Dr. Gillian Mandich

Happiness is more than a momentary feeling; it has measurable links to how we cope with challenges, manage stress, and connect meaningfully with others. It also supports our capacity to flourish and feel fulfilled in both personal and professional life. A growing body of research in positive psychology, neuroscience, and behavioural science shows that happiness is associated with enhanced energy, elevated performance, increased productivity, and improved health outcomes.

In a time marked by accelerating complexity, where stress, disengagement, and uncertainty are at record highs, how do we build and sustain happiness? Drawing on the scientific literature and her research, Dr. Gillian Mandich shares insights and approaches that create meaningful impact. Bridging current evidence with real-world application, this talk explores how happiness strengthens resilience, promotes psychological flexibility, and drives long-term success. Participants will learn practical tools and strategies to apply happiness science to their daily lives.

Learning Objectives:

– Understand the scientific foundations of happiness and its relationship to physical and mental health.

– Identify common barriers to happiness and explore evidence-based practices to navigate them.

– Discover research-backed strategies to increase motivation, support well-being, and enhance quality of life.

AI is accelerating how we live and work, but what are the consequences for our well-being? While it can enhance productivity, efficiency, and innovation, it also introduce new challenges: digital overload, decision fatigue, and reduced frequency and depth of real human connection.

Even as AI advances in speed and scale, core drivers of well-being such as purpose, belonging, and emotional intelligence remain deeply human. How do we continue to evolve with AI, without compromising the depth, discernment, and humanity that technology can’t reproduce?

Blending the science of happiness with the latest insights from psychology and behavioural science, Dr. Gillian Mandich examines how to build rather than compromise mental health in response to the systems reshaping our world. This session explores how AI can be leveraged to protect and increase resilience, creativity, and human capacity, while helping people stay engaged, adaptive, and focused in today’s technology-driven environment. It also explores how these insights can be used to develop more effective, innovative cultures and teams.

Participants will learn research-backed tools to manage uncertainty with confidence and clarity, strengthen emotional agility, and develop psychological flexibility to adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Learning Objectives:

– Investigate the psychological impact of AI on happiness, mental health, and burnout.

– Clarify the emotional and cognitive abilities that foster connection, insight, and adaptability in an AI-shaped world.

– Translate science-based insights into daily practices that support attention, motivation, and sustainable well-being.

Effective leadership goes beyond strategic insight and decision-making; it requires understanding the psychological and social dynamics that drive team performance and organizational success. Research underscores that happiness is a central determinant of leadership effectiveness. Leaders who prioritize well-being are more productive and focused. They also foster a culture that reduces burnout, increases retention, and inspires innovation.

Grounded in leading findings from organizational psychology, neuroscience, and sociology, this session examines how happiness functions as a strategic asset in leadership. As co-lead investigator of The Canadian Happiness at Work Study, Dr. Gillian Mandich outlines how a leader’s mental health affects decision-making, adaptability, confidence, and employee engagement. Drawing on evidence-based insights, strategic storytelling, and practical strategies, attendees will learn how to build emotional resilience, develop a constructive leadership mindset, and create an environment where individuals and organizations thrive.

– Examine current research in leadership science and psychological safety to understand how trust, motivation, and communication shape team performance.

– Understand the key habits and mindsets that strengthen resilience amid uncertainty, stress, and overwhelm.

– Apply evidence-based strategies to enhance engagement, increase retention, and lead teams that flourish, even in high-pressure or rapidly evolving environments. A well-developed capacity to withstand and grow through hardship, grounded in science and forged through challenge, allows people to flourish amid uncertainty. Resilience isn’t just about “bouncing back.” It’s about moving forward, stronger and more capable than before. Research shows that resilience enhances decision-making, sharpens focus, and drives success in work and life. It keeps high performers ahead of the curve, helps teams stay connected under demanding conditions, and enables individuals to navigate complexity without burning out.

Dr. Gillian Mandich blends the latest neuroscience, applied psychology, and behavioural research insights to uncover foundational strategies that support enduring effectiveness and mental strength. Evidence-based approaches are presented to regain control in unpredictable situations, promote problem-solving, and develop a mindset that approaches setbacks with clarity and forward momentum. Grounded in rigorous research, this session offers practical, scientifically informed strategies to build adaptability, improve well-being, and support long-term success.

Learning Objectives:

– Learn a science-backed framework for creating psychological safety to build trust, effectiveness, and job satisfaction.

– Identify the specific communication patterns and behaviours that foster or erode psychological safety in real-world workplace scenarios. Examine proven strategies to help individuals and teams communicate more clearly and with greater confidence, navigate difficult conversations, and collaborate effectively.

– Explore practical approaches to drive adaptability, engagement, and retention by fostering a workplace where employees feel heard, valued, and motivated to contribute.

The world isn’t just speeding up. It is becoming more fractured, uncertain, and emotionally taxing to navigate. Stress levels and burnout rates are rising, affecting motivation, performance, and mental health. As change accelerates, the people who thrive are the ones who meet challenges with clarity, adaptability, and the ability to move forward under pressure.

A well-developed capacity to withstand and grow through hardship, grounded in science and forged through challenge, allows people to flourish amid uncertainty. Resilience isn’t just about “bouncing back.” It’s about moving forward, stronger and more capable than before. Research shows that resilience enhances decision-making, sharpens focus, and drives success in work and life. It keeps high performers ahead of the curve, helps teams stay connected under demanding conditions, and enables individuals to navigate complexity without burning out.

Dr. Gillian Mandich blends the latest neuroscience, applied psychology, and behavioural research insights to uncover foundational strategies that support enduring effectiveness and mental strength. Evidence-based approaches are presented to regain control in unpredictable situations, promote problem-solving, and develop a mindset that approaches setbacks with clarity and forward momentum. Grounded in rigorous research, this session offers practical, scientifically informed strategies to build adaptability, improve well-being, and support long-term success.

Learning Objectives:

– Learn a science-backed framework for creating psychological safety to build trust, effectiveness, and job satisfaction.

– Identify the specific communication patterns and behaviours that foster or erode psychological safety in real-world workplace scenarios. Examine proven strategies to help individuals and teams communicate more clearly and with greater confidence, navigate difficult conversations, and collaborate effectively.

– Explore practical approaches to drive adaptability, engagement, and retention by fostering a workplace where employees feel heard, valued, and motivated to contribute.