Why the Re-Brand?
The re-brand is to reflect growth on what empowering women looks like. We intend to empower and strengthen what it means to be a woman, for all who identify, while also reflecting on the realization that women do not have to be "Superheroes" - they are human beings who do not need to do, or be everything. We still intend to guide attendees to find their inner strengths, empowering them to feel their best and leave the conference inspired and motivated, ready to take on the world (while also taking care of themselves)!
Meet Your Keynote Speaker!
Catherine Wreford
The Amazing Race Canada Winner | Cancer Survivor | Actor | Dancer | Advocate
Catherine Wreford was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Her passion for performing was first recognized at age 3 when she learned how to roll out of a handstand with a professional flair. She went on to train at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School.
After high school, Catherine Wreford moved to Toronto and performed in the Stratford Festival production of West Side Story directed by Kelly Robinson and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo. At age 20, she was cast in the Broadway revival of 42nd Street, directed by Mark Bramble and choreographed by Randy Skinner. She performed with the cast in the opening number for that year's
Tony Awards.
Catherine Wreford was also in the original cast of the 2002 revival of Oklahoma!, directed by Trevor Nunn and choreographed by Susan Stroman, and performed in the 2002 Tony Awards. For two years, Wreford delighted audiences as Peggy Sawyer, the lead role in the U.S. tour of 42nd Street. Other notable theatre credits include Cassie in A Chorus Line, Roxie in Chicago and Alison in Fun Home.
Wreford is a woman of many talents. She previously ran a mortgage company in Los Angeles and later spent four years becoming a nurse. She is also a survivor. In 2013, after giving birth to her second child, Wreford was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Given two to six years to live, she decided to return to her performing roots in Canada.
In 2022, Wreford teamed up with her best friend Craig Ramsay, they met as teenagers at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School, to win Season 8 of The Amazing Race Canada. Wreford sees the win as an opportunity to shine a spotlight on finding a cure for brain cancer.
Catherine Wreford has made a significant impact by raising awareness for brain cancer research and inspiring individuals to overcome adversity. As a survivor herself, she shares her story to foster community support and raise funds for vital research initiatives. Catherine's advocacy extends to empowering women, promoting mental health awareness, and fostering inclusivity. Through her motivational speaking, she encourages people to embrace their strengths, pursue their passions, and create positive change in their lives and communities. Her unwavering dedication and personal achievements make Catherine Wreford a beacon of hope, inspiring others to make a difference and contribute to a better world.
Catherine Wreford is a performer, a teacher, an adjudicator, a stretch expert, a survivor, a mentor and a motivational speaker. Most of all, she is a lover of life who encourages and inspires everyone she meets to run their own amazing race!
https://speakerscanada.com/keynote-speaker/catherine-wreford/
Meet Your Workshop Facilitators:
Jane Helbrecht, Founder and Consultant | Uplift Engagement
Jane is a Leadership Development and people and culture expert with over 15 years experience. As the founder and a consultant at Uplift Engagement, she focuses on building people and leadership development programs that shift team dynamics so that teams can focus, get stuff done and have fun while they do it.
Lyndsay Gillon-Seafoot, Owner and Consultant | Curbridge Consulting Co.
Lyndsay is an HR expert, leadership trainer, and entrepreneur. Lyndsay is the owner of Curbridge Consulting co, a full-service HR consultancy founded in 2020. Lyndsay is a mom to two young boys, a stepmom to a teenage girl, and she has a passion for business development as well as helping people find their unique strengths to accelerate their career.
'Screw it. Just do it.'
Women are notorious for waiting until everything is 'perfect', or worse- waiting until we feel perfectly ready, before stepping into our full potential. We don't take the risk or start something new without feeling fully prepared. We hold off on going after something we want because 'the kids are still young', 'my friends will think it's silly', 'my partner is so busy already' or 'my coworkers will say I'm not qualified enough'.
Spoiler alert - no one is ever fully prepared for the new job, to take the lead, to start the business or to make the move across the country.
This workshop will address the obstacles we create ourselves that prevent us from taking the leap we really want to take... We will unpack why we don't listen to our gut and follow our deepest ambitions and desires. What would it mean if we let those ambitions be heard? We'll share the steps we can take to go after what we want in our work and in our lives as a whole. We'll discuss how organizations can also support women and approach women's advancement in new and inclusive ways.
Branded W.o.W. Merch!
Check out the branded Women of Westman merchandise by clicking
here!
To ensure you have your items by March 6th, please have your orders placed
no later than February 28th! A portion of proceeds from all sales will be donated by Westman Promotions to The Women's Resource Centre!
Check out a few options below!
Stay Tuned For:
More details to come soon!! Stay tuned for updates:
- An insightful panel discussion with local women to connect with
- Highlights on resources and local charities committed to empowering and helping to improve women's livelihood
- Designated time to interact with sponsor and local charity booths during guided networking breaks
- AND MORE!