Common Ground: Creating a Workplace for Wellness

We’ll explore: 

• Why mental health is now an organizational responsibility, not just a personal one 

• How proactive approaches can prevent burnout before it impacts performance 

• The real cost of ignoring wellness, from disengagement to productivity loss 

• The role leaders play in setting the tone for sustainable, healthy teams 

• How open conversations can strengthen culture and drive long-term success 

Meet Your Experts:

David French

David French is President and Co-Owner of Performance Management Consultants (PMC), a Canadian provider of instructor-led business skills training working with organizations across sectors.

Known for a practical, results-focused approach, he works with leaders and teams to strengthen performance, communication, and workplace effectiveness. David brings experience from executive leadership roles where he led growth, organizational change, and team development in complex environments. At PMC, he is closely involved in helping employers translate learning into action, including the implementation of workplace wellness programs that actually stick. He regularly engages with organizations on common challenges such as adoption, accountability, and sustaining momentum. When not at work, David is a husband and father of 3 active children. 

Ben Hemmings

Ben Hemmings is the Founder and Executive Director of Mainspring Agency, an Ottawa-based video production agency working with nonprofits, government agencies, universities, and brands across Canada and internationally. After careers in law and finance in London, Ben left corporate life at 26 to build a company around authentic storytelling and human connection.

Mainspring operates as a remote-first agency with a full-time team and a global network of creatives. Ben is an award-winning documentary director with over a decade of experience in impact storytelling. 

Outside of creative work, Ben is focused on building a workplace culture that prioritizes flexibility, creativity, and the wellbeing of the people doing the work.

Julie Potvin

Julie Potvin is the Canadian Leader of Placement at Mercer Canada, managing placement negotiations and insurer relationships to drive revenue growth and operational efficiency. She works directly with clients to develop employee value propositions aligned with business goals. Previously, Julie led Mercer's SME practice in Canada, where she created an innovative, integrated framework addressing Health, Wealth, and Career. this solution enables SMEs to compete affordably and sustainably with large enterprises in attracting and retaining top talent by focusing on physical, mental, financial, and social wellbeing. Her approach rapidly became a key revenue driver for Mercer Canada's Health practice, demonstrating strong business impact and client-focused innovation. 

With other 30 years of experience, Julie is a trusted advisor delivering strategic, sustainable workforce solutions. 

Light refreshments will be served.  
 
Participation in Common Ground is an exclusive benefit of OBOT membership. To learn more about becoming a member, please visit OttawaBOT.ca