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!

TARA ANDERSON (Keynote Speaker)
Auditor General
City of Toronto

Building and leading effective teams

Studies show that employees have higher job satisfaction when they are part of an effective team – that in turn, results in a positive impact on employee engagement and morale for the organization. High-performing teams can also help organizations to increase their productivity, innovation, and revenue, and achieve goals more effectively. During this session, we will walk through key strategies that have helped Tara Anderson to build and lead effective teams in the workplace, with a focus on:

• • Intentionality in planning – creating the team, shared goals, and clear roles & responsibilities
• • How to communicate and collaborate effectively as a team
• • Supporting the team, building trust, and taking time for recognition and regular feedback

ADRIAN LANG
Chief Legal and Privacy Officer
Staples Canada

Creativity in the workplace

We know that creativity will inspire innovation and productivity. But how do we foster creativity to drive change? It starts with leadership and the understanding that creativity cannot be taught – but it can be learned. To foster a culture of creativity, factors to consider include:

• • Why creativity is important, and what is its impact on productivity? Real or imagined?
• • How can leaders create the conditions for creativity for their teams? 
• • If Creativity cannot be taught, how do we foster it in a way that is meaningful for our teams? 

JENNIFER ANGEL
CEO
Evergreen

Ability to influence

The world feels heavy right now and the challenges are daunting. If there was ever a moment we need to pull together to solve these complex issues – from climate change to rising inequality – it is now. But when trust is low and loneliness is rampant, particularly among young people, our ability to influence and inspire our teams can falter. Today’s leaders need to be authentic to inspire the hope that we need to mobilize a team for a common purpose.

• • Forging trust in a time of distrust is imperative for influential leadership
• • The ability to influence is not positional – how do we create the conditions for people to believe in leaders?
• • Building influential leadership in a team at all levels is necessary for impact

NATHALIE CLARK
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Aurora Cannabis

Handling difficult conversations

As Peter Bromberg said: “When we avoid difficult conversations, we trade short-term discomfort for long-term discomfort.” Difficult conversations are an important part of daily life. They are unavoidable. It’s something we need to be accustomed to.

• • Being clear about the issue
• • Listening actively
• • Focusing on solutions

NICOLE ROSS
Executive Director
College of Carpenters and Allied Trades

Effective use of power in leadership

Those in leadership have a responsibility to use their power for the benefit of those they oversee, and those they serve. In this presentation, Nicole Ross will explore the lessons that have informed her leadership style.

• • Leadership style
• • Making the hard decisions
• • Utilizing power responsibly

SHARON SAUVE
Vice President, Delivery Transformation
Executive Sponsor for Women
Kyndryl Canada

Execution: The art of getting things done

Mastering the art of getting things done is highly dependent upon everyone understanding their tasks and what ‘done’ looks like. Diversity in skills, background, experience and thought, are essential to success, but at the same time, this diversity means that not everyone interprets verbal communications the same or learns the same way. Our job as leaders is to recognize this, and to communicate in a way that ensures everyone on the team understands exactly what is expected. Sharon Sauve’s goal for this discussion is that you walk away with some strategies that will improve your ability to get things done.

• • Know your team
• • Encourage ‘penalty-free’ questions
• • Confirm understanding

JUDITH KEAN
Vice President, Finance & Operation
Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC)

Diversity in leadership

Over the past years, we have had many discussions regarding the benefits of diversity to organizations. Well, now that you have a seat at the table, how are you maximizing this opportunity and making a change? Let’s have an in-depth conversation on how some great women before you were able to make a change. From this discussion, you will be able to:

• • Gain an appreciation of common attributes among these diverse leaders
• • Learn how these women made a difference in their environment despite the common challenges faced
• • Gain a better understanding that will help you to maximize your potential in the greatest way as you navigate your leadership journey

RYNA YOUNG
Regional Head, Executive Search and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Co-Lead
KBRS

Are you leading with authenticity?

In today’s dynamic leadership landscape, authenticity has become a key driver of successful leadership. This presentation explores how senior female leaders can lead authentically in their words and actions while also aligning their career paths with their core values. By making intentional decisions about how they “show up,” leaders can drive meaningful impact while staying true to who they are. Together we’ll explore:

• • How to strike the delicate balance between openness and maintaining professional boundaries
• • How transparent, authentic communication styles can create inclusive environments and build stronger teams
• • Navigating career decisions in a way that reflects personal values and promotes authentic leadership

VANESSA COQUEIRO
Partner
Delotte LLP

Continuous learning

Disruptive technologies, changing workplaces, changing political environments and volatile economic climates mean that adaptability is a key skill in the workplace today. Part of being adaptable is the drive to always be open to learning through looking at new ways of working, being innovative and staying relevant in a constantly changing environment. In this session, we will discuss:

• • What continuous learning means and why it is relevant in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world
• • The benefits of continuous learning and how to get started
• • Common barriers to continuous learning and how to overcome them

MICHELE SARAN (Chair, Morning Session)
CEO
Explore Waterloo Region

JAIME YOON (Chair, Afternoon Session)
Vice President, Client Relationship Management
Aviva Canada