sponsors\\nDEI and HR Professionals\\nRegistration and P ricing\\nLIMITED SEATS –\\; Purchase your tickets as soon as possibl e. Registration is now open on Eventbrite.\\nPartner tickets\\nSenior lea ders of Pride at Work Canada’s Proud Partners &\\; Community Partner s\\n$345.00 (+ tax) –\\; Early Bird Price (Until September 30th)\\n$ 445.00 (+ tax) –\\; Regular Price\\nGeneral tickets\\nFor senior lea ders of other companies &\\; organizations (non-partners)\\n$545.00 (+ tax) –\\; Early Bird Price (Until September 30th)\\n$645.00 (+ tax) –\\; Regular Price\\nOn Eventbrite\\, participants will be asked to inform some personal &\\; professional details\\, accessibility reque sts\\, food restrictions &\\; allergies\\, and to rank the roundtable conversations. For any additional questions\\, reach out to us at events@ prideatwork.ca.\\nhttps://www.gayout.com/usa-canada/canada/ottawa/events/ spark-toronto-2026-2026-11-12-2 LOCATION:prideatwork.ca URL:https://www.gayout.com/usa-canada/canada/ottawa/events/spark-toronto-2026-2026-11-12-2 STATUS:CONFIRMED END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR