Welcome and Introductions by Audra Wosik, Chair of the Event Committee

Susan Senecal is a veteran of Canadian franchising who joined A&W Food Services of Canada in 1992 as an Area Manager. From there, Susan has helped the brand grow in a wide range of areas, including operations and marketing before becoming President and CEO in 2018. Throughout her time with A&W, Susan has played a major role in key initiatives within the system. Join us for our Opening Keynote Presentation where Susan will take you through her journey as a woman in franchising and how she became the CEO of one of Canada’s most prominent quick-service restaurant brands. She’ll explore her transition into the CEO role and the challenges she faced along the way, along with how she reignited her and her team’s passion for franchising during the very tough early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

With Susan’s unique insights into the world of franchising, attendees can feel inspired to apply her lessons to reconnecting with their passion and purpose in business. As Susan shares her journey in franchising, attendees can equip themselves with the tools they need to overcome the unique challenges faced by women in franchising, particularly those new issues that have been brought to light by the pandemic.