Watch this space for updates on our 2026 OLA Super Conference Featured Speakers! In the meantime, please enjoy taking a peek at our most recent Featured Speakers from the 2025 event.
2025 Featured Speakers
Carol Off
Bio
Carol Off is a broadcaster, journalist and author of five books, including the #1 Canadian bestseller, At a Loss for Words: Conversation in an Age of Rage. She recently completed a sixteen year run as the co-host of the multi-award winning radio program, As It Happens. Over her career, Carol has traveled extensively, covering events for the CBC, including the Balkan wars, the 9/11 attack, the elections of Vladimir Putin as well as revolutions, wars and uprisings in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Her other best-selling books include The Lion, The Fox, and the Eagle: A Story of Generals and Justice in Yugoslavia and Rwanda; All We Leave Behind: A Reporter’s Journey into the Lives of Others and Bitter Chocolate: Investigating the World’s Most Seductive Sweet. Carol lives and works in Toronto.
Appearance Date
Closing Keynote: Friday January 31, 2025 @ 3:30pm EST
Catherine Hernandez
Bio
Catherine Hernandez (she/her) is an award-winning author and screenwriter. She is a proud queer woman who is of Filipino, Spanish, Chinese and Indian descent and married into the Navajo Nation. Her first novel, Scarborough, won the Jim Wong-Chu Award for the unpublished manuscript and was a finalist for several awards including Canada Reads 2022. She wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation of Scarborough, which was nominated for 11 Canadian Screen Awards and won 8 including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. Her second novel, Crosshairs, was shortlisted for the Toronto Book Award and made several Best-Of lists of 2020. Her third novel, The Story of Us, was an instant national bestseller and was selected for the One Book Peterborough, Kitchener and Simon Fraser University. She is currently working on a few television projects. Her fourth novel, Behind You, about a young girl growing up in Scarborough when a serial killer was at large, was published this year and was an instant national bestseller. Before it hit the shelves, it was optioned by Conquering Lion Pictures to become a feature film, with Catherine writing the screenplay.
Appearance Date
Thursday Keynote Interviewee: Thursday January 30, 2025 @ 3:45pm EST
Chloé LaDuchesse
Bio
Chloé LaDuchesse est l’autrice du roman noir L’incendiaire de Sudbury, qui a représenté l’Ontario au Combat national des livres Radio-Canada 2023, des recueils de poésie Exosquelette (prix de poésie Trillium) et Furies ainsi que de nombreux textes en revue ou en collectifs. Depuis plus de dix ans, elle œuvre dans le milieu du livre à titre d’éditrice, de libraire, de critique et d’animatrice. Au cours de sa carrière, elle a été la cinquième poète officielle du Grand Sudbury, a tenu une émission de radio bilingue hebdomadaire sur la poésie, a organisé trois éditions d’une foire de zines et a performé sur scène lors de salons et de festivals. Elle partage son temps entre Rimouski, où elle fait une maîtrise en création littéraire, et Sudbury, où, avec son conjoint et leurs trois chats, elle fait pousser des fleurs.
