International Women's Day Special Event: Leading in a Volatile World
Celebrate International Women’s Day with the Canadian Club of Ottawa and The Honest Talk!
Leading in a Volatile World
Join us this International Women’s Day for an inspiring luncheon where thought leaders in politics, business, sports, and the military will spark meaningful conversations on resilience, leadership, and the path forward for women in a changing world.
Are we really moving forward?
We will begin with Kyla Ronellenfitsch, Founder of Relay Strategies, who will reveal the hard truths behind the numbers—have we made real progress, or are we just treading water?
Breaking Barriers in Uniform and Beyond
As Chief of Military Personnel, Lieutenant-General Lise Bourgon has dedicated her career to shaping the future of the Canadian Armed Forces. She’ll share insights on the cultural shift within the military, the evolving role of women in service, and the broader fight for gender equality around the world.
Power, Resilience & Leadership in a Volatile World
In an era of uncertainty, what does it take to lead? Catherine Clark, co-host of The Honest Talk, will guide a thought-provoking panel discussion with women who have shattered ceilings and redefined leadership.
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Lieutenant-General Lise Bourgon — A transformational leader in the Canadian Armed Forces, driving change, mentorship, and progress for women in uniform and beyond.
- Kyla Ronellenfitsch — Pollster, data scientist, and founder of Relay Strategies. With over a decade of research experience in Canada and the U.S., Kyla pioneers innovative public opinion research methods and authors the influential Relay newsletter on Canadian political data and strategy.
- Lisa Weagle — Two-time Olympian, world champion, and business leader. Known for her resilience and high-performance mindset, Lisa founded the Lisa Weagle Curling Academy and is an RBC Olympian, mentoring Canada’s next generation of athletes and leaders.
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Devinder Gill — RBC Regional President, Ontario North & East. A champion for diversity and inclusion in the financial sector, Devinder is committed to empowering women in business and fostering economic growth through leadership and innovation.
- Robin Richardson — Strategic leader and Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Calian. Known for her dynamic leadership and sustainable thinking, Robin drives corporate strategy, stakeholder engagement, and organizational growth on an international scale.
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Catherine Clark — Nationally respected broadcaster, writer, and emcee. Co-founder of The Honest Talk and president of Catherine Clark Communications. Named one of Ottawa’s Forty Under 40 by the Ottawa Board of Trade.
- Jennifer Stewart — President & Founder of Syntax Strategic and co-founder of The Honest Talk. A recognized leader in strategic communications, Jennifer provides C-suite-level guidance to national business leaders and is an active media commentator. Twice named one of Ottawa Life Magazine’s ‘Top 25 People in the Capital’ and an Ottawa ‘Top Forty Under 40’ honouree.
Date: Friday, March 7, 2025
Time: Noon - 1:30 p.m. (Doors open at 11:30 a.m.)
Location: Chateau Laurier - Ballroom (1 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON)
Lieutenant-General M.H.L. (Lise) Bourgon, CMM, MSC, CD
Chief Military Personnel and Commander Military Personnel Command
Lieutenant-General Lise Bourgon joined the military in 1987 and attended the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean. Upon commissioning in 1992, she completed her wings training in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
She started her maritime helicopter pilot career in Shearwater, Nova Scotia, with 423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron serving on HMCS Preserver, HMCS Ville de Québec, HMCS Toronto and HMCS Montreal, and she also served as a pilot instructor with 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron.
As a staff officer, she held positions from the tactical to the strategic level serving as the Wing Plans and Tasks Officer, Project Director at the Director of Air Requirements – Maritime, EA to Commander RCAF, NATO Air Liaison Officer in Ramstein, Chief of Staff Operations at the Canadian Joint Operational Command, Director General Operations at the Strategic Joint Staff and Assistant Commander Military Personnel Command.
She has had the privilege to command at every rank, notably the helicopter detachment on HMCS Montreal, 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron, 12 Wing in Shearwater, Joint Task Force IMPACT, acting Commander of Military Personnel Command and Chief of Military Personnel. Since July 2024 has been Commander of Military Personnel Command and Chief of Military Personnel.
Lieutenant-General Bourgon is a graduate of the Joint Command and Staff Program at the Canadian Forces College and of Maxwell Air Warfare College. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean, a Master Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University and a master’s in public administration from the Royal Military College of Canada. Additionally, in 2021, she completed a one-year Defence Fellowship assignment with the Centre of International and Defense Policy at Queen’s University.
