Category: CDD – Past

Join us for an informative conversation exploring how biological changes and life stages shape our wellbeing and leadership journeys through the lens of women’s health. Drs. Jayna Holroyd-Leduc and Erin Brennand will dive into how life transitions, from pregnancy to menopause, profoundly influence energy, emotional intelligence, and long-term career trajectories.

The discussion will cover insights like cardiovascular and brain health, highlight pioneering women researchers, and address the everyday complexities of caregiving. You’ll leave with actionable strategies to support your health and thrive personally and professionally at every phase.

Whether you are currently navigating these life transitions, preparing for the future, or leading others through their own journeys, this session offers the insights and inspiration needed to lead with authenticity, resilience, and intention.

• • Date: June 22, 2026
  • Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
  • Location: Calgary Petroleum Club, Devonian Room
  • Tickets: $50, includes light refreshments

McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace 2025 report makes one thing clear: progress for women at work is stalling. Career support remains uneven, advancement pathways are opaque, and many talented women are reassessing what success and leadership truly mean. These findings point to persistent structural and cultural barriers—but they also raise a deeper question: how do women navigate, influence, and ultimately thrive within these systems?

To explore the other side of the equation—the self—McKinsey has also conducted research on the inner game of women CEOs, based on interviews with early-tenured women CEOs. This research examines the internal shifts these leaders had to make to succeed in their roles, including how they reframed confidence, power, visibility, trade-offs, and identity as leaders. Together, these two bodies of work offer a more complete picture of what it takes to advance women in the workplace: change in the system, and change in how individuals engage with it.

In this session, Johanne Lavoie and Aalia Ratani—McKinsey partners and leaders of AWE Canada—will bring both perspectives together. Grounded in the latest Women in the Workplace research and insights from the inner game of women CEOs, they will share a Canadian lens on the data and explore what these findings mean in practice. The conversation will blend evidence with lived experience, offering practical insights on sponsorship, visibility, confidence, and choice.

This is not about “leaning in” harder. It is about understanding the rules of the system, grounding in a clear inner purpose, and making intentional choices about how you want to show up, lead, and grow next.

• • Date: March 13, 2026
  • Location: Calgary Petroleum Club, Devonian Room
  • Tickets: $50, includes light refreshments

Back by popular demand! Join Jillian Climie for part two of compensation negotiation training (attendance at the first session [March 13] is not required to register).

Key takeaways include:

• • • • All the elements of compensation & benefits that are negotiable (beyond salary).

      • How compensation decisions are made within employers.

      • What you should and shouldn’t use as rationale for a pay increase.

      • The biases women face in negotiations, and how to work around them.

      • When you should be bringing up compensation, and how to frame the ask in a positive & confident manner.

• • Date: June 27, 2025
  • Time: 11:30am – 1:30pm
  • Location: The Calgary Petroleum Club (319 5 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0L5)
  • Cost: $40 + (Fees & GST), lunch included

Jillian Climie, Co-Founder of The Thoughtful Co.

Jillian Climie, Co-Founder of The Thoughtful Co, has spent her career advising and leading teams in executive compensation and corporate governance, both as a consultant, and in-house at two global retailers. Most recently at Lululemon, she led the global equity compensation and executive compensation programs. After taking a pause, she realized she wanted more of three things in her professional life: thoroughness, passion and freedom. She Co-Founded The Thoughtful Co so she can leverage her niche and technical experience, coupled with her passion for gender equity, to empower women to get paid what they deserve.

Highlights from Past Career Development Dialogues

This workshop will help you frame your compensation ask. We walk through our compensation negotiation template that helps our clients achieve a +25% increase in their compensation package on average, and practice using it with other attendees. By mastering these strategies, you’ll gain confidence in advocating for your worth and securing equitable compensation that aligns with your skills and contributions. We leave time for group discussion and Q&A to ensure all your questions are answered.

Key takeaways include:

• • • What elements should, and should not be brought up during a negotiation.
    • A powerful “script” to help guide you in all future negotiations.
    • Understanding how to articulate your unique strengths.
    • How to effectively prepare before a negotiation.
    • How women can combat the bias they face in negotiations.

• • Date: March 21, 2025
  • Time: 11:30am – 1:30pm
  • Location: The Calgary Petroleum Club (319 5 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0L5)
  • Cost: $40 + (Fees & GST), lunch included

Jillian Climie, Co-Founder of The Thoughtful Co.

Jillian Climie, Co-Founder of The Thoughtful Co, has spent her career advising and leading teams in executive compensation and corporate governance, both as a consultant, and in-house at two global retailers. Most recently at Lululemon, she led the global equity compensation and executive compensation programs. After taking a pause, she realized she wanted more of three things in her professional life: thoroughness, passion and freedom. She Co-Founded The Thoughtful Co so she can leverage her niche and technical experience, coupled with her passion for gender equity, to empower women to get paid what they deserve.

Highlights from Past Career Development Dialogues

What does it take to be a leader today? More than just skills and strategy, leadership is about self-awareness, connection, and the courage to evolve.

In this interactive workshop, Karen Radford—former EVP & Chief Transformation Officer at Enbridge—will lead a dynamic discussion on navigating uncertainty, leading with authenticity, and defining success on your own terms. We’ll explore key themes from Karen’s book, Becoming a Leader, using real-life stories and lessons to help you unlock your next leadership chapter.

Expect deep reflection, interactive exercises, and actionable takeaways to help you strengthen your leadership foundation, whether you’re managing change, preparing for your next role, or simply seeking more clarity in your leadership journey.

