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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