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2025 ULC CEO Roundtable

June 1-3, 2025 | Toronto, ON


Redefining Library Leadership:
Measuring and Amplifying Social Impact

June 1-3, 2025 | Toronto, ON


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This spring don’t miss the Third Annual CEO Roundtable, a transformative event exclusively for ULC Directors and CEOs. Join us in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for an immersive experience designed to elevate your leadership, expand your network, and redefine how libraries drive social impact in their communities.

This year’s Roundtable explores how libraries can understand, measure and amplify their social impact. Learn from other library leaders how their organizations are positively impacting social cohesion and combating the negative effects of social isolation and polarization and gain actionable leadership strategies and tactics to deepen community engagement and strengthen advocacy efforts.

The Roundtable includes a spotlight on the groundbreaking social impact study from Toronto Public Library (TPL): Enabling Torontonians to Grow and Thrive—a North American first. This pioneering study goes beyond traditional statistics to reveal how libraries profoundly enrich lives, foster resilience, and build social cohesion. Through an interactive session you’ll gain exclusive insights into TPL’s innovative, evidence-based approach to measuring community impact, developed in partnership with global leaders; and practical tools and strategies to measure, communicate, and amplify the value of your library’s contributions.

At the Roundtable, you’ll gain:

  • Exclusive insights into TPL’s innovative, evidence-based approach to measuring community impact, developed in partnership with global leaders.
  • Practical tools and strategies to measure, communicate, and amplify the value of your library’s contributions.
  • Actionable leadership tactics to deepen community engagement and strengthen advocacy efforts.

This unparalleled gathering of visionary leaders offers an opportunity to connect with peers, share best practices, and collaborate on shaping the future of library leadership.

Seats are limited, and demand is high. Secure your place at the table today to ensure you’re part of the conversation that will transform our field.

Registration is now open! Hotel details and booking information will be shared in a confirmation message once registered. Registration closes April 30.

CANCELLATION POLICY
The deadline for all registration cancellations is Thursday, May 1. No requests for refunds will be accepted beyond that date.

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Hotel Information

The group rate for the ULC CEO Roundtable hotel is sold out. The current rate at The Fairmont is offering is $469.82 USD. They are almost at capacity, so please act quickly. To reserve at the Fairmont, please reach out to the in-house reservations contact at +1 416-368-5089 or the group reservations at +1 416-368-2753/5089, or email RHY.GroupReservations@Fairmont.com.

Here are some other options within walking distance of The Fairmont. All costs are approximate.

Novotel Toronto Center – 4 Star
45 The Esplanade, Toronto
$335.39 USD

The Westin Harbour Castle – 4 Star
1 Harbour Square, Toronto
$305.59 USD

Hilton Toronto—4 Star
145 Richmond Street, West, Toronto
$304.86 USD

Hotel Victoria – 3 Star
56 Yonge St, Toronto
$298.35 USD

The Union Hotel – 3 Star
60 York Street, Toronto
$317.18 USD

2025 ULC CEO Roundtable Agenda

June 1-3, 2025 | Toronto, ON -- Join fellow ULC Executives for an immersive, thought-provoking gathering designed to spark ideas, foster collaboration, and shape the future of libraries.

Sunday, June 1 — Welcome to Toronto!

3:30 p.m. | Depart for Toronto Public Library Kick off the Roundtable with an exclusive visit to Toronto Public Library, one of the world’s leading urban library systems.

4:00 p.m. | CEO Welcome Reception – Hosted by TPL Enjoy a warm welcome from TPL leadership and connect with fellow ULC members in a dynamic setting featuring:

· Meet & Greet with the Welcoming Committee

· Behind-the-Scenes Library Tours

· Networking Reception with Light Refreshments

Monday, June 2 — A Day of Insight

8:00 a.m. | ULC CEO Networking Breakfast Start the day with great peer-to-peer conversations

9:00 a.m. | Opening Session & Thought Leadership Panels Engage with library executives and industry experts as we explore key trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of urban libraries.

12:00 p.m. | Networking Lunch Build connections and exchanging ideas and best practices with peers.

1:00 p.m. | Keynote, Panels & Interactive Workshops Deep dive into cutting-edge topics and hands-on workshops.

3:00 p.m. | Daytime Sessions Conclude – Free Time

6:00 p.m. | Cocktails & Dinner Unwind and continue the conversations over dinner in one of Toronto’s premier venues.

Tuesday, June 3 — Shaping the Future

8:00 a.m. | Breakfast & Morning Conversations Reflect on key takeaways and network

9:00 a.m. | Strategic Discussions & Next Steps Join final panels and interactive sessions focused on actionable next steps for urban library leadership.

