Career and Workforce Development Month

Help us Launch Career & Workforce Development Month 2026

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

If you are a Career Development Professional, employer, community group, or simply interested in the future of work in Manitoba, join MACD as we launch Career and Workforce Development Month with industry leaders!

Career and Workforce Development Month Launch

Date: November 5th, 2026 - Victoria Inn, 9am - 11am

Theme: Career Journeys Through the Generations

RSVP - not required

This panel will bring together working professionals from different generations and backgrounds to share their career journeys and explore the different considerations that have shaped their paths. Panelists will offer perspectives from across the career lifespan, including a recently retired leader, a mid-career career development professional, and a recent university graduate entering the workforce.

Dana Erickson

Dana Erickson, FCPA, built a 40-year career in the public sector, primarily in health care. He held senior leadership roles including CEO of Manitoba Possible and COO of Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg. A committed community volunteer, he has contributed to United Way Winnipeg, Scouts Canada, and the CGA Association of Manitoba, and currently serves on the Boards of the Interlake-Eastern RHA, Victoria Hospital Foundation, Victoria Lifeline, and Easter Seals Canada.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from the University of Manitoba and later his accounting designation, sharing his expertise as a course instructor and conference speaker. Dana and his wife Patti are retired, enjoying life on Lake Winnipeg with their two dogs while celebrating their family of five grown children.

David Driver

David Driver is a career and employment professional with more than 15 years of experience. David has spent much of his career in post-secondary education, where he has led career programming, worked with employers and industry partners, delivered workshops and events, and supported thousands of students in making their next career move.

David is passionate about helping people recognize their potential, make confident career decisions, and create a path forward that feels meaningful and authentic to them.

Lori Watson Sewell

Lori Watson Sewell holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Manitoba and has built her career in the supported employment sector. Her experience spans direct support, job development, marketing and employer engagement. She currently serves as Manager of Employer and Community Engagement for Connect Employment Services in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Lori is passionate about celebrating the diversity of human experience and the strength it brings to our communities. She is grateful for the opportunities she has had to support and learn from persons with disabilities, and to advocate for their right to be welcomed and fully included in work and community life.

Lori’s work focuses on developing connections with the business community and building understanding of the benefits of inclusive hiring practices. She believes a great job match, paired with customized supports, can be transformative for both candidates and organizations, and is committed to bringing that message to today’s business leaders.

Sara Akram

Sara Akram's journey started in a small town in Pakistan, before she moved to Canada to build her career. She studied Biochemistry at the University of Manitoba and now works as a Lab Analyst in Quality Control at Emergent BioSolutions. Getting there took persistence. With no prior industry experience going in, it meant several rounds of interviews before she landed the offer.

Outside work, she volunteers as Sponsorship Chair for the Let's Get to Work conference and considers herself a loyal servant to her roommate's cat, Loki. As a newly graduated international student, Sara continues to navigate what it takes to build a career in the field.

What is Career & Workforce Development Month?

November is a wonderful opportunity for everyone in Manitoba as Career & Workforce Development Month is a forum for individuals, families, businesses, associations, non-profit agencies, service providers, and educational institutions to connect with each other and share information about the essential nature of career development.

Help to organize, support and participate in events and activities in your workplace or educational institutions, even in your home. Career Development is Everyone's Business! All Manitobans are encouraged to plan, participate and promote a career development event and celebrate career achievements, contributions to our society and our economy. Enjoy the exciting career journeys!

The activities you plan and participate will help to inspire Manitobans and showcase the tremendous amount of career and workforce development opportunities, supports and services that we have right here at home. November is a chance for business leaders and managers to build a work culture that encourages goal-setting activities and promotes personal and professional development.