
Inspiring Leadership Forum presented by TD
The University of Regina’s Inspiring Leadership Forum is a premier leadership development event that is focused on women — bringing people together from Saskatchewan and beyond to hear the inspirational stories of internationally renowned leaders, and to connect with colleagues and peers.
Born to Transform
This year’s theme, Born to Transform, celebrates our capacity for change – both individually and as a collective."The theme Born to Transform is timely," says Pam Klein, Chancellor, University of Regina, and Chair of the Inspiring Leadership Forum. "We have lived amidst a pandemic, and I have seen people pause and reevaluate what matters most. The Inspiring Leadership Forum is a place through which shared stories and experience motivates us to see beyond our selves, to perhaps embrace a more empathetic view, and to realize we have the strength within to rise above life’s great challenges."
Meet our 2023 Keynote Speakers

Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., O.B.C, K.C.
The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., O.B.C, K.C., was raised to be a leader. The daughter of a hereditary chief and Indigenous leader, she always knew that she would seek leadership roles and responsibilities. As a lawyer, an advocate, and a leader among Canada’s Indigenous Peoples, she’s built a strong reputation as a bridge builder and champion of good governance and accountability. She shares her unique perspective as both a community and political leader on topics such as Indigenous rights and reconciliation, democracy and governance, leadership, and justice.

Lyse Doucet, C.M., O.B.E.
Lyse Doucet, C.M., O.B.E., is the BBC's award-winning Chief International Correspondent and a presenter for BBC World News television and BBC World Service Radio. She is regularly deployed to anchor special news coverage from the field and report across the BBC’s domestic and global output including, most recently,the war in Ukraine. In 2019, she was inducted into the Order of Canada for "her empathetic coverage of historic events." She was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Honours list in 2014 for services to journalism.
Please note that, in the event that Lyse Doucet is reporting on location and unable to fly to Regina for March 8, 2023, her keynote will be presented virtually, followed by a moderated Q&A.

