Women's Symposium

Phone 311, or self-register: Edmonton.ca/ereg  

Please refer to the Timetable and session barcodes when registering.  Participants are welcome to register for one morning session and one afternoon session.  Changes to your session registration may be made by calling 311.   

Sessions and Speakers Timetable

Program:

Inspiring Futures Marketplace – linking women with resources & networks
8am-4:30pm
Plan to spend time at the Inspiring Futures Marketplace to learn about resources, networks, and mentorship opportunities available to women in Edmonton.   Talk one on one with service providers/agencies/representatives over the course of the day, build connections & take time to network.  Our hope is that women will connect with women to provide support, leadership and mentorship.  You can find us around the circular balcony on the 2nd floor and along the north foyer.  No registration required.

Breakout Sessions:

Morning Sessions: 10-11:30am

Please select and register for one of the following 5 morning sessions:

The Woman Entrepreneur – Strategies for Success  
Barcode: 497088
Have you always wanted to start and run your own business?  Or have you started a business and want to move it to the next level?  This session looks at ways to ask and answer those questions about yourself, your dreams, and living the life of an entrepreneur.  What makes women entrepreneurs unique and why are we so important to our families and communities?  Why are women entrepreneurs so successful?  And do I have what it takes?  These are just a few of the questions that many women ask themselves and look for the answers to in order to take the next steps.  Join Karen Mackenzie for this engaging session to look at these issues as women move forward to living their dreams.   

Presenter:  Karen MacKenzie

Advancing the Leadership of Women & Girls – Sharing our Journey; Celebrating our Successes   
Barcode: 497188
Leadership is more than rising to the top, or climbing power structures. Women and girls at all levels of the community have leadership skills that can be shared, celebrated, and built upon. To facilitate this, lets explore life circumstances including education, personal freedoms, economic status, and other interrelated factors that influence women's ability, availability, and desire to lead. In this engaging discussion we will hear from women who have overcome barriers such as violence, poverty and discrimation to be leaders in our community and explore ways to support one another to be leaders in our own lives.

Session Moderator:  Heather Morrison, RSW City of Edmonton

Panelists:
Rachelle Venne – Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women, IAAW
Anjula Mander – Personal journey of immigrating & settlement in Canada
Dawn Nelson – Family Law Office
Jackie Foord  - YWCA
Pamela Spurvey -  EMPOWER U: Building Confident Futures Program 
Mandy Halabi -  YOUCAN Youth Services

Focus Group: Women’s Advisory Committee/Entity
Barcode: 497190
Be a part of guiding Edmonton’s future.  Join in this informative discussion to provide input into the structure, vision and mandate of a Greater Edmonton Women’s Advisory Committee. 

Empowering Women through the Traditional Art of Aboriginal Storytelling
Barcode: 497192
Joanne Lethbridge Pompana, Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux, has been involved in the revitalization of Aboriginal Women’s traditional roles and values since the early nineties. Mentorship is a natural spiritual responsibility of the Pte Oyate and primarily occurred through the sharing of stories. Joanne has carried this responsibility to the many different programs and services offered at The Red Road Healing Society in Edmonton; and throughout Turtle Island over the years.   Joanne is eternally grateful to those Grandmothers who shared stories with her as she was in the process of becoming a Lakota Unci.  Joanne looks forward to sharing traditional and contemporary stories with the women attending the Womens’ Spring Symposium. 

Storyteller:  Joanne Pompana

Women in Governance
Barcode: 497194
Although women represent a slim majority of the gender population in Canadian society, they are still vastly under-represented in many of the levels of elected government as well as in the head Corporate Canada offices. Women in Edmonton have made significant advancement in the social, economic, and political sectors of our society, however further opportunities for advancement exist. Building on existing initiatives, and exploring new opportunities to advance the full leadership potential for women in governance requires the wisdom of good role models and deeper conversations.  Join this panel discussion of prominent women as they discuss the resiliency, ambition and compassion of the women spirit that helped them get to the top of their game.

Session Moderator:  Dr. Jane Arscott

Panelists:
Laurie Blakeman, MLA – Edmonton Centre
Sandra Woitas - Director  - Edmonton Public School Foundation
Claire Clark – Edmonton Aboriginal Business & Professional Association
Linda Wood Edwards  –  LUE-42 Enterprises - Consultancy Board Development
Tracey Scarlett - CEO Alberta Women Entrepreneurs

Afternoon Sessions: 1:45-3:15pm

Please select and register for one of the following 5 afternoon sessions:

Be Your Woman of Vision - Leadership, Motivation, Personal Growth
Barcode: 497089
It has been said that “No greatness exists without the passion to be great.” Many people are going through the motions of life and not going after their dreams and taking the risks to live the life that they truly love. Your success is not determined by how many times you have tried; it is defined by how many times you get up along life’s journey to reach your success! Be the leader others follow.
In order to be your own woman of vision, you must take the plunge, believe in yourself and develop the courage and confidence to go after what you want.
In this dynamic and engaging presentation, Debra Kasowski will help you uncover the 7 characteristics of a woman of vision; discover the power of living your life with passion and purpose, identify the 5 keys to getting back up when life knocks you down, and challenge the roadblocks that may be holding you back from achieving your goals.
Shift your mindset, change your life, and unlock the greatness that lies within you – NOW!

Presenter:  Debra Kasowski

Nurturing Transformative Leadership: Engaging communities for leadership and change
Barcode: 497189
The world has changed immensely from the world we know 50 years ago. From advances in technology, mass movement of people across the globe and societies that are becoming increasingly more diverse and dynamic, the concept and practice of leadership is also shifting. Join us for a vibrant and enlightening discussion of women leaders who have transcended the traditional roles of leaders towards advancing an emergent practice of transformative leadership. These women leaders are grounded in their own experience in working with vulnerable populations and will share with you in how they have inspired and engaged people and communities to realize their potentials.

Session Moderator:  Vivian Abboud

Panelists: 
Yvonne Chui – Multicultural Health Brokers 
Sofia Yakub – Multicultural Women & Seniors Services Association (MWSSA)
Jori Hunter  - Aboriginal Women’s Professional Association,
Jackie Foord – YWCA
Kate Quinn –  Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation  (CEASE)

Focus Group: Women’s Advisory Committee/Entity
Barcode: 497191
Be a part of guiding Edmonton’s future.  Join in this informative discussion to provide input into the structure, vision and mandate of a Greater Edmonton Women’s Advisory Committee. 

Empowering Women through the Art of Storytelling
Barcode: 497193
Join Mary Ann Lippiatt, professional storyteller, for a session of empowerment through oral storytelling. Mary Ann believes the power of oral storytelling touches each listener on a personal level that speaks to their individual emotional needs and calling.  Beyond the spoken words are messages of healing, enlightenment and inspiration that offer listeners an opportunity to reconnect with their humanness.  This ‘story power’ evokes vision and clarity that empowers listeners to share their given gifts with others in a way that will bring meaningful purpose to their lives and contributions of enhancement to the community.

Storyteller:  Mary Ann Lippiatt

Cultural Teachings from our Elders
  Barcode: 497195
Indigenous women have "Rites of Passage" ceremonies that prepares each successive generation of young women for the various roles she performs as an individual, clan and family member within her Nation. Join Dr. Diana Steinhauer and Dr. Patricia Makokis for an engaging session that will describe how these ceremonies embedded within the Indigenous worldview helps young women to excel within a society that values women's roles for the health and wealth of a Nation. 

Presented by Elder Emma Gladue, her daughter Dr. Diana Steinhauer, Dr. Patricia Makokis and her daughter Janice Makokis. 

For more information: