Cultivating Authentic Leadership Conference

Join us for a dynamic two-day conference designed to help you unlock your leadership potential. Discover practical strategies to enhance your communication skills connect with and learn from diverse communities and implement actionable steps to foster a more inclusive and welcoming workplace and community.

The Cultivating Authentic Leadership conference is an empowering event bringing together over 20 distinguished speakers from across Canada including leadership experts communication specialists diversity and inclusion leaders and community advocates. United by a shared commitment to purpose-driven leadership this conference offers a unique opportunity to explore transformative strategies for personal and professional growth.

At the Event You Will:

1. Gain insights into impactful actions that drive positive change like promoting open communication leading with purpose respecting everyone’s unique differences and exploring the types of support needed to bring these initiatives to life.
2. Build confidence by learning how to navigate challenging moments with resilience like providing tough feedback making decisions under pressure and respecting diverse teams ultimately strengthening relationships and fostering change.
3. Engage in deep individual and collective reflection to uncover personal biases and organizational and societal barriers helping leaders improve self-awareness foster trust and engagement boost team performance and innovation and build a resilient inclusive culture leading to stronger teams higher retention and better long-term success.
4. Equip yourself with practical tools and strategies to create inclusive environments that boost employee engagement and retention drive innovation improve team performance and enhance your organization's reputation and customer loyalty.

Enhance self-awareness communication skills and create actionable strategies!

• Learn from over 20 diverse leaders and experts.
• Expand your network and engage in meaningful discussions.
• Gain fresh perspectives on inclusive leadership and drive change in your organization and community.
• Explore personal biases to improve your decision-making process.
• Strengthen your communication skills to become a resilient and authentic leader.
• Leave equipped with tips knowledge and practical solutions that help you thrive as a leader

Who Should Attend?

Anyone who is passionate about driving meaningful change. It’s designed for those committed to making a difference both professionally and personally through intentional conversations authentic leadership and transformative actions that foster inclusion resilience and growth.

This conference is for:

• Corporate professionals
• Government
• Non-profit professionals
• Entrepreneurs
• Community leaders

Presentations and Round Tables

Presentations (15)

Finding My Place: Journey to Authentic Leadership

What It’s About: Many believe that leaders must be experts who never show vulnerability keeping their personal lives entirely separate from their professional ones. But is that really true? Authentic leadership goes beyond guiding teams or achieving goals—it’s about staying true to your core values in all aspects of life. By embracing vulnerability and aligning your relationships with your values you can lead with empathy build trust and foster meaningful connections.

Presenter: Denise Young

Takeaways:

• Discover how empathy and understanding can turn challenging interactions into opportunities for growth and mutual respect.
• Gain practical insight into how aligning your relationships with core values strengthens your ability to lead authentically.

Leadership Insight: Authenticity in leadership begins with open empathetic communication. Staying true to your values not only enhances resilience but also empowers you to navigate difficult situations while fostering trust and mutual respect.

2. Our Collective ReconciliACTION: Beyond Diversity

What It’s About: Understanding reconciliation as a journey distinct from DEI focused on rebuilding relationships between Indigenous and settler communities.

Presenter: Carrie Lamb

Takeaways:

• Key differences between reconciliation and traditional DEI initiatives.
• The importance of restructuring relationships for long-term transformation.
• Practical ways to intersect reconciliation efforts with organizational goals.

Leadership Insight: Demonstrates inclusive leadership by addressing systemic inequities and fosters authenticity through commitment to reconciliation.

3. Stronger Together: The Power of Allies Sponsors and Mentors

What It’s About: Leveraging networks of support to break barriers and elevate diverse voices.

Presenter: Navneet Scheie Chantha Nhem Shaun Bosch

Takeaways:

• The roles and distinctions between allies sponsors and mentors.
• Building relationships that empower underrepresented individuals.
• Strategies to grow and sustain impactful support systems.

Leadership Insight: Enhances inclusivity by fostering collective success and strengthens resilience through supportive networks.

4. Breaking Down Equity Diversity and Inclusion: Challenges and Importance of Terminology

What It’s About: Exploring the challenges of maintaining a focus on Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) while addressing the debate on whether the terminology should evolve or remain consistent.

Round Table Discussion Facilitated by: Tynan Allan

Takeaways:

• Insights into the importance and meaning of each term: Equity Diversity and Inclusion.
• Opportunity to challenge and have open dialogue on the understanding of meaning.
• Reflect on discussion to form an informed perspective of where you are at with this debate.

Leadership Insight: Authenticity is strengthened when leadership aligns with the principles of EDI. Retaining these terms enhances resilience by fostering cross-sector collaboration and ensuring shared understanding of core values.

5. Shifting Mindsets for Culture Change

What It’s About: How shifting biases and attitudes fosters organizational transformation.

Presenter: Tynan Allan

Takeaways:

• Techniques to challenge ingrained mindsets and behaviors.
• The role of leadership in driving cultural change.
• Steps to create an inclusive forward-thinking workplace.

