Tuesday, 9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. | Laurissa Erickson – Senior Manager, Data Strategy, HFHC and Marty Robinson – Director, Data and Business Strategy, HFHC

Every day at ReStore presents numerous decisions regarding sales targets, marketing, procurement, and donor relations. The question is: do you have the right data at your fingertips to guide those decisions with confidence?

For many, diving into data can feel daunting. Especially if your store is just beginning to explore collection and analysis. It’s easy to get caught up in complex dashboards and metrics that may not deliver the clarity you need.

In this session, we’ll focus on practical, accessible strategies that tap into data you already have. You’ll also discover how layering in simple, meaningful insights can deepen your understanding of your customers and donors. The goal? To empower your affiliate with tools that keep your team informed, inspired, engaged, and aligned in driving results.

Tuesday, 11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Janine Armstrong – Senior Manager, Affiliate Programs, HFHC

Volunteers are the heartbeat of every successful Habitat ReStore — but how do you keep that heart beating strong, year after year? In this dynamic and practical session designed for ReStore Managers, we’ll explore how to create an engaging, innovative, and inclusive volunteer experience that energizes your store and strengthens your affiliate.

We’ll start by examining the volunteerability of your ReStore — what makes your store a place where people want to give their time, and how to identify and remove barriers to meaningful engagement. From there, we’ll dive into strategies to attract and retain diverse volunteer groups, including youth, retirees, corporate teams, and community organizations.

Participants will leave with real-world tools and creative ideas for building a volunteer program that does more than fill shifts — it builds community, deepens impact, and boosts ReStore performance.

Whether you're starting fresh or looking to reimagine your current approach, this session will help you power your ReStore with people — and purpose.

Tuesday, 1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. | Kim Hou – Senior Manager, Marketing and Digital, HFHC

Discover how to make social media work smarter for your ReStore. This session offers practical tips for Facebook and Instagram, explores the pros and cons of using Facebook Marketplace, and highlights what can go wrong if it’s not used strategically. You’ll also get creative campaign ideas and real-world examples to inspire your next post (& low-cost campaign ideas from fellow ReStores). Walk away with tools, templates, and inspiration to boost your marketing game.

Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.–10:45 a.m. | Deidre Lane – CEO & Founder, OptimaHR

Deidre Lane is the CEO of OptimaHR and a seasoned expert in HR and people operations, with over 20 years of experience helping organizations build intentional, high-impact workplace cultures. She has held senior leadership roles in high-growth, founder-led companies—particularly in the tech sector—where she developed and scaled people strategies that supported both organizational growth and employee success.

At OptimaHR, Deidre leads a dynamic and experienced team—including HR and Employee Experience Experts Candace Walz and Meagan Maclean—bringing certification and hands-on expertise to every engagement. As a team, they are grounded in real-world implementation. The OptimaHR team is uniquely equipped to help employees become active advocates for meaningful organizational change. Their combined experience ensures that people strategy is not just aligned with business goals, but driven by those most impacted: the employees.

Over the past two years, Deidre has worked closely with Habitat for Humanity Saskatchewan to integrate HR strategy and people processes directly into the ReStore environment. Her efforts have helped embed employee experience thinking into day-to-day operations, enabling change and evolution that are people-led and responsive to the shifting realities of the retail and nonprofit sectors. From aligning hiring and onboarding practices to improving internal communication and leadership development, her work has helped foster a culture where every team member plays a role in shaping the organization’s future.

In this session, Deidre will explore how organizations can elevate the employee experience through thoughtful journey mapping. Attendees will gain practical insights into how to surface key moments, reduce friction, and create workplaces where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to thrive.

Wednesday, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Great service gets customers in the door—exceptional experiences keep them coming back. In this interactive workshop designed specifically for ReStore managers, we’ll explore how to move beyond basic customer service and create memorable, mission-aligned experiences that build loyalty, drive repeat visits, and increase revenue.

You’ll learn how to train and empower your team to deliver consistent, high-quality interactions that reflect your ReStore’s values and leave a lasting impression. From the sales floor to the donation dock, every touchpoint is an opportunity to exceed expectations and deepen community connection.

In this session, you will:

• Understand the difference between customer service and customer experience
• Identify key moments that shape how customers and donors feel about your ReStore
• Explore simple, low-cost ways to elevate the shopping and donation experience
• Learn how to coach your team to create a welcoming and mission-driven environment
• Gain tools to turn one-time shoppers into loyal supporters and advocates

Walk away with a renewed perspective on service and practical strategies to create experiences that delight customers and reinforce your ReStore’s unique impact.

