Designing Sustainable Total Rewards

Designing Sustainable Total Rewards in a System Under Pressure

As cost pressures, workforce transformation, and human strain intensify, total rewards can no longer be managed as a collection of standalone programs. They must function as a resilient system. One that balances financial viability, employee well-being, and organizational agility over time.

This BCTRN session explores Sustainable Total Rewards as a practical framework for navigating these tensions. Through expert perspectives, real-world examples, and an interactive case discussion (in-person only), participants will examine where total rewards systems tend to hold, where they weaken, and how organizations are adapting benefits, savings, and retirement income strategies to support more durable outcomes.

The session is designed to be reflective, practical, and directly applicable to today’s organizational realities.

Event Details

When: May 27th, 8:30am - 11:15am 

Where: BDC Square - 1133 Melville St suite 1500, Vancouver, BC V6E 4E5 

Cost for Members: $25

Cost for Non-Members: $40

Agenda

8:30am – 9:15am

• Arrival, breakfast & networking

9:15am – 9:30am 

• Topic: Welcome and Opening perspective: Sustainable Total Rewards
• Speaker: Mélanie Presseault & Guest
• Abstract: Reframing total rewards as a system under pressure and introducing Sustainable Total Rewards

9:30am – 10:00am 

• Topic: Field perspective: Lessons from the real-world
• Speakers: Joanie Coutu-Bellerose (NB)
• Abstract: Practical insights on the process to evaluate the DEI framework within total rewards (client case study)

10:00am – 10:10am

• Networking and coffee break

10:10am – 10:30am

• Topic: Designing benefits that last
• Speakers: Francis Boulianne (NB)
• Abstract: Ensuring group benefits plans remain sustainable while supporting employee well-being.

10:30am – 10:50am

• Topic: From Savings to income for life
• Speaker: Philippe Rickli (NB)
• Abstract: Helping employees convert savings into reliable retirement income.

10:50am – 11:15am

• Topic: Working Session: Stress-Testing Total Rewards Systems
• Speaker: Facilitated discussion (in-person only)
• Abstract: Interactive discussion focused on how solutions can be implanted within organizations

Speakers

Mélanie Presseault, MBA, CPHR, CHRA Senior Principal, Compensation, Talent & Culture

Mélanie Presseault is a Senior Principal, Compensation, Talent & Culture at Normandin Beaudry and an accomplished HR and total rewards leader with over 20 years of experience shaping compensation and benefits strategies across industries in Montreal and Vancouver. She has led the design and implementation of total rewards programs that drive performance and growth.

Mélanie has spearheaded rewards integration during mergers and acquisitions, negotiated competitive benefit plans, and advanced pay equity and transparency initiatives. She is passionate about building inclusive, market-aligned compensation programs that support business objectives.

Joanie Coutu-Bellerose, M.Sc., CHRP, Principal

Joanie holds a master’s degree in talent management and specializes in both compensation and talent management Over the last years, she develops an expertise in sustainable total rewards.

Throughout her consulting career, she has carried out numerous mandates for organizations of all sizes and across various industries, including the development of salary structures and the design of career framework. She also supports organizations in meeting their pay equity obligations at both the provincial and federal levels.

Joanie actively contributes to discussions focused on increasing diversity within organizations. She has published several articles on a variety of topics, including inclusion and sustainability in HR programs. After serving as a lecturer for several years, she now teaches the evolution of compensation in today’s ESG context at the HEC Montréal university. Finally, she is actively involved in several boards of directors and volunteer initiatives.

Francis Boulianne, FSA, FCIA Principal, Group Benefits

Francis joined Normandin Beaudry over a decade ago and has since established himself as a trusted Principal in the Group Benefits practice. With ten years of dedicated experience, Francis is a strategic ally to organizations seeking to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of group benefits. Drawing on deep market knowledge and a passion for tailored service, he designs and implements innovative, pragmatic solutions that support clients’ unique needs and drive lasting value. Francis is known for his collaborative approach and commitment to delivering exceptional results that help organizations optimize their group benefits plans and foster well-being across their workforce.

Francis holds a degree in actuarial sciences from Laval University. He is also a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.

Philippe Rickli joined Normandin Beaudry in 2011 and is a Principal in the Pension and Savings teams. His ability to find solutions to his clients' pension and savings issues, combined with his leadership skills, have led him to work on various types of mandates. He has mastered a wide range of consulting services for federal, private, public, and parapublic organizations.

Philippe works with his clients on all aspects of a savings plan: investments, administration and governance, design and communication. He takes an active role in client relationships, managing ongoing projects, which include investment monitoring, reviewing fund lineups and investment policies.

Philippe is also responsible for decumulation initiatives at Normandin Beaudry, effectively implementing these solutions for his clients. Philippe also co-manages the firm's annuity purchasing team (group and individual) – a risk management strategy for pension plans, and a decumulation strategy for individuals.

Event Sponsor

Normandin Beaudry