BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//GayOut//Event Export//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT UID:287250@gayout.com DTSTAMP:20260926T233338Z 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]\\nKeynote Speaker\\n[vc_row nav_skin=̶ 1\\;light”\\; consent_include=”\\;include”\\;][vc_column w idth=”\\;1/4″\\; css_animation=”\\;”\\;]\\nAngelica R oss (she/her)\\n[/vc_column][vc_column width=”\\;3/4″\\; css_an imation=”\\;”\\;][vc_text_element css_animation=”\\;” \\;]Angelica Ross is an Emmy-nominated actor\\, human rights advocate\\, and entrepreneur whose work spans Hollywood\\, technology\\, media\\, and grassroots organizing. She rose to international recognition for her rol e in FX’\\;s Pose\\, becoming one of the most visible trans actors i n American television\\, and has continued to build a body of work across film\\, television\\, 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 t rans woman\\, Ross has spent decades as a human rights advocate\\, and he r worldview is rooted in her practice as a Nichiren Buddhist and member o f the SGI (Soka Gakkai International) lay Buddhist organization. That pra ctice — a discipline of transforming personal and collective struggle i nto value — runs through everything she builds\\, from her nonprofit wo rk to her media ventures.\\nIn 2014\\, Ross founded TransTech Social Ente rprises\\, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering trans and gender-diverse p eople through job training\\, employment pathways\\, and economic opportu nity — work she continues to lead. Alongside TransTech\\, she operates Miss Ross Inc.\\, her production company for film\\, television\\, and st age work\\, and is currently developing new projects under that banner.[/ vc_text_element][vc_expandable_list skin=”\\;light”\\; css_anim ation=”\\;”\\;][vc_expandable_list_item title=”\\;Read mor e about Angelica”\\;][vc_text_element css_animation=”\\;”\ \;]Most recently\\, Ross served as Director of Communications and Deputy Campaign Manager for Dr. Butch Ware’\\;s campaign for Governor of Ca lifornia — a role that put her communications instincts and organizing experience to work at the center of electoral politics. Rather than follo wing that experience into a campaign of her own\\, Ross made the decision to found The Left Current\\, an independent\\, multi-media political pla tform built to inform and organize outside the boundaries of party politi cs. Miss Ross has structured her public life to remain independent of all political parties\\, and The Left Current reflects that commitment — a home for reporting and commentary built to outlast any single figure\\, election cycle\\, or affiliation.\\nRoss is also a working singer/songwri ter and producer\\, currently in production on an upcoming album. In keep ing with her broader commitment to independence and to building alternati ves outside of extractive systems\\, she has committed to boycotting trad itional music streaming platforms\\, releasing her music exclusively thro ugh Scrybe Streaming and Bandcamp.\\nAcross every arm of her work — Tra nsTech\\, Miss Ross Inc.\\, The Left Current\\, and her music — Ross 217\\;s throughline is the same: building independent infrastructure\\, f or herself and for the communities she represents\\, rather than waiting for existing institutions to make room. Her only formal affiliations are the ones she has chosen deliberately: her membership in SGI-USA\\, the Te levision Academy\\, the Screen Actors Guild\\, and BMI.[/vc_text_element] [/vc_expandable_list_item][/vc_expandable_list][/vc_column][/vc_row]\\nRo undtable Speakers\\n[vc_row][vc_column width=”\\;1/4″\\;]\\nChr istopher Aguilar (he/they)\\nSenior Training Specialist\\nOLG\\n[/vc_colu mn][vc_column width=”\\;3/4″\\;]\\nChristopher is a Senior Trai ning Specialist at OLG\\, where he has spent nearly three years supportin g employee learning\\, development\\, and performance. Beyond his profess ional role\\, Christopher serves as Co-Chair of the Pride Network\\, help ing foster an inclusive workplace culture where employees feel empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.\\nA graduate of PaWC’s FlOURIS H leadership development program\\, Christopher is passionate about advan cing diversity\\, equity\\, inclusion\\, and belonging through meaningful employee engagement. He believes Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) play a vital role in building community\\, amplifying diverse perspectives\\, an d creating opportunities for connection\\, growth\\, and allyship across the organization. Through his work\\, Christopher is committed to helping shape a workplace where everyone feels valued\\, supported\\, and includ ed.