Building Strong Communities: Leadership, Inclusivity, and Social Change

Join us for an empowering seminar on fostering resilient, inclusive communities. Feturing community leaders, activists, and organizers, this event dives into strategies for effective engagement, inclusive leadership, and overcoming challenges in grassroots organizing.

This seminar is part of Low Entropy Foundation's Women Rising Program.
Women Rising is an empowerment and leadership program for women and gender diverse folks across Metro Vancouver.

Maggie Stewart

Maggie Stewart (she/her) brings over a decade of experience leading diverse teams and fostering inclusive communities across environmental research, social change initiatives, and educational programs. As the Manager of Volunteer Services at the Vancouver Aquarium, she is recognized for her talent in inspiring shared visions, driving positive change, and actively engaging with diverse communities. Maggie is excited to share her experiences and insights, while facilitating an engaging and impactful session.

Mithila Karnik-Adarkar

With a decade-plus long experience as an artiste manager/publicist in the Indian film industry, Mithila Karnik-Adarkar moved to Canada in 2016 with her husband. Mithila lives in Port Coquitlam in BC, has served on the city’s EDI Roundtable Advisory and has been instrumental, as a community volunteer, in passionately advocating for diversity and inclusion through cultural events, networking experiences and women’s day initiatives. She’s mother to a pliant boxer (named Hagrid!) and a strong-willed daughter and together with her husband, loves her neighborhood breweries, trails and the library!

Paola Murillo

As a multilingual International Business and Marketing executive, Paola Murillo shapes the impact of the Latino community in Canada as the Executive Director of the non-profit organization Latincouver. With over 18 years of global experience, she spearheads initiatives like Carnaval del Sol, advocating for entrepreneurs, especially women, and fulfilling the potential of Latinos.

Christina Wong

Christina brings a diverse skillset, reflecting a combination of: 17 years of involvement in the DTES community, 13 years of sponsorship experience, a major in Psychology from SFU and eight years working with people who face disabilities. She is very fortunate to have a passionate and competent team to help achieve a mission that is much greater than us – empowering entrepreneurs to overcome barriers and beat the odds. Recently, she was nominated for the 2024 YWCA Women of Distinction in the Community Champion category and a recipient for the Globe and Mail Top 50 Business Changemaker recipients in Canada.

Shelley-Anne Vidal

With over 15 years as a coach, educator and community-building experience Shelley-Anne Vidal approaches life with curiosity, kindness, and an open mind. Shelley is a knowledge seeker who enjoys learning about leadership, social justice, anti-racism and how to bring communities together.

She is the author of Amazon’s best-selling book, ” “You Only Need One Good Egg, Manifesting A Miracle.” As the founder of ACT by Vidal, Shelley brings her charismatic and direct approach to coaching, speaking and training sessions while holding space for leaders to walk with boldness and confidence.

Outside of work, Shelley enjoys going on adventures with her daughter.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

1 Athletes Way, 1 Athletes Way, Vancouver, Canada