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!

MEGHANN THORNE (Keynote Speaker)
VP of Finance
Solace Power

Leading with confidence

In today’s fast-paced world, leaders must project confidence to earn trust. Confidence shapes how others perceive and respond to you. Through real-world insights and strategies, Meghann Thorne will discuss how to develop and demonstrate confidence as a leader, regardless of title or experience level.

• • Building authentic self-confidence
• • Communicating with clarity and authority
• • Inspiring trust and influence​

CHERYL MULLETT
City Solicitor, Legal Department
City of St. John’s

Building trust in the workplace

There has been a cultural shift of mistrust in society as a whole as a result of the abuse of trust that occurred historically throughout our institutions and the private sector. But trust is essential in a workplace, and the workplace is not immune to that cultural shift. So, how do you lead an organization with integrity and create healthy trust relationships among your colleagues? And does being a female leader make any difference?

• • Collaboration – the organization must function as a team with information sharing, information gathering and consultation
• • Respect – employees must be valued for their role in the organization and treated with kindness, consideration and understanding regardless of differences
• • Accountability – leaders must be honest and forthright with employees and take ownership of challenges faced by the organization

ANDREA WHITE
Partner
KPMG Canada

Connecting across generations

Connecting across generations involves sharing knowledge, experiences, and perspectives between people of different age groups. In today’s evolving leadership landscape, leaders of all ages bring unique strengths to the table. This session will look into how leaders can foster meaningful connections across generations.

• • Mentoring and reverse mentoring between generations
• • Diverse perspectives drive innovation in leadership
• • Celebrating the exchange of knowledge and lived experience across age groups

CHERYL ANDREWS
Group Benefits Specialist & Financial Advisor
Lupin Planning Group

Making tough decisions with integrity: A journey of courage, clarity, and change

This discussion centers on the power of making tough decisions with integrity, guided by the pillars of courage, clarity, and change. The focus of this session will explore how integrity often requires facing fear, questioning comfort, and stepping into new circumstances. By encouraging reflection and offering practical tools, the audience will be empowered to act in alignment with their values, even when the path forward is presently uncertain.

• • Clarity comes from asking honest questions about what truly aligns with your values and who you are becoming.
• • Courage is choosing integrity over comfort, including taking action even when fear, doubt, or loyalty try to hold you back.
• • Change is the outcome of living your truth, and it is a leap that, while risky, opens the door to deeper purpose, renewed leadership and opportunities for new growth and connections.

Dr. HEATHER BURKE
Director, Centre for Aquaculture and Seafood Development
Fisheries and Marine Institute

Innovation with purpose

Innovation with purpose is creating meaningful, values-driven solutions that address real-world challenges. The focus is on positive social or environmental impact, aiming to improve lives and promote sustainability. This type of innovation is intentional and often involves collaboration with communities to ensure solutions are inclusive and effective.

• • Cross-sector collaboration
• • Using data and research
• • Sustainability

ANN BLACKMORE
Founder and President
Impact Advisory

Negotiating as a woman in leadership

Negotiation is a critical leadership capability — one that blends strategy, confidence, and relationship-building. This session draws on real-world experience leading complex negotiations across industries and sectors. We will explore how to approach negotiations with clarity, purpose, and influence in today’s evolving leadership landscape.

• • Build a negotiation mindset rooted in preparation, adaptability, and trust
• • Apply practical frameworks for navigating complex or high-stakes discussions
• • Strengthen your presence and influence at the negotiation table

CLAIRE HICKMAN and SARAH HICKMAN
Next-Generation Leaders
Hickman Automotive Group

Next-generation leaders in a family-owned business

Navigating leadership in a family-owned business presents unique challenges and opportunities, especially for the next generation. Earning a seat at the table requires more than just a last name — it demands proving your value, balancing tradition with innovation, networking and fostering trust among both family and non-family employees. Claire and Sarah Hickman will speak to their experience of growing up in a family-owned organization and explore strategies for young leaders to establish credibility, drive growth, and honour the legacy of their family business.

• • Balancing Tradition and Innovation:Respecting the company’s legacy while introducing fresh ideas and modern practices
• • Earning Respect from Non-Family Employees: Building trust and rapport with team members who may be skeptical of family leadership
• • Leveraging Networks: Building connections outside the family business to bring in fresh perspectives and growth opportunities

Dr. SVETLANA BARKANOVA
Professor of Physics
Grenfell Campus
Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador

From representation to transformation: Building gender-inclusive environments in STEM

In Canada, women make up only 22% of the STEM workforce and hold just 9% of senior leadership roles. Despite efforts to close gender gaps, biases and systemic barriers continue to limit progress, and women leave STEM careers at higher rates than men. This turnover is costly for both organizations and individuals, while demand for highly trained STEM professionals continues to outstrip supply. This talk examines:

• • The factors contributing to the leaky pipeline and how STEM leaders can drive meaningful change by facilitating collective discussions and fostering inclusive cultures.
• • How structured dialogue enhances awareness of gender biases, strengthens collective efficacy, and promotes inclusive leadership behaviours, such as mentorship, advocacy, and equitable decision-making.

Leaders play a pivotal role in shaping policies, setting workplace norms, and ensuring accountability for gender inclusivity. By leveraging open conversations and shared responsibility, STEM leaders can create workplaces where all talent thrives, driving both innovation and long-term success.

COLLEEN BOLGER
Fire Captain
St. John’s International Airport Authority

Succeeding in a male-dominated environment

This session focuses on empowering women to thrive in male-dominated environments. Participants will gain tools to overcome bias, assert their presence and lead with authenticity. Colleen Bolger will discuss how women can break barriers, advance their careers and foster greater inclusion in traditionally underrepresented spaces.

• • Building confidence and credibility
• • Developing resilience to handle bias
• • Cultivating influence and assertiveness

GAYLE BRENTON-SMITH (Morning Chair)
VP of Human Resources and Occupational Health and Safety
Braya Renewable Fuels

JULIE AVERY (Afternoon Chair)
VP Controller
Fortis Inc.