The Women in Leadership Conference brings together professional women to talk about the challenges that they face, exchange views, and learn from peers and leaders.

The event provides an invaluable opportunity to listen to industry leaders as they share best practices and insights to help women in leadership roles become more effective leaders and be on top of their game.

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

 
 
 

JENNA SCHROEDER (Keynote Speaker)
Executive Director
Provincial Capital Commission
Government of Saskatchewan

Inviting employees into organization change

Leading Saskatchewan’s Provincial Capital Commission is exciting and challenging. Balancing transformational strategic projects, change management, communication, and employee engagement with the responsibility of stewarding two well-loved public spaces, Wascana Centre and Government House, drives Jenna Schroeder. This session will share lessons on what has gone well and areas for improvement.

• • Tailor communication to meet the needs of your team
• • Set ambitious goals and trust your team to get there
• • Learn from setbacks and keep moving forward

ANNETTE BESTER
Partner, National Leader Credit Unions
MNP

Bringing the best in others

Success, both as an individual and a leader, requires a dedicated team and network of support. As such, it is critical to recognize one’s own strengths and weaknesses and learn to help your team and network to do the same. Building trust through coaching and mentoring will help others succeed, whether in business or personally. Using stories and examples, we will discuss:

• • Importance of state of mind
• • Tips to help others gain confidence in their own abilities
• • How being vulnerable yourself can be a great example for others to learn from

CHRIS LANE
President & CEO
Economic Development Regina

Effective decision-making

It’s been said the pace of change has never been so fast – and it will never be this slow again. Responding to a world like that takes effective decision-making built on a strong sense of purpose. Making hard decisions is, well, hard. But it’s a learnable skill that can be broken down into identifiable pieces that help to manage the risks involved, and keep us on track and accountable.

• • Pressing the red button
• • The magic in the bottle
• • You can’t have one without the other

KENZIE BERGERON
Assistant Vice President, Sales
Saskatchewan Blue Cross

Fostering creativity and innovation: Nurturing a culture of ingenuity

In an era defined by rapid change and evolving challenges, the ability to cultivate a culture of ingenuity is a key driver for success in various fields. Explore the dynamic landscape of creativity and innovation as we discuss the fundamental principles that underpin these essential elements. From understanding the psychology of creativity, identifying common barriers to innovation, and establishing an environment conducive to innovation, this session promises to equip participants with actionable insights and strategies for fostering creativity and innovation.

• • Understanding creativity
• • Building an innovative culture
• • Overcoming barriers to innovation
• • Encouraging diverse perspectives
• • Implementing creative processes

JAMES BOGUSZ
President and CEO
Regina Airport Authority

Taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented to you

We sometimes envision career trajectory to be linear, based on background, education or perhaps skillset. Some people will tell you that you need to be in the right place at the right time, some may tell you it’s all about “who you know” not “what you know”. Is this truth or fiction? James Bogusz will share his story and background on how he took advantage of opportunities presented to him and provide some tips and suggestions that may help identify and capitalize on opportunities in your own career.

• • Embracing challenges outside of your comfort zone
• • Understanding different motivations and how that can help open doors
• • When taking a step back might actually be a step forward

LINDSAY FERGUSON
Vice President, Legal (Auto Fund)
Saskatchewan Government Insurance

Promoting a healthy work environment

Two of the most important areas of opportunity facing organizations today are workplace well-being and engaged and inspiring leadership. As leaders, how do we cultivate an environment supportive of well-being? How do we embody and foster leadership that is self-aware and engaged? Through the lens of a new leader, Lindsay Ferguson will share how she is finding her way, the tools she’s found helpful and the concepts that ground her approach.

• • The current challenges facing organizations and their leadership
• • The most difficult thing for a team to do – accountability
• • Establishing teams that value trust and vulnerability

DOUG JONES
Chief Executive Officer
Cornerstone Credit Union

Building strong teams

This session will cover Doug Jones’ experiences, including key components and models that have helped contribute to building strong, successful teams, over his 30 years of leadership within the financial services industry. Doug believes in the commonly heard phrase that “culture eats strategy for breakfast” so he will share his learning of key components to a thriving culture and deliberate steps taken to strengthen organizational culture.

• • Leadership
• • Communication
• • Culture Principles

NADINE GOLDSTONE
Director of Customer Care and Billing
SaskPower

Excellence through heart-centered leadership

People are our future. Leading impactful and transitional change across a broad organization facing unprecedented pressure and opportunities requires an approach that is responsive and agile while keeping our people top of mind. A myriad of evolving expectations, across every aspect of business, sets the stage for modernized and innovative service delivery as we navigate new paradigms. New levels of excellence can be achieved by:

• • Focusing on service with heart
• • Growth mindsets
• • Courageous steps forward

RAELYNN DOUGLAS
Executive Director, Health, Drug Plan and Extended Benefits Branch
Saskatchewan Ministry of Health
CEO, Raesoleil Consulting

Making an impact

As Jane Goodall said: “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do make a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” In this presentation, Raelynn Douglas will discuss how you can make an impact.

• • Female leaders are always juggling responsibilities at work and at home – how can you find more energy to take on those demands?
• • How can you shift your mindset to not only accept change but to embrace it?
• • What is your personal brand and how can you build it?
• • Women taking care of themselves, first, and then helping others = great impact!

LIVIA CASTELLANOS
Vice President, Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions
Navitas University Partnerships North America

Morning Chair

With twenty-four years of experience in the field of International Education, and having held senior positions in Canadian universities, government and the international education private sector, Livia Castellanos is currently the Vice President of Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions for Navitas University Partnerships North America. Ms. Castellanos leads five universities in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and two American public universities in Massachusetts and New York City. She is currently responsible for developing, leading, and managing all global strategies for the university partners of Navitas in North America in the areas of recruitment, admissions and partnership development that drive new student enrolments. Her focus on building strong and lasting relationships with university partners, faculty, staff and external organizations supports Navitas’ global outreach.

TOBI STROHAN
Vice President, Compliance
Sunrise Foods International

Afternoon Chair

Tobi Strohan serves as Vice President, Compliance at Sunrise Foods International, a global supplier of specialty agri-food ingredients, headquartered in Saskatoon. Tobi and her team are responsible for Sunrise Foods’ organic integrity and quality programs as well as HR, marketing and communications and sustainability. Tobi’s leadership experience also includes work in policy development, risk management, education/training and marketing/communications. Tobi holds a degree in International Studies, an MBA and a Post-MBA Diploma in Advanced Management, and she speaks English and French. Tobi spent much of her career in Toronto, and is happy to be back in Saskatchewan, raising her two daughters with her partner in Regina, and working in agriculture, an industry that is so important to her home province.