Appearance Date
French Libraries Spotlight: Thursday January 30, 2025 @ 2:15pm EST
Farzana Doctor
Bio
Farzana Doctor is a Tkaronto-based author. She’s written four critically acclaimed lit-fic novels, a poetry collection, and a self- and community care workbook for helpers and activists, 52 Weeks to a Sweeter Life. The Beauty of Us, her first YA novel was released in Fall 2024. She splits her time equally between writing and her private psychotherapy practice, where she sees individuals, couples and supervises other social workers and therapists. In her spare time, she’s an engaged activist and loves volunteering at the local dog shelter. In 2023, Farzana received the prestigious Freedom To Read Award. Learn more: linktr.ee/farzanadoctor
Appearance Date
Health Libraries Spotlight: Friday January 31, 2025 @ 9:15am EST
Jada Watson
Bio
Dr. Jada Watson is an Associate Professor of Digital Humanities in the School of Information Studies at the University of Ottawa. In 2018, Dr. Watson launched the SongData project, a research program focusing on representation and systemic racial and gender inequity on radio programming and popularity charts in the US and Canada. This serves a larger interest in understanding how genre cultures and communities form, develop and change over time. Her research on the declining presence of women on country radio was cited in a brief filed with the US Federal Communications Commission in response to the National Association of Broadcasters’ proposal for additional ownership deregulation. Her studies were cited in the Grammy Recording Academy’s Report on Inclusion and Diversity and in the Black Music Action Coalition’s industry report on racism in the country music industry. In 2020, she was research partner on CMT’s EqualPlay initiative, and is recently released a report on representation across all radio formats in Canada in partnership with Women in Music Canada and the National Arts Centre. Dr. Watson’s research has been featured in national and international publications, as well as in media outlets such as Apple Country Radio’s Color me Country with Rissi Palmer, the New York Times’s Popcast, CBC’s The National and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.
Appearance Date
Special Libraries Spotlight: Thursday January 30, 2025 @ 10:45am EST
Jael Richardson
Bio
Jael Richardson is the founder and Executive Director of the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD). Her debut novel, Gutter Child was a finalist for the Amazon First Novel Award and the White Pine Award. She has three children’s picture books, including Because You Are and The Hockey Jersey. Her first middle grade title, Today I Am is an anthology of short stories with Scholastic Canada and is a finalist for the Forest of Reading Red Maple Award. Richardson holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph and lives in Brampton, Ontario.
Appearance Date
Thursday Keynote Moderator: Thursday January 30, 2025 @ 3:45pm EST
Dr. Kate Graham
Bio
Dr. Kate Graham researches, writes, speaks and teaches about leadership and politics in Canada. Kate holds a PhD in Political Science from Western University, and teaches in Western’s Political Science Department and Huron University’s Governance, Leadership and Ethics program. In 2021, Kate won the MacNaughton Prize for Excellence in Teaching for pandemic-era teaching innovations, together with Dr. Neil Bradford. In 2024, Kate was awarded the Nelson Heapy Faculty Award for Outstanding Faculty Research at Huron. Kate is the creator and host of Canada 2020’s popular podcast, No Second Chances, about the rise and fall of women in Canada’s top political roles. Kate is the author of three books (and counting!) and is a frequent media commentator on issues of politics and public policy. Before entering academia, Kate spent a decade working in local government, most recently as the Director, Community & Economic Innovation at the City of London. She was named one of London’s Top 20 Under 40 for her work in this role. Kate lives in London Ontario with her husband, 4-year-old daughter and puppy.
Appearance Date
OLBA Boot Camp Spotlight: Saturday February 1, 2025 @ 9:15am EST
Leslie Weir
Bio
Leslie Weir became the Librarian and Archivist of Canada on August 30, 2019. She is the first woman to be appointed to the position since the National Library of Canada and the National Archives of Canada merged to form Library and Archives Canada in 2004. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Weir was University Librarian at the University of Ottawa from 2003 to 2018. She also held positions at the National Library of Canada and the Statistics Canada Library. Over the course of her career, Ms. Weir has demonstrated vision, dedication and outstanding service by encouraging connections both within and outside the world of librarianship. She guided many transformative moments at the Canadian Research Knowledge Network and research libraries in Canada. Ms. Weir is one of the founding architects of Scholars Portal, the state-of-the-art research infrastructure in Ontario universities that brings together information resources and services in support of research and learning. Ms. Weir also served as President of Canadiana.org, where she oversaw the introduction of the Heritage Project, in collaboration with Library and Archives Canada, to digitize and make openly accessible some 60 million heritage archival images. She was also President of the Canadian Association of Research Libraries from 2007 to 2009.
