OECM hosted its 3rd Annual Procurement Summit on October 16–17, 2025, at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel & Suites in Richmond Hill, welcoming more than 120 senior procurement professionals from Ontario’s broader public sector. Attendees representing education, healthcare, municipal, and community organizations came together to exchange insights, strengthen partnerships, and explore the rapidly evolving world of public sector procurement.
This year’s theme, “Collaborative Procurement: Navigating Change Together,” set the tone for two days of dialogue centered on legislative change, digital transformation, Indigenous partnerships, sustainability, and the power of cross-sector collaboration. The event was emceed by Shellyann Henry, Director of Customer Relationship Management at OECM.
The Summit featured a lineup of expert speakers and thought leaders. Daniel Fabiano, Partner at Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, discussed privacy obligations, trade agreements, and tariff considerations that influence procurement practices. Next, Professor Robert Greene of Niagara College and the National Institute of Supply Chain Leaders (NISCL) led a hands-on session on communicating for impact, offering practical tools for navigating change, building trust, and achieving stakeholder buy-in.
The morning continued with Sarah Hopkins, Matriarch of Three Sisters Consulting, whose session on strengthening Indigenous partnerships underscored the role of procurement in advancing reconciliation and creating meaningful, community-focused economic opportunities, and experts from Deloitte, Mahendra Dedasaniya, Mansher Bhinder, and Harsh Raj, examined how artificial intelligence is reshaping procurement through increased automation, improved analytics, and smarter decision-making.
A cross-sector panel moderated by Ben Hamilton, OECM’s Vice President of Government Relations and Partnerships, brought together leaders from University Health Network, Sheridan College, and the University of Toronto to discuss how their institutions are adapting to change and driving innovation.
Day One concluded with an OECM-led session featuring Shellyann Henry, Perry Arzumanian, and Justin Sin, who highlighted OECM’s initiatives in ESG, Indigenous engagement, and digital enhancements. Khusen Shukurov, Vice President of Operations, closed the day by reflecting on the growing impact of procurement as a strategic function.
Day Two opened with futurist Ken Steele, President of Eduvation Inc., who encouraged attendees to look beyond immediate challenges and approach uncertainty with creativity and foresight. Sara McKnight, Director of Learning at NISCL, followed with an update on the organization’s evolving partnership with the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).
The Summit closed with remarks from Sonia Gallo, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Transformation at OECM, who commended the sector’s collective progress: “Procurement is not just about transactions—it’s about transformation.” Her message captured the spirit of the Summit: collaboration, resilience, and the shared commitment to shaping a stronger public sector through procurement excellence.
Post-Event Reflections: Attendees Celebrate Connection, Learning, and Collaboration
Post-event survey results reflected strong satisfaction among attendees, with over 90% rating the 2025 Summit as well-organized, engaging, and valuable. Participants highlighted networking opportunities (38%), diverse and relevant topics (14%), and high-quality speakers (14%) as top strengths of the event.
Attendees also commended the event’s warm, welcoming atmosphere, exceptional catering, and commitment to sustainability, citing thoughtful touches like renewable energy use, eco-friendly materials, and reusable signage.
As one respondent summarized, “It met all my expectations and more – it truly fostered collaboration and connection across the procurement community.”