In addition to her position, LGen Bourgon is the Defence Champion for Women and a strong advocate for the Women Peace and Security agenda.
She is married and the couple have two lovely children.
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Two-time Olympian, World Champion, Founder, Lisa Weagle Curling Academy
Lisa Weagle is a two-time Olympian, world champion, and leader in sport and business. Known for her resilience and high-performance mindset, she has competed at the highest levels of curling, earning multiple national and international titles.
Lisa is the founder of the Lisa Weagle Curling Academy, where she coaches Canada's next generation of curling talent. She recently served as Canada’s Chef de Mission for the Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games and is an RBC Olympian, sharing insights on leadership, teamwork, and performing under pressure with corporate audiences.
With over 20 years of experience in communications, Lisa has also made a significant impact in the community, serving as Vice-Chair of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation and co-chairing the Birdies for Babies charity golf tournament. In 2024, she was awarded the Order of Ottawa for her contributions to sport and society.
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Robin Richardson
Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Calian
Robin is a strategic and sustainable thinker, known for delivering outstanding results and identifying key opportunities. She is a dynamic, experienced leader, with excellent interpersonal skills and a coaching leadership style. Her specialties include corporate strategy, planning, reporting and stakeholder engagement across various platforms, from customer engagement to investor, public, media and government relations. With an International MBA from the University of Maastricht, Netherlands, Robin applies her organizational sustainability knowledge and international experience to contribute to Calian’s strategic growth.
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Devinder Gill
RBC Regional President, Personal Banking & Commercial Banking – Ontario North & East
Devinder is Regional President, Personal Banking & Commercial Banking for Ontario North & East, one of RBC’s eight regions in Canada. Appointed in August 2024, she leads a 2,000 strong team of leaders, financial advisors, and relationship managers throughout Eastern Ontario, Durham Region and Simcoe County and parts of Ontario’s North – as they deliver exceptional client experiences.
With over 28 years of experience, Devinder has held several sales leadership roles notably in Retail and Commercial Banking, Small Business and Financial Planning. Most recently, she was Regional Vice President, Commercial Banking, for British Columbia.
In each role she takes on, she leads with a strong sense of accountability, challenges conventional thinking, and shapes an inclusive and welcoming workplace. She thrives on enabling her team to be their best.
Devinder has devoted time to community supporting a range of organizations including as Chair of CHEO’s RBC Race for the Kids, TiE Women Entrepreneurs, Minerva BC, Special Olympics BC, Simon Fraser University Beedie School of Business and local boards of trade.
Devinder holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Northern BC, an Executive MBA from Simon Fraser University and has her NFP Governance and ICD.D. Devinder and her husband, have two teenage daughters
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Catherine Clark
Co-host, The Honest Talk | Canadian Broadcaster
Catherine Clark is a nationally respected broadcaster, emcee, and co-founder of The Honest Talk, an online platform which includes a popular podcast featuring conversations with some of Canada’s most remarkable women.
Catherine is also the President of Catherine Clark Communications and Special Advisor to Syntax Strategic, providing communications counsel to individuals and corporations.
Deeply committed to community service, Catherine has served on numerous boards of directors, and currently sits on the Board of Governors of The Ottawa Hospital and the Board of Directors of Hydro Ottawa Holding Inc.
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Jennifer Stewart
Co-host, The Honest Talk | President & Founder, Syntax Strategic
As President and Founder of Syntax Strategic, Jennifer Stewart is a leader in the strategic communications sector. She has twice been named one of the ‘Top 25 People in the Capital’ by Ottawa Life Magazine, is one of the Ottawa Business Journal’s ‘Top Forty Under 40′, and was a finalist for Ottawa’s ‘Female Entrepreneur of the Year.’
Jennifer works with dozens of clients in a number of sectors and provides national business leaders with sound strategic advice and C-suite-level communications guidance.
An active commentator on CBC National and CTV National, Jennifer is often called upon to provide her communications expertise and insight on national and international issues of the day.
She is also deeply involved in the Ottawa community. She currently serves on the board of Ottawa’s Youth Services Bureau and as Chair of the Village of Carp Business Improvement Association, is a former board member of the Ottawa International Writers Festival and the former co-chair of Women in Communications and Technology, National Capital Region.