Appearance Date(s)
- Opening Keynote: Wednesday January 29, 2025 @ 6:30pm EST
- Treasure Mountain Canada Dinner: Friday January 31, 2025 @ 6:00pm EST
Lindsay Zier-Vogel
Bio
Lindsay Zier-Vogel is an author, grant writer, arts educator, and the creator of the internationally acclaimed Love Lettering Project. After studying contemporary dance, she received her MA in Creative Writing from the University of Toronto. She is the author of the acclaimed debut novel Letters to Amelia, and her first picture book, Dear Street was a 2023 Junior Library Guild pick, a Canadian Children’s Book Centre book of the year, nominated for a Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award and most recently nominated for a Magnolia Book Award in Mississippi. Her second novel, The Fun Times Brigade is out May 1, 2025, and she is co-editing The Deep End: Reflections on swimming with andrea bennett. Her hand-bound books of poetry are housed in the permanent collection at the Thomas Fisher Rare Books Library in Toronto, and she leads creative writing workshops in schools and community settings.
As the creator of the Love Lettering Project, Lindsay has asked people all over the world to write love letters to their communities and hide them for strangers to find, spreading place-based love. The project has been all over the world – from New York City to Whitehorse, Toronto to Teresopolis, Brazil, L.A. to London and has been featured in international media including The Atlantic’s CityLab, NPR, and was deemed one of the 50 reasons to love Toronto by Toronto Life. Because of The Love Lettering Project, CBC Radio has deemed Lindsay a “national treasure.”
Appearance Date
School Libraries Spotlight: Friday January 31, 2025 @ 9:15am EST
Marie Henein
Bio
Ms. Marie Henein is widely recognized as one of the most prominent litigators in Canada, with extensive experience as lead counsel on high-profile criminal, civil, and regulatory cases. In addition to her broad criminal law practice, Marie’s experience includes acting as lead counsel for plaintiffs and defendants in class actions and in respect of major civil and commercial disputes. She has argued at all levels of court, including the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. As litigation counsel in complex criminal, multimillion dollar commercial and civil disputes, she is known for deftly managing challenges, fearlessly navigating crises, and achieving superior results for clients, both in and out of the courtroom. Marie Henein received her LL.B. in 1989 from Osgoode Hall Law School and her Masters in Law from Columbia University in 1991. She is the past President of The Advocates’ Society (2010-2011) and is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a member of the Supreme Court Advocacy Institute and is one of the founders of the Court of Appeal’s Appellate Duty Counsel Program. Marie is a frequent lecturer nationally and was an Adjunct Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School where she was co-chair of the Masters of Law Program. She frequently lectures at the Law Society of Ontario, The Advocates’ Society, the Ontario Bar Association, Criminal Lawyers’ Association and the National Judicial Institute in numerous areas including trial advocacy, evidence and appellate advocacy. Marie authored her memoir, ‘Nothing But The Truth’, and is co-editor of Martin’s Criminal Code, Martin’s Annual Criminal Practice, and Martin’s Related Criminal Statutes. She is the Associate Editor of the Canadian Criminal Cases. In 2013, Marie Henein was the recipient of Laura Legge Award and has repeatedly been named one of Canada’s 25 Most Influential Lawyers by Canadian Lawyer Magazine. In 2017, she was the recipient of The Law Society Medal for outstanding service to the administration of justice. Most recently in 2023, Marie Henein was selected to be the recipient of the prestigious G. Arthur Martin Medal, which is Canada’s top legal award. Marie Henein is a Senior Partner at Henein Hutchison Robitallle LLP and was called to the Ontario bar in 1992.
Appearance Date
Careers Spotlight: Thursday January 30, 2025 @ 9:15am EST
Navneet Alang
Bio
Navneet Alang is writer, editor, and cultural critic. His work has appeared in The Walrus, The Atlantic, New York Magazine, the Globe and Mail, Bon Appetit and many more. He is currently an editor in the Opinion section at the Toronto Star.
