“A book isn’t going to end racism or inequity. But it can be a start.” Michael Bach (Founder, Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion) speaks to business owners and leaders in his new book, Birds of All Feathers, about understanding diversity and inclusion as more than just buzzwords, while providing direction on creating and rebuilding safe, sustainable and truly equitable workplaces.
Join Canadian Club Toronto on September 9 when Michael sits down with Jeffrey Orridge (Chairman, Tiidal and Former Commissioner, Canadian Football League) for a discussion on the process of bringing Birds of All Feathers to print, and what organizations need to be focussing on when it comes to D&I initiatives in the immediate future as employees demand actionable and meaningful change.
Thanks to the generosity of TD Bank, the first 200 people to register will receive a free e-copy of Birds of All Feathers to their email address following the event. The book can also be purchased here.
TD’s sponsorship has also made this event free of charge to all attendees. Please note that as a non-profit organization with standing operating costs, our 2020-2021 virtual events will see us transition into a paid event model. In addition, we will be launching a robust subscription plan that will offer you access to more thought leadership, and further details will be sent in the coming week. We appreciate your understanding and are grateful for your support as we enter our 124th season with a renewed vision.
Michael Bach, CCDP/AP
Founder and CEO, Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion
Michael is internationally recognized as a thought leader and subject matter expert in the fields of diversity, inclusion and employment equity. He has deep experience in strategy development, stakeholder engagement, training and development, research, solution development and execution, employee engagement, data analytics, measurement and diversity scorecards, targeted recruiting strategies, marketing and communications, Employee Resource Groups, Diversity Councils, and diversity related legislation (Employment Equity Act, AODA, etc.) among other skills and experiences.
Michael has received repeated recognition for his work, including being named:
» Women of Influence’s Canadian Diversity Champions (2011 & 2012)
» Catalyst Canada Honours Human Resources/Diversity Leader (2011)
» Inspire Award as LGBTQ Person of the Year (2011)
» Out on Bay Street Leaders to be Proud of LGBT Advocate Workplace Award (2011)
His new book “Birds of All Feathers- Doing Diversity and Inclusion Right” is currently available online and at bookstores nationwide.
Jeffrey L. Orridge, Esq.
Chairman, Tiidal
Jeffrey L. Orridge is an accomplished, highly regarded, senior executive, community leader, “no limits” thinker, with global experience building teams, brands, and businesses with sports, entertainment, media, consumer products, technology, and non-profit organizations in the U.S. and Canada. Currently the Chairperson for a leading Canadian eSports organization, Jeffrey has held senior leadership positions with some of Canada’s most iconic brands, such as the Canadian Football League, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Canadian Tire Corporation as well as U.S. Fortune 500 companies including Reebok, Mattel, and Warner Brothers.
Having served as the first black Commissioner of any major professional sports league in North America, under his transformative stewardship, the CFL was successfully re-branded; the approach led to increased corporate sponsorship revenues, growth among youth and female audiences, and the launch of new digital and social media platforms. Prioritizing people as well as product, Jeffrey’s leadership resulted in an enhanced drug testing program, innovative diagnostics for concussion protocols, the launch of the first-ever professional sports league policy on “Violence Against Women”, and an expanded partnership with the international LGBTQ organization, You Can Play, focused on safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports.
Prior to joining the CFL, Jeffrey was a senior executive with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), where he served as the Executive Director of CBC Sports and General Manager, Olympics. Under his leadership, he successfully secured the media rights to four (4) Olympic Games, the 2015 Pan Am Games, and structured the sub-licensing agreement for the “Hockey Night in Canada” broadcast and brand. Jeffrey’s oversight of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and 2014 FIFA World Cup resulted in achieving record levels of broadcast reach, digital consumption, and profitability. Recruited to Canada to work for “Right to Play Int’l”, a global humanitarian organization working in some of the most disadvantaged communities, Jeffrey held positions of COO and Head Global Business Development during his tenure.
Having begun his career in the U.S., Orridge served as the first-ever General Counsel for USA Basketball, heading up legal and business affairs for the first U.S. Olympic “Dream Team,” which received the 1992 Sports Marketer of the Year award. His career has also included roles as Director of Global Sports Marketing at Reebok, Int’l and Vice President at Mattel, Inc.
A graduate of Amherst College and Harvard Law School, Jeffrey Orridge has been the recipient of the ‘African Canadian Achievement Award for Excellence in Sports”, Historica Canada’s “Trailblazer Award”, the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Assn.‘ Beacon of Industry Award’, and the National Bar Association ‘ Sports Attorney of the Year’ Award. He proudly serves on the boards of the BlackNorth Initiative, WarChild Canada, and the Canada Post Foundation.