Lisa Nichols
Lisa Nichols is one of the world’s most-requested motivational speakers, whose global platform has reached nearly 80 million people. From a struggling single mom on public assistance to a millionaire entrepreneur and CEO, Lisa’s courage and determination has inspired fans worldwide and helped countless audiences breakthrough, to discover their own untapped talents and infinite potential.
For Women, By Women
How inspiring it was to be part of an event organized by women, hosted by women, with all women moderators and presenters. The messages of hope, self-care, and personal triumph really resonated with me. Great job!
Past Attendee
What to Expect in 2023
The 2023 Inspiring Leadership Forum presented by TD promises to be a day of thought-provoking presentations and exciting networking opportunities. that are best experienced in-person. Above all, the Forum is about connection. Be a part of meaningful in-person interactions that prioritize conversation, as we celebrate International Women's Day together. In honour of the day, we're pleased to present the Saskatchewan Leaders Panel which includes a conversation with a panel of local inspiring women. And we're thrilled to, once again, introduce Forum attendees to the recipient of the Inspiring Leadership Academic Entrance Fellowship, awarded each year to student entering their first year of university from high school who exemplifies leadership potential through volunteer service to her community. This year's recipient will join us for a live conversation as we hear about her hopes and aspirations as a future leader.
While we can't wait to see you in-person on March 8, 2023, we understand that this is not an option for some, so we're pleased to offer a livestream option of the day's live presentations for those who are unable to attend in-person. Please see registration page for details.
Forum Schedule
Time |
Schedule |
7:30 a.m. |
Registration, Breakfast and Coffee |
8:40 a.m. |
Webcast is live for Livestream attendees |
8:45 a.m. |
Conference Opening with Chancellor Pam Klein, President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jeff Keshen and Kokum Brenda Dubois |
9:05 a.m. |
Keynote Presentation and Q&A with Honorable Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., O.B.C., K.C. |
10:05 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. |
Networking Break; Livestream Break |
10:30 a.m. |
Welcome Greeting from TD Rep |
10:35 a.m. |
Keynote Presentation and Q&A with Lyse Doucet, C.M., O.B.E. |
11:55 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. |
Lunch and Networking Break; Livestream Break |
1:15 p.m. |
Saskatchewan Leaders Panel – A Panel of Firsts |
2:15 p.m. |
Inspiring Leadership Academic Fellowship Presentation and Introduction of 2022 Recipient |
2:30 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. |
Networking Break; Livestream Break |
3:00 p.m. |
Keynote presentation and Q&A with Lisa Nichols |
4:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
Conference Wrap-Up, Prize Draws and Introduction of 2024 Inspiring Leadership Forum Theme and Keynote Speakers |
We're excited to have renowned motivational speaker Lisa Nichols join us as one of our featured keynote presenters. This will be her first time speaking in Saskatchewan.
Lisa's personal story of transformation is one that will resonate and remain with Forum attendees — and one you won't want to miss.
Saskatchewan Leaders Panel
As a special feature of this year’s Forum, we’re pleased to present the Saskatchewan Panel of Firsts – a thoughtful discussion with a panel of four innovative Saskatchewan women, each of whom have achieved a first in their field. This year’s panel includes: Lorilee Davies, first woman Deputy Chief for the Regina Police Service; Penny McCune, SGI's first woman President and CEO; Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier, CM, longest serving elected chief in Canadian history; and Adrienne Zuck, first full-time female coach in the Canadian Junior Football League. Moderated by Pauline Streete, the University of Regina’s Senior Advisor on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-oppression, this discussion will focus on how these panelists are creating unprecedented change in their careers and communities.
Read More About the Panel
Lorilee Davies is Deputy Chief for the Regina Police Service (RPS), currently in charge of Operations. Starting her career in 1996, Deputy Chief Davies has worked in both uniform and investigative divisions of the RPS. She has provided leadership in community-based and human resource sections of the RPS, and has been a member of both the Public Safety and Crisis Negotiation Teams. Lorilee developed and leads the RPS’s Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) committee, and co-chairs a culture change committee for the RPS. She is committed to increasing female membership at the RPS and policing throughout the province, especially in supervisory and leadership roles. Lorilee sits on the Saskatchewan Women in Policing Advisory Board, and was instrumental in bringing the 30 x 30 Initiative to the Regina Police Service, the goal of which is to have female officers make up 30 per cent of the sworn member contingent by the year 2030.
Penny McCune is SGI’s President and CEO. Over her more than 36 year career with the corporation, she has worked in nearly every area of SGI, forging strong relationships with brokers, partners and employees. Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Penny holds a Bachelor of Administration from the University of Regina, and Chartered Insurance Professional designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada. Outside of work, she is passionate about animal welfare and has served on the Board of Directors for the Regina Humane Society for 20 years. From her start as a temporary Junior Clerk to the first woman President and CEO of SGI, Penny McCune’s career path is an inspiring story for the next generation of leaders in Saskatchewan.
Chief Marie-Anne Day Walker-Pelletier, CM, is the longest-serving elected chief in Canadian history, serving as chief of Okanese First Nation, from 1981 to 2020. A committed advocate of social reform, Chief Walker-Pelletier was part of the Indigenous delegation that met with Pope Francis at the Vatican earlier this year to discuss the Catholic Church's role in the residential school system. As a woman leader, she shares with other women who aspire to enter politics the importance of visiting with older people and children and to listening to what they say. Throughout her leadership, she has fought to improve the quality of life of the Okanese and to protect the culture, rights and traditions of all First Nations people through her involvement in numerous tribal, provincial and national initiatives on social reform, health and wellness, and education. Chief Day Walker-Pelletier has been the recipient of many awards including the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, the Medal for the Centennial of Saskatchewan, an honorary diploma in Business Administration from SIIT, a member of the Order of Canada and most recently was awarded the Saskatchewan Order of Merit.
