National Convention 2026
April 29 and 30, 2026
Welcome to your 2026 National Convention event website—your central resource for all event information. Bookmark this page and use it to plan your experience in the coming weeks and months. While in Toronto, you will also be able to access schedules, details, and important updates all from this site.
We are at an exciting point in our 110+ year history. This Convention promises to deliver dynamic conversations, learning, upskilling and deeper connections to each other and to our shared purpose. Our theme says it all: BIG Impact. Connect. Ignite. Grow. Whether you seek to fill up your cup, bring joy to others, be part of the program or build a succession plan for your agency’s future, we’ve got you covered.
During our two-day gathering, together we will help shape the future of our mission: to deliver meaningful mentoring experiences to children and strengthening communities nationwide. As we evolve our story and build our federation Strategic Plan in 2026, your voice, your data, your insight, and your lived experience are essential ingredients to our mutual success. Our why is in the hearts and minds of every child we enroll and every volunteer we engage, to ensure our programs deliver measurable, human outcomes.
Over two immersive days, you’ll participate in inspiring keynote sessions, collaborative breakout discussions, and shared learning experiences designed to move our mission forward. Register today so that we continue to serve kids with BIG Impact.
REGISTER TODAY
The full program takes place in person. There is no virtual option.
Please have your payment method handy when you begin registration.
READ THIS BEFORE BEGINNING REGISTRATION PROCESS:
Note that the online registration form host (Zeffy) provides this event form at no cost to Big Brothers Big Sisters. As part of their business model, Zeffy pre-populates a field in the payment summary with a suggested amount (13% of the registration fee by default) that will be directed to Zeffy.
Be sure to set this amount to your preference. You can select “other” and set the “contribution amount” to zero dollars unless you would like to contribute to Zeffy.
If you accidentally process your payment include this default % contribution, you will be charged the amount showing in that field. Zeffy states in their policy that these amounts are not refundable.
PRICING
Early bird registration rates ended at 5 pm EST on Sunday, January 18, 2026.
2-day conference / 1 night hotel
Includes 2-day conference / 1 night hotel
(Wednesday, April 29)
Cost per person
(single occupancy)
$995
Each registration includes:
Daily keynote, plus morning and afternoon breakout sessions
Hotel accommodation: Option of 1 or 2 nights
Onsite meals: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, plus refreshments
Complimentary transfer from Pearson Airport to the hotel – runs every 30 mins.
2-day conference / 2 nights hotel
Includes 2-day conference / 2 nights hotel
(Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29)
Cost per person
(single occupancy)
$1,232
CANCELLATION
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada will review any requests for cancellation on a case-by-case basis and reserves the right to charge an administration fee to cover financial commitments related to the request. Registrations may be transferred to another member of your agency team at no cost, in the event that you cannot attend.
If you would like to extend your stay, please plan to contact the hotel’s Reservations team in February at 877-504-9071. Extensions are subject to availability and can be offered at the same group rate under Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. We will send a reminder email to all registered attendees when this option to extend opens up. Please note: The hotel will not have your reservation in their system until our full rooming list is submitted. If you call in February and the Reservations team cannot locate your booking, please contact us for assistance.
AGENDA
= Leadership
= Program and other staff
PRE-CONVENTION | Tuesday, April 28, 2026
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
REGISTRATION & HELP DESK OPEN
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
WELCOME RECEPTION
If you’ve arrived the night before Convention, why not join us for a casual kick-off reception? Light refreshments will be provided.
Day 1 | Wednesday, April 29, 2026
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
REGISTRATION & HELP DESK OPEN
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
Networking Breakfast
Join the National Staff for a warm, hearty breakfast and great casual networking and conversations.
9:00 AM – 9:05 AM
INDIGENOUS PRAYER AND WELCOME
Plenary | All staff
Led by Asha Frost, best-selling author of ‘You are the Medicine’, Indigenous healer, oracle deck creator, mentor and mama.
9:05 AM – 9:25 AM
National Convention Kickoff
Opening Remarks | All staff
Jill Zelmanovits, President and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada welcomes you to National Convention!
9:25 AM – 10:04 AM
Opening Keynote
Keynote | All staff
A Keynote address from Ginneh Baugh, Chief Impact Officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
10:05 AM – 10:55 AM
THE ROAD AHEAD: 2027 FEDERATION STRATEGIC PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL SCAN
Plenary | All staff
Presented by Nina Shukla, National Vice President, Strategy for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.
10:55 PM – 11:15 PM
NETWORKING BREAK
11:20 AM – 12:20 PM
Governance: Board-ED Relations
Breakout | Leadership staff
Facilitated by Benjamin Miller, Policy Advisory & Lawyer, Ontario Nonprofit Network.
11:20 AM – 12:20 PM
SHAPING STRATEGY: INSIGHTS & FEEDBACK
Breakout | Service Delivery staff
Facilitated by Nina Shukla, National Vice President, Strategy for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.
