The Women in Leadership Conference brings together professional women to explore today’s leadership challenges, exchange perspectives, and learn from peers and industry leaders.

The event provides an invaluable opportunity for women in leadership roles to gain insights and strategies that will help them become more effective leaders and thrive in today’s evolving workplace.

Join us at this in-person event. Learn, connect and reconnect – and have fun!

ROBERTA MCKALE (Keynote Speaker)
Chief Superintendent
RCMP

Leadership in crisis situations

Leadership is challenging under normal circumstances, and adding the complexity of leadership during crisis situations only raises the complexities. As a leader in complex, unfolding situations, C/Supt. Roberta McKale has experienced challenges such as leadership in a regional war in the Middle East, along with major events such as the La Loche School Shooting and the Humboldt Bus Collision.  A few tips unveiled in leadership and support mechanisms for you and your team.

• • Cheerleaders are not coaches
• • Discipline and guidance if you want to lead
• • Giving hope and building on trust

ANGEL YU
Director of Sales, Public Sector, Western Canada
TELUS

AI as a leadership tool

Artificial intelligence has rapidly evolved from a technical buzzword into a core competitive advantage and an essential ally for modern leaders. Drawing on firsthand tech industry experiences from TELUS, this session explores how future-focused women in leadership can move beyond the hype to practically integrate AI into their daily workflows. We will shift the conversation from “will AI replace us?” to “how can AI elevate my unique human leadership?”, demonstrating how leveraging digital tools reclaims valuable time to amplify your strategic impact.

• • Optimize executive bandwidth:Streamline operational complexities to free up capacity for high-level strategy
• • Drive data-backed decisions:Harness AI-generated insights to accelerate strategy and propel organizational growth
• • Amplify human-centric leadership:Reinvest reclaimed time into cultivating culture, mentorship, and authentic connection

TARA LOCKYER
Chief People, Culture, Brand and Communications Officer
ATB

Creating a culture of accountability

Every organization reaches a pivotal moment where its culture must evolve to match its strategic ambitions. Whether a team needs to sharpen its focus on results or build deeper trust and support, sustainable change requires moving beyond good intentions and embedding culture directly into business strategy. Having led cultural transformations across large, complex organizations, Tara Lockyer shares a practical framework that shows how high performance and high care reinforce each other to help organizations and their people thrive. Tara will share stories and insights on:

• • A practical three-phase roadmap to prepare, implement, and monitor a culture of accountability
• • Activating change across five implementation levers: aligning expectations, shifting mindsets, enabling skills, measuring progress, and celebrating success
• • How co-designing culture initiatives with key business partners engages leaders across the business and makes accountability stick

BRIANNA MORRIS
Head of External Relations
Alberta Innovates

Bridging generations in the workplace

Today’s workplace sees multiple generations working alongside one another at every level of an organization. While employees may differ in their life experiences, professional expectations, and approaches to communication, these differences can become a source of strength when effectively leveraged. Explore strategies to foster collaboration, accelerate knowledge sharing, and strengthen relationships across generations.

• • Navigate generational differences with greater awareness and confidence
• • Strengthen collaboration and trust among employees at different career and life stages
• • Leverage the unique strengths of a multigenerational workforce to support team and organizational success

KATHERINE SALUCOP
Vice President, Human Resources & Organizational Development
Alberta Pensions Services

Identifying high-potential talent

Organizations are investing heavily in succession planning and leadership development to ensure future success. Yet many talent identification practices can unintentionally favour employees who fit traditional leadership norms. This presentation explores how organizations can identify high-potential talent through practices that distinguish performance from potential, reduce bias, and create more equitable pathways to leadership opportunities. Participants will learn practical strategies for:

• • Building diverse talent pipelines
• • Strengthening succession decisions
• • Unlocking the full potential of underrepresented talent

JENNA TERRY
Vice President, Underwriting Operations and Distribution
Peace Hills Insurance

Leading beyond a title

Jenna Terry learned that leadership is not at all defined by a title – it’s something earned through action, resilience, and the impact we have on others. Her journey began in a mailroom in 1992 and has taken her to executive leadership roles, all while raising four incredible children and navigating the many changes that life and business inevitably bring. Along the way, Jenna discovered that the most meaningful leadership moments happen long before you have a seat at the boardroom table – they happen when you step forward, support others, and choose to make a difference every day. Leading beyond any title means:

• • Showing up with purpose and consistency – Leadership starts with the choices we make every day, not the position we hold. Jenna believes this and has had the privilege of other women mentors showing her this in their daily practices.
• • Investing in people and relationships – The greatest impact comes from listening, mentoring, encouraging, and helping others succeed. There is nothing more rewarding than supporting someone else to succeed.
• • Embracing growth and change – Every opportunity, challenge, and setback can become a stepping stone when approached with curiosity, courage, and a willingness to learn. How we demonstrate this as a leader is what motivates others to follow and accept the change.

TANA LEBLANC
Regional Vice President, Edmonton Central
RBC Royal Bank

Emotional Intelligence in action

Tana LeBlanc is passionate about Emotional Intelligence in action. Emotional Intelligence is one of the most important foundations of effective leadership because leadership is ultimately about people. How we show up, listen, communicate and respond, especially in moments of complexity or uncertainty, has a direct impact on trust, engagement, and performance. Strong leaders understand that emotional intelligence isn’t about avoiding difficult conversations or emotions; it’s about having the awareness and empathy to navigate them thoughtfully, build stronger relationships, and bring out the best in others.

• • Leading with self-awareness: Understanding your own emotions, strengths, triggers, biases, and recognizing how your presence and reactions impact those around you.
• • Connect before you correct:  Listening with curiosity, seeking to understand different perspectives, and creating an environment where people feel heard, valued, and safe to be honest.
• • Choose your response:  Leadership often means managing your emotions in the moment, especially during pressure or change. There’s power in pausing, reflecting, and responding with empathy, clarity and intention.

SHERRY PRINCE
Senior Wealth Advisor
IG Wealth Management

Measuring leadership impact

Leadership impact extends far beyond business results. The most influential leaders build successful businesses, create opportunities for others to thrive, and leave a lasting mark on their communities. In this session, Sherry Prince will share how women leaders can measure their impact through the growth they inspire — in their organizations, in the women they mentor and champion, and in the communities they serve. Attendees will gain practical strategies to evaluate their leadership effectiveness while building a meaningful legacy of influence and empowerment.

• • Build and grow a successful business through leadership
• • Lift and empower other women
• • Extend leadership beyond the workplace

CIINDY KIEU (Chair – Morning Session)
Executive Director, Business Operations Division
Edmonton Police Service

POOJA RAJMOHAN (Chair – Afternoon Session)
Director of Sales and Marketing
The Westin Edmonton