Appearance Date
Technology Spotlight: Thursday January 30, 2025 @ 10:45am EST
Dr. Randy Boyagoda
Bio
Randy Boyagoda is a writer and professor of English at the University of Toronto, where he serves as Advisor on Civil Discourse. He is the author of seven books, including five novels, and he writes frequently for a variety of publications in Canada, the United States, and the UK, in addition to appearing frequently on CBC Radio. He is a former President of PEN Canada and podcasts for the Toronto Public Library.
Appearance Date
Academic Libraries Spotlight: Friday January 31, 2025 @ 2:15pm EST
Sarah Downey
Bio
Sarah Downey is a senior healthcare leader whose career spans 25+ years across a broad range of hospitals including community, academic, and complex multi-institutional organizations. In 2022, Sarah was appointed President and CEO of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Canada’s largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital and a world leading research centre in this field. For seven years prior, Sarah served as President and CEO of Michael Garron Hospital, a large community teaching hospital in Toronto, where she was responsible for a $500M redevelopment project and played a key role in East Toronto Health Partners, one of the first Ontario Health Teams. Sarah has held progressive leadership positions at CAMH, University Health Network, and The Ottawa Hospital. She has made numerous contributions to health care in Ontario through her leadership of cancer and mental health programs, capital and strategic planning, workplace safety and wellness, and community building. Sarah has served on many provincial and national committees and Boards. Sarah is also the recipient of the Trudeau Medal, the highest honour awarded by the UOttawa Telfer School of Management to its alumni. Sarah has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of New Brunswick and a Master of Health Administration from the University of Ottawa. She holds a Certified Health Executive designation with the Canadian College of Health Leaders and is fluently bilingual in French and English.
Appearance Date
Opening Keynote: Wednesday January 29, 2025 @ 6:30pm EST
The Three Sisters: Janice Hill, Karen Lewis, and Callie Hill
Bios
In North American Indigenous cultures, corn, beans, squash are planted with intent to ensure each plant is cultivated to maximum potential. The concept of this agricultural technique is integral to what Janice, Karen, and Callie are accomplishing in Tyendinaga. The three sisters have combined their superpowers (academia, community engagement, and grassroots activism) to support one another for over three decades. The three sisters, Janice, Karen, and Callie, work together to advocate, preserve, and enhance Kanyenkehaka culture in their territory by creating the Kanhiote – Tyendinaga Public Library, Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na, and Ohahase Education Centre.
Appearance Date
Indigenous Spotlight: Friday January 31, 2025 @ 10:45AM EST
Simona Dinu
Bio
Simona Dinu is a certified executive coach, public service leader, teacher and writer. As the founder of Connect to Grow, she is on a mission to grow the number of public service leaders who lead in an awakened state and live in alignment with their values so that we can all benefit as members of communities. Through conscious leadership, our workplaces and communities transform one action at a time. Her tagline “Connecting people and ideas” drives her actions. Her key words are: intention; deliberate action; consistency. Boldness and learning are two of her core values. Simona has an undergraduate degree in business administration, graduate degrees in public administration and library and information science along with a Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching. She holds the Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential with the International Coaching Federation. She is also a senior leader in a large public library system and faculty at an academic institution.
Appearance Date
Public Libraries Spotlight: Thursday January 30, 2025 @ 2:15pm EST
Vickery Bowles
Bio
Vickery Bowles is the City Librarian at Toronto Public Library (TPL), which delivers services through a network of 100 branches and online channels. She believes passionately in the difference public libraries make in the lives of individuals, in communities and cities. Vickery has recently launched TPL’s newest Strategic Plan for 2025-2029 to support democratic values, civic engagement and social connections; accelerate enhancements of physical spaces for resilience and belonging; expand learning opportunities for all ages to develop multiple literacies; increase awareness and availability of library services. Vickery is a former Chair of the Urban Libraries Council (ULC) based in Washington, D.C., a member of the Canadian Urban Libraries Council (CULC), and a Board member for the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL).
Appearance Date
Opening Keynote: Wednesday January 29, 2025 @ 6:30pm EST