Join Us to:

• • • Identify where you are in your leadership journey and where you want to go.
    • Learn how self-awareness and authentic connections fuel success.
    • Gain practical tools to lead effectively—even in times of uncertainty

This workshop isn’t just about the next step—it’s about embracing who you are as a leader and making choices that align with your values, impact, and future.

• • Date: May 13, 2025
  • Time: 4:00pm – 6:00pm
  • Location: McCarthy Tétrault (421 7 Ave SW Suite 4000, Calgary, AB T2P 4K9)
  • Cost: $40 + (Fees & GST)

Karen Radford, Former EVP & Chief Transformation Officer at Enbridge

Karen Radford boasts over 30 years of executive experience in the energy and telecommunications sectors, including roles at Enbridge and TELUS. She has served on multiple boards such as Loblaw Companies and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and co-founded the Women’s Leadership Foundation. A Jarislowsky Fellow at Haskayne, her honors include Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, the Women’s Executive Network Hall of Fame, and Woman of the Year by Canadian Women in Communications.

Highlights from Past Career Development Dialogues

Join us for a captivating Career Development Dialogue on the topic of Transformative Leadership: Unleashing Team Potential

Are you on a quest for the secret sauce that propels teams toward unprecedented success? Look no further. The upcoming Axis Connects Career Development Dialogue is your gateway to mastering the art of leadership that not only meets but shatters expectations. Dive into a treasure trove of innovative strategies and practical tools designed to elevate your team’s dynamics and results.

This session, orchestrated by Monark’s vanguards of leadership excellence and organizational psychology (visit them at leadwithmonark.com), promises to arm you with the cutting-edge techniques needed to amplify your team’s influence, harness collective strengths, and surge ahead in performance. Join us and transform the way you lead.

• Topic: Transformative Leadership: Unleashing Team Potential
• Speaker: : Amanda Julian, Chief Science Officer & Co-Founder, Monark
• Venue: The Hyatt Regency Downtown (Thomson’s Social Hub)
• Date: June 12, 2024
• Time: 11:30am – 1pm
• For: All Career Levels
• Attendance: 100+ Axis Connects Members
• Ticket Price: $40 (lunch included)

Agenda

• 11:30AM: Registration & Networking
• 12:00PM: Program Begins
• 1:00PM: Program Ends
• 1:30PM: Optional time for networking

Seating for this event is very limited, and tickets are expected to sell out rapidly. Don’t delay – secure your spot by registering now!

We hope to see you there!

Responding to our members’ valuable feedback, it’s evident that there’s a strong desire for increased networking opportunities during our sessions. To address this, we’re excited to announce that for this month’s event, we’ve dedicated time both before and after the presentation for meaningful networking opportunities.

Must be an Axis Connect’s member, membership is free – register at www.axisconnects.com

Amanda Julian, Chief Science Officer & Co-Founder, Monark

Amanda holds a PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology, and is passionate about bridging the gap between leadership research and practice. Together with co-founder Kelsey Hahn, Amanda recognized the opportunity to apply her extensive experience in leadership and organizational assessment and development, as the basis for Monark’s innovative approach to improving access to leadership development and training.

Join us for a captivating Career Development Dialogue on the vital topic of Empowering Alberta’s Future: Participation of Women in Alberta’s Economy.

Our esteemed guest, Minister Tanya Fir, brings a wealth of experience and insight to the table. As the Minister of Arts, Culture, and Status of Women, she will delve into key elements of her mandate, particularly focusing on supporting women’s economic participation and leadership.

Recognizing the importance of collaboration in advancing this mandate, we aim to harness the collective expertise and perspectives of our diverse network of female leaders from various industries. Minister Fir will engage in a moderated dialogue, fostering constructive exchanges and offering valuable insights. Additionally, the session will include an interactive Q&A segment, providing an opportunity for participants to further enrich the discussion, gain knowledge, and extend support to Minister Fir’s initiatives. Join us as we unite to empower women and drive positive change in Alberta’s economic landscape.

Seating for this event is very limited, and tickets are expected to sell out rapidly. Don’t delay – secure your spot by registering now!

We hope to see you there!

• Topic: Empowering Alberta’s Future: Participation of Women in Alberta’s Economy
• Speakers: Minister Tanya Fir, Jane Fedoretz and Nuvyn Peters
• For: All Career Levels
• Location: McDougall Centre, 455 6 St SW, Calgary, AB T2P 4A2
• Attendance: 100+ Axis Connects Members
• Ticket Price: $40 (covering lunch)
• Agenda
  • 11:30AM: Networking
  • 12:00PM: Program Begins
  • 12:05PM: Jane Fedoretz Remarks
  • 12:10PM: Minister Tanya Fir Remarks
  • 12:20PM: Moderated Discussion and Q&A
  • 12:50PM: Closing Remarks
  • 1:00PM: Program ends

Responding to our members’ valuable feedback, it’s evident that there’s a strong desire for increased networking opportunities during our sessions. To address this, we’re excited to announce that for this month’s event, we’ve dedicated time both before and after the presentation for meaningful networking opportunities.

Must be an Axis Connect’s member, membership is free – register at www.axisconnects.com

Minister Tanya Fir

Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women

The Honourable Tanya Fir was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Calgary-Peigan on May 29, 2023. On June 9, 2023, Ms. Fir was sworn in as the Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women. Ms. Fir previously served as Minister of Jobs, Economy and Innovation, Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism, Associate Minister of Red Tape Reduction, and as Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women. She was a member of the following committees: Standing Committee on Families and Communities Special Standing Committee on Members; Services Select Special Democratic Accountability Committee Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship

Before serving with the Legislative Assembly, Ms. Fir was employed with Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL) for 16 years as a Human Resources Advisor. Ms. Fir holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary, with a concentration in Management of Organizations and Human Resources. Ms. Fir was the 916th Member sworn into the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.