The LiveWorkPlay Inclusive Employer Award presented to Kinaxis and CHEFS&STAFF4HIRE at Make A Buzz Ottawa 17 April 2026

Award presented live at Make A Buzz Ottawa 2026, LiveWorkPlay’s 31st Anniversary Celebration, April 17, at Bayview Yards

Inclusive Employer Award – Kinaxis (Neil Butts) and CHEFS&STAFF4HIRE (Lauren Lochan)

Presented by Anna Nelson, Director of Employment Supports

We have two more Inclusive Private Sector Employer Awards to present this evening, and we’re presenting them at the same time, because part of what makes this story special is how they came together to collaborate on inclusive hiring.

To help present these awards, I’d like to welcome Germania Jarquin from Calypso Waterpark and Karen Tuff from Trio Bistro & Lounge, both previous Inclusive Employer Award recipients.

This story began in August 2023, when I received an email from a contact who had recently moved into a new role. He had previously worked alongside employees supported by LiveWorkPlay and had seen firsthand the value they bring. In his new position, he wanted to create that type of opportunity again.

That outreach sparked a multiyear partnership, one built on commitment, problem-solving, and a shared belief in inclusive hiring. The nature of the role required collaboration between two companies, and that’s where this partnership really shines.

Jen Broad from our Employment Supports Team, who has worked closely alongside them, shared a few reflections that really capture their approach, and I’ll read her quotes:

Lauren ensured our team had access to systems in advance, so we could learn alongside the employee and set everyone up for success from day one. He consistently asked thoughtful, proactive questions about how to best support Aidan.

Neil was committed to learning how to set Aidan up for success. He worked to create space for growth, expanding the role over time, and building a strong working relationship grounded in clear, respectful communication. He approaches feedback with care and intention, always focused on development.

Together, Neil and Lauren have created a partnership that shows what’s possible when employers are open, collaborative, and focused on talent. We hope stories like this spark new ideas and new opportunities across the room.

To both of your teams, thank you for your openness, your creativity, and your belief in talent. It truly makes a difference.

Kinaxis Inc. and Chefs & Staff4Hire Inc. are two outstanding inclusive employers, and exceptional collaborators.

Accepting the 2026 Inclusive Private Sector Employer Awards tonight please welcome Neil Butts, Director of Culinary at Kinaxis, and Lauren Lochan, CEO from Chefs&Staff4Hire.