2025 CERAH Conference | Plenary Speakers & Presenters
The 2025 CERAH Conference: Aging Across the Life Cycle will feature an exceptional group of speakers who will engage, inform and inspire. See who will be joining us this October:
ANDRÉ PICARD
Award-Winning National Health Writer and Author
André Picard is one of Canada’s top health and public policy observers and commentators. He has been a part of The Globe and Mail team since 1987, where he is a health reporter and columnist. He is also the author of six bestselling books.
André is an eight-time nominee for the National Newspaper Awards, Canada’s top journalism prize, where he has twice been named the country’s top newspaper columnist. He is past winner of the prestigious Michener Award for Meritorious Public Service Journalism, and the Centennial Prize of the Pan-American Health Organization, awarded to the top health reporter in the 17 countries of the Americas.
André’s work has been recognized by a number of health advocacy groups. He was named Canada’s first “Public Health Hero” by the Canadian Public Health Association and a “Champion of Mental Health” by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health. He received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his dedication to improving healthcare.
In 2023, André was appointed to the Order of Canada for his lifelong dedication to advancing public health understanding and practices within the nation.
A graduate of the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, André has received honorary doctorates from eight universities, including UBC and the University of Toronto.
He is a seasoned communicator who employs a conversational style to reach his audience. Additionally, he enlivens his research and commentary with personal stories to provide context for his audience. Fluently bilingual, André will enlighten and pique a sense of curiosity of audience members from all educational backgrounds. Behind the placid exterior lies an inquisitive, perceptive and industrious scribe for whom the work only begins with the official story.
Laura Tamblyn Watts
President & CEO
As the CEO of CanAge, Laura Tamblyn Watts embodies a commitment to the betterment of elder care and seniors’ rights. Her multifaceted career spans law, academia, and policy development, reflecting a dedication to impactful advocacy and education.
With a legal background as a member of the BC Bar since 1999, Laura has leveraged her expertise to advance the interests of seniors, serving as National Director of the Canadian Centre for Elder Law and as Chief Public Policy Officer at CARP. Her academic role as an Assistant Professor (status) at the University of Toronto’s Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work underscores her commitment to shaping future professionals in the field.
Recognized for her leadership with a Community Leadership in Justice Fellowship by the Law Foundation of Ontario, Laura’s influence is felt both nationally and internationally through her affiliations with global universities. Her governance experience is extensive, including positions as a Board Director with the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), and past roles with the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC).
Laura’s compassionate service is evident through her board memberships with Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario, PACE Independent Living, and the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO). Her consumer advocacy is further demonstrated in her role as Chair of the Consumer Advisory Panel of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) and membership on the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA) Consumer Advisory Panel.
Her instrumental role in the Canadian Standards Association’s development of National Standards for Long Term Care, and ongoing work for Home and Community Care standards, showcases her commitment to systemic improvement.
As an in-demand speaker, Laura has shared her insights at numerous global forums and has been a prominent media figure, participating in over 4000 interviews since 2020. Her forthcoming book, “Let’s Talk About Aging Parents,” anticipated for release in April 2024, reflects her engaging approach to discussing the complexities of aging.
Laura Tamblyn Watts’ professional journey is not just defined by her achievements but by her unwavering dedication to enhancing the lives of seniors across Canada and beyond.