More to come!
Here are just some of the speakers for our 2025 Annual Conference. Stay tuned for more updates.
Keynote Address:
Demystifying Artificial Intelligence for the BC Pharmacy Association
In this talk, David Chalk will share how everything is being influenced and guided by AI in amazing new ways. With 15 years of direct experience with AI, David knows the applications for every industry. Where it’s going, what it can do and what it can’t do. BC Pharmacists will leave this talk with a clear and practical understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in transforming business. With significant changes in the marketplace and growing pressures on pharmacy operations and the work environment, AI offers tools to augment abilities, eliminate redundant tasks, and increase efficiency while inspiring deeper engagement through enhanced access to knowledge and learning.
This presentation is designed to inspire confidence in AI as a powerful tool to unlock new opportunities for growth and market share. Those who embrace AI early will gain a significant advantage, positioning their businesses to lead with efficiency, innovation, and enhanced patient care.
About the speaker:
David Chalk is the Maverick Mind in AI and all things Technology.
David isn’t just your run-of-the-mill expert; he’s a trailblazing visionary in AI and technology, whose insights electrify Fortune 500 boardrooms. As a Change Management Business Coach, David possesses a rare gift: he demystifies the labyrinth of tech speak, making AI’s revolutionary impact on business crystal clear.
He’s the entrepreneurial spirit behind over 15 groundbreaking ventures. His trophy shelf is overflowing with accolades for retail innovation, marketing genius, and leadership, recognized as Canada’s Top Marketer by the Retail Council of Canada. With over 150 articles celebrating his visionary work and the landmark acquisition of Chalk Media by RIM in 2008, David’s impact is undeniable
He has never encountered a tech query he couldn’t untangle and explain with ease. This unparalleled expertise has placed him at the summit of Artificial Intelligence mastery.
For 12 spellbinding years, David was the charismatic host of “Chalk Media,” a TV phenomenon that guided millions through the tech jungle, introducing the latest gadgets and innovations with unmatched flair. His strategic genius caught the eye of none other than Bill Gates in the 90s, leading to a groundbreaking collaboration on Microsoft’s future directions.
Government Relations Panel
Join us for a government relations panel featuring former B.C. Members of the Legislative Assembly, who will discuss what works and doesn't work when advocating to provincial decision makers.
About the panelists:
Todd Stone was elected MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson in 2013, 2017, and 2020. Between 2013 and 2017, he served as British Columbia’s Minister of Transportation & Infrastructure, as well as Emergency Management and Deputy Government House Leader.
Between 2017 and 2024, Todd held numerous Shadow Minister roles, most recently Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. He served as Official Opposition House Leader between 2022 and 2024 before opting to not seek re-election.
As Founder, President & CEO of iCompass Technologies for 15 years prior to entering provincial elected office, Todd built a strong team to create cutting-edge SaaS-based tech solutions for public sector organizations across Canada and the United States.
Todd is the former vice-chair of Thompson Rivers University Board of Governors and has served on numerous boards such as ICBC, Acetech and the United Way. He and his wife Chantelle have three daughters.
Sonia Furstenau is the former Leader of the BC Green party. She served as MLA for Cowichan Valley for seven years, and as Cowichan Valley Area Director for Shawnigan Lake for three years.
It was her advocacy for protecting her community's drinking water that propelled Sonia into politics, and as an elected representative she oriented her work towards well-being of people and communities, championing public healthcare, mental health, and environmental protection.
Sonia has a Master's degree in History and a Bachelor's degree in Education; prior to politics she taught history, English, and Theory of Knowledge in high schools in Victoria and Shawnigan Lake.
Katrine Conroy had a varied career prior to becoming an MLA. As one of BCs first female power engineers she worked at Celgar Pulp Mill in Castlegar, the first female to work in the mill.
She was also an Early Childhood Educator, College Instructor and Executive Director for a multi service organization providing services to children and their families.
In 2005 she was first elected as MLA representing the West Kootenays, holding numerous positions as an Opposition member. Upon forming government in 2017 she was appointed Minister of Children and Families. After the 2020 election then Premier Horgan asked her to be the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources and rural development, the first woman to hold that position. In 2022 Premier Eby appointed her the Minister of Finance. With all three Ministries she was also the Minister responsible for the Columbia Basin Trust, The Columbia Power Corporation and the Columbia River Treaty, otherwise known as All Things Columbia.
After 20 years, 30 if one includes her late husband Eds 10 years as MLA, Katrine decided to not run in the last election and officially retired Nov 2024. She now spends time on her farm gardening and raising purebred cattle, reading and travelling for pleasure, as well as enjoying time catching up with family and friends including her 9 grandchildren.
Working Together: Community Pharmacists and Family Practice
Learn about how physicians on the North Shore of the Lower Mainland have created a new collaboration with pharmacists to help patients receive faster access to health care by taking advantage of British Columbia's new pharmacist minor ailments and contraception service (MACS).
About the speakers:
Candace Travis is the Practice Change Manager for the North Shore Division of Family Practice.
Her work experience comes from 25+ years of directly supporting medical offices to adopt workflows and technology to increase efficiency, create capacity and support our medical offices in providing the best patient care possible.
With the introduction of Primary Care Networks in BC, Candace's responsibilities have expanded to supporting many other roles including RNs, NPs, Clinical Pharmacists and Mental Health Clinicians working within Team Based Care settings.
Kyle Denley is a graduate of the University of British Columbia Pharmaceutical Sciences program in 2012 and has been practicing as a community pharmacist for 12 years.
He owns and operates a Pharmasave Health Centre in North Vancouver, specializing in Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder and Minor Ailment Assessments. He is passionate about promoting interprofessional collaboration and utilizing the full pharmacy practice scope in his everyday practice.
He was the recipient of the BCPhA 2023 Excellence in Patient Care Award. He continues to advocate for enhanced patient care services provided through community pharmacies.
Introducing the new Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Dean
Dr. Lalitha Raman-Wilms is the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of British Columbia (UBC). She received her Baccalaureate of Science in Pharmacy (BScPhm) and a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of Toronto, complemented by a hospital pharmacy residency at McMaster University Medical Centre.
Dr. Raman-Wilms has held numerous leadership positions, most recently she served as Dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Manitoba. Her distinguished career also includes significant leadership positions at the University of Toronto’s Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, including Associate Dean (Associate Dean (AD) Education & AD Professional Programs), and Director of Division of Pharmacy Practice.
Dr. Raman-Wilms’ research focuses on medication optimization in older adults, particularly the management of polypharmacy through deprescribing. Her extensive contributions to the field include numerous publications, book chapters, presentations, and her role as editor-in-chief of a drug reference manual for the public. She is also recognized for her clinical work with older adults in various healthcare settings.
Dr. Raman-Wilms commenced her term as dean of the UBC Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences on October 1, 2024. Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards for her teaching and leadership, has served on various boards, and has serviced twice as President of the Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC). She is a committed advocate for equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and reconciliation.