Presenter: Stephanie Morris, Student Awards Administrator, Alumni & Development, SAIT

Room: Macdonald Hall, Heritage Hall

In this session, we will celebrate and acknowledge members of our SAIT community who are dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect and understanding, and contribute to the richness of our campus. 

Attendees will hear from the recipients of the Influencer Award, the Innovation Award and the Initiative Award. We will also recognize and celebrate some of the SAIT faculty dedicated to inclusive instruction.

Room: AA102, Heritage Hall

This interactive session will feature a facilitated conversation on women and pop culture. We will explore examples from 2023 in movies, TV, music and social media. Are women well represented? Have we moved the needle and where is there still work to do? How are women and aging represented? Who are the role models for the future generation?  

Come prepared to share your thoughts and ideas.

Presenter: Sik’see na ki, Jennifer Russell, Director of Indigenous Engagement, SAIT

Room: AA106, Heritage Hall

During this session, you will have the opportunity to discuss Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited+ People and the Safety of Indigenous Women in Urban Settings task force (Calgary and area) with our opening keynote speaker, Sik’see na ki, Jennifer Russell.

Presenter: Anusha Kassan, PhD, RPsych, Associate Professor, School and Applied Child Psychology, University of British Columbia

Room: AA109, Heritage Hall

Conceptualizations of mental health within a feminist, multicultural and social justice lens, and despite their proven impact have been (and remain) heavily focused on the individual. This workshop will offer conceptualizations of mental health that take into account the larger systemic inequities that many individuals must navigate, which can have a direct impact on their mental health. Further, the workshop will provide attendees with opportunities to reflect on their own internalized, individualistic biases. Collectively, attendees will develop strategies to reframe women’s mental health more holistically.

Presenter: EMBRACE Employee Resource Group

•    Meghan Donohoe, Co-founder, Pebble
•    Michelle Fernandes, Director, Planning, Design and Projects, SAIT
•    Laura Lavigne, Director, Business Operations, SAIT
•    Janet Segato, Dean, School of Business, SAIT
•    Christina Tulloch, Director, Centre for Academic Development and Innovation, SAIT 

Room: AA112, Heritage Hall

Join members of the SAIT EMBRACE organizing circle to hear their experience of starting an employee resource group at SAIT. Two years ago, we came together with a vision to co-create spaces for women to realize their full selves at work, and to create opportunity for employees to connect on the experience of being a woman or an ally in the SAIT workplace. The organizing circle's impact surprised us with the depth of learning and value we gained from connecting and collaborating. We are excited to share the story of our journey in hopes to inspire others.

Presenter: Clara Antal, Strategic Recruitment Partner, Employee Services, SAIT

Room: AA117, Heritage Hall

In this session, we will review what research has shown are the common issues and biases that occur during the recruitment process. We will discuss what needs to change to create a better and fairer candidate experience to further gender equity in the workplace.

Presenter: Dania El Chaar, PhD, CCIP, Intercultural Champion, International Centre, SAIT

Room: AA119, Heritage Hall

Intercultural competence is the ability to interact effectively and appropriately with people from different cultural backgrounds. It is a key skill for fostering mutual understanding, respect and collaboration in diverse settings. Intercultural communication is a vital component of intercultural competence, as it enables people to communicate their values, beliefs and perspectives in a respectful and meaningful way. 
 
This workshop aims to explore how intercultural communication posits itself as a building block for a lifelong journey of working, living and interacting with people from various backgrounds. As demographics within and outside the classroom continue to change, this capacity-building piece gains importance and reveals its benefits to the SAIT campus community as well as society at large.

Presenter: Dr. Lisa Weatherby, Dean, Academic Services, SAIT

Room: AA122, Heritage Hall

In this session, Lisa presents about her doctoral research, Interpreting Inclusivity in Male-dominated Apprenticeship Classrooms. The presentation discusses the findings and reports best practices from her research focused on the inclusion of women in male-dominated apprenticeship classrooms. What do we need to keep doing and what do we need to stop doing in order for women to feel welcome in male-dominated working and learning environments? What should educators (and anyone) know about the lived experiences of female students and how we can influence more inclusive spaces? Lisa presented this information at last year’s Iinternational Women’s Day event here at SAIT and will present again for those who missed it — and those who are back for a refresher.

Room: AA102, Heritage Hall

This interactive session will feature a facilitated conversation on women and pop culture. We will explore examples from 2023 in movies, TV, music and social media. Are women well represented? Have we moved the needle and where is there still work to do? How are women and aging represented? Who are the role models for the future generation?  

Come prepared to share your thoughts and ideas.

Presenter: Sik’see na ki, Jennifer Russell, Director of Indigenous Engagement, SAIT

Room: AA106, Heritage Hall

During this session, you will have the opportunity to discuss Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited+ People and the Safety of Indigenous Women in Urban Settings task force (Calgary and area) with our opening keynote speaker, Sik’see na ki, Jennifer Russell.

