National Women in Leadership Day - Saskatchewan Chapter

Join the Saskatchewan Chapter of the Women in Leadership Foundation for its first in-person networking event being hosted in Regina the evening of Wednesday, May 31 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Local Market: 1377 Hamilton Street, Regina, SK.  In person registration is required and is limited to 50 people. The deadline to purchase your ticket for the in-person event is May 14.

The event presents an excellent opportunity to build your network and be inspired by two strong female leaders who will share their leadership stories. Sharing their stories will be:

• Dajana Benic, Financial Services Manager, Conexus Credit Union

• Kristin Francis, Executive Director, Reconciliation Regina

If you are unable to join in-person, you can participate via our event located on the WIL Saskatchewan Facebook page as we livestream the presentations (no registration required and no limit to the number that can attend the livestream).

Event Agenda:

5:30 - 6:00 network with fellow women while enjoying a selection of cold and hot appetizers and refreshments.

6:00 - 7:00 – program

7:00 - 7:30 networking

The $15 event fee will cover costs with any residual being donated to the YWCA of Regina to fund their programs aimed to support women fleeing domestic violence and homelessness.

Speaker Bios:

Dajana Benic, Financial Services Manager, Conexus Credit Union

Dajana Benic has over 10 years of experience in leading and inspiring teams in the retail, banking, contact center and commercial business spaces. Dajana is a firm believer in leading with empathy, self-awareness and sensitivity to diverse settings. She has worn many hats within the credit union system, with the commitment to member service and experience and the integral value of interpersonal relationships at the forefront.

Dajana serves on the Saskatchewan Young Leaders Committee and has a passion for developing leaders around her and providing them the tools to achieve their goals. With a commitment to lifelong learning and a love for people, she believes that having a purpose, passion and courage are key to creating a happy life.

Kristin Francis, Executive Director, Reconciliation Regina

Kirstin is an experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working in the provincial corporate sector as well as in First Nations governance and administration. 

Kirstin obtained her Diploma in Public Administration from the First Nations University of Canada along with a Bachelor of Admin Degree at the University of Regina. She has over 15 years of experience.  She was with the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation for 11 years in progressive roles, followed by management positions at Piapot First Nations before taking on her most recent role as Executive Director at Reconciliation Regina.  In this role she works in partnership with the City of Regina, the Office of the Treaty Commissionaire and many community leaders and organizations to develop a broader community response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

Kirstin has developed a broad range of skills including:  marketing, communications, community relations, tourism, community investment, community development, partnerships, corporate social responsibility, strategic planning, project planning, event planning, Indigenous engagement and Indigenous community development.

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Women in Leadership Day 2023

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 Proclamation

Annually – the last Wednesday in May, WIL Wednesday

Join Us to Be Part of the Change

Established in 2001, the Women in Leadership Foundation (WIL) is a national, non-profit organization committed to creating a platform to promote diverse & inclusive workplaces. WIL offers deep expertise in creating impactful programs and content to raise awareness and drive tangible result for our community (176,000+, 7 chapters). We help all women across Canada to have the confidence and opportunities to pursue positions of leadership and help employers hire, grow, and support a diverse workforce.

As we celebrate our 22nd year, we invite you to join us on May 31, 2023 to show your support for advancing women in leadership, share your story, showcase your leaders, and highlight your commitment to build on your diversity, equity, and inclusion leadership to promote healthy workplaces. We are honoured to work with WIL Champions from across Canada committed to making a positive difference. WIL is about working together to get there.

In the next three years, more than 20% of the Canadian workforce is eligible to retire, nearly double the amount in the previous five years (Rubin, 2022). Attracting, recruiting, and retaining underrepresented groups will become vital to fill the workforce gap. Employees are demanding a more supportive, inclusive workplace, “which is what the next generation of employees — and especially younger women—want and expect.” (Women in the Workplace Report, page 15).

We hope you will be part of the change. We aim to transform workplaces by accelerating change with employers building or amending policies and procedures to support more women applying for leadership and decision-making positions through the Bridge to Gender Equality Project. The Women in Leadership Foundation acknowledges the financial support provided by Women and Gender Equality Canada for the Bridge to Gender Equality Project. Through the project, we have created a Women in Leadership Policy and Toolkit and are holding information sessions in Spring 2023 to engage employers and stakeholders to transform workplaces, shift mindsets, and empower women.

Join us to be part of the change and we will see you at one of our chapter locations: Victoria, Vancouver, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal.

Sincerely,

Maya Kanigan, BComm.

Founder & President, Women in Leadership Foundation