Your Personal Power for Reinvention and Success: A Rockstar’s Wisdom

Alan Frew, Lead Singer of Glass Tiger

OPENING KEYNOTE
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 

From the rough streets of his Scottish youth to his award-winning Canadian rockstar career, Glass Tiger lead singer Alan Frew has drawn on his capacity for reinvention to navigate through tough times to triumphs. Blending laughter with insight, he’ll reflect on the real, sometimes edgy moments of everyday life and the lessons they hold, whether we’re entertainment business veterans or seniors’ care specialists. Along the way, Alan will share his music and his practical recipe for success that’s all about connecting with the powers everyone has to reach personal goals in life and work. 

Biography

Alan Frew is a multiple platinum-selling songwriter, musician, public speaker and author. Lead singer of the famed Canadian band Glass Tiger, Alan’s prolific work has garnered five Juno Awards, a Grammy nomination and five Canadian Classic Awards. He has toured with Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Fleetwood Mac and performed for the Canadian Armed Forces and their allies in Bosnia, Israel, Egypt and Afghanistan. He is the author of The Action Sandwich: A Six Step Recipe to Success by Doing What You’re Already Doing. 

The opening keynote will be followed by a Ministry guest speaker and our Awards Presentation.
 

Our 2026 Opening Keynote is generously sponsored by

A Palliative Approach for Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

Dr. Amit Arya, Kensington Health
Dr. Shirin Vellani, Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care
Dr. Andrea Iaboni, Toronto Rehab  

THURSDAY PLENARY AND AWARDS
Thursday, April 23, 2026
8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. 

Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, or BPSD, are often rooted in distress due to pain, delirium and elements in the physical and relational environment. Instead of treating them as “problems,” expressions of distress may signal underlying unmet palliative care needs.  

Take this unique opportunity to learn from experts in geriatrics, psychiatry and palliative care as they discuss how a palliative approach can be transformative for residents with BPSD and what to consider when choosing that option. Our speakers will offer their insights into the value of early advance care planning, improving support for family caregivers and substitute decision-makers navigating difficult decisions, and how to embed cultural safety and health equity into the discussion and provision of a palliative approach in support of residents with BPSD.  

Moderated by Lisa Levin, CEO of AdvantAge Ontario

Dr. Amit Arya is a palliative care physician and the Medical Director of the Specialist Palliative Care in Long-Term Care Outreach Team at Kensington Health. He collaborates with Ontario CLRI on advancing health equity in long-term care and works with Pallium Canada to strengthen palliative care education and quality improvement initiatives for LTC teams. Dr. Arya’s work focuses on developing integrated, culturally safe models of palliative care across the continuum of seniors’ care.  

Dr. Shirin Vellani is Chief, Professional Practice and Quality, at Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care. She has clinical experience as a nurse practitioner, is a health systems researcher, holds a PhD in nursing and is a Fellow in the Nurse Practitioner Association of Canada. 

Dr. Andrea Iaboni is Medical Director of the Specialized Dementia Unit and Virtual Behavioural Medicine at Toronto Rehab. She is also Division Lead, Seniors Mental Health in the Mental Health Program at the University Health Network. 
 

Our 2026 Plenary is generously sponsored by

Someday Starts Today 

Doug Bolger, Founder and Chief Product Officer, Learn2

TED TALK
Friday, April 24, 2026
8:45 a.m. - 9:10 a.m. 

It’s time to turn Convention insights into action! Performance-motivator Doug Bolger challenges us to move beyond reflection on the Power of Me to decide what comes next as not-for-profit seniors’ care team members and leaders. Working TED Talk-style, Doug will illustrate the through line of the Convention’s sessions and engage his audience in a shared commitment to act together. Far from a summary of the past few days, Doug will bring us back to why it all matters. You’ll leave feeling re-energized, connected and empowered to meet the increasing needs for our sector.

Biography

Doug Bolger, founder and chief product officer for Learn2, wants to change the way the world works. He believes that every team can achieve inspired results by unlearning, optimizing and creating best practices. At the heart of his approach is his commitment to participant-centred and experiential live sessions. Leaders and teams work on real priorities, practice together and leave better together with actions they can implement right away. His clients have included Amex, JP Morgan Chase, Microsoft and Canada’s Olympic team. 

Our 2026 TED Talk is generously sponsored by