Roche

•	I provide leadership for transformation activities necessary for the progressive organizational evolution
•	I work with multiple teams to continuously evolve the ways of working to ensure realization of business and customer value and also help teams to be high performing
•	I guide our partners through the agile culture shift. Facilitating change in mindset and behaviors via a range of tools and practices
•	Train teams on the agile methodologies and oversee the development of agile teams to ensure effective outcomes for the enterprise
•	I serve as a neutral and objective partner to help navigate roadblocks in the adoption process.
•	I come with the growth mindset and attitude to make a difference, and a start-up mentality
•	I have significant team and individual coaching and facilitation expertise
•	I am able to successfully navigate complex, multicultural and highly matrix environments
•	I influence & engage towards a common goal through working collaboratively with and
through others
•	I coach, facilitate and mentor and able to guide and help people to figure out the right solutions for their challenges
•	I challenge the status quo when needed

Agile Coach

Roche is undergoing an ‘Agile Transformation Journey’ across this almost 100 000 employee organization.  As a Transformation Partner, I had 2 roles: (1) I operated in the engagement stream of the Product Development function (5000+ organization) and formed a key part of the enabling team. (2) I also partnered with the Polish affiliate (200+ organization) in their transformation journey.
My objective was to understand, get excited about and engage employees in this organizational change, which I (successfully!) achieved through:
•	Managing stakeholder relationships with countless international clients, leadership teams and work stream leads
•	Leading discussions with stakeholders on change and employee engagement 
•	Expertly navigating the complexities and politics associated in driving change in a multinational organization 
•	Leading change interventions, and engaging with functional leaders for focus group sessions and workshops

Transformation & Engagement Partner

•	Drove the strategic agendas and actions forward for the PDEx Leadership Team and Site Leadership Forum 
•	Proactively identified opportunities and driving change to enhance team performance and become better and more efficient at what we do

Business Manager - Pharma Development Excellence (PDEx)

pREDi (Pharma Research & Early Development for Informatics) change project, across 5 sites with ~200 employees: 
•	Led the teams and tasks on the organizational change project that made way for the development and delivery of the new pREDi business operating model 
•	Provided strategic support to the Global Head and Leadership Team
•	Managed internal and external communications, skilfully and sensitively handling challenging staff feedback

Global Change Manager & Portfolio Delivery -pREDi (Pharma Research & Early Development-Informatics) 

Group Audit SAP GRC Change Management Project: 
•	Led the team which implemented the global policy for segregation of duties (SoD) and access controls, the process and SAP GRC tool, involving 140 entities and 600 colleagues
•	Created Global Roche Policy, with input from multiple stakeholders including business, IT, Group Audit and KPMG 
•	Led the core project team, resolved 130,000 SoD conflicts in year one and met all project timelines

SAP GRC Project & Change Manager

Novartis

•	Managed the end-to-end process and SAP GRC tool implementation for 30+ Pharma companies globally 
•	Developed Best in Class standards of segregation of duties rules across 14 SAP functional areas (200+ controls) 
•	Finalist for the 2006 ‘Global IT’ Award
•	Performed post-implementation SAP audits with expertise in SAP SD and MM. Monitored results.

Global Project  & Change Manager

GlaxoSmithKline

SAP Stream Lead

I am on a mission to transform workplace culture by making psychological safety a fundamental, non-negotiable priority.  I believe it's not enough to rely on individual efforts or well-meaning policies—we need collective action and shared accountability.

Our workplaces must have everyone feeling safe enough to engage in meaningful discussions, valued for who they are, and empowered to contribute their unique skills and talents.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞: 
I proudly display six flags on my front door—representing Canada, India, Germany, South Africa, the Philippines, and Switzerland. These flags symbolize both my household and my belief in equality, regardless of background.

Having lived, worked, and traveled in nearly 40 countries, I’ve seen firsthand the power of diversity and the strength that comes from embracing our differences. Sadly, I’ve also witnessed the damage caused when people’s voices aren’t valued, or worse, when workplace abuse is ignored.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐈 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐚 𝐧𝐨𝐭-𝐟𝐨𝐫-𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝. 

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈'𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐝: 

👉 𝑬𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒆𝒆 𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕: >20 global awards/recognitions for fostering motivated teams.
👉 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑: > 20 years of experience leading successful transformations across multinationals, reshaping cultures, and fostering alignment.
👉 𝑴𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓:  In 2019, I launched a grassroots movement that grew to > 25,000 engagements in 2 years, demonstrating my belief in the strength of collective action.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐖𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫: 

👉 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒔 & 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔: If you're seeking 1:1 support or team coaching, Vanguard Voices provides coaching & facilitation support to help you thrive.
👉 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔: Join our platform to unite with professionals dedicated to this cause & amplify our impact together.
👉 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒍𝒍 𝑺𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒔: If you aim for more, collaborate with us. We are building strategic alliances with those most committed to psychological safety.

Let´s connect!
Email or DM me to discuss how we can work together to drive meaningful change in our world of work.

---

I also work for Roche. 
All opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily represent the position of my employer.

Jessica Bensch

I've decided to lean into what I think is a unique aspect of my work - verse summaries of business conferences....

Here are some comments from the audience at a recent DEI event:

“Bravo. BRAVO …Clap Clap Clap Clap…This is truly remarkable. Thank You! John....thank you...for your words...your story...your thoughts...thank you!…EXCELLENT…Wow, that was great!…LOVE IT!!!!!!…That was awesome!…That was powerful! Thank you!…Powerful...thanks !…Thank you, wonderful!!! John!!!!…you are an artist….very very cool! Amen…OMG…Beautiful! Thank you!”

The Conference Bard

I'm delighted to relaunch my podcast Here Comes Everyone.   I began this back at the beginning of the pandemic and took a hiatus first when hosting a DEI podcast for The Conference Board and then later a Wellbeing show for Wellbeing At Work World.

Over the past few years I've had the pleasure of welcoming great guests on topics such as Workplace Mental Health, Culture, Change, Grief, Poetry, Diversity, Happiness, Leadership, LEGO SERIOUS PLAY and more....

I plan to focus mostly on DEI but will include sessions on other topics as well.

Podcast Host

In this role I will bring all the humour, insight, storytelling, rhyme and reason of The Conference Bard to the practice of LEGO®SERIOUS PLAY®

Bard of the Bricks

As well as being the Chief Bard, I wanted to also be known as The Conference Bard of Canada as I focus more on Canadian events and my Canadian clients.

Still the same stunning event summaries, exceptional event design and facilitation.

The Conference Bard of Canada

Thrilled to launch The Conference Bard - not just because I am leaning in to my poetry and verse summations of events, but because as an event designer and moderator I perform the function of the Bard.

I listen, I explore, I collect information and stories and share them wherever people gather.  I take a field of knowledge and interpret it for the audience.

Chief Bard

Along with my co-host Kate Jenkinson, this podcast will feature spoken word artists and poets who will share their work and discuss the role they play in their communities and the impact they have on their audiences.

Kate and I want more people to discover the power of poetry, particularly businesses.  What better way than to explore the work of our talented guests?

Co-Host - Poetry Not Powerpoint

I'm working hard right now to write a spoken word about the invasion of Ukraine, violence and racism in North America and where we can find hope

Speaker - Leadership From the Heart

Ideax

I design and develop agendas for business conferences and idea based events in North America 

I also facilitate business events and summarize them in verse when so inclined. 

I have designed and chaired events on the following issues:

Corporate Culture
Pensions
Change Management
Corporate Culture
Diversity & Inclusion
Public Sector Transformation
Social Media
Human Capital Analytics
Workplace Wellness
Leadership
Risk Management
Mental Health
Human Resources
Talent Management
Customer Experience

Conference Designer, Business Poet, Event Moderator and LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methods facilitator

Now is the time of year when you can't swing a cat without hitting a list of "trends for 2021".  But what if the future isn't about trends identified by experts but about YOUR vision and dreams? That's why I'm the Anti-Futurist....while I value all the research on trends, I firmly believe the future is as much about what's inside you as what's ahead.

The Alt-Futurist

Leadership from the Heart is a unique combination of first class business conference and fund raiser.  It's an event that doesn't just talk about purpose - it has a purpose.  Leadership unplugged.

Designer and Host - Leadership From the Heart -  Nov 12 - Toronto

TELUS Health | TELUS Santé

In this role I will be leading a wide range of seminars and workshops for TELUS Health clients.

These vary from short, virtual "lunch and learn" sessions on specific wellbeing issues to all day in person events covering a range of topics.

It's been great so far with the few programs I have run - all of these use TELUS Health's materials that have been expertly designed to cover the essentials employees need to know to lead healthier and happier lives.

Facilitator - Virtual and in-Person Seminars and Workshops

Wellbeing at Work World

Starting in January 2023 I will be hosting Wellbeing At Work World's podcast.  This will feature wellness leaders from around the world who will be speaking at one of Wellbeing at Work World's industry leading wellness conferences.

Our initial guest will be drawn from the outstanding line up of speakers for the US Summit taking place in March

I’ll be chairing Wellbeing at Work’s Summits in NYC on March 7 and San Francisco on March 9

Conference Chair

Here Comes Everyone (Originally Uncanceled & Unplugged)

This podcast provides an opportunity for speakers, experts and practitioners to share ideas they would otherwise have presented from a stage at a conference this year - a conference that has been cancelled due to Covid-19.

Conversation will be informal but I will be asking my guests about the core of the message they would have delivered, how that has changed due to the current crisis, and how they see their work helping employees and employers through current challenges and once things get back to "normal"

I’m chairing Wellbeing at Work’s Toronto Summit on Oct 12

The Bowtied Bard

Co-Chair

Leadership from the Heart 

Joining the great folk from Culture Amp's Culture First Community to create a unique leadership event with the goal of raising $100k to support refugees from Ukraine and elswhere.  From our hearts to their hands.

Member - Design Team

Grief, Gratitude, Grace Podcast Series (launching soon)

Co Host

DEI-Logue: Conversations on Diversity, Equity &Inclusion Podcast (launching soon)

Host

The Conference Bard - Taking your events to a whole new level

I help organizations spark connection, creativity, and insight—whether through interactive LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® workshops, high-impact conference design, or unforgettable spoken word performances.

If you’re planning an event and want your attendees to leave inspired, not just informed—I can help. Whether I’m:

	•	Designing and curating a full conference agenda
	•	Facilitating a powerful LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® session on psychological safety, innovation, teamwork, belonging or leadership
	•	Emceeing a summit with energy, humour, and heart
	•	Or crafting a poetic summary to close the day with meaning

…I create experiences people talk about long after the event ends.

What others say:
“John Brewer was easily one of the best parts of this summit. His refreshing take, authenticity, honest framing and comedic relief just stood out as a huge differentiator. This was honestly one of the best events I’ve ever attended.”
— Attendee, Wellbeing Summit NYC, 2024

Alongside my event work, I also:

	•	Facilitate employee wellbeing sessions across Canada for TELUS Health
	•	Explore the world of work through spoken word
	•	Use LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® to unlock innovation, inclusion, and human connection in teams

My work is guided by one belief: great events don’t just inform—they transform.

Let’s build something remarkable. Together

taplio

The Battle

Jessica Bensch

john brewer - the conference bard

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