Monday, June 23, 2025
Strong Organizations Through Executive Leadership
Opening Ceremony & Torch Run Presentation
What to Expect |
|
Keynote Speaker
Alexander Manu
"Transforming Organizations Through Dynamic Futureproofing"
About Alexander Manu |
Alexander Manu is a visionary who has consistently challenged the boundaries of innovation, strategy, and foresight, an individual whose insights have not only shaped industries but have also inspired countless professionals to reimagine the future and their role in it. He is a celebrated author, a distinguished professor, and a sought-after consultant who has advised Fortune 500 companies, governments, and academic institutions. His work has been a catalyst for change, challenging the status quo and pushing boundaries in ways that redefine what is possible. |
Session 1
Inspector General of Ontario - Futureproofing Policing
Inspector General Ryan Teschner
About IG Ryan Teschner |
Ryan Teschner was appointed in March 2023, and is Ontario’s first Inspector General of Policing with duties and authorities under the Community Safety and Policing Act. Ryan is dedicated to collaborating with partners to enhance police service delivery, modernize police governance, and build public trust in Ontario’s public safety sector. A national expert in public safety reform and transformation, Ryan has served in complex executive roles where he led significant policing and governance change initiatives. Ryan has served as Executive Director and Chief of Staff of the Toronto Police Services Board, Special Counsel and Advisor in two provincial justice ministries, and Lead Counsel to the Independent Civilian Review into Matters Relating to the G20 Summit. Ryan has been widely recognized for his work, including receiving the Award for Excellence in Police Governance from the Canadian Association of Police Governance. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 2006, and practiced law at two international law firms. |
Session 2 - Panel
Carving Out Time to Look Around the Corner
Moderator: Paul Pedersen, OACP Executive Director
Panel: Commissioner Thomas Carrique, Ontario Provincial Police & President of the Canadian Association
of Chiefs of Police
Assistant Commissioner Matt Peggs, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Chief Myron Demkiw, Toronto Police Service
About this Session |
Understand what’s coming and prepare your organization to respond and thrive in a rapidly evolving environment. |
|
Paul Pedersen started his role as Executive Director with the OACP on June 24, 2024. He has more than 40 years of exceptional experience in policing having served in senior leadership positions with York Regional Police and Chief of Police of the Greater Sudbury Police Service. Paul holds a Master of Public Administration from Western University along with a Diploma in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University and is a graduate of Executive Leadership programs from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Business, the National Police Improvement Agency in the United Kingdom and the Senior Management Institute for Police through the Police Executive Research Forum in the United States. Paul is a proud Officer of the Merit of the Police Forces and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal and the Police Exemplary Service medal as well s being invested as a Member in the Order of St. John. Paul is passionate about community engagement serving on the Board of St. John Ambulance as the Vice-Chair, the Chair of the Sudbury Food Bank, the Chair of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, and a past President of the Cambrian College Board. He participates in a wide variety of community events connection with diverse and multicultural communities all thorough the year. |
![]() |
THOMAS CARRIQUE became the 15th Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police on April 8, 2019. Commissioner Carrique commenced his policing career with York Regional Police in 1990. He worked in a variety of roles including Uniform Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Investigative Services, Traffic, Marine, and Public Order. He progressed through the ranks and served as Deputy Chief of the Administration Branch, the Operations Branch, and the Investigations and Support Branch. Commissioner Carrique holds a Master’s degree in leadership and training, with a specialty in justice and public safety, from Royal Roads University, and a certificate in terrorism studies from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He is a graduate of the National Policing Improvement Agency’s International Commanders Program in the United Kingdom and the United States Department of Justice Drug Unit Commanders Academy. He is currently the elected President of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. He serves as a co-chair of the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada National Executive Committee and on the board of directors for the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police. He is an appointed member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Division of State and Provincial Police Executive Committee. In addition, he is a member of the Ministry of the Solicitor General Executive Mental Health Steering Committee and co-chairs the Mental Health Collaborative Police Table. Commissioner Carrique is a recipient of the Police Exemplary Service Medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He is also a Commander of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces as well as a Serving Brother of the Order of St. John Ambulance. |