Presenter: Anusha Kassan, PhD, RPsych, Associate Professor, High Impact Position in Child & Youth Mental Health, The University of British Columbia

Room: AA109, Heritage Hall

Conceptualizations of mental health within a feminist, multicultural and social justice lens, and despite their proven impact have been (and remain) heavily focused on the individual. This workshop will offer conceptualizations of mental health that take into account the larger systemic inequities that many individuals must navigate, which can have a direct impact on their mental health. Further, the workshop will provide attendees with opportunities to reflect on their own internalized, individualistic biases. Collectively, attendees will develop strategies to reframe women’s mental health more holistically. 
 

Presenter: Wunmi Adekanmbi, Lead of Operations and Strategy, Centre for Academic Development and Innovation, SAIT; Founder, Immigrant Techies Alberta

Room: AA112, Heritage Hall

In this workshop, we invite you to explore the intersection of technology and compassion. This workshop delves into how ethical innovation can shape a more considerate and humane digital experience. From breaking barriers to fostering diversity, we will discuss how innovation can leave a positive legacy.

Presenter: Patricia Koyich, Instructor, School of Hospitality and Tourism, SAIT

Room: AA117, Heritage Hall

This enlightening, engaging and empowering discussion aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the four waves of feminism and how they relate to the Queen Bee Theory in the workplace to foster a more equitable and supportive workplace culture.  
 
Backgrounder: The first wave of feminism focused on legal rights, while the second wave addressed equal opportunities in education and employment, as well as the issue of domestic violence. The third wave of feminism dealt with sexual harassment and intersectional feminism, and the fourth wave aimed to defy social constructs for women and marginalized groups of men and women. The Queen Bee Theory, on the other hand, is a phenomenon where women in positions of power tend to be unsupportive of other women in the workplace.   

Presenter: Ashley Vu, M.Ed., Coordinator, Strategic Youth Initiatives, SAIT

Room: AA118, Heritage Hall

Join us for an enriching session where the art of storytelling becomes a catalyst for connection, empowerment and inspiration. The Women’s Talking Circle is a unique workshop designed to create a supportive space for sharing stories, both fictional and nonfictional, as well as poems and creative pieces centered around a chosen theme.

In this session, participants have the freedom to express themselves through their narratives, embracing the power of storytelling to foster understanding and forge connections. Whether you have a personal story to share, a creative piece that resonates with the theme, or simply a desire to listen, all are welcome. The workshop facilitator will guide the circle, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment where every voice can be heard. The Talking Circle is a practice of both active listening and storytelling, allowing participants to engage at their comfort level. If you choose not to share, that is perfectly okay — the emphasis is on creating a space where participants can feel empowered through their unique voices and experiences.  

Come be a part of this empowering journey as we weave a tapestry of stories, building connections that transcend the boundaries of our individual experiences. Together, let's celebrate the strength and diversity within our stories, finding inspiration and empowerment in the shared narratives of the Women’s Talking Circle.

Presenters: Maria Saona, M.Ed., B.Com., Officer, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, SAIT
                       Dania El Chaar, PhD, CCIP, Intercultural Champion, International Centre, SAIT

Room: AA119, Heritage Hall

This interactive workshop is tailored for staff and faculty to explore and deepen their understanding of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) principles. The session will highlight various EDI learning opportunities, emphasizing practical strategies and tools.  

Participants will engage in hands-on activities, including 'Diversity Moments, which they can implement within their teams. This workshop not only educates but also empowers participants to become active EDI champions, fostering a more inclusive environment at SAIT.

Presenters: Major Rachel Hilbig, G4 (Logistics Officer), 41 Canadian Brigade Group
Marlee Palmer, Petty Officer (PO) 2nd Class, Human Resource Administrator Supervisor, 41 Canadian Brigade Group

Room: AA124, Heritage Hall

This presentation will focus on Major Hilbig and PO2 Palmer’s individual experiences as women in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Major Hilbig will discuss her time at the Royal Military College, career training, experience as a Regular Force Officer and the opportunities she has had to lead soldiers, both in Canada and overseas.  

Similarly, PO2 Palmer will discuss her career training, experience as a Reserve Force Non-Commissioned Member, involvement with CAF sports and thoughts on military integration in Calgary. They will bounce ideas off each other and share their unique experiences with inclusion in the CAF, the systemic changes they have seen throughout their careers and the impacts they have made to the advancement of inclusion in the organization.

Presenter: Dr. Lisa Weatherby, Dean, Academic Services, SAIT

Room: AA122, Heritage Hall

Join Lisa in an exploration of the intricate dynamics of gender microaggressions and how they impact male-dominated working and learning environments. From the work of Derald Sue and Lisa Spanierman in Microaggressions in Everyday Life, we will discuss forms of gender microaggression, the impacts and harmful effects, as well as how we can work together to address microaggression in our working and learning environments.