Leadership Insight: Promotes inclusive growth by addressing cultural biases and builds resilience by embracing change.

6. Global Insights Local Impact: Mastering Cultural Agility

What It’s About: Building intercultural skills to create inclusive and respectful workplaces.

Presenter: TBC

Takeaways:

• Understanding key cultural differences and how they shape workplace dynamics.
• Developing practical skills for cultural agility.
• Enhancing workplace inclusivity by valuing diverse perspectives.

Leadership Insight: Fosters inclusive leadership by embracing cultural diversity and builds authenticity through culturally aware practices.

7. Handling Bias with Balance: Navigating Customer Interactions with Accountability and Care

What It’s About: Strategies to recognize and mitigate bias in customer interactions.

Presenter: TBC

Takeaways:

• Identifying biases that impact customer experiences.
• Practical tools for addressing bias with care and accountability.
• Building trust and fairness in customer relationships.

Leadership Insight: Promotes authenticity by committing to fair practices and builds resilience by addressing bias with confidence.

8. Rise Strong: Embracing Courage and Resilience in Leadership

What It’s About: Leading with vulnerability authenticity and strength in the face of challenges.

Presenter: Dee McWatters

Takeaways:

• The power of vulnerability in building authentic connections.
• Tools to foster resilience and inspire others during uncertainty.
• Strategies for leading courageously in challenging environments.

Leadership Insight: Enhances resilience through bold leadership and demonstrates authenticity by embracing vulnerability.

9. Everyday Commitment: Showing Up for Your Team

What It’s About: Building trust and alignment by showing up consistently for your team.

Presenter: Nicole Middleton

Takeaways:

• The importance of reliability in leadership.
• Aligning actions with values to deepen team trust.
• Strategies to foster loyalty and connection through consistent engagement.

Leadership Insight: Builds authenticity through consistent actions and strengthens inclusive leadership by prioritizing team well-being.

10. Sawubona: Unlocking Connection Through the Power of Presence

What It’s About: Exploring the power of recognition and presence to foster inclusivity and connection.

Presenter: Harriet Tinka

Takeaways:

• Understanding the African concept of "Sawubona" and its impact on relationships.
• Tools to make others feel seen and valued in personal and professional contexts.
• Strategies to transform organizational culture through acknowledgment.

Leadership Insight: Strengthens authenticity by valuing others deeply and fosters inclusivity through genuine connections.

11. Rekindling Identity: Indigenous Leadership and the Quest for Belonging

What It’s About: Centering cultural identity and belonging in Indigenous leadership.

Presenter: Stephanie Anaka

Takeaways:

• Exploring the interplay of tradition and modernity in Indigenous leadership.
• The importance of cultural identity in fostering belonging.
• Bridging traditional wisdom with contemporary practices.

Leadership Insight: Demonstrates authenticity by honoring cultural identity and fosters resilience by embracing diverse leadership styles.

12. Inclusive Leadership in Action: A Guide for Change-Makers

What It’s About: Practical strategies to operationalize inclusive leadership.

Presenter: Matteo Stewart

Takeaways:

• Overcoming barriers to inclusivity.
• Building equitable systems for team success.
• Aligning leadership practices with inclusive values.

Leadership Insight: Strengthens authenticity through values-driven leadership and promotes inclusive growth.

13. Breaking Barriers: Ensuring Accessibility for Everyone

What It’s About: Designing accessible spaces and policies to support inclusivity.

Presenter: Brad Bartko

Takeaways:

• Identifying barriers to accessibility and addressing them effectively.
• Practical steps for fostering inclusion for individuals with disabilities.
• Building policies and spaces that empower everyone.

Leadership Insight: Fosters inclusivity through accessibility and strengthens authenticity by addressing systemic barriers.

14. Mind Matters: Integrating Mental Wellness into EDI and Self-Care

What It’s About: Balancing self-care and EDI work to sustain mental wellness in leadership.

Presenter: Kristopher Marks

Takeaways:

• Understanding the intersection of mental health and equity.
• Tools for prioritizing self-care while leading inclusively.
• Strategies to sustain mental wellness in diverse teams.

Leadership Insight: Builds resilience by promoting wellness and demonstrates authenticity by prioritizing balance.

15. How Your "WHY" Defines You as a Leader

What It’s About: Understanding your core "why" to guide authentic and purpose-driven leadership.

Presenter: Jeff Sesol and Denise Young

Takeaways:

• The importance of aligning leadership actions with personal purpose.
• Strategies to identify and articulate your "why" for greater clarity and impact.
• Tools to inspire and motivate teams by leading with purpose.

Leadership Insight: Builds authenticity by grounding leadership in personal values and strengthens resilience by fostering purpose-driven decision-making.

Round Tables (10)

1. Blueprint for Belonging: Crafting Inclusive Policies That Work

What It’s About: Designing policies that align with inclusive organizational goals.

Facilitator: : Tiffany Connauton

Takeaways:

• Practical tools to create effective inclusive policies.
• Strategies for aligning policies with organizational goals.
• Methods for measuring the success of inclusion initiatives.

