Lead Forward Summit 2026 - Toronto, ON

Join us for the Lead Forward Summit, a dynamic one-day event dedicated to fostering inclusive, girl-centred, and equitable spaces in sport. Together, sport leaders, coaches, educators, and advocates will celebrate and amplify youth voices, empower girls, women, and gender-diverse people, and tackle critical conversations on how gender-based violence (GBV) intersects with sport. Come ready to collaborate, explore resource tables, and build actionable strategies for lasting cultural change.

What to Expect:

• Expert Keynotes: Explore current research, and essential strategies for addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and systemic barriers in sport.
• Interactive Session & Guided Community Connection: Connect with peers and leaders, explore vendor resource tables, and experience the dedicated Student Symposium and interactive boards.
• Ready-to-Use Tools & Strategies: Walk away equipped with concrete steps to protect athletes and build braver, more equitable sport environments.
• Strategies for Active Support: Explore the different types of bystanders and collaboratively discuss how to break down the barriers that prevent effective intervention.
• Vital Community Dialogues: Participate in critical conversations addressing cultural shifts, accountability, and inclusivity in sport environments.

All proceeds go directly towards Girls Forward's mission of empowering girls through sport, physical activity, and education.

Note on Accessibility: If the $10 minimum donation presents a financial barrier to your attendance, please reach out to Ayesha at [email protected] for subsidized ticket options. We want to ensure this event remains accessible to all community leaders!

Spaces are limited. Reserve your spot today to help shift the culture of sport in our community!

Info: Start your morning by checking in, enjoying a light breakfast, and connecting with sport leaders across sectors.

Info: Kick off the day with an official welcome from Girls Forward and the Safe Sports Lab University of Toronto

Info: What does gender-based violence actually look like, and where do we draw the line? This tone-setting session breaks down key terms and guides participants through an interactive group exploration of everyday scenarios to ground our collective work for the day.

Info: How do sport leaders and practitioners truly bring safe sport training modules to life? This session explores how participants interpret, reconcile, and actively implement safe sport policies and training modules within their everyday sporting spaces.

Info: Take a break to explore our vibrant student symposium, discover innovative research, browse local community resources, and connect with organizations driving positive change in sport.

Info: This session explores intersectional, decolonial approaches to safety, healing, and gender-based violence support.

Info: Enjoy a catered lunch while engaging with our community marketplace. Use this time to explore the student research symposium, contribute to our interactive reflection boards, and connect with fellow sport leaders and change-makers.

Info: Moving beyond traditional, exclusionary sports models requires an intentional shift toward safety and equity. This session examines how to build welcoming, trauma-informed atmospheres that center the experiences and well-being of marginalized athletes and leaders.

Info: How can men step up as active partners in dismantling gender-based violence? This session explores healthy masculinities, accountability, and practical ways men and boys can champion culture change and support safer sports environments.

Info: A final gathering to reflect on the day's learnings

Event venue & nearby stays

Varsity Centre, 299 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Canada

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

Get the app →