Inspiring Leadership Forum
The Power of Possibility
Inspiring leadership Forum presented by TD — March 5, 2025
In-person tickets are sold out! Get your livestream tickets now!
As the University of Regina prepares to mark its 50th anniversary year, the Inspiring Leadership Forum’s 2025 theme — The Power of Possibility — is a celebration of what lies ahead, and the potential that lives in all of us to effect the change we want to see in the world. Our featured speakers embody the spirit of this theme through both their personal and professional paths: Jully Black, award-winning singer-songwriter and actress; Tantoo Cardinal, ground-breaking actor and advocate; Dr. Roberta Bondar, neurologist and first Canadian woman in space; and bonus keynote presenter Rachel Mielke, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Tickets
In-person tickets to the 2025 Inspiring Leadership Forum are sold out, but you can still take part in Regina's premier leadership development event with livestream tickets to enjoy from the comfort of your home or office for $100 (plus tax).
Purchase your tickets now to take part in this incredible event with participants from across the province and beyond!
2025 Inspiring Leadership Forum presented by TD
March 5, 2025 from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Viterra International Trade Centre at the REAL District
1700 Elphinstone St., Regina, SK
Meet our 2025 Keynote Speakers
Jully Black
Jully Black was named one of ‘The 25 Greatest Canadian Singers Ever’ by CBC Music. She has been dubbed ‘Canada’s Queen of R&B Soul’ by fans and music industry leaders alike. As a platinum-selling recording artist, her music has reached the Top 10 pop, R&B and dance music charts. She has taken home Juno and Gemini Awards, earned innumerable industry accolades, and was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2021. Read more.
Tantoo Cardinal
Tantoo Cardinal has been breaking barriers for onscreen representations of Indigenous people over her esteemed 50-plus year career in film and television. She has more than 120 credits, including the films Dances With Wolves, Black Robe, the Oscar Award nominated Killers of the Flower Moon (not to mention the critically acclaimed Saskatchewan-made television series Moccasin Flats). She has won a Gemini Award, a National Aboriginal Achievement Award (now known as the Indspire awards), and has been inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame. She has received a Governor General’s Award and is a member of the Order of Canada. Read more.
Dr. Roberta Bondar
The first Canadian woman and neurologist to fly in space, Dr. Roberta Bondar is globally recognized for her pioneering contributions to space medicine research, fine art photography, and environment education. She expanded the horizons of millions when she joined the space shuttle Discovery for its 1992 mission, where she conducted experiments for 18 countries in the International Microgravity Laboratory, a precursor to the International Space Station. Her highly motivational talks — punctuated by her stunning photographs — focus on change, social responsibility, and our environment. Read more.
Bonus Keynote — Rachel Mielke
Rachel Mielke is one of Regina’s biggest business success stories in recent years. Starting from a small kitchen-table-operation in 2007, her business has since grown into one of Saskatchewan’s most-recognized brands. A strong philanthropic leader in her community, Rachel is a board member for Dress for Success Canada Foundation, and co-chair of Women Leading Philanthropy with the Royal University Hospital Foundation in Saskatoon.
Forum Schedule
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7:30 a.m. |
Registration open. Breakfast and coffee served. |
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8:40 a.m. |
Webcast is live for Livestream attendees |
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8:50 a.m. |
Welcome from Dr. Jeff Keshen, President & Vice Chancellor, University of Regina |
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8:54 a.m. |
Forum Opening with Chancellor Pam Klein, Chair, Inspiring Leaderhip Forum |
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9:10 a.m. |
Tantoo Cardinal in Conversation |
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10:15 – 10:40 a.m. |
Networking/Livestream Break |
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10:41 a.m. |
Keynote Presentation and Q&A with Jully Black |
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11:41 a.m. – 12:55 p.m. |
Lunch and Networking/Livestream Break |
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1:02 p.m. |
Keynote Presentation and Q&A with Rachel Mielke |
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1:40 – 2:20 p.m. |
Saskatchewan Leaders Panel |
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2:20 - 2:30 p.m. |
Inspiring Leadership Academic Fellowship Presentation and Introduction of 2024 Recipient |
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2:35 – 2:55 p.m. |
Networking/Livestream Break |
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3 p.m. |
Keynote Presentation and Q&A with Dr. Roberta Bondar |
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4 p.m. |
Introduction of 2026 Inspiring Leadership Forum and Keynote Speakers |
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4:10 p.m. |
Closing remarks |
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4:15 p.m. |
Event concludes |
Saskatchewan Leaders Panel — Empowering Women in Business: Collaborating to Realize Possibilities
This theme of this year's Saskatchewan Leaders Panel is Empowering Women in Business: Collaborating to Realize Possibilities — highlighting the importance of working together, and emphasizing the empowerment and collaboration needed to unlock new opportunities.
Moderated by Dr. Erin Olford, Dean and Professor of Finance at the University of Regina's Hill and Levene Schools of Business, our panelists include:
- Prabha Ramaswamy, CEO, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce;
- Miriam Johnson, CEO, WESK (Women Entrepreneurs of Sask);
- Cari Bode, Managing Partner, South Country Equipment Ltd and Director, Regina Chamber of Commerce.
Inspiring Leadership Academic Entrance Fellowship
Proceeds from the Forum help to support the Inspiring Leadership Academic Entrance Fellowship — a four-year $30,000 scholarship that recognizes students who have demonstrated leadership skills and a commitment to academic success, volunteer service, and their communities.
The Inspiring Leadership Academic Entrance Fellowship is an incredible opportunity for high-achieving community-minded students. Do you know an outstanding high school student planning to enter their first year at the University of Regina in 2025? Let them know about this amazing opportunity!
For more information — visit the University of Regina's Student Awards page (log in as a guest) and search "Inspiring Leadership Academic Entrance Fellowship."
Frequently Asked Questions
Viterra International Trade Centre at REAL District.
This year the Inspiring Leadership Forum is proud to present the following keynote speakers:
- Tantoo Cardinal: Ground-breaking actor & advocate
- Jully Black: Award-winning singer-songwriter & actress
- Rachel Mielke: Entrepreneur & philanthropist
- Dr. Roberta Bondar: Neurologist & first Canadian woman in space
A complete agenda of the day’s events is available in the Forum Schedule section (above). Doors will open at 7:30 a.m., and the program will begin at 8:45 a.m. We expect the day to wrap up at approximately 4:15 p.m.
Yes, all in-person Forum participants will be served a catered hot breakfast, lunch, and nutrition breaks. Please advise us during registration if you have any dietary restrictions. Attendees are asked to self-identify to catering staff.
Yes, complimentary onsite parking at the Viterra International Trade Centre at REAL District will be available to all in-person participants.
Table numbers will be provided at check-in. If you wish to receive your table number in advance, please email inspiring.leadership@uregina.ca. A seating plan will be posted one week prior to the event. Please ensure we receive your attendee name and email addresses no later than February 14, 2025. All attendees are asked to check-in at the on-site registration desk.
Rush seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. A seating plan outlining the location of rush seating will be posted one week prior to the event. We recommend arriving as early as possible for the best seating options, particularly if you wish to sit together as a group.
Livestream log-in instructions will be emailed one week prior to the event and a reminder email will be sent the day before and morning of the event.
Yes. The International Trade Centre is located entirely on one floor, with accessible push-button openers for doors and wheelchair accessible washrooms. Please advise us during registration if you have any other special requirements.
This map will provide directions for travel by Regina Transit via TransitLive.
For wheelchair accessible transit, visit Regina Paratransit.
We’re excited too! In-person tickets are now sold out but livestream tickets are available here.
