Featured Speaker
Selwyn Crittendon
CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA Canada
Selwyn Crittendon is CEO and CSO of IKEA Canada, a world-leading home furnishing retailer. Forward thinking and passionate, Selwyn brings extensive experience as a people-focused steward of the IKEA vision to create a better everyday life for the many.
Selwyn joined the Canadian organization in August 2023, after spending 22 years in numerous roles within IKEA US, including leading business development and transformation.
Over the past two decades, Selwyn has supported driving a culture of excellent customer experience while also developing and strengthening leadership teams. His IKEA journey began in 2002 at the IKEA Woodbridge, VA store as the Customer Convenience Manager and progressed to roles including Deputy Store Manager (IKEA Orlando), Store Manager (IKEA Miami), and Business Development and Transformation Manager (US Country Management Team).
Selwyn's passion for people and energy for positive change fuels his focus on strategic growth that will propel IKEA Canada for many years to come. Today, he leads the ongoing transformation of the Canadian business to create a more affordable, accessible, convenient, and sustainable shopping experience for the IKEA customer and more importantly, a rewarding place to work for IKEA co-workers nationally. In his role as CEO, Selwyn also contributes his expertise as a board member of the Retail Council of Canada, helping to shape the future of retail across the country.
Throughout this omnichannel, people-focused transformation, IKEA continues to explore new store formats, enhance the in-store experience, invest in new digital experiences, improve its service offer, and optimize its distribution networks.
An avid foodie and father of two, Selwyn has settled with his family in Oakville, ON.
Annika Voltan is an Assistant Professor in the Management Department at Saint Mary’s University (SMU), where she teaches social and sustainable entrepreneurship, and leadership with systems thinking. Prior to joining academia, Annika held leadership roles in two local nonprofit organizations – Inspiring Communities and Impact Organizations of Nova Scotia – aimed at community collective impact and strengthening sector capacity for positive change. Before joining the nonprofit sector, she spent a decade in public policy in federal and provincial government departments focusing on climate and social policy development. Annika has a PhD in social entrepreneurship and research interests in networks for community building and social innovation, and organizational and leadership behaviours that contribute to positive social impact.