12:00 p.m. | Adjourn & Farewell

Featured Speakers

    Brooks Rainwater 2022

    Brooks Rainwater

    President and CEO, Urban Libraries Council

    Brooks serves as President and CEO of the Urban Libraries Council. Under his leadership, ULC champions the future of public libraries by engaging and uplifting members, focusing intently on equity and inclusion and leading on core policy issues that drive our communities forward. Throughout his career, Brooks has worked to advance urban policies that expand local democracy and provide funding for local programs related to economic opportunity, entrepreneurship, infrastructure and sustainability. Brooks holds a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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    Brian Bannon

    Merryl & James Tisch Director of Branch Libraries & Education, The New York Public Library

    Brian Bannon is The New York Public Library’s (NYPL) first-ever Merryl and James Tisch Director. He is the chief librarian responsible for directing the NYPL’s 88 neighborhood branches and the Library’s educational strategy. Prior to joining NYPL in 2019, Bannon had over 20 years of experience developing and implementing educational programs, as well as leading large-scale operations that maximize benefits for all citizens and contribute to a culture of learning, reading, and community education. A frequent guest speaker, Bannon was named to Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business” in 2016. Bannon received his master of library and information science from the University of Washington Information School and is a Henry Crown Fellow as part of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

    Vickery Bowles

    Vickery Bowles

    City Librarian, Toronto Public Library

    Vickery Bowles is the City Librarian at Toronto Public Library (TPL), which delivers services through a network of 100 branches and online channels. Vickery has worked in a number of leadership positions, spearheading service development to support capacity building, civic engagement, economic development and social cohesion. She is working to advance TPL’s strategic plan and its digital strategies that support new service models, digital literacy, the customer experience, e-learning, staff development and innovation.

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    ​Randy Boyagoda

    Professor, University of Toronto

    Randy Boyagoda is a writer and professor of English at the University of Toronto, where he serves as the U of T’s advisor on civil discourse, the first such position in Canada. He is the author of seven books, including four novels, which have been nominated for the Giller Prize, IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and named New York Times Editor’s Choices and Globe and Mail Best Book of the Year. He writes about ideas, religion, politics, literature and culture for a range of publications, including the New York Times, the Atlantic, the Financial Times of London and the Globe and Mail. A frequent contributor to CBC Radio, he hosts a podcast for the Toronto Public Library and lives in the east end of the city with his wife and four daughters.

    Tommi

    Tommi Laitio

    Urban Strategist and Founder, Convivencia Urbana

    Tommi Laitio is an internationally recognized leader and expert on public life, cities and public innovation. Tommi’s advisory and consultancy builds on his background as a city executive and a researcher. Tommi was the City of Helsinki’s first Executive Director for Culture and Leisure where he led a team of 1,800 professionals delivering over 20 million annual arts and culture, sports, public library and youth work experiences. Based on his innovative leadership, he was appointed as the inaugural Bloomberg Public Innovation Fellow at Johns Hopkins University where his international research focused on the partnership capabilities of local governments in creating public spaces.

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    Shawn Mitchell

    Director, Policy, Planning & Performance Management, Toronto Public Library

    Shawn is Toronto Public Library’s (TPL) Director, Policy, Planning & Performance Management where he is responsible for leading TPL’s strategic planning, policy, research, evaluation, privacy & risk, data & analytics and performance management portfolios. Prior to this role, Shawn was the acting Director, Collections & Membership Services at TPL. Shawn is also an active elected member of IFLA’s North America Regional Division Committee and IFLA’s Statistics and Evaluation Committee. Prior to joining TPL, Shawn held a number of senior leadership roles at the Province of Ontario and Government of Canada, working to advance social policy, research, evaluation and data analytics for children and youth in Canada.

    Bw Profile

    Dr. Katie Mullian

    Founder and Scientific Director, Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing

    Dr. Kate Mulligan is the founder and Scientific Director of the Canadian Institute for Social Prescribing, where she builds the research evidence, implementation support, policy structures, collaborations and inspiration for social prescribing – a health promotion and community development intervention focused on codesigned, supported referrals between healthcare and community services. She is also an award-winning health geographer, policy expert and Associate Professor at the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health, and a globally recognized expert on innovative health systems interventions, public health advocacy, and collaborative, community-driven approaches to well-being. Kate is the 2025-2026 Canadian Harkness Fellow in Healthcare Policy and Practice regular advisor to health systems decision makers and collaborates with social prescribing leaders around the world. Check out her recent media here: Maclean's Magazine, CTV, CBC Radio.