I was honoured to be invited to speak at the Elevate Women National Conference, a gathering dedicated to accelerating women’s leadership and economic empowerment across Canada. A heartfelt thank you to Solange Tuyishime Keita and Shannon Kot for curating such an inspiring and action-oriented space. The conference brought together an exceptional cross-section of changemakers — from grassroots advocates to senior executives — all aligned in their commitment to shifting the systems that shape women’s access to opportunity, equity, and power.

As someone who has led transformation in both government and the private sector, I was proud to contribute my voice to this important dialogue. We explored the leadership gaps that still persist, the structural and systemic barriers that continue to affect women — especially those from marginalized communities — and the power of mentorship and sponsorship to move the dial. I shared lessons from my own journey and emphasized that digital inclusion, economic independence, and courageous leadership must go hand in hand. What stayed with me most was the energy in the room — the willingness not just to talk, but to act. When women are given the tools, the networks, and the trust to lead, they don’t just lead well — they change everything.

Let’s keep building, lifting, and transforming — together.