CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Keynote Speakers

opening keynote: William Ping

Keynote Description: Sharing information in the current social/political climate requires strong communication skills to connect authentically with diverse audiences, no matter what your role. The keynote speech will address the theme of the conference, Weathering the Storm, through Ping’s unique perspective on the world. As a journalist and storyteller, he will share his experiences reporting news and writing stories and reflect on the challenges Atlantic Canada faces.

Presenter Bio: William Ping is a novelist and journalist, born and raised in St. John’s. His debut novel, Hollow Bamboo, was published by HarperCollins in 2023 and was shortlisted for the Amazon.ca First Novel Award, the BMO Winterset Award, and the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award, as well as being longlisted for the Dublin Literary Award, the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Book Award. He has previously been published in ‘Us, Now,’ Hard Ticket and Riddle Fence. William is also known for his contributions to CBC News, where he can most often be heard reading the news. 

closing keynote: nadine osmond

Keynote Description: In September 2022, Hurricane Fiona hit the Town of Channel-Port aux Basques, located on Newfoundland’s west coast. Residents were evacuated, homes washed out to sea, and one life lost. The community declared a state of emergency as it dealt with flooded roads, displaced residents, and impacts on municipal services. The impacts from the storm have been lasting. With it being three years since the hurricane, Channel-Port aux Basques CAO Nadine Osmond will share how their community has weathered the storm, from fallout to recovery. Hear from Nadine on how Channel-Port aux Basques is adapting to the challenges of climate change and planning for the future.

Presenter Bio: Nadine Osmond, Town Manager of Channel-Port aux Basques, grew up in the Channel portion of her hometown. She attended college for 6 years (College of the North Atlantic and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design), worked in St. John’s for 20 years in the graphic design field, and then returned to Channel-Port aux Basques in 2010. She worked with the local Chamber of Commerce, the Marine and Mountain Zone Economic Development Board, and then started her time with the Town at the Bruce II Sports Centre. After a year in administration at the arena, she moved to the Town Office in 2015. She moved into the Town Clerk position in 2022, not long before the Hurricane Fiona disaster. In 2024, she moved into the Town Manager position when the former Town Manager retired.