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Conference Presentation
Frontline Voices: Navigating Mental Health in the Workplace
Join us for an insightful plenary panel as we bring together diverse frontline employees to share their experiences and challenges related to mental health in the workplace. This discussion will explore the unique pressures faced by employees on the front lines, highlight personal stories of resilience, and offer strategies for fostering a supportive work environment. Front-line workers will gain valuable insights to recognize systemic mental health risks in their workplace and skillfully advocate for mental health initiatives and training to their leadership team. Equipped with the knowledge and tools to employ strategic approaches, attendees will be empowered to champion effective psychological safety practices in their workplace.
Panelist Biographies
Host: Aaron Paquette
Aaron Paquette is one of Canadaʼs best-known First Nations Metis personalities. He is a bestselling, award-winning author, an acclaimed painter and artist, an illustrator, goldsmith and cathedral stained glass artist.
Active in his community, Aaron sits on various civic, provincial and national Boards and Advisory Councils. On October 16, 2017, Aaron was elected to the Edmonton City Counsel to represent Ward 4 in the City’s Northeast.
He is also fortunate to be alive. It was on an August night in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada that Aaron found himself on the guardrails of the High Level Bridge. A moment of crisis. Over the intervening years, through ups and downs and many mistakes and learning opportunities, Aaron has found a way to voice his message. We all suffer, but none of us are alone. There is a strength within us and around us that we can constantly draw on, not only to get us through tough times, but to propel us into the life we always wanted.
Panelist: Cai Pugh
Cai Pugh (he/they) works as a Program Assistant and Facilitator at Recovery College. He loves helping people develop skills to make tough times a little easier to manage. Authentic and Compassionate Cai approaches this panel through the lens of living and working with depression, anxiety, and cronic illness as well as being a gender diverse human.
Panelist: Treena Ward
Treena Ward, level 4 ECD Social worker, RSW, wife, mother of 3, grandmother to 2 and a strong advocate for health. Northern Alberta has been her home for more than 30 years with her own piece of heaven just a couple hours from the Territories border. Her portfolio has a wide array of projects spanning from early childhood programming with Brighter Futures, working with low income housing authorities, many arms in her social services discipline and for the past 14 years she has been with AHS, Mental Health & Addictions. Treena is passionate about health and wellness, both her work and personal journey as taught her how truly important it is. Treena is particularly interested in women’s health and appreciates any opportunity to make a positive impact through sharing her story and advocating for a better and healthier community.
Panelist: Kelly-Ann Mcquade-Laxer
Kelly-Ann McQuade-Laxer is the Donated Goods Retail Manager at Goodwill Industries of Alberta. With over 30 years of experience in the retail and hospitality industries across Canada, she has held various roles with diverse responsibilities. Currently, she manages a team of 45 frontline workers, leading with a people-centered approach that reflects her core values. Kelly-Ann is passionate about her family and is a strong advocate for raising awareness of the opioid crisis in Canada, an issue that has affected her both personally and professionally. Originally from Scotland, the sound of bagpipes brings her to tears, reminding her of her childhood. A self-proclaimed book geek, she loves reading and is known for her impressive collection of pig memorabilia.