We thought it would be fun to gain some insight into the Committee that puts together the most amazing conference every year!
Marie Kavanaugh – York Region (Conference Committee Chair)
If you won $5 million dollars, what would you do first? I would book a trip with my family from my “wish list” and decide the next steps.
Cat or Dog? Dog
Best part of being a Conference Committee member??
For me it has to be the networking opportunities. You get to connect with other committee members, speakers and attendees from all different agencies and backgrounds, forming lasting relationships that have benefited both my career and personal growth.
Helping to shape the conference agenda, themes, and speaker lineup that can make a real impact on the learning, development and experience of the attendees can also be very rewarding. Lastly, seeing the event come together successfully and knowing you played a role in its development, can be heartwarming and deeply satisfying.
Why do you volunteer with OPBA? What do you get out of it?
The why:
Volunteering with OPBA allows me to regularly contribute to a community of procurement professionals who are passionate about public procurement excellence. I believe in the importance of ethical, transparent, and efficient procurement practices, and OPBA provides a platform and resources to support and promote those values.
What do I get out of it:
I gain a lot from the experience—both professionally and personally. OPBA offers many opportunities to learn from others, share knowledge, and stay informed about changes in legislation, policy, and best practices. I have been very lucky to have gained many friends that started as OPBA peers, who have helped broaden my perspective and knowledge.
As a lifelong learner myself, I find it very rewarding to support an organization that helps elevate my profession and provides resources for others to develop and grow. Volunteering has helped me to develop and round out my leadership and collaboration skills outside of my day-to-day role.
Adam Beres – City of Welland
If you won $5 million dollars, what would you do first? I know one thing for sure, I would not be the type to say, “Ah, this money won’t change me…” Absolutely it would! I would be the opposite of what you see today! LOL. Probably treat family to a nice dinner to celebrate, then go on a very long vacation.
Cat or Dog? Both, please
Why do you volunteer with OPBA? What do you get out of it? I enjoy networking and sharing ideas.
How would you encourage OPBA members to attend conference? Remind them the world of procurement is forever changing and evolving, and any opportunity you may have to try to stay on top of things, is never a bad thing. I would encourage people to be open to networking and meeting new people.
Barry Cape – Ottawa Catholic School Board
If you won $5 million dollars, what would you do first? Gather some friends and family for a weekend trip to Vegas!
Cat or Dog? Dog…and it’s not even close.
How does this year’s conference theme “The Power of Procurement: When you Know you Grow” resonate with you? Procurement is constantly learning. There are always new things to learn, whether it’s legally, technology or procedural. We can always learn more each and every day.
How would you encourage OPBA members to attend conference? Attending the conference is a great way to network with peers from around the province, as well as vendors. I learned a great deal from others experiencing the same challenges I have in my role. The speakers were all very inspiring and informative.
Michelle Doiron – York Region
If you won $5 million dollars, what would you do first? Buy lakefront property.
Cat or Dog? Both
Why do you volunteer with OPBA? What do you get out of it? Many hands make light work
How would you encourage OPBA members to attend conference? It’s a great way to connect with procurement professionals and everyone is very friendly and inclusive. Lots of learning opportunities.
Kelsey Jewell – City of Hamilton
If you won $5 million dollars, what would you do first? Cry & then pay off the mortgage.
Cat or Dog? Horse! But cat if I have to choose from these two.
Why do you volunteer with OPBA? What do you get out of it?
How does this year’s conference theme “The Power of Procurement: When you Know you Grow” resonate with you? Relationship building. It can be challenging at the actual conference to put yourself out there and actually network with new people, but the committee has allowed me to connect with many different procurement professionals.
How would you encourage OPBA members to attend conference? There is SO MUCH to learn in this sector, learning really is the easiest career growth opportunity out there because there are so many resources available to us through the OPBA.
Karen Judd – City of Niagara Falls
If you won $5 million dollars, what would you do first? Share with my kids and then travel
Cat or Dog? Dog
How does this year’s conference theme “The Power of Procurement: When you Know you Grow” resonate with you? The theme resonates with me because it emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and collaboration. Growth occurs when we share best practices, challenge outdated processes, and embrace innovation.
How would you encourage OPBA members to attend conference? It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to the planning and execution of events that bring us all together and foster professional growth – and I get to meet new people and we have fun along the way!
Kayla Gray – County of Dufferin
Best part of being a Conference Committee member?? The networking! Getting to be a part of an event that I personally look forward to every year 🙂
How does this year’s conference theme “The Power of Procurement: When you Know you Grow” resonate with you? The Procurement landscape is forever changing and it is imperative as procurement professionals we have to be constantly adapting and learning to ensure we are providing the best service to our end users.