Wednesday, 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m. | Lisa Voycey – Director, ReStore Success, HFHC and Jodi Krah – ReStore Manager, HFHN

Effective merchandising is more than just product placement—it's the art of storytelling, community building, and sales strategy all rolled into one. In this hands-on workshop, ReStore managers will learn how to transform cluttered spaces into inviting, shoppable environments that reflect their store's mission and maximize revenue.

You'll explore proven merchandising techniques tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of nonprofit retail, with a focus on driving inventory turnover and engaging your local community. From layout and signage to pricing and seasonal planning, this session will give you practical tools to move merchandise faster—and create a store experience that keeps shoppers coming back.

Whether you're working with limited resources or an ever-changing inventory, this workshop will equip you with creative, cost-effective strategies to turn your sales floor into a true community hub—and a financial driver for your mission.

Key Takeaways:

• Practical layout and display strategies for high-impact visual merchandising
• Tips for creating cohesive themes with secondhand and donated goods
• How to use signage and storytelling to educate and inspire customers
• Inventory management practices that support merchandising goals
• Ideas for fostering community connection through your store’s design

Wednesday, 3:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. | Meghan Taylor with Rick Young – HFHWE, Dawn McHarg – HFHMVH, Cindy Windsor – HFHPEH, and Daryl Morrison – HFHC

The ReStore landscape is evolving—and so are the tools, strategies, and ideas driving success. This dynamic workshop is designed specifically for by ReStore leaders, for ReStore leaders ready to explore what's new and discover what's next in revenue growth, operational efficiency, and customer engagement.

Join fellow managers to dive into emerging trends and innovative approaches being tested in ReStores across the country. Whether you're looking to pilot a new program, optimize floor space, or experiment with new sales opportunities, this session will equip you with fresh insights and actionable strategies to strengthen your store’s performance.

In this session, you will:

• Discover innovative practices being used by high-performing ReStores
• Explore trends shaping the future of resale and nonprofit retail
• Learn how to pilot and scale new ideas with limited resources
• Share challenges and solutions with peers in a collaborative setting
• Walk away with practical tools to boost revenue and energize your team

Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. | Jeff Hodgson – Director, ReStore Operation, HFHSA and Alexander Meyer – Product Acquisition and Logistics Manager for ReStore, HFHSA

After over 25 years of managing the business operations of Canada’s largest living history museum, Heritage Park, Jeff Hodgson joined Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta in the role of Director, ReStore Operations in September of 2022. Jeff thrives on working with a diverse team of individuals to deliver results and making a collective positive impact for families in our community. He passionately believes in giving back and has served as chair on the boards of the Calgary Winter Festival Foundation and Southern Alberta Institute of Technology’s Hospitality 100 Club. He has also volunteered as a canvasser with Diabetes Canada and as a soccer coach with the Calgary Minor Soccer Association. Jeff has a B.A. degree in Psychology from the University of Calgary which conversely has absolutely nothing as well as absolutely everything to do with running ReStores. His achievements have been recognized as an Avenue Magazine Top 40 Under 40 (2012) and as a back-to-back winner of Tourism Calgary’s White Hat Award for service excellence. What Jeff is most proud of is raising two now adult children with his wife, Andrea, who share their parents’ goal of meaningful work to make our world a better place.

Thursday, 10:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Alexander Meyer – Product Acquisition and Logistics Manager for ReStore, HFHSA and Rumee Shrestha – Senior Manager, National Product and Sustainability Solutions, HFHC

Alexander Meyer is the Product Acquisition and Logistics Manager for ReStore in Southern Alberta, where he’s spent the past nine years driving innovation and operational growth. He played a key role in launching ReStore’s e-commerce business, producing the ReStore Livestream, and developing systems to enhance the donor experience through consistent, reliable engagement. He also led improvements to ReStore’s internal database infrastructure, helping create more efficient, data-informed processes.

Alexander brings over 17 years of entrepreneurial experience, having founded multiple companies focused on leadership development. Prior to joining Habitat, he built a successful career in recruitment—an experience that sharpened his instincts for connection, communication, and team building.

Outside of work, Alexander is a proud dad to three boys—one of whom he coaches in baseball, and the other two who treat the house like a full-contact sport. Long before logistics and leadership, he was actually a competitive lumberjack in college. While he doesn’t swing axes much these days, the skills still come in handy when assembling IKEA furniture or attending team meetings.

Thursday, 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. | President & CEO of Habitat Canada

Thursday 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. | Senior Vice-President, People and Impact of Habitat Canada