Adrienne began her football coaching career in 2012 with the Regina Minor Football Bantam team, serving as coach through 2016. She then started coaching high school football at Thom Collegiate and later Campbell Collegiate in Regina. 2022 saw Adrienne her first season with the Regina Riot, taking a leading role as coach in Regina’s only elite-level women’s tackle football program. Earlier in her career, she played a total of nine seasons with the team, winning three championships with the Riot, and two silver medals with the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) senior women’s world championships as part of Team Canada in 2013 and 2017. Adrienne works full time as a family practice Nurse Practitioner at Four Directions Community Health Centre located in north-central Regina, serving marginalized populations include Indigenous, Metis, and immigrant peoples. As a Metis person, the unique health challenges of Indigenous and Metis people have deep rooted personal meaning.
Pauline Streete is the Senior Advisor on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-oppression for the University of Regina. She is responsible for the development and implementation of the overarching EDI Strategy and Action Plan. Pauline has occupied a variety of positions in the education, public, and private sector, however her commitment is to equity, diversity and inclusion where she has occupied space for more than one decade.
Inspiring Leadership Academic Entrance Fellowship
Inspiring tomorrow’s leaders lies at the heart of the University of Regina’s Inspiring Leadership Forum. As our event has grown over the years, so too have our plans to increase support for young leaders.
The Inspiring Leadership Academic Entrance Fellowship — a four-year $30,000 scholarship –recognises students who, through their commitment to academic success, volunteer activities, and community leadership have demonstrated the potential to lead.
A portion of the event proceeds supports this Fellowship. Your ticket will help students achieve their academic goals at the University of Regina, and realize their dreams.
Do you know a Grade 12 student planning to enter university in Fall 2023? To learn more about the Inspiring Leadership Academic Entrance Fellowship, please visit University of Regina Student Awards and Financial Assistance. Log-in to SAMS as a guest and search for Inspiring Leadership Fellowship to view program information and eligibility requirements.
Meet Zaye Andreas - 2022 Recipient
Zaye hails from Martensville, Saskatchewan and has a passion for helping her community. As a first-year student at the U of R, Zaye plans to enter the social work program next year with an ambition to work in mental health and harm reduction. She’s actively involved in her community, having volunteered for Ronald McDonald House, and other organizations through Martensville High School’s contributions to Project Change. She is also a recipient of the 2022 Access Communications Doug Alexander Scholarship which is awarded to high school students who are actively involved in their communities:
“I volunteer because it has a significant impact on my school and community, no matter how big or small the contribution may be,” Andreas says. “Everyone should have a fair chance at success, so giving back to the less fortunate is especially important to me. Winning this award is an amazing opportunity. It give me the chance to focus on school and have some work/life balance between school and my other commitments.”
Incredible and Inspiring
The plethora of incredible speakers has been truly inspiring. I love hearing their challenges and experiences and how each of them have overcome their struggles.
Past Attendee
Registration Information
Get ready to get inspired! Register now to attend the Inspiring Leadership Forum presented by TD on International Women’s Day 2023!
Individual In-person Tickets
We are pleased to announce that as of January 26, 2023, the in-person event is sold out! We encourage you to purchase your livestream ticket today.
Livestream Tickets | $85 + tax
We are pleased to offer a livestream option for this year's Inspiring Leadership Forum. The livestream allows viewers to take in all live presentations from the stage. Livestream tickets will be available up to and including the day of the event. You will receive your livestream link prior to the event via email. Please see registration page for details.
NEW! In-person Waiting List
If you wish to join the waiting list for the in-person event, please leave your contact details (full name, phone number, email) with us at Inspiring.Leadership@uregina.ca or call us 306-585-4503 and we will add your name to the list. If an in-person ticket becomes available, we will contact you immediately to upgrade your livestream ticket.
Doing Things Differently
The Forum helped me remember that lots of women feel the same challenges and pressures that I do, and it provided that nudge for me to start thinking and doing differently.
Past Attendee
Frequently Asked Questions
This year the Inspiring Leadership Forum is proud to present the following keynote speakers:
- The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., O.B.C, K.C., Former federal Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Best-selling author
- Lyse Doucet, C,M, O.B.E., Renowned Canadian journalist; BBC’s Chief International Correspondent
- Lisa Nichols, Motivational speaker; media personality; CEO, Motivating the Masses
We are committed to keeping all Forum participants safe and healthy and are following provincial guidelines around COVID-19. With this in mind, we welcome the wearing of masks while at the Forum. We will also have hand sanitizer stations available and will do our best to minimize line-ups and crowding at the registration desk.
This map will provide directions for travel by Regina Transit via TransitLive.
For wheelchair accessible transit, visit Regina Paratransit.
We’re excited too! You can register here.

Sponsors
Major Sponsors

Regina Police Service

CPA Saskatchewan

McDougall-Gauley LLP

Hillberg & Berk

Heavenly Plants
