11/25/2024

2025 Conference Keynote Speakers

JP Michel, SparkPath

JP Michel is the creator of the Challenge mindset and the Challenge Cards, which have been used by more than 100,000 students around the world. 

His past consultancy work with leaders led to the creation of SparkPath, an innovative career exploration company spotlighted on the Forbes, TEDx, CBC and BBC. Recognized as the 2022 Outstanding Career Leader by the Career Professionals of Canada, JP holds a degree in psychology from the University of Ottawa and a master's degree in industrial-organizational psychology from the University of Manchester.

Sonny Wong

Sonny Wong is a Registered Psychotherapist in Toronto, Canada – who practices Career-Focused Positive Counselling. With over 25 years of progressive experience as a CPD, he started his career as a community researcher identifying the needs of marginalized-displaced workers, served as program developer for matured workers/newcomers, as a resource-builder for individual in the idle trade and eventually a career/employment consultant for clients on provincial financial assistance. Sonny’s grassroots lived experience has fostered his keen awareness of professional/ethical service delivery practices. During the last 16 years, Sonny has been a psychotherapist working in post-secondary institutions assisting clients to  reconcile their intersectionality identities with their career identity. The passion in his work spans beyond his psychotherapist role, he is a lecturer, writer, trainer and clinical supervisor for CDPs. Sonny provides care and support to both CDPs and their clients – sharing knowledge and techniques to
address the human experience without pathologizing career well-being and mental health issues associated with work/career stressors. Sonny’s commitment is to help individuals identify their strengths as flourishing fuel. “No problem 24/7” is his premise. Unemployment is not an individual identity. Career counselling is co-constructing a plan for the whole person.  Everyone deserves to strive and engage in meaningful activities. In Canada, Sonny’s professional contributions have been constantly recognized by numerous national and provincial service awards within the post-secondary education and not-for-profit sectors.