2026 Conference Speakers
Curtis Weber
Keynote Speaker
Curtis Weber
Curtis Weber has been influencing behaviours and inspiring change in safety globally, for 15 years. He comes from Saskatchewan, Canada, where the young teen had his life heading exactly where he had always dreamed it would take him, with an opportunity to play Jr Hockey.
Instead, on the third day of his first ever job at the age of just 17, Curtis found himself in a battle of life or death after he was involved in a near fatal workplace incident. Through this experience, an improbable young man emerged, seemingly unscathed both mentally and physically after all he had been through. Medical experts and therapists marvelled in disbelief at his positive outlook, even in the early days fresh out of his coma.
Curtis has since dedicated his life to using his story and messaging to change the way we think about safety.
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Cathy Whiffen
Speaker
Cathy Whiffen
Cathy is the Director of Prevention Services at WorkplaceNL, bringing over 25 years of experience in occupational health and safety and disability management. She joined WorkplaceNL in 2007 as Senior Health and Safety Advisor and has progressed through increasing senior leadership roles. Through her career she has led strategic initiatives and program improvements aimed at preventing workplace injuries and supporting safer, healthier workplaces across the province.
She is committed to building strong partnerships and advancing innovative, evidence-based approaches to workplace injury prevention. She also serves on the boards of the NLCSA and SafetyNL.
In addition to formal education in the fields of health and safety, disability management, and post-secondary education, she holds two health and safety designations; CRSP and CHSC and a Return-to-Work designation; CRTWC.
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Andrea Williams
Speaker
Andrea Williams
Andrea practices management-side labour and employment law, advising employers on a broad range of workplace matters, including labour standards, human rights, wrongful dismissal, and labour relations issues. Her practice includes drafting employment agreements, workplace policies, legal opinions, and applications, as well as conducting investigations into sensitive workplace matters involving harassment complaints and employee misconduct. Andrea provides practical, strategic advice to help employers navigate complex workplace issues and manage legal risk.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) from Memorial University, and a law degree from the University of Calgary. She is also an active member of the community. Andrea currently serves as Chair of the Labour and Employment Section of the Canadian Bar Association, Newfoundland and Labrador Branch, and previously served on the Board of Directors of Thrive from 2019 to 2025, including as Board Chair from 2023 to 2025.
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Danika Power
Speaker
Danika Power
Danika Power is an Industrial Hygienist with the Occupational Health and Safety Division of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. With over 18 years of experience in occupational health and safety, she has investigated workplace hygiene concerns, conducted exposure assessments, provided technical advice on workplace health hazards, and contributed to the development of occupational health and safety policies and programs. Danika holds a Master of Health Sciences in Occupational and Environmental Health from the University of Toronto and graduate and undergraduate degrees in Kinesiology from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
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Panelists (Road Work Ahead)
Paddy Murphy
Speaker
Paddy Murphy
Paddy Murphy, the Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of Hi Vis Traffic Control, has been integral to the company since its inception in 2016. His vision was to revolutionize traffic control in the province by introducing innovative approaches rather than adhering strictly to traditional methods. Leveraging his extensive background as a Military Police Officer with the Canadian Armed Forces, Paddy gained valuable experience interacting with the motoring public across diverse Canadian environments. His global exposure to various safety practices has equipped him with a unique perspective, which he now applies to his work in traffic control, maintaining a steadfast commitment to public safety.
At Hi Vis Traffic Control, the core mission is straightforward yet vital: ensuring the safe return of workers, customers, and the motoring public to their families each day. This dedication is the driving force behind Paddy’s leadership and remains central to the company’s operations.
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Wanda Butler
Speaker
Wanda Butler
Wanda is a Professional Technologist (P.Tech) and co-owner of KelCo Construction, with 22 years of experience in the construction industry. She earned her National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO) designation in 2022, complementing her technical background with a strong focus on workplace health and safety.
Through her work with various government departments and her role as a business owner, Wanda brings a practical understanding of construction operations, safety responsibilities, and the challenges of implementing safe work practices on site. Her perspective emphasizes integrating safety into everyday planning and decision-making, encouraging worker participation, and building a culture of shared responsibility.
As a panelist, Wanda draws on her technical, safety, and business experience to contribute an informed perspective on protecting workers while addressing the challenges and opportunities facing the construction industry.
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Panelists (Emergency Planning)
Mark Balsom
Speaker
Mark Balsom
Mark Balsom is the Corporate Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment Manager with the Cahill Group of Companies. Mark is responsible for the managing of the QHSE Management System, QHSE budgets and communicating/leading QHSE activities on behalf of senior leadership at Cahill.
Mark is happily married with three children (young adults) and has 3 wonderful grandchildren. When not with family, Mark has dedicated the past 28 years of his life to health and safety and the promotion of the profession. Mark maintains networking with industry leaders, national/regional associations, suppliers and OHS divisions of government.
Mark has had a broad range of careers from working in a family owned automotive dealership, to managing a grocery store where he learned to decorate cakes. In addition, Mark has worked:
- In fire and safety in the Oil and Gas industry, from 1998 to 2014,
- Currently, Mark is Cahill’s Corporate QHSE Manager with 22 HSE Advisors on various work sites in 7 provinces with the head office in St. John’s NL.
Mark has been in a management role since the age of 19. This has helped Mark communicate to all levels within these organizations and to be successful in his career.
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