The 81st CDDA AGM & Convention is proud to feature the Bring It to the Surface presentation, Mental Health, Wellness & Your Best Life, as part of this year’s technical presentation lineup.
Bring It to the Surface is a mental health and wellness initiative created for Canada’s diamond drilling and mining industry. This presentation will explore the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in the workplace, creating supportive environments, and connecting workers and companies to meaningful resources and tools. The session will also provide updates on the program’s growth, new partnerships being developed across the industry, and how companies can get involved and start the conversation within their own organizations. Through industry-driven conversations and practical solutions, Bring It to the Surface is helping build a stronger, healthier, and more resilient workforce across Canada.
This presentation will be delivered by Louise Lowe alongside Danalie Meyer, Kinesiologist at Northern Roots Health Hub, as well as Jeff St. Cyr, President, and Maria Zafiris Overton, Benefits Consultant at St Cyr & Associates, SCA Benefits.
Louise has worked for the CDDA for over 25 years. She is responsible for the leadership and management of the association in accordance with the yearly strategic plan set in partnership with the CDDA Board of Directors. Louise played an instrumental role in the launch of the CDDA’s Bring It to the Surface initiative, helping lead the industry-wide movement focused on mental health awareness, wellness, and reducing stigma within the diamond drilling and exploration industry.
As a Registered Kinesiologist and founder of Northern Roots Health Hub, Danalie Meyer is dedicated to supporting workers in Northern Ontario’s mining industry by helping them move better, build strength, and maintain their health throughout their careers. Her work focuses on understanding body movement, identifying areas where physical strain develops, and implementing targeted strategies that can improve day-to-day comfort and long-term well-being. Recognizing the unique demands of mining environments , including long shifts, repetitive tasks, awkward working positions, heavy equipment operation, and fatigue, Meyer emphasizes the connection between physical strain and mental wellness, highlighting how workplace challenges can impact confidence, stress levels, and overall quality of life.
Jeff St. Cyr is the Founder and President of St. Cyr & Associates, a company he has led since 1998. He is a Registered Employee Benefit Consultant (REBC) and holds the Group Benefits Associate (GBA), Retirement Planning Associate (RPA), and Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designations. Together with his team, Jeff has positioned St. Cyr & Associates as one of Northern Ontario’s leading financial planning firms, maintaining strong relationships with more than 30 major Canadian and international insurance companies. He takes pride in providing sound professional advice paired with exceptional personal service and practical solutions, which remain the foundation of his approach. Jeff is also a strong advocate for supporting overall wellness, recognizing that prioritizing mental health, work-life balance, and employee well-being plays an important role in helping individuals lead healthier, more fulfilling, and successful lives both in and outside of the workplace.
Maria is a dedicated Group Benefits Consultant with a strong passion for helping clients navigate the evolving landscape of employee benefits. Since entering the industry in 2015, she has built a reputation for delivering thoughtful guidance and staying ahead of industry trends to ensure her clients maintain competitive and effective benefits programs. Maria is especially passionate about developing customized Health & Wellness strategies that support healthier workplaces and foster positive, employee-focused cultures.
Registration for the 81st CDDA AGM & Convention has now closed. We look forward to welcoming our registered delegates to this event on May 24-26, 2026 and having them join us for this insightful presentation.
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