\\nRoundtable: Leadership\\, Sustainability\\, and Engagement\\n[/vc_c olumn][/vc_row]\\n[vc_row][vc_column width=”\\;1/4″\\;]\\nWinni e Falkenstein (she/her)\\nSenior Manager\\, Inclusion\\nMetrolinx\\n[/vc_ column][vc_column width=”\\;3/4″\\;]\\nWinnie is currently the Senior Manager of Inclusion at Metrolinx\\, where she supports the organi zation’s Equity\\, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy\\, EDI learning\\, and Employee Resource Groups. Before joining Metrolinx\\, Winnie was the Director of EDI at the University of Toronto Scarborough and was an Equit y and Diversity Consultant with the City of Toronto for over 10 years. Ad ditionally\\, she was a volunteer board member with the Urban Alliance on Race Relations for almost 20 years.\\nShe loves travelling\\, sushi and bossa nova\\, and her priority in life is to take as many adventures as s he can with her family. In 2019\\, her family went on a 6-month global ad venture that was life-changing. Winnie holds a BA in Biomedical Ethics an d Criminology and a Master of Arts in Criminology from the University of Toronto.\\n[/vc_column][/vc_row]\\n[vc_row][vc_column width=”\\;1/4& #8243\\;]\\nZach Pendley (he/him)\\nPartner\\nEY\\n[/vc_column][vc_column width=”\\;3/4″\\;]\\nZach Pendley is a Partner at EY-Parthenon Canada with more than 20 years of experience\\, leading the firm’\\ ;s Real Estate practice and advising organizations on strategic investmen ts\\, transactions\\, and value creation opportunities. A passionate advo cate for diversity\\, inclusion and mental health\\, Zach serves as Execu tive Sponsor of Unity at EY\\, EY Canada’\\;s network supporting 2SL GBTQIA+ professionals and allies. Beyond his professional responsibilitie s\\, he is deeply committed to community leadership and advancing positiv e social impact.\\nZach previously served on the Board of Directors of th e Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) and currently serves as Chai r of the Board of Directors of Jack.org\\, a national organization aimed at improving the mental health of Canadian youth. Guided by his belief th at “having an inclusive culture isn’t just the right thing to do\\, i t’s a business imperative\\,” Zach is dedicated to fostering environm ents where people can bring their authentic selves to work\\, thrive and make a meaningful impact.\\nRoundtable: Pride in a Polarized Environment\ \n[/vc_column][/vc_row]\\n[vc_row][vc_column width=”\\;1/4″\\;] \\nRory Smith (he/him)\\nDirector of Business Development\\, DDE\\nEllisD on\\n[/vc_column][vc_column width=”\\;3/4″\\;]\\nRory serves as Co‑Chair of EllisDon’s nationwide 2SLGBTQ+ Employee Leadership Group \\, PEACE\\, alongside Stephanie Morand in Vancouver. He joined when it h ad only five members and has helped formalize its structure\\, expanding PEACE into a grassroots network with 7 regional chapters and more than si xty volunteers. Over his 4 years in the role\\, Rory has helped orchestra te EllisDon’s participation in Pride Parades across Canada and collabor ated with internal teams to establish EllisDon’\\;s Gender‑Affirma tion Policy.\\nHe has also connected with other queer employee‑resource leaders in the industry to begin shaping a cross‑company consortium fo cused on safer\\, more inclusive workplaces. Through this work\\, Rory co ntinues to champion visibility\\, collaboration\\, and meaningful progres s for 2SLGBTQ+ employees across the construction sector.\\nRoundtable: Fr om Social Club to Strategic Partner\\n[/vc_column][/vc_row]\\nAgenda:\\n1 :30 PM –\\; 2:45 PM: Welcome and Opening Keynotes\\n2:45 PM –\\ ; 3:00 PM: Networking Session / Break\\n3:00 PM –\\; 4:00 PM: Employ ee Group Roundtable Discussions\\n4:00 PM –\\; 4:15 PM: Networking S ession / Break\\n4:15 PM –\\; 5:00 PM: The Future of ERGs Panel and Closing\\n5:00 PM –\\; 7:00 PM: Networking Reception\\nWhat Makes SP ARK Unique?\\nIntimacy and Access: This is an event where you don’t jus t hear from the leaders—you meet them.\\nEmployee Perspectives: SPARK p rovides the rare opportunity to engage with advocates and experts from em ployee resource groups from a variety of organizations.\\nFuture-Focused: With a focus on actionable insights\\, attendees leave equipped to drive real change within their organizations.\\nAudience:\\nEmployee Resource Group Leaders\\nExecutive Sponsors\\nDEI and HR Professionals\\nRegistrat ion and Pricing\\nLIMITED SEATS –\\; Purchase your tickets as soon a s possible. Registration is now open on Eventbrite.\\nPartner tickets\\nS enior leaders of Pride at Work Canada’s Proud Partners &\\; Communit y Partners\\n$345.00 (+ tax) –\\; Early Bird Price (Until October 9t h)\\n$445.00 (+ tax) –\\; Regular Price\\nGeneral tickets\\nFor seni or leaders of other companies &\\; organizations (non-partners)\\n$545 .00 (+ tax) –\\; Early Bird Price (Until October 9th)\\n$645.00 (+ t ax) –\\; Regular Price\\nOn Eventbrite\\, participants will be asked to inform some personal &\\; professional details\\, accessibility re quests\\, food restrictions &\\; allergies\\, and to rank the roundtab le conversations. For any additional questions\\, reach out to us at even ts@prideatwork.ca.\\nhttps://www.gayout.com/usa-canada/canada/ottawa/even ts/spark-toronto-2026-2026-11-12 LOCATION:prideatwork.ca URL:https://www.gayout.com/usa-canada/canada/ottawa/events/spark-toronto-2026-2026-11-12 STATUS:CONFIRMED END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR