Webinar: Mentoring Matters
2025-12-09 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Toronto) | QC
December 9, 2025 | 1:00–2:30 PM ET | Open to Everyone
Charting a career shouldn’t feel like setting sail without a compass. Yet for many in our communities, that’s exactly what it is. For many, it can feel like pushing off into choppy, uncharted waters with no clear map for “people like me.” What feels like a safe harbour to one person can just as easily be stormy seas for another. That’s where mentoring makes a real difference. It offers not only direction, but also a steady hand at the wheel, guiding us forward together toward new horizons.
This webinar, presented in partnership with QueerTech, will feature leaders who are redefining how mentoring can strengthen our community and shape its next wave of leaders. Together, we’ll explore:

Innovative mentoring strategies with Jennifer Petrela of Mentorat Québec, who will share insights from the groundbreaking Mentor Me Equal project, which is rethinking mentoring to level the playing field for people of all genders.
Evidence from the field with QueerTech Co-Founder & COO Eustacio (Andy) Saldaña, who will present the latest research on mentoring’s role in supporting talent development, and what the data reveals about creating sustainable mentor programs.
Corporate leadership in practice with Mackenzie Kybele from TD, who will discuss how TD Bank is rising to these challenges with programs that empower employees and strengthen leadership pipelines.

Panelists

Jennifer Petrela (she/her)
Executive Director, Mentorat Québec

Jennifer Petrela is the executive director of Mentorat Québec and an expert in inclusive mentoring. Jennifer publishes articles, hosts events, and speaks publicly in French and English about the theory and practice of mentoring in different settings and sectors. She speaks regularly on the intersection of mentorship and equity, diversity and inclusion and has launched national and international partnerships to make inclusive mentoring more accessible to members of equity-deserving groups. A proud ally, in 2004 Jennifer advised Canada’s LGBTQ+ Chambers of Commerce on Out For Business, the chamber’s mentorship program for entrepreneurs. Jennifer volunteers regularly as a mentor and is herself a mentee in perpetual evolution.

Eustacio (Andy) Saldaña (he/him)
Co-Founder & COO, QueerTech

Eustacio (Andy) Saldaña is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder of QueerTech, a Canadian non-profit focused on empowering, connecting, and increasing the visibility of 2SLGBTQ+ technologists and entrepreneurs. The organization is dedicated to the mission of queering the tech ecosystem. Previously, he served as the Executive Director of the NY Tech Alliance, a non-profit organization that runs the world’s largest Meetup group, the NY Tech Meetup (NYTM). With over 60,000 members and a mission to build a more sustainable, diverse, and equitable technology industry for all New Yorkers, the organization is a central figure in the NY Tech ecosystem. A fervent advocate for diversity, access, and inclusion in technology, Andy excels in building relationships and fostering dialogues that drive change. His efforts have been recognized with several accolades, including a spot on Crain’s New York Business 2020 Notable LGBTQ Leaders and Executives list, and inclusion in the 2019 Tech Power 50 by City & State, a leading media company covering New York’s government and politics.

Mackenzie Kybele (she/her)
Regional Manager, Business Development, TD Bank

Mackenzie Kybele co-leads 2SLGBTQ+ Business Development within the GTA Market to leverage TD’s strong position in the 2SLGBTQ+ community to identify and acquire new business opportunities, deepen our existing customer relationships and amplify the TD brand in the community. She brings 5 years of experience at TD starting within Retail Banking and moving into Wealth Management. From her dedicated support to financial planners to then supporting the entire wealth line of business from the national office, Mackenzie brings deep subject matter expertise on the Wealth client experience and strategy while building relationships across the field. Mackenzie has been a visible leader in the transgender community for the past decade from supporting local initiatives both internally at TD and externally at the 519, while also mentoring younger transgender and gender diverse folks.

Facilitator

Colin Druhan (he/him)
Executive Director, Pride at Work Canada

Colin Druhan (he/him) is the Executive Director of Pride at Work Canada, and mentorship has shaped his career from the very start. When he moved from Nova Scotia to Toronto more than 20 years ago, Volunteer Toronto played a vital role in his development. He later returned the favour by volunteering with the community that once mentored him, eventually being elected President in 2018.
Colin has mentored newcomers through programs like Jumpstart Refugee Talent’s Welcome Talent Canada initiative and shaped nonprofit leaders through the Enchanté Network’s mentorship program, helping dozens of leaders start over in Canada or build their careers from scratch. He also created Pride at Work Canada’s signature leadership programs THRIVE and FLOURISH, which have supported hundreds of leaders across Canada and beyond.
Accessibility

Spoken language: English
Automatic translation: English to French
Closed captioning provided: English and French
Format: Virtual (Zoom in webinar mode)
Engagement type: participants invited to engage via chat (no audio or video)

Please register below for additional accessibility requests. Any questions may be sent to events@prideatwork.ca

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Virtual “Pink Tank” Session: Mentoring Matters
2025-12-16 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Toronto) | QC
December 16, 2025 | 1:00–2:30 PM ET
Exclusive to Proud Partners | $35 Participation Fee* | This session has limited capacity.
Implementing change initiatives can feel like navigating choppy, uncharted waters. Some days the seas are calm; other days, a single wave can push you two steps back. Mentoring is the compass that keeps us moving forward — but hearing about its promise isn’t enough. In this Virtual “Pink Tank,” let Pride at Work Canada be that trusted mentor as we help you turn ideas into action.
Hosted by Colin Druhan, Executive Director of Pride at Work Canada, this Proud Partner–only session is where theory meets practice. You’ll test ideas against real workplace challenges, share experiences with peers, and map out solutions together. With live discussion, chat engagement, surveys, and pre-event input, you’ll leave with direction you can actually use.
We’ll dive into four key questions:

What new insights did we gain from the December 9 webinar?
What confirmed what we already knew about mentoring?
What strategies sounded good but feel impossible to implement at work?
What short-term wins can we achieve right now?

To make the most of our 90 minutes, participants will complete a brief pre-event survey and can opt to review curated pre-read materials. With attendance limited, you’ll have the space to engage meaningfully and leave with a plan you can actually put into practice.

Facilitator

Colin Druhan (he/him),
Executive Director, Pride at Work Canada

Colin Druhan (he/him) is the Executive Director of Pride at Work Canada, where he made Mental Health First Aid and Naloxone training mandatory for staff and co-created Leading for Impact, a coaching program for people-managers. With over 20 years in the nonprofit sector—running counseling programs, food banks, and advocacy services—he’s seen the heavy toll community work takes: stress, substance use, and suicidality are all endemic. He believes progress comes through access to affirming mental health care, vital for individuals and organizations alike.
He completed the Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Strategy program at Harvard Business School and studied change management and AI integration at Rotman’s Leading Change program. A graduate of NSCAD University (BFA ‘05), Colin remains a creative thinker at heart.

Accessibility

Spoken language: English
Closed captioning: English
Format: Virtual (Zoom, interactive mode)

Please note this session is limited to employees of Proud Partner organizations only. Additional accessibility requests can be submitted via the registration form.
*This contribution helps support Pride at Work’s mission and activities, and better guarantees the attendance of our registrants. It also ensures an exclusive conversation with our Executive Director.

THRIVE 2026: Information Session
2026-01-13 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Toronto) | QC
January 13th 2026, 5pm-6pm ET
Join us for an Information Session about THRIVE, a transformative ten-week virtual program designed to empower and develop the next generation of Two-Spirit, queer, and trans people managers. If you’re ready to step into leadership roles with confidence and pride, this session is for you!
About THRIVE:
THRIVE is a ten-week virtual program that will develop the next generation of Two-Spirit, queer and trans people managers. Participants will get exclusive access to queer and trans leaders working at the highest levels of Canadian business and engage in important peer-to-peer discussions. Through live Zoom sessions, collaborative group study, and self-directed work our sixth THRIVE cohort will collectively unlock their potential as out leaders.
THRIVE will help you enhance your skills, build your network, and take your career to the next level as an out leader.
Accessibility:

Spoken language: English
Automatic translation: English to French
Close captioning provided: English and French
Format: Virtual (Zoom in webinar mode)
Engagement type: participants invited to engage via chat (no audio or video)
Please register below additional accessibility requests.

Questions about THRIVE 2026 can be directed to Templeton Sawyer (he/him), Leadership Programs Coordinator, at templeton.sawyer@prideatwork.ca.

Manitoba Ambassador Meeting
2026-01-15 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Winnipeg) | QC
Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 1:00pm – 2:00pm CT | 2:00pm – 3:00pm ET
The Ambassador Program operates as a series of regional groups made up of representatives from our Proud Partner network who share best practices and strategies for creating 2SLGBTQIA+ affirming work environments.
To learn more about the program and join, visit prideatwork.ca/programs/ambassador-program/

THRIVE 2026: Information Session
2026-02-10 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Toronto) | QC
February 10th 2026, 5pm-6pm ET
Join us for an Information Session about THRIVE, a transformative ten-week virtual program designed to empower and develop the next generation of Two-Spirit, queer, and trans people managers. If you’re ready to step into leadership roles with confidence and pride, this session is for you!
About THRIVE:
THRIVE is a ten-week virtual program that will develop the next generation of Two-Spirit, queer and trans people managers. Participants will get exclusive access to queer and trans leaders working at the highest levels of Canadian business and engage in important peer-to-peer discussions. Through live Zoom sessions, collaborative group study, and self-directed work our sixth THRIVE cohort will collectively unlock their potential as out leaders.
THRIVE will help you enhance your skills, build your network, and take your career to the next level as an out leader.
Accessibility:

Spoken language: English
Automatic translation: English to French
Close captioning provided: English and French
Format: Virtual (Zoom in webinar mode)
Engagement type: participants invited to engage via chat (no audio or video)
Please register below additional accessibility requests.

Questions about THRIVE 2026 can be directed to Templeton Sawyer (he/him), Leadership Programs Coordinator, at templeton.sawyer@prideatwork.ca.

Winter Pride 2026
2026-02-17 16:00 - 20:30 (America/Toronto) | RBC Royal Bank MTL, 350 Sainte-Catherine Ouest, Montréal, QC, H3B1A1, Canada
SAVE THE DATE
Winter Pride returns on February 17, 2026, to Montreal for an evening of learning and networking with other 2SLGBTQIA + professionals and allies promoting workplace inclusion.
Check back soon for more details about the speakers, agenda, and how to register.
Host Partner

RBC – Royal Bank of Canada
1 Place Ville Marie, Montréal, Québec
