Speaker Series Webinar "Inspiring Indigenous Women Leaders", presented by WIL Saskatchewan Chapter

Join the Saskatchewan chapter to hear from four inspiring Indigenous women leaders: Kalina Newmark (Nestlé Brand Manager, Indigenous People’s advocate), Shannon Pestun (Founder & CEO of Pestun Consulting Inc. and women's advocate), Rhonda Bear (Improvement Lead and Indigenous youth mental health advocate), and Shani Gwin (Founder pipikwan pêhtâkwan). The panel will share their experiences as Indigenous female leaders and how organizations can inspire and coach more Indigenous female leaders.

Following the formal questions, we attendees will have the opportunity to ask the panel questions.

Speaker Bios:

Kalina Newmark, Brand Manager; Néscafe 

Kalina Newmark is a Brand Manager working on the Starbucks Premium Instant and VIA coffee brands based in Seattle, WA. Prior to pursuing her MBA at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, Kalina worked in Marketing Communications at Cargill and at her alma mater Dartmouth College as a Presidential Fellow. Kalina has always been passionate about serving her Indigenous community. Currently, she is the Founder & President of the Indigenous Network & Friends Employee Resource Group at Nestlé, the Co-Chair of the Native American Visiting Committee at Dartmouth College and Co-Founder of the Indigenous Leadership Circle. Kalina is originally from Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories and belongs to the Tulita Dene First Nations band.

Shannon Pestun, Founder & CEO; Pestun Consulting Inc.

Shannon is a proud Cree Métis woman entrepreneur and courageous leader who is breaking barriers to advance an inclusive and sustainable economy. Recognized for creating innovative funding models and solutions that challenge the status quo, Shannon is one of Canada’s most sought-after finance consultants and a trusted voice on women’s entrepreneurship for educators, government, industry and the media. She was one of the first women in the country to lead a women’s banking strategy and one of seven women appointed to serve on Canada’s women entrepreneurship expert panel. Shannon is the Co-founder of The Finance Cafe, the CEO of Pestun Consulting and the Senior Advisor for Business and Finance for Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub. Shannon is committed to bolstering Indigenous economic prosperity and wellness by driving regional economic growth and bringing an Indigenous-centred approach to her work. In 2020, she created the Gifting Circle Bursary for Indigenous women entrepreneurs, the first community-funded bursary that supports Indigenous women who pursue entrepreneurship and has raised over $120,000.

Rhonda Bear, Improvement Lead; Saskatchewan Health Quality Council

Rhonda is a mental health therapist with over 10 years of experience in serving the community and providing guidance for those in need. She has developed or has played a leadership role in the creation of several projects to support First Nations wellbeing. She is currently an Improvement Lead at the Saskatchewan Health Quality Council. Previously she was the Interim Director of Youth Empowerment program at the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, a Health Educator with SHA First Nations Métis Health Services, and a Child Protection Worker- Investigator for Ministry of Social Services child and family programs. Rhonda has a business applications diploma from CDI Business College, a certificate and Bachelor’s degree in Indigenous Social work, and a Masters of Indigenous Social work degree from the University of Regina. Rhonda is Plains Cree from the Thunderchild First Nation in the Treaty Six Territory.

Shani Gwin, Founder; pipikwan pêhtâkwan

Shani is the founder of pipikwan pêhtâkwan. She’s a 6th generation Métis person, connected to the Cunningham's, Ferguson's and a descendant of Michel First Nation. With over 13 years of communications experience, her experience extends across all levels of government, non and for profit organizations. She led high profile projects including the Papal visit to Treaty 6 Territory, Indigenous Ward Renaming in Edmonton and the Protect Our Elders campaign during COVID-19. Shani has built a reputation for building capacity in others and creating transformational change - she's driven by those she surrounds herself with. Her enthusiasm is contagious and she leads with love, kindness, integrity, and humility.

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Founded in 2001, Women In Leadership Foundation (WIL) delivers inspirational programs that bring women together to collaborate in the development of their leadership skills & creates positive change in the future of women’s leadership.

Learn more at womeninleadership.ca.

Participation is FREE but attendance is limited. Register today.