2025 PSAANS Conference - Oct. 24

Annual PSAANS Conference 2025

Leading with Empathy

LINK HERE FOR THE - CONFERENCE WEBSITE

Date & Time:

Friday, October 24, 2025

8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Location:

The Westin Nova Scotian

1181 Hollis St., Halifax, NS

Registration Fee:

CA$199.00 + HST for ALL attendees (Online payment required) @ psaans.ca and the link below.

Total Cost:

$199.00 + $27.86 (14%HST) = $226.86

HST# 77299 2871 RT0001

Tickets:

LINK HERE FOR PAYMENT AND REGISTRATION - REGISTRATION

Funding Support:

PSAANS/NSTU members may apply for Article 60 funding per Regional/CSAP guidelines.

Attendee Package Pickup:

  • Thursday, October 23: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Mezzanine Level, 2nd floor)

  • Friday, October 24: 7:45 AM – 8:45 AM

Hotels:

  • The Westin Nova Scotian – $229 per night

  • Four Points – $219 per night

    Book by September 23, 2025, to receive the conference rate.

LINK HERE FOR THE  - HOTEL BOOKING

Morning Keynote

Heather Plett – “How can you lead with empathy unless you save some for yourself?”

Heather Plett is the author of two award-winning books: The Art of Holding Space: A Practice of Love, Liberation, and Leadership and Where Tenderness Lives: On Healing, Liberation, and Holding Space for Oneself. She is also the co-founder of the Centre for Holding Space.

Her work has been translated into a dozen languages and featured in Harvard Business Review and The Guardian. She has trained leaders on six continents in person and online.

In her keynote, Heather will share what it means to hold space for yourself so that you can better support the people who depend on you, exploring boundaries, core needs, and how to avoid burnout.

Afternoon Keynote (2:25 - 3:30)

Dr. Lisa Barrett

Dr. Barrett will close the conference with an inspiring keynote that bridges research and practice, offering leaders new insights into resilience and well-being.

Morning Concurrent Sessions (10:45 – 11:45)

  • What skills does a leader need in these challenging times? – Heather Plett (Commonwealth Ballroom)

  • Collaborative Work – Glenn Thompson and Otis Daye (Atlantic Ballroom)

  • Etuamptmumk: Two-Eyed Seeing – Michelle Marshall-Johnson (Elements)

  • Equity in Action: Supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ Students and Staff – PJay Fortin-Daigle (Bedford)

  • How GuysWork is shifting attitudes about masculinity in Nova Scotia schools – Guys Work (Tradewind)

  • A New Path Forward – Healing through Mindfulness, Movement & Cognitive Therapy – Blair Abbass & Jenny Kierstead (Harbour A)

  • TBD – Jude Gerrard (Harbour B)

Afternoon Concurrent Sessions (1:00 – 2:15)

  • Collaborative Work – Glenn Thompson and Otis Daye (Atlantic Ballroom)

  • TBD – Hannaa Rashid (Maritime Room)

  • Etuamptmumk: Two-Eyed Seeing – Michelle Marshall-Johnson (Elements)

  • L’équité en action: soutenir les élèves et le personnel 2ELGBTQIA+ – PJay Fortin-Daigle (Bedford)

  • How GuysWork is shifting attitudes about masculinity in Nova Scotia schools – Guys Work (Tradewind)

  • Anxiety Recovery Workshop – A Mind-Body Approach – Blair Abbass & Jenny Kierstead (Harbour A)

  • TBD – Jude Gerrard (Harbour B)

Important Registration Notes

  • After selecting “Buy Now,” click the green cart button to complete registration.

  • Ensure your correct name and email are entered at checkout. These will be used for your receipt and nametag.