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!

ARGIRO KOTSALIS (Keynote Speaker)
Chief Governance Officer and VP, Legal & Supply Management
Vancouver Airport Authority

Building and leading effective teams

It’s been said that one should never let a good crisis go to waste. The pandemic ravaged the aviation industry, imposing a prolonged crisis of unprecedented proportions followed by a period of intense recovery that challenged a fatigued workforce.  In this presentation, Argiro Kotsalis will share how she rebuilt her legal team at YVR from the ground up into a high-functioning team of trusted advisors.

• • Recruiting “for purpose” and finding your value proposition
• • Creating an environment where leaders are empowered and thrive
• • The importance of building trust

GAZIOVA BARBORA
Partner
PwC Canada

Fostering creativity in the workplace

As we navigate the transformative landscape of the modern workplace, it is imperative to harness the power of creativity to stay ahead. Barbora Gaziova will draw on her own experience from technology transformation and talk about the pivotal role of creativity and dynamic work environments. The presentation will focus on:

• • Navigating through the complexities of innovation, while empowering our teams and stakeholders
• • Fostering collaborative opportunities to spark creative solutions in a rapidly evolving workspace
• • The critical need for bold leadership to inspire novel approaches to workplace creativity and problem-solving

VERONICA FOX
Inspector
RCMP

Employee engagement: A critical leadership challenge

The success of an organization rests largely on the collective strength of its employees and the ability of its leaders to communicate vision and motivate effective teams. Developing engaged employees is a critically important task for every leader, and it is one that requires consistent effort and attention. Veronica Fox will share some strategies to establish, build, and maintain (or repair) effective teams so that employees can flourish and actively contribute to organizational success:

• • Navigating the thin line between micro-manager and master delegator 
• • Simultaneously leveraging existing strengths and building capacity in employees
• • Relentless advocacy

LOUISE KIM
Director BOD Governance and Corporate Secretary
WorkSafeBC

Proper board governance

In the broader context of corporate governance, proper board governance helps an organization navigate through cycles of stability, crisis, and opportunity. A healthy governance framework provides structure for a Board to operate and pursue strategic decisions in the best interest of an organization. Good governance is critical to an organization’s success and sustainability, and enhances stakeholder trust. In this session, Louise Kim will expose three challenges Boards face, and how to overcome and prevent them from taking over:

• • Heading off hidden agendas (preventing cliques and factions)
• • Curbing the chaos
• • Fighting the free-for-all

RADHA CURPEN
National Client Relationship Ambassador and Group Head, ESG and Sustainability
McMillan LLP

ESG and the workplace

Ensuring leaders and employees are engaged and happy at work is one of the most crucial elements that determine the success of an organization. Embracing and optimizing environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices is a well-established path to enhancing your team’s engagement and elevating your organization’s financial performance. In this session, Radha Curpen will share:

• • What ESG practices are and what ESG-related requirements may apply to your organization
• • How ESG strategies can benefit your organization, your leadership and your employees
• • How to implement ESG practices and strategies that actually work

BRENDA IRELAND
Executive Director, Indigenous Relations and the Respectful Onsite Initiative
British Columbia Infrastructure Benefits

Influencing across generations

Brenda Ireland’s approach to leadership is anchored in the teachings and guidance of Elders she’s been blessed to have in her life. Retelling some of their stories and presenting her own, Brenda shares a unique First Nations perspective on influences across generations and how they have shaped her approach to leadership.

• • Team building with a head-to-heart approach
• • Priorities in the context of the 7^th generation
• • Remembering to honor one’s gifts (and shortcomings)

Dr. LEANNE HEPPELL
EVP & Chief Ambulance Officer
Provincial Health Services Authority

Leadership in healthcare

Healthcare is experiencing many challenges with a growing & aging population requiring more complex care. The lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have taken its toll, compounding the shortages of trained professionals, overwhelmed emergency departments and extended wait times for specialists. Times like this require courageous leaders who inspire their teams to lead with their hearts and people-focused values of kindness and compassion.

• • Be a courageous leader and inspire your team
• • Lead with heart and people-focused values
• • Treat people with kindness and compassion

VIOLET THUMLERT
Vice President, Global Sales
Rocky Mountaineer

Diversity in leadership

In this presentation, Violet Thumlert will share her experiences as an Asian female leader and how diversity in leadership extends beyond these visible traits. By reflecting on her journey from a rural small town to a senior role at Rocky Mountaineer, she will discuss the importance of diverse perspectives and how small, intentional actions can drive positive change within business or personally. We’ll explore how embracing varied experiences and viewpoints enhances inclusivity and inspires others to make a difference.

• • Personal Journey: Insights into how Violet’s diverse background has shaped her leadership style
• • Power of Representation: How diverse leaders can inspire and motivate others in the organization
• • Effective Actions:Practical strategies for fostering inclusivity through intentional, everyday actions

LOUISE BENDER
VP People & Administration
Mosaic Forest Management

Making your ripples matter

Every person has a unique story and the power to create a lasting impact. Drawing from her lived experiences, early work ethic, and determination to challenge the status quo, Louise Bender has made significant waves through her career journey. Join Louise as she dives into how small steps, we can each take to lead significant change and create inclusive, engaging environments where everyone can thrive. Whether it’s fostering dialogue on psychological safety, updating traditional job titles to be more inclusive, or simply taking the first step to address a challenge, Louise’s experiences illustrate how making your ripples matter can drive industry-wide transformation. In this presentation, Louise will share her journey of making meaningful ripples by challenging conventional practices and driving change. She will discuss the importance of:

• • Building allies
• • Stepping into uncomfortable spaces and shaking things up
• • Taking action

JULIE BREUER (Morning Chair)
Chief Client Experience Officer
Central 1

DORA EROSS (Afternoon Chair)
VP Internal Audit
Prospera Credit Union