Axis Connects Leadership Forum

Vassy Kapelos 

CTV News Chief Political Correspondent 

Based in Ottawa, Vassy Kapelos is Host of CTV’s weekly political journal of record, QUESTION PERIOD, and Host of CTV News Channel’s weekday marquee political program, POWER PLAY. She is also the host of the weekday national radio program THE VASSY KAPELOS SHOW on the iHeartRadio Canada Talk Network. Born in Toronto, Kapelos is a three-time Canadian Screen Award winner, having been recognized for Best Live Production Social Media (2020), for CBC’s coverage of the B.C. by-election that saw Jagmeet Singh win his seat in Parliament, and Best Talk Program or Series (2021), for POWER & POLITICS, and Best Political News Program or Series (2024), for CTV News’ Power Play. She also received the 2021 Leitch Lecture Award from the University of Alberta and University of Calgary’s Faculties of Law after delivering a lecture on the political effect of the COVID-19 health crisis in Canada. Kapelos has extensive experience covering federal and provincial politics in Canada. Prior to joining CTV News, Kapelos was host of CBC’s POWER & POLITICS. Previously, she was Global News’ Ottawa Bureau Chief and host of THE WEST BLOCK. Before working in Ottawa, Kapelos covered provincial politics in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Kapelos graduated from Western University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and then from Dalhousie University with a Master of Arts. She speaks English. 

Throughout her professional life, Hetty has been drawn to, and focused on, helping people and companies transform. Based in London, she supports businesses to respond to an ever-more dynamic world by solving complex leadership succession, development and transformation challenges.​

In recent years, Hetty has been instrumental in guiding clients towards embracing inclusive leadership and sustainability as essential pillars for performance and purpose. This has included a deep commitment to promoting true gender parity at the highest levels of organizations, focused on board, CEO and ExCo progression in particular. ​

Collaborating with kindred spirits at Russell Reynolds Associates, and a growing group of global business leaders, this passion has led to the creation and launch of RRA Artemis—a movement aimed at driving systemic, positive change in the entire succession planning process and reshaping perspectives and practice. At the core of the movement is our pioneering women CEO accelerator development programme.​

Hetty is a member of Russell Reynolds’ Board & CEO Advisory Partners and leads the global Energy and Infrastructure Services Practice. She also chairs the firm’s LEAP Board, advising on promotions and development across the firm. ​

Hetty received her MA in Modern History from Brasenose College, Oxford University.

Joanna has over 20 years of negotiations experience in the natural resource, utilities, infrastructure, health care and education sectors. During that time, she has led over $2B worth of acquisitions, divestments, and contract negotiations. She has project managed and negotiated agreements linked to over $1B in capital projects in both Canada and the United States and held senior leadership roles in commercial negotiations, project management, resource development and organizational restructuring. 

Joanna has served as both director and president of volunteer and professional organizations across Canada, whereby her primary objective has been to lobby provincial governments on issues relating to the members she represented, in addition to developing and delivering education and social programs.  

Joanna has a BCOM from St. Francis Xavier University, is a graduate of British Petroleum’s intensive in-house Conflict and Negotiations training course, holds a Graduate Certificate in Project Leadership from Cornell University, and a Graduate Certificate in Negotiations Mastery from the Harvard School of Business. 

Joanna is the CEO and Co-Founder of the Negotiations Collective.

As the Managing Director of AI at PwC, Danielle’s role is to help steer the growth of the Data and AI Practice in Canada, She has more than a decade of experience in commercializing advanced technologies particularly in artificial intelligence, data analytics, augmented reality, and cloud platforms in both the private and public sector. 

Throughout her career, Danielle has championed AI innovation and education. She helped spearhead The51 Ventures’ M51 investment education platform and led AltaML’s AI Talent and Experimentation Accelerator, where she helped trained 240 professionals and developed 70+ AI applications. She also helped launch Alberta’s first Government AI Lab (GovLab) and was part of the initial team at the Creative Destruction Lab Rockies in Calgary, contributing to over $250M in venture equity value creation.

Recognized as a Global AI Ambassador and Top 40 under 40 recipient, Danielle is a sought-after speaker at premier conferences. She also teaches the University of Calgary’s inaugural AI in Business MBA course, reinforcing her commitment to making AI education accessible to all.