CCSA’s Issues of Substance Conference

CCSA’s Issues of Substance 2023 Conference Planning Committee

CCSA’s Issues of Substance 2023 Conference Planning Committee is responsible for planning and coordinating CCSA’s biennial national conference. The committee works with the conference planning firm and the Conference Program Committee.


The Conference Planning Committee assists CCSA in the following:

  • Establishing the conference theme, based on guidance from the Program Committee;
  • Providing direction to the Program Committee, including identifying possible keynote speakers and reviewing the draft program;
  • Approving the call for abstracts process and the draft and final programs, as recommended by the Program Committee; and
  • Working with the conference-planning firm to manage logistics, including onsite venue requirements, online platform options, online transactions, participant registration, and food and beverage requirements.


The conference could not take place without the dedication and efforts of this group. CCSA would like to thank the members for their contributions. 

Conference Planning Committee

Unless otherwise noted, all committee members are CCSA staff.


Sheena Taha
Associate Director, Quality and Accountability
(Chair, Planning Committee)  

Pam Kent
Director, Research
(Chair, Program Committee)

Susan Landry
Director, Human Resources 
(Chair, Ethics Committee)

Phil Ecclestone
President, Golden Planners Inc.
(Conference planning firm)

Cathy Frame
Director, Finance

Ahmer Gulzar
Director, Information Systems and Web Services

Lee Arbon 
Communications Advisor
Public Affairs and Communications

Marianne Cossette-Fortin    
Communications Advisor
Public Affairs and Communications

Andrea Wagner
Event Planner

Emerita D’Sylva
Administrative Assistant, Public Affairs and Communications, and Information Systems and Web Services 

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