Opening Keynote: General Romeo Dallaire, World-Renowned Expert and Advocate on Mental health, Humanitarian peacebuilder, and Ethical Leader 

Topic: Ethical Leadership – A Humanistic Approach

Throughout his military career, Romeo Dallaire was lauded for his role in providing exemplary leadership during missions fraught with obstacles, most significantly as force commander of the UN mission in Rwanda during the genocide. He spearheaded critical reforms and professional development in the Canadian Forces, before going on to serve in the Senate.

Key Takeaways:

• With the aim of encouraging pro-active leaders, Dallaire will share advice on regaining the initiative in the present while simultaneously anticipating the needs of the future; leading rather than reacting.  
• His inspirational presentations encourage leaders to embrace new forms of communication with their team, giving them the confidence to go beyond the perception of their own abilities.  
• Professional longevity, a competitive edge, and personal fulfillment are awaiting those who put the quality of life for themselves and their team at the forefront.

Speaker: Michelle Causton, Communication and Education Specialist 

Topic: Ethics Under Pressure: Practical Strategies for Ethical Decision-Making

There’s been no shortage of headlines highlighting corporate misconduct and accounting firms facing sanctions. As professionals, it’s disheartening—and even infuriating—when we see colleagues fail to uphold the high standards, we all strive for. We often ask ourselves, how could they let this happen? But perhaps the more pressing question is: How can we ensure we don’t fall into the same traps?

This session dives into the practical application of the five fundamental ethical principles that form the foundation of the CPA Code of Professional Conduct. Specifically, we’ll explore: 

• Rule 202: Integrity and Due Care 
• Rule 203: Professional Competence 
• Rule 208: Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interest

Through an analysis of recent news stories, we’ll evaluate how individual actions aligned—or fell short—of these guiding rules. The focus isn’t on assigning blame but rather on uncovering the factors and motivations behind ethical missteps.

Key Takeaways: 

• Recognize why unethical behavior often goes unchecked. 
• Learn a repeatable framework for addressing ethical dilemmas. 
• Discover practical strategies for fostering organizational integrity. This session is designed to empower CPAs to strengthen their ethical decision-making skills, uphold their professional standards, and contribute to a culture of accountability and trust.

Fire-side Chat Session

Speaker: Jennifer Lynch, CPA, CMA, Forensic & Investigative Accountant 
Moderator: Amanda Abraham, FCCA, CPA, Senior Learning Manager | Instructional Designer | Ex-BCGer

Topic: Steering with Integrity: CPAs, Fraud Prevention and Navigating Ethical Dilemmas

While CPAs are typically trusted with safeguarding the integrity of financial practices, some misuse their expertise and access to financial data to engage in fraudulent, unethical and illegal behavior. This session will explore real-life examples, which will highlight the various factors that contribute to fraud among CPAs, including pressure, opportunity and rationalization (otherwise known as the fraud triangle), and examine the potentially devastating consequences for businesses, individuals and the community at large.

In addition, CPAs often face situations that test their moral compass, from conflicts of interest to pressure to manipulate or alter financial outcomes. As a forensic accountant, I will cover several real-life examples that I’ve encountered in my own career, including a case where there was significant pressure from the client and his lawyer to adjust the approach I had taken for his business valuation, which would have changed the valuation numbers to their advantage, and how I navigated these situations. This seminar will provide practical strategies for identifying ethical dilemmas, understanding professional responsibilities, and implementing safeguards to uphold ethical standards.

Key Takeaways:

• Attendees will gain insight into the red flags of fraudulent activities committed by CPAs, the ethical dilemmas faced by CPAs and why they may be motivated to commit fraud, and the measures that can be implemented to prevent and detect fraud, including whistleblower policies and strong internal controls.
• Learn how to recognize and prevent ethical breaches, manage pressures from clients or employers, and make decisions that align with their professional values.
• Learn the best practices for developing a personal code of ethics, maintaining objectivity, and seeking guidance from other professionals and/or regulatory bodies when necessary.

Speaker: Sheena Yap Chan, Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author | Corporate Trainer

Topic: The Confidence Ethic: Empowering CPAs to Lead with Integrity in Accounting and Finance

In the high-stakes world of accounting and finance, ethical leadership requires more than just technical expertise—it demands confidence, authenticity, and a commitment to integrity. For many professionals, systemic barriers, self-doubt, and societal expectations can undermine their ability to lead effectively and ethically.

Sheena Yap Chan, an internationally renowned speaker and advocate for personal empowerment, will explore how cultivating confidence enables accounting and finance professionals—both men and women—to lead with integrity and foster trust. Through actionable insights and inspiring stories, Sheena will guide attendees on building self-assurance, overcoming imposter syndrome, and embracing their unique leadership potential. This session will also emphasize the importance of diverse and inclusive leadership in upholding ethical standards and driving organizational success. 

Participants will leave with practical strategies to navigate challenges, amplify their voices, and lead with confidence and integrity in their professional and personal lives. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Understand the connection between confidence, ethical leadership, and professional success in accounting and finance. 
• Learn practical techniques for overcoming self-doubt and fostering resilience in high-pressure environments.
• Explore how diverse and inclusive leadership strengthens ethical decision-making and organizational trust.  

Closing Keynote: Ramy Nassar, AI & Emerging Technology Expert | Helping The World’s Leading Organizations Navigate What’s Next

Topic: Beyond Compliance: A CPA's Guide to Ethical AI Leadership

As the former Head of Innovation at Mattel and a recognized expert in artificial intelligence, Ramy Nassar helps leaders Navigate What's Next in the rapidly evolving emerging technology landscape. In this engaging session, he explores how CPAs can embrace AI's transformative potential while upholding their professional obligations and building trust with stakeholders. Drawing from real-world examples and practical frameworks, Ramy demonstrates how leading organizations are successfully implementing AI governance that aligns with professional standards.

In this interactive presentation, participants will discover how to evaluate AI solutions through the lens of professional ethics, ensuring that innovation never comes at the cost of integrity. The session introduces practical tools for assessing AI risks, maintaining confidentiality, and developing robust governance frameworks. Ramy's engaging storytelling brings to life how forward-thinking CPAs are already building ethical frameworks for AI adoption that enhance rather than compromise professional standards.

Key Takeaways:

• Building Trust Through Transparency: Learn practical approaches to maintaining transparency in AI-assisted work, including frameworks for documenting AI decision-making processes, establishment of governance councils, and communicating effectively with stakeholders about acceptable AI use.  
• Maintaining Professional Standards in an AI World: Explore strategies for evaluating AI tools against professional standards, including assessing AI reliability, understanding its limitations, and ensuring appropriate human oversight. 
• The Privacy Paradox: Understand the importance of maintaining data privacy and security when implementing AI solutions, including practical approaches to data governance, the impact of data bias, and ethical data handling.