Leadership Insight: Builds inclusive leadership by embedding equity into policy design and demonstrates authenticity through intentional action.

2. Mentorship That Matters: Building Programs for Real Impact

What It’s About: Designing mentorship programs that drive lasting meaningful outcomes for mentees and organizations.

Facilitator: Harriet Tinka

Takeaways:

• Identifying key elements of impactful mentorship programs.
• Strategies to create inclusive equitable mentorship opportunities.
• Tools to measure and sustain mentorship success.

Leadership Insight: Strengthens inclusive leadership by empowering diverse talent and enhances authenticity through intentional mentorship practices.

3. Safe Spaces Strong Teams: Fostering Psychological Safety in Inclusive Spaces

What It’s About: Creating environments where employees feel empowered to show up authentically and take interpersonal risks.

Facilitator: Ruthann Weeks

Takeaways:

• Understanding the role of trust in psychological safety.
• Techniques to address intersectional diversity in workplace dynamics.
• Strategies to evaluate and measure success in creating safe spaces.

Leadership Insight: Promotes resilience by supporting team growth and strengthens inclusivity by ensuring diverse voices are protected and valued.

4. Unlocking Authenticity: Overcome What Holds You Back as a Leader

What It’s About: Identifying and addressing barriers to leading authentically.

Facilitator: Navneet Scheie

Takeaways:

• Tools to uncover and address personal limitations in leadership.
• Strategies to cultivate confidence and authenticity in decision-making.
• Practical techniques to align leadership actions with core values.

Leadership Insight: Builds authenticity by fostering self-awareness and enhances resilience by confronting challenges with confidence.

5. Room to Grow: Building Adaptive Diverse Spaces for Innovation

What It’s About: Leveraging diversity and adaptability to foster innovation in teams and organizations.

Facilitator: Alex Ibbotson

Takeaways:

• Understanding the connection between diversity and innovation.
• Techniques to build adaptable teams that thrive on diverse perspectives.
• Tools to foster creativity and collaboration in diverse spaces.

Leadership Insight: Promotes inclusive leadership by embracing diverse inputs and builds resilience by fostering adaptability in dynamic environments.

6. Speak Your Truth: Mastering Communication for Authentic Connections

What It’s About: Developing self-awareness and communication skills to build genuine impactful relationships.

Facilitator: Irma Vartanian

Takeaways:

• The role of self-awareness in effective communication.
• Practical tools for clear confident and authentic expression.
• Techniques to navigate challenging conversations with empathy.

Leadership Insight: Builds authenticity by aligning communication with core values and fosters resilience by improving relational trust.

7. From Values to Profits: Making DEI a Core Business Strategy

What It’s About: Embedding DEI principles into business strategies to drive innovation and long-term success.

Facilitator: Chantha Nhem

Takeaways:

• Quantitative insights and ROIs for successful DEI buy-in.
• Effective DEI strategies for organizational transformation.
• Overcoming challenges in executing DEI initiatives.

Leadership Insight: Enhances inclusive leadership by aligning DEI with business priorities and demonstrates authenticity through commitment to equitable practices.

8. Authentic Leadership in Action: Agile & Neuroscience Techniques for Lasting Change

What It’s About: Using neuroscience and agile methods to implement meaningful change as a leader.

Facilitator: TBC

Takeaways:

• Agile techniques for fostering sustainable lasting change.
• Neuroscience-driven tools for reducing resistance and enhancing collaboration.
• Principles of authentic leadership to inspire trust and drive success.

Leadership Insight: Builds resilience by embracing innovative strategies and strengthens authenticity by fostering trust in the change process.

9. Neurodiversity Unplugged: Truths Every Workplace Needs to Hear

What It’s About: Creating neuroinclusive workplaces by valuing and supporting diverse ways of thinking.

Facilitator: Tara Langan

Takeaways:

• Normalizing and embracing neurodiversity in workplace dynamics.
• Practical tools to support neurodivergent individuals effectively.
• Empathy mapping exercises to foster understanding and inclusion.

Leadership Insight: Promotes inclusive leadership by valuing diverse cognitive approaches and demonstrates authenticity by leading with empathy and understanding.

10. Resiliency in Leadership: Driving DEI with Strength and Purpose

What It’s About: Equipping individual leaders with the resilience needed to champion diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) in the face of challenges and resistance.

Facilitator: Sherilyn Trompetter

Takeaways:

• Understanding how personal resilience enhances a leader’s ability to drive DEI efforts.
• Strategies to navigate setbacks maintain focus and inspire others in advancing DEI goals.
• Practical tools for building emotional intelligence and fostering authentic inclusive leadership practices.

Leadership Insight: Strengthens leaders’ ability to persevere in challenging DEI environments deepens their commitment to equity and enhances their capacity to build trust and inclusion through resilient purpose-driven action.

Register today: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/cultivating-authentic-leadership-conference-tickets-928732713547?aff=ALLEVENTS

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

German Canadian Culture Centre, 8310 Roper Road Northwest, Edmonton, Canada