12:20 PM – 1:10 PM
NETWORKING LUNCH
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
SHAPING STRATEGY: INSIGHTS & FEEDBACK
Breakout | Leadership staff
Facilitated by Nina Shukla, National Vice President, Strategy for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT TRENDS AND EFFECTIVE VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT
Breakout | Service Delivery staff
Facilitated by Kasandra James, Director, Programs & Organizational Systems, Volunteer Toronto.
2:15 PM – 2:35 PM
NETWORKING BREAK
2:35 PM – 3:05 PM
Youth Program Innovation
Plenary | All staff
Facilitated by Sharif Mahdy, CEO, Students Commission of Canada
3:05 PM – 4:00 PM
BBBS Program Innovation Panel
Breakout | Leadership staff
Facilitated by Big Brothers Big Sisters Leadership staff.
3:05 PM – 4:00 PM
BIG STEPS TO SUCCESS: KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER
Breakout | Service Delivery staff
Facilitated by Big Steps to Success agencies and Marika Mennaman, National Manager, Network Projects & Partnerships Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.
4:05 PM – 4:20 PM
Day 1 Wrap Up
Plenary | All staff
Jill Zelmanovits, President and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada welcomes you to National Convention!
4:20 PM – 5:20 PM
Regional Meetings
Meet up with staff from within your region to connect.
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
CELEBRATION OF MENTORING DINNER
EAT. CONNECT. CELEBRATE.
Join us for an evening dedicated to the power and impact of mentoring. The Celebration of Mentoring brings our network together to share great food, meaningful conversations, and collective pride in the life-changing work happening across our agencies.
This special gathering is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and celebrate the dedication of those who make mentoring possible — and to recognize the valued sponsors and partners whose support strengthens our mission nationwide.
Day 2 | Thursday, April 30, 2026
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
REGISTRATION & HELP DESK OPEN
8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
NETWORKING BREAKFAST
9:00 AM – 9:05 AM
WELCOME TO DAY 2
Plenary | All staff
Jill Zelmanovits, President and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada welcomes all staff to day 2.
9:10 AM – 10:00 AM
MENTORING: THE DEVELOPMENTAL POWER OF CONNECTION
Keynote | All staff
Dr. Jean Clinton, Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University explores the science behind connection and its powerful impact on development. Drawing on current brain research, Dr. Clinton will highlight how caring relationships shape healthy development and why connection is foundational to helping young people thrive. She will also illustrate how our Theory of Change aligns strongly with what science tells us about the importance of relationships in supporting positive outcomes for youth. This engaging and accessible presentation will deepen understanding of why relationship-centered approaches are essential and why connection should remain at the heart of services designed to support young people today.
10:01 AM – 10:50 AM
FROM BARRIERS TO BRIDGES: RESEARCH INSIGHTS FROM CANADA’S MENTORING LANDSCAPE
Plenary | All staff
Presented by Veronique Church-Duplessis, Senior Director, Research and Impact, Mentor Canada and Tracy Luca-Huger, Executive Director, Mentor Canada.
10:50 AM – 11:10 AM
NETWORKING BREAK
11:10 AM – 12:10 AM
REBUILDING COLLECTIVE WELLBEING IN A STRETCHED NONPROFIT SECTOR
Plenary | All staff
Presented by Laine Bourassa, Principal Consultant, Taylor Newberry Consulting and Katelyn Mitri, Senior Research & Evaluation Consultant, Taylor Newberry Consulting.
12:15 PM – 1:14 PM
NETWORKING LUNCH
1:15 PM – 1:55 PM
A practical path: Building sustainable fundraising capacity at your agency
Spotlight Speaker | All staff
Presented by Larissa Stoddart, CFRE, CEO, Growth & Co.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Gliding through Grants with the Theory of Change
Breakout | Leadership staff
Facilitated by Stachen Frederick, President & CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto and Cherie Ann Pereira, Director of Evaluation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Myth buster: All Staff Play a Role in Fund Raising
Breakout | Service Delivery staff
Facilitated by Danisha Bhaloo-Shivji, Manager of Engagement & Affinity Groups, United Way of Calgary and Area.
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM
NETWORKING BREAK
3:15 PM – 3:35 PM
Bold for Sustainability: Leading Big Ideas When “Too Big” Is the First Reaction
Big Talk | All staff
Presented by Chantelle Krish, Executive Director, Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland.
3:35 PM – 3:45 PM
Convention 2026 Closing Remarks
Closing remarks | All staff
Jill Zelmanovits, President and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada.
2026 Convention Planning Committee:
Big Brothers Big Sister of Canada gratefully acknowledges the collaboration and support of the following individuals who are your 2026 planning team:
Amy Hogemann, Project Lead, BBBSC
Jessica Bradley, Event planning lead and sponsor
Stachen Frederick, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto
Stephanie Chretien-Gaudreau, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa
Melissa Lodba, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara
Taylor Sullivan, Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Bay and District
Irma Van De Bon Nicol, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Yorkton
Liz Wizmer-VanWeer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County
Kerry Woodland, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton and Area
Our Convention Partners
