The University of Lethbridge has announced its lineup of speakers for the 2027 International Women’s Day Leadership Conference.
The event is set for March 10, 2027 in the Science Commons Atrium.
The keynote speakers for the fourth annual conference include Dr. Waneek Horn-Miller, an Olympian and Indigenous health and reconciliation activist, and Dr. Jessica Riddell, the founder of Hope Circuits Institute and a professor at Bishop’s University.
“Every year, around International Women’s Day, ULethbridge hosts this popular event to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and leadership achievements of women,” said Martha Mathurin-Moe, Vice-Provost, Accessibility, Belonging & Community at the U of L. “Our speakers will share their experiences leading with hope through complex times and how we all rise together when we build, innovate and create together.”
Officials said the theme for the event, ‘When Women Rise Together, Communities Trhive’, will explore how when women support each other, individual impact can create a collective change.
WANEEK HORN-MILLER
Dr. Waneek Horn-Miller is from the Kahnawake Mohawk Territory near Montreal and is the former co-captain of Canada’s Olympic women’s water polo team.
Horn-Miller has worked with the Assembly of First Nations to help develop their sport, fitness and health strategy.
Recently, she was named one of Canada’s most influential women in sport by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity. In 2022, she received an honorary degree from the U of L.
JESSICA RIDDELL
Dr. Jessica Riddell is an educator and the inaugural Stephen A. Jarislowsky Chair of Undergraduate Teaching Excellence at Quebec’s Bishop’s University.
She is also a best-selling author, having written Hope Circuits: Rewiring Universities for Human Flourishing.
Riddell serves on the board of directors of the American Association of Colleges and Universities.
FIRESIDE CHAT
In addition to presentations from Horn-Miller and Riddell, attendees can enjoy a fireside chat with the following U of L alumni and community builders:
- Dr. Bernadine (Bernie) Boulet (BEd ’88, LLD ’25), co-founder of Green Shirt Day;
- Ashley Day Chief (BASc ’14), Chief Operations Officer and Co-owner of AdvancedAg Inc.; and
- Karen Reid (BMgt ’86) Chair of the Board of Governors at the U of L.
The conference first started in 2024, in an effort to spark conversations around International Women’s Day.
“Our alumni panel is a powerful reflection of what’s possible when women support, inspire and learn from one another. Our women’s leadership conference creates a ripple effect that extends beyond a single individual to strengthen our entire community,” said Dr. Michelle Helstein, the U of L’s Provost and Vice-President of Academics.
“We are proud to bring these voices together to inspire the next generation of women leaders right here in Lethbridge.”
Helstein will host the fireside chat.
“This annual conference celebrates women in leadership and how by challenging boundaries, inspiring curiosity, we all can spark moments of impact and lift each other up. By doing so, we create stronger communities that create spaces where people can live, learn, grow and contribute,” added Dr. Dena McMartin, the U of L’s Vice-President of Research.
More on the event is available on the official conference webpage.