Myron Demkiw, a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (M.O.M.), joined the Toronto Police Service in 1990, and became Chief in December of 2022. As head of the largest municipal police service in Canada, and the fourth largest municipal police service in North America, Chief Demkiw oversees 5300 police officers, 2200 civilian Members, and a budget of $1.2 billion. Over the course of his career, he has served as the Unit Commander of Intelligence Services and the Officer in Charge of Strategy Management Corporate Projects, the Second in Command of 32 Division, Duty Senior Officer, and fulfilled several supervisory roles in various units throughout the organization. He has also participated in several Service-wide initiatives, including as an integral member of the Police and Community Engagement Review (PACER) Team, since its inception in 2012. An alumnus of the University of Toronto, Chief Demkiw earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in his twenties, majoring in both Criminology and Political Science. He later returned to attend the Faculty of Law and completed the Global Professional Master of Laws program. He is also a graduate of the Rotman School of Management’s Police Leadership Program. Chief Demkiw is a married father of two and a proud member of Toronto’s Ukrainian community. |
Session 3
From Vision to Action: Strengthening Strategic Foresight in Policing
Dr. Hector Perez, Niagara Regional Police Service
Staff Sergeant Amanda Gill, Hamilton Police Service
About this Session |
Traditional strategic planning in policing often falls short in execution, accountability, and adaptability. This session introduces an action-driven approach to Strategic Foresight, equipping executive leaders with practical tools to anticipate challenges, align resources, and drive meaningful change. Grounded in project management, change leadership, and strategic planning, participants will learn how to set long-term goals, engage stakeholders, track progress, and optimize resource allocation. Join us to explore how to turn vision into measurable results and position your organization for long-term success in a rapidly evolving policing landscape. |
Dr. Hector Perez holds a doctorate in strategy and technology management and has over a decade of experience in project management, evaluation, and business analysis. He specializes in strategy formulation, execution, and evaluation, with extensive expertise in analyzing current and future demand trends and developing resource allocation studies for police services. Hector is a member of the American and Canadian Societies of Evidence-Based Policing, as well as its counterparts in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. He is also a member of the Academy of Management. He currently serves as a Corporate Analyst with the Niagara Regional Police Service. |
Staff Sergeant Amanda Gill brings over 23 years of experience in the public and private sectors, with a strong background in leadership and governance. She holds a Master’s in Leadership and a certification in Public Safety Leadership. As the head of the Strategic Initiatives Unit at Hamilton Police Service, she drives strategic change to enhance effectiveness and inclusivity. |
Session 4
Women in Leadership
About this Session |
The importance of leadership coaching for senior women in policing. |
Session 5
Leadership Strategies for Futureproofing Your Organization
Carlo Sicoli, Director, Business Development and Partnerships, Schulich ExecEd, Schulich School of Business, York University
About this Session |
Explore practical work plans and actionable steps for enhancing the leadership posture of police organizations. |
About Carlo Sicoli |

Alpine Ski Club
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Looking Forward and Leading Through Change
Featured Speaker
Murray Rowe Jr., UE, President & CEO
Forrest Green Group of Companies

About Murray Rowe Jr. |
Keynote Speaker
"Embracing Generation Z: Culture and Technology"
Session 6
Moving From Shock to Action on Artificial Intelligence and Other Technological Innovations
Colin Stairs, Chief Information Officer, Toronto Police Service
Deputy Chief Paolo DaSilva, York Regional Police
Bill Payne, Director, Information Technology, Halton Regional Police Service
Tony Ventura, Director, Information Technology and Services, Peel Regional Police
Adam Woods, Manager, Information Technology, Halton Regional Police Service
About this Session |
A Game Changing Approach to Strategic Development Colin Stairs - Technologies that will move your police organizations Deputy Chief Paolo DaSilva - Navigating A.I. for your police service through opportunities and pitfalls |
About the Speakers |
Session 7
Future-proofing Ontario's Police Services Through Organizational Wellness
Connie Dejak, President & CEO, Runnymede Health Care Centre
Dr. Candice Monson, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University
About this Session |
As policing evolves, the need for sustainable wellness frameworks has never been more critical. Future-proofing police services requires a proactive focus on member wellness—not just as support but as a strategic foundation for resilient adaptive organizations. This panel will explore innovative wellness strategies, partnerships, and their role in recruitment, retention, and operational sustainability. Topics:
|
About the Speakers |
Life Members Reception
A moment to honour our Life Members
Awards & Life Members Luncheon
Join us for the Awards & Life Members Luncheon as we celebrate the outstanding work of the dedicated women and men in policing. This special event also offers a unique opportunity to connect with our esteemed Life Members as they reflect on their remarkable careers and share stories from their time in service.
Session 8
Cultivating Safe Spaces (CSS): A Framework for Transformational Leadership
Lisa Darling, Co-Chair, Advancing "WE" in Policing & Executive Director of the Ontario Association of Police Boards
Tammy Fryer, Co-Chair, Advancing "WE" in Policing
Lisa is currently in her 30th year working in the policing sector and is the Co-Chair of Advancing WE in Policing-Ontario (AWIP-ON). In 2018, Tammy Fryer and eight of her colleagues from services around the province joined together to form AWIP-ON, “a collective voice on equity, inclusion and diversity in Ontario policing”. AWIP is a volunteer-based working group comprised of leaders, regardless of rank, that is committed to cultivating work environments founded on safety, belonging and connection, where everyone has equal access and opportunity to thrive. Lisa was one of the original members in 2018 and has continued to work alongside Tammy and the team ever since. In addition to her role in AWIP, in May of 2022, Lisa was hired into the position of Executive Director with the OAPSB (Ontario Association of Police Service Boards). In this role, she is responsible for steering the organization and managing the day-to-day operations. Lisa brought with her to this role, a wealth of knowledge and strategic leadership experience from her 27 years of exemplary service with the OPP. During the last 10 years of Lisa’s career with the OPP, she held uniform executive leadership roles, with a focus on leading and working in diverse collaborative teams. Prior to her position as Superintendent of West Region, Lisa was Commander of the Northumberland and Peterborough Detachments. Lisa is a graduate of WLU, the Executive Development in Policing Program from CPC and a Member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces. |
With over 35 years in the policing sector, Tammy is committed to fostering safer, authentically inclusive workplaces within policing. In 2018, she formed Advancing WE in Policing-Ontario (AWIP-ON) as a response to working in an unsafe, toxic work environment. Over the years, AWIP ON has continued to evolve creating a new vision, “A future where policing cultivates psychological safety, equity, and belonging, providing the skills and support for every individual to feel that they matter and are empowered to awaken their potential within a connected and inclusive community of police professionals.” From January 1990 until July 2020, Tammy was a proud member of the Windsor Police Service, retiring at the rank of Inspector, the 3rd highest achieved by a woman over 150 years. Tammy’s police career highlights center around oversight of many top priority organizational initiatives, maintaining community safety and wellbeing, building public trust by collaborating with community partners on multiple initiatives to address social justice issues, recruitment outreach, organizational gender equity awareness, and cultivating wellness within the Service. Tammy has always considered herself to be an agent of change and welcomes the opportunity to introduce a new, modern way of leading within the culture of policing. One that will foster a sense of safety, belonging and connection benefiting not only the membership but enhancing community service and safety overall.
|
Session 9
Ontario's Recruitment Marketing Campaign: Future Leadership Through Effective Recruitment Today
Zubin Sanyal, Principal, Digital Strategy, Earnscliffe Strategies
Megan Buttle, Digital Lead, Earnscliffe Strategies
About the Speakers |
Casual Night
to Network
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
What's Next? Embracing Positive Leadership
Keynote Speaker
OACP Annual General Meeting Agenda |
|
Session 10
Silver Lining Townhall
Moderator: Paul Pedersen
Tell us... |
What's working in your police service? What opportunities do you see for Ontario police organizations? |