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!

ABBIE HODDER (Keynote Speaker)
Chief Operating Officer
econext

Fostering engagement in the workplace

Having engaged employees, and partners, is crucial to the success of an organization. Fostering engagement through clarity, communication, and collaboration leads to more innovative and successful teams, projects, and industries. In this session, Abbie Hodder will talk about:

• • Clarifying the why? – Aligning work with organizational goals and values
• • Increasing engagement through workplace culture and inclusion
• • Collaboration and Teamwork

TINA BIRMINGHAM
Principal |Sr. Architect
Gibbons Snow Architects

How can workplace design support well-being?

Traditional workplace designs are not typically conducive to supporting employee health and well-being. They were designed for economy and efficiency. Following the ‘burn-out’ phenomenon of the late twentieth century and the rise of the digital era, employers started taking a closer look at the importance of the workplace and its relationship to a person’s well-being. Today, businesses are using evidence-based design to ensure their workplaces are fit for employees as well as their intended purpose.

• • A brief history of the workplace “How did the Romans do it?”
• • Evidence-based design “Following the lead of Steve Jobs
• • The business benefits “Why do we care?”

DENNIS HOGAN
Chief Executive Officer
St. John’s International Airport Authority

Building strong teams

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” — Phil Jackson. Building strong teams has become very challenging in these post-pandemic days. Leaders need to look at the growth of hybrid and remote environments, and today’s expectations among employees. Leaders need to adapt to create strong teams in today’s world.

• • Leading teams in the new normal
• • Committing to high-performance
• • Giving recognition

JULIE AVERY
VP Controller
Fortis

Achieving performance excellence

The most effective leaders are those who inspire their teams to strive for performance excellence. Achieving performance excellence doesn’t just happen; it requires commitment, intention, and focus. Drawing on her personal and professional experience, during this session Julie Avery will provide her thoughts on:

• • Why performance excellence is important
• • The foundation of individuals and organizations that strive for performance excellence
• • How leaders can entrench and sustain a culture of performance excellence

VICTORIA BELBIN
Chief Executive Officer
Atlantic Canada Aerospace & Defence Association

Succeeding as a Board Director

An engaging and informative presentation on the essential strategies for success as a board member. Whether you’re a seasoned director or new to the boardroom, this session will provide valuable insights and practical tips to help you excel in your role. Victoria Belbin will explore the importance of building a strong network, mastering governance principles, fostering effective communication, and leveraging your unique strengths to make meaningful contributions. Through her 20 years of experience working on both sides of the board table, she will share real examples and encourage an interactive discussion; you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence needed to thrive as a board member and drive positive change within your organization. Don’t miss this opportunity to unlock your full potential and elevate your impact as a leader in the boardroom.

• • Thrive as a Board member – know your value and come to the table prepared.
• • Never underestimate the power of building relationships with fellow members and seek out strong mentors with different perspectives.
• • Understand the importance of asserting your experience confidently, ensuring your insights are valued and heard.

LAURIE SKINNER
Associate Vice President, Administration and Finance
Fisheries and Marine Institute

Diverse Leadership

Diverse leadership involves building teams that are representative of a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities. Many organizations are at different points along the path to create an inclusive leadership culture in their organizations. The key to success is to be genuine, authentic and intentional on the journey. Diversity of thought and perspective are the foundation of innovation and good governance. This session will focus on:

• • Diverse and inclusive leadership as an enabler in organizations
• • The commitment to diversifying leadership – your role and how you can influence and champion the change required to diversify leadership in your organization
• • How diverse leadership promotes innovation and strategic outcomes

NATALIE TEMPLEMAN
Chief Information Officer
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro

Practising reflective leadership

A reflective leadership approach not only strengthens your effectiveness as a leader but also contributes to the overall success of your team. It is critical to take the time to assess and develop effective strategies that can enhance your impact as a leader. It is about looking for solutions and learning from our past mistakes.

• • Reflective leadership fosters better decision-making and ensures growth
• • Reflect on your approach considering your awareness, judgement and action
• • Position yourself and your team for success

GAYLE BRENTON-SMITH
Vice President of Human Resources and Occupational Health and Safety
Braya Renewable Fuels

Tragedy in the workplace: Lessons and learnings

After leading an organization through the unfortunate event of tragedy in the workplace, Gayle Brenton-Smith will share the following:

• • How and what to prepare in the event of worst-case scenarios
• • Communication to employees and stakeholders
• • Navigating worker’s compensation
• • Caring for the injured and supporting the families, as well as employees
• • Investigation and aftermath

AMY NORMAN
VP Corporate Services
Brightisle

Bringing resilience into your life and career

Resilience is commonly defined as “bouncing back” from adversity and it’s often associated with having a hard exterior to endure tough times. Amy Norman feels that true resilience involves embracing challenges, working through them, learning, growing, and emerging stronger (you don’t go “back” to the same place). In both personal and professional realms, we all encounter obstacles, setbacks, and failures. Amy will share her journey of cultivating resilience in life and the workplace. Join us as we delve into:

• • Navigating change
• • Knowing yourself
• • Cultivating a positive mindset
• • Building a supportive network

JUDY SPARKES-GIANNOU (Morning Chair)
Managing Director
Clayton Hospitality

ANN BLACKMORE (Afternoon Chair)
Vice President – Commercial and Business Development
North Atlantic