Embracing Ambition: Full Schedule

7:30am EDT

Registration

Wednesday March 26, 2025 7:30am - 8:00am EDT

8:00am EDT

Breakfast/Networking & Opening Remarks

Wednesday March 26, 2025 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

Bring the Heat: Learning to Lead through Challenge

Wednesday March 26, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

What does the research say about women's leadership experiences? A whole lot! Dr Meghan Rehbein completed her dissertation on the lived experiences of women leaders. This session will focus on describing the five pillars of the research which for the anchor for the Embracing Ambition Book, and how to apply this learning when preparing emerging and established leaders for senior leadership roles. Knowledge is power. This session will demystify the journey to leadership.

Speakers

Meghan Rehbein, Ed.D.

Dean of Douglass, Douglass Residential College

Dr. Meghan Rehbein serves with distinction as the eleventh Dean of Douglass, a position she has held since July 2022. Her journey with Douglass began in 2018, initially as Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives, where she focused on fostering collaborative opportunities, particularly... Read More →

Wednesday March 26, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

Leading in Traditionally Conservative Work Environments: Farm Credit Canada’s New CEO

Wednesday March 26, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

With her strong background in finance, Justine Hendricks brought a refreshing and diverse perspective to her role as the leader of Farm Credit Canada, breaking new ground as a woman and a visible minority. Reporting directly to the Minister of Agriculture and managing 2,500 employees primarily based in rural areas, Justine will share valuable leadership insights from her first 18 months in this position.

Speakers

Justine Hendricks

CEO, Farm Credit Canada

Justine Hendricks, President and Chief Executive Officer of Farm Credit Canada, brings a wealth of experience and strategic insight to her role. Prior to joining FCC, Justine spent 17 years with Export Development Canada and 7 years with the Royal Bank of Canada, honing her expertise... Read More →

Wednesday March 26, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

10:00am EDT

Break

Wednesday March 26, 2025 10:00am - 10:15am EDT

10:15am EDT

Leading Businesses into an Unknown Future

Wednesday March 26, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EDT

Every industry faces disruption. Most is foreseeable. The best leaders can also successfully navigate unforeseen and unforeseeable disruption. Join Carly Schelck as she shares key lessons from her leadership experience driving success through periods of industry disruption. (Theory of chaos)

Speakers

Carley Schelck

Owner and CEO, The Urban Element

Carley Schelck, the passionate owner and CEO of The Urban Element, infuses her work with a lively spirit and a profound love for the culinary world. Since founding the Ottawa-based boutique culinary experiences and event management company in 2005, Carley has become renowned for her... Read More →

Wednesday March 26, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EDT

10:15am EDT

Overcoming the Perception That You're Not the Right Fit for the Leadership Role

Wednesday March 26, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EDT

You’re the right fit! The position should be yours. Why can they only see you through the classic stereotypes about who leaders are and what they look like. Follow Onome Ako’s journey as she overcomes jaw dropping stereotypes on her path to the C-suite.

Speakers

Onome Ako

CEO, Action Against Hunger Canada

Onome Ako, CEO of Action Against Hunger Canada, is a trailblazing leader in the global fight against hunger and malnutrition. Her career is distinguished by a deep commitment to community-led solutions for ensuring the fundamental human right to food. Onome's impactful work spans... Read More →

Wednesday March 26, 2025 10:15am - 11:15am EDT

11:15am EDT

Break

Wednesday March 26, 2025 11:15am - 11:30am EDT

11:30am EDT

Crafting Your Own Leadership Story

Wednesday March 26, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT

Re-think you. You’re in charge. Your life. What’s next? Join Sherry Schaefer, Heather Bach, and Jenny Mitchell to map a strategy that directs your trajectory and empowers you to level up your game.

Speakers

Jenny Mitchell, CFRE, CEC, DMA

Founder, Chavender

Jenny Mitchell, a dynamic speaker, executive coach, podcaster, and professional fundraiser, is driven by a passion for inspiring excellence in others. Her podcast, "Underdog Leadership," focuses on empowering individuals to ascend professionally and personally. Jenny's influence extends... Read More →

Sherry Schaefer

Co-Coach, Chavender

Sherry Schaefer has dedicated her career to geriatric care, specializing in senior health and wellness, event planning, and fund development. Over the past decade, she has become a pivotal figure in mentoring professionals within the healthcare and fund development sectors. Her pursuit... Read More →

Wednesday March 26, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT

11:30am EDT

Turning Failure into Fuel for Leadership Growth

Wednesday March 26, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT

Join Mojdeh Cox on her journey from the lowest low of being escorted out of the building from her CEO role by the board of directors to her highly successful entrepreneurial business venture. She will share the valuable lessons she learned from failing forward and how you can apply them to your life.

Speakers

Mojdeh Cox

Founder/CEO & Principal Consultant, Cox & Co.

Mojdeh Cox is a dynamic leader known for uniting people to tackle complex issues through meaningful dialogue and actionable strategies. Over the past decade and a half, she has excelled in coaching leaders, businesses, and organizations across various sectors, guiding them to reimagine... Read More →

Wednesday March 26, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT

12:30pm EDT

Lunch & Keynote

Wednesday March 26, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT

Speakers

Janet Donovan, RADM, JAGC, USN(Ret.)

President and CEO, Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania

Janet Donovan, the President and CEO of Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, is a retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral with a distinguished career spanning over three decades. Her executive experience is rich in strategy development, talent management, and collaboration, making her... Read More →

Wednesday March 26, 2025 12:30pm - 2:00pm EDT

2:00pm EDT

Break

Wednesday March 26, 2025 2:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

2:15pm EDT

Panel Discussion

Wednesday March 26, 2025 2:15pm - 3:45pm EDT

Speakers

Delphine Haslé, CFRE

Executive Director & Chief Development Officer, Perley Health

Delphine Haslé is an esteemed executive in the charitable sector, distinguished by her CFRE accreditation and fluency in two languages. Her professional journey is marked by a high degree of motivation and skill in developing philanthropic strategies, ranging from annual programs... Read More →

Heather Nelson, MBA, CFRE

Founder and President, BridgeRaise

Heather Nelson, MBA, CFRE, is the Founder and President of BridgeRaise, a boutique fundraising consultancy. With her team, Heather specializes in helping non-profits enhance their fundraising efforts by forging corporate partnerships based on aligned values. Under her leadership... Read More →

Jenny Mitchell, CFRE, CEC, DMA

Founder, Chavender

Olinda Casimiro

Executive Director, Art Gallery of Northumberland

Olinda Casimiro stands at the forefront of the cultural sector as the Executive Director of the Art Gallery of Northumberland in Cobourg, Ontario. With a remarkable 25 years of experience, she is a strategic thinker and a leader who is deeply inspired by the creative spirit of artists... Read More →

Wednesday March 26, 2025 2:15pm - 3:45pm EDT