Presenters

Dr. Varma has been working in the area of inclusion for four decades. Her expertise represents a collection of experiences as a university professor, federal parole officer, human rights director, co-owner of Engaging Matters Diversity Consultants and New Brunswick’s first Commissioner for Systemic Racism. She is also a Harvard-trained conflict mediator. She combines inclusion with conflict mediation to help organizations to understand change in a safe and personal way.

Dr. Keeling is a 2016 graduate of the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science, is a solo practice owner in Dieppe, New Brunswick. As a former teacher, she combines her passion for optometry and teaching by supervising optometry interns. She is the Past President of the New Brunswick Association of Optometrists, chair of continuing education, and a member of the events committee for the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce. She is the Chief Examiner for the Optometry Examining Board of Canada and President of the Business Professionals Women’s Club of Moncton, NB (2025-2027). Dr. Keeling is a Canadian delegate to the United Nations, in New York City for the Commission on the Status of Women and has contributed to research on Low Vision and Falls Risk, and a contributing author to the Canadian Low Vision Guidelines. Her recent awards include University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science 2025 Early Career Alumni Award, Excellence in Contact Lens Patient Care and Greater Moncton’s Top 20 Under 40.