The inaugural Reimagining Leadership conference welcomed more than 300 people from all across Newfoundland and Labrador, joining together for a day of listening and learning from internationally recognized speakers who shared their stories of resiliency. 

“My story is not just my story – it’s the story of millions of us trying to be accepted for who we are,” said keynote speaker Samra Zafar, who escaped a decade of abuse living as a child bride in Canada.

Sheila Watt-Cloutier, a Canadian Inuit activist and political representative, is a leader in showing the human face of the impacts of global climate change, including persistent organic pollutants.

Closing speaker, Liz Murray, was born into poverty in the Bronx, NY. In her inspiring keynote, she asked the audience to consider what it takes to change a life while telling her story: she lived in poverty with parents who struggled with addiction. She completed high school in just two years while homeless. She earned a full scholarship to Harvard University.

The day was filled with music, with featured performances by Kellie Loder, Jenny Mallard, Eastern Owl, Black Heritage NL, Rosemary Lawton, Jing Xia, and Ana Luísa Ramos.  Attendees could show their support for women students by purchasing a custom commemorative pendant or making a donation in exchange for a professional social media portrait. 

Reimagining Leadership: Portraits of Resilience, on June 16, 2022, was a day to remember.