Dr. Velji is a health care leader with a proven track record in fostering the engagement of the patient (service user) and system partners to drive innovative models of care, integrating research and care to drive next practice, and creating cultures to unleash the potential of high performing teams to achieve stellar results. She has implemented innovative health human resource solutions within these models of care to ensure optimal scope of practice of all clinicians.

Dr. Velji is currently the Chief of Nursing & Professional Practice and Assistant Deputy Minister for the Province of Ontario. She has held senior leadership positions in several Academic Health Science Centres and has operated a successful consulting company. Dr. Velji is a sought-after consultant for system level projects and has led external reviews of several organizations. She is a surveyor with Health Standards Organization/Accreditation Canada.

Dr. Velji’s responsibilities extend to provincial and national leadership. She has held the roles
of Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Accreditation Canada and member of Board of
Directors or Health Standards Organization (2012-2018), United Way Campaign Chair for
London Middlesex (2016) and as President and Chair of the Board of Directors of Canadian
Nurses Association (2014-16).

Dr. Velji has cross-appointments to the University of Toronto, University of Western Ontario,
University of Ontario Tech University and Nippissing University. She has won several
outstanding achievement awards including the Sigma Theta Tau Excellence in Administration
award, University of Toronto Distinguished Alumni award, Ontario Hospital Association (OHA)
Margaret Comack Award of Excellence in Nursing Leadership, and the Award of Excellence in
Teaching (student nominated) from the Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at University of Toronto.
She has been profiled in the boundless banner campaign as an outstanding alumnus of
University of Toronto.

At the system/global level, Dr. Velji is a consultant to global sites, including East Africa, the
Middle East and Asia, for development of policy, credentialing, training, and academic plans.

Andria Bianchi, PhD, is a Clinical Ethicist at the Centre for Clinical Ethics (CCE) – Unity Health Toronto, where she primarily offers ethics support to Baycrest Hospital & LTC, and Toronto Grace Healthcare Centre, and Surrey Place. Andria focuses her ethics practice on ethical issues related to rehabilitation, older adults, and persons with cognitive impairment. In addition to her career in clinical ethics, Andria is an Assistant Professor (status-only) at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health – University of Toronto and an Affiliate Scientist at KITE Research Institute. Andria also serves as Chair of the Stakeholder Advisory Council of the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority and is on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Practicing Healthcare Ethicists – Association Canadienne des Éthiciens en Soins de Santé.

Dorianne Sauvé is the CEO of the Ontario Physiotherapy Association since 2004 and a registered physiotherapist.  Prior to this position, Dorianne spent over 16 years in clinical practice as a physiotherapist before joining the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA) as the Director of Practice and Policy in 2002.  As a volunteer, she was elected to the OPA Board of Directors in 1994 and was President from 2000 to 2002.  She earned a BSc degree in Physical Therapy from McGill University and a Master of Public Administration from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario.

She has received the CPA 2008 Mentorship Award, the University Of Toronto Department Of Physical Therapy 2007-2008 Exceptional Achievement Award for Excellence in Physical Therapy, the CPA Honourary Membership Award in 2014, and the OPA Outstanding Leadership Award in 2023 for her contributions in leadership, advancement, and advocacy for the profession and in healthcare.

Carolyn’s career spans 35 years working in health care as a nurse, educator and leader, with 20 years of progressive leadership experience. Most importantly, Carolyn is passionate about client and family centered care; committed to engaging clients, families and staff in planning and design of care delivery to improve the client and family experience.

Carolyn is a Registered Nurse with a Degree in Nursing, and also holds a Master’s Degree in Management.  She completed a Health System Leadership Program and Leadership Development both through the Rotman School of Management and BusinessCoachingAdvantage consulting.

As a member of the St Joseph’s Care Group team and senior leader in Rehabilitative Care, Carolyn supports a culture of collaboration with leaders who engage clients, staff and partners in transformational change to improve the client and family experience in their healing journey.