If you won $5 million dollars, what would you do first? Scream!
Cat or Dog? Dog
Linda Lee – City of Kawartha Lakes
If you won $5 million dollars, what would you do first? First….. a really really looooong vacation!!!
Cat or Dog? Well, that depends on the day, I have both
Best part of being a Conference Committee member?? The planning, the collaboration, meeting new people!
How does this year’s conference theme “The Power of Procurement: When you Know you Grow” resonate with you? Because it is a very true statement, growth is from experience and knowledge, I think this is a very fitting theme for the world of Procurement
Liz McGee – City of Guelph
If you won $5 million dollars, what would you do first? I have a budget prepared for this since 2014. If I won, I would book a vacation to the Giraffe Manor in Nairobi Kenya
Cat or Dog? Tough call, but cat, only because I have 2 and they’ve overpowered me to provide this response.
Why do you volunteer with OPBA? What do you get out of it? I volunteered with OPBA after the conference last year in Ottawa after I saw so much potential and value in volunteering for the Conference Committee. I’ve gotten a lot out of it. Being able to connect with other Procurement individuals as well as pushing myself out of my introverted self by joining a committee, has made me grow as an individual and as a procurement professional.
How does this year’s conference theme “The Power of Procurement: When you Know you Grow” resonate with you? The theme resonates with me because it speaks to the importance of continuous learning and collaboration. Growth happens when we share best practices, challenge outdated processes, and embrace innovation. It’s a reminder that procurement isn’t just about cost savings—it’s about creating value and building resilience.
Lynda Lewis – Town of Ajax
If you won $5 million dollars, what would you do first? Plan an extended European vacation
Cat or Dog? Both
Best part of being a Conference Committee member?? The Networking opportunity, getting to know people from other Agencies outside of my region
How does this year’s conference theme “The Power of Procurement: When you Know you Grow” resonate with you? I connect strongly with this theme, the more you learn by doing and engaging with your peers, the more you can refine your own internal processes and grow as a professional
Lynn Charyk – York Region
If you won $5 million dollars, what would you do first? Give my kids $1M each
Cat or Dog? Definitely a CAT person
Best part of being a Conference Committee member?? Being part of a Team, working together.
Why do you volunteer with OPBA? What do you get out of it? Meet new people, work with smart people, help people
How does this year’s conference theme “The Power of Procurement: When you Know you Grow” resonate with you? I’ve always taken courses and upgraded, love learning new things.
How would you encourage OPBA members to attend conference? I’d talk about the great interactive sessions, great social time together and learn new things.
Meaghan Vader – Township of East Zorra-Tavistock
If you won $5 million dollars, what would you do first? This is so boring, but meet with a Financial Advisor.
Cat or Dog? Dog
Best part of being a Conference Committee member?? Being able to collaborate and contribute to organizing a great event and seeing it all come together.
How would you encourage OPBA members to attend conference? Engage with your peers, and don’t be afraid to talk to new people and make new connections. Some of the best people I’ve met, I met at the conference.
Rose Hewitson – Town of Collingwood
If you won $5 million dollars, what would you do first? Pay off my mortgage
Cat or Dog? Team dog (specifically the pug team :))
How does this year’s conference theme “The Power of Procurement: When you Know you Grow” resonate with you? I am a life long learner, learning is the key growing professionally and personally.
How would you encourage OPBA members to attend conference? Attend in person – conference is a learning opportunity but it is also an opportunity to build relationships, I believe is easier when you are face to face
Shelley Robinson – City of Orillia
If you won $5 million dollars, what would you do first? Make sure my family is looked after and setup a future for my grandchildren
Cat or Dog? Dog
Best part of being a Conference Committee member?? Working and collaborating with new people.
How would you encourage OPBA members to attend conference? I encourage members who are new to Procurement or new to Municipal Procurement to attend, this gives them the opportunity to not only learn during the workshops but learning for colleagues who have been in the field for some time and those who share their successes or failures which are always a great learning Opportunity.
Kim Squires – Peterborough County
If you won $5 million dollars, what would you do first? Share the wealth
Cat or Dog? Always Dogs, but I love all animals
Best part of being a Conference Committee member?? Being able to contribute in a small way in assisting with the success of the Annual Conference
Why do you volunteer with OPBA? What do you get out of it? I am passionate about contributing to the value that OPBA can bring to the Membership and I like to be involved with any new initiatives or ideas that could enhance our Association
How would you encourage OPBA members to attend conference? I would encourage OPBA Members to attend the Annual Conference for a chance to meet and network with other Procurement Professionals and to learn from the great educational sessions provided