Pride At Work Canada

Virtual Panel: Volunteer Mentorship at Work
2022-04-27 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Halifax)
Wednesday, April 27, 2022, from 12 PM to 1 PM EDT – This virtual panel is open to all who wish to register.
Mentorship, sponsorship, and networks are one of the biggest indicators for success for 2SLGBTQIA+ employees and job seekers. A good mentor can lead to professional development, connections, and open doors that were previously closed for a mentee. While conversely a good mentee can provide the mentor connection to communities they may be unfamiliar with, engage them in development, and build a rewarding professional relationship. This panel discussion by Pride at Work Canada will talk to the power of volunteer mentorship, and how to build effective mentorship relationships which result in finding amazing talent and retention for employers, new perspectives for mentors, and professional growth for 2SLGBTQIA+ mentees.
Learning Objectives:

The benefits of mentorship to promote 2SLGBTQIA+ employment
How to be a good volunteer mentor
How to be a good mentee

Audience:

Everyone interested in mentorship
2SLGBTQIA+ employees and job seekers
Human Resources professionals
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Professionals

SPEAKERS

COLIN DRUHAN (he/him)
Executive Director
Pride at Work Canada
[Panelist]

GABRIELA JORDAO (she/her)
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager
Hootsuite
[Panelist]

JOEL RODRIGUES (he/him)
Senior Manager, HR Business Partner
Scotiabank
[Panelist]

TYLER BOYCE (he/him)
Executive Director
The Enchanté Network
[Panelist]

JADE PICHETTE (they/them)
Manager of Programs
Pride at Work Canada
[Emcee]

TRACY LUCA-HUGER (she/her)
Interim Executive Director
Mentor Canada
[Moderator]

Registration for this event has closed.
This virtual panel is open to all who wish to register. If you would like to register after the deadline, please send an email to info@prideatwork.ca

National Member Webinar: Intersectionality in the Workplace: Broadening the Lens of Inclusion
2022-04-13 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax)
Wednesday, April 13, 2022, from 12 PM to 1 PM EDT – this event is exclusive for employees of our Proud Partners and Community Partners.
For Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) efforts to be truly impactful, we all need to better understand and apply the concept of intersectionality to our workplaces.
When some people face prejudice, the targeted characteristics overlap. This makes the experiences of discrimination or oppression unique. For example, a woman with autism an autistic woman, a woman of colour or an older transgender person can face prejudice due to their overlapping social identities. What’s more, how a woman of colour experiences gender discrimination is different from how a white woman will experience it.
Therefore, people leaders, DE&I or HR leaders must make room for intersectionality within their DE&I or belonging practices. If you ignore intersectionality, you’re overlooking the reality of your employees’ experiences at work and in communities. Join Elise Ahenkorah, award-winning Inclusion Strategist and Speaker to learn thought-provoking and practical tips to build a workplace where everyone can thrive.
This interactive training is designed to better equip leaders and teammates with:

Understanding what intersectionality is
Importance of intersectionality to the workplace, employee retention, engagement and DE&I and belonging initiatives
How to embed intersectionality into your workplace culture, systems, DE&I initiatives, and individual daily actions
Identifying resources to learn more

Audience:

All employees of our Proud Partner and Community Partner organizations
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion professionals
Employee Resource Group members

Presenter:
Elise Ahenkorah (she/her), Inclusion Strategist and Speaker, inclusion FACTOR
Elise Ahenkorah is an award-winning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) strategist, speaker, and founder of #shemeets, a women-of-colour entrepreneurship resource group. She is educated in Law & Justice, International Relations, Change Management and is completing her MBA in Strategy. She is also an alumnus of Cornell University’s coveted diversity and inclusion strategic planning program.
As the Inclusion Strategist of inclusion FACTOR, Elise Ahenkorah uses data-driven strategies to show how an inclusive workplace increases the bottom line and employee satisfaction. With inclusion FACTOR, Elise translates a company’s vision into measurable and practical DE&I tactics aligned with business and talent retention outcomes.
Her clients include Saje Natural Wellness, Hootsuite, IBM, EPICURE, Calgary Film Festival, Avenue Magazine, Evans Hunt Marketing Agency, Calgary Police Commission, Avenue Calgary, City of Toronto, University of Calgary, IABC, Magazine Association of BC, Alberta Magazine Publisher Association, Law Society of Saskatchewan, Leftovers Foundations, Fresh Routes, HDR International – to name a few.
In her 15 year career, Elise has covered diverse grounds in progressively senior roles in communications, marketing, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and DE&I for public and private sector organizations.
Elise’s innovative DE&I strategies and community contributions have been recognized by the Black Business and Professional Association, International Association of Business Communicators, Canadian Centre for Diversity, the University of Calgary, and the UN of Canada.
Last year, Elise was recognized for her impact with #shemeets as a L’Oréal Paris Woman of Worth Canada honouree. Most recently – Avenue Calgary recognized Elise as a Top 40 Under 40 finalist due to inclusion FACTOR’s impact and reach.

Registration for this event has closed.
This event is exclusive for employees of our Proud Partners and Community Partners. If you would like to register after the deadline, please send an email to info@prideatwork.ca

Communauté BRAINDATE Community (bilingual)
2022-04-07 10:00 - 18:00 (America/Halifax)
Thursday, April 7, 2022, from 10 am to 6 pm EDT (up to your schedule availability) – this event is exclusive for employees of our Proud Partners and Community Partners.
Pride at Work Canada is proud to have the support of Desjardins for this event.

This event is in collaboration with Braindate – e180.

Tired of missing out on webinars because they don’t suit your schedule or don’t accommodate your time zone? Pride at Work Canada’s Braindate networking events provide the opportunity to meet and learn from others through meaningful conversations all on your schedule.
Join us on April 7 to connect with D&I professionals from across Canada through the Braindate platform. Representatives from Pride at Work Canada’s Proud Partner and Community Partner network will be coming together to share best practices and learn from one another. If you have some spare time on your lunch break or between meetings at any point from 10 am to 6 pm (EDT), stop by to say hi and explore this new way of networking with us!
What is a Braindate?
Braindates are one-on-one or group video chat discussion sessions created by platform users based on what they can teach or what they want to learn. On the Braindate platform, you will be able to browse a list of topics posted by other users and join the conversations that interest you most and suit your schedule. If you’re seeking advice or have a subject you’re itching to discuss with other members of the Pride at Work Canada community, you can post your own topic too!
“How to video (virtual)” from e180 on Vimeo.
Here’s what to do:

Log into Braindate to create your profile: details will be sent to the email you register with.
Explore the Topic Market: participants (and you, too!) post braindate topics here related to discussions they’d like to have with others during the event. You can invite anyone to meet based on their topic!
Create topics: post braindate topics about discussions you’d like to have. This is your opportunity to share your knowledge, experiences, and expertise!
Book your braindates: send invitations to meet others to discuss their topics, and accept the invitations you receive. Once confirmed, your braindates will take place virtually right on the platform.
Get started!

We’re here to help! About virtual learning concierges
Would you like advice on how to create a compelling braindate topic? Are you having trouble finding topics that are relevant to you? Do you have questions about how to use the Braindate platform?
We can help. At our Braindate networking events, Virtual Learning Concierges (real humans – no bots here!) will be on call to support you in making the most out of your experience. Don’t hesitate to connect with one of them on button links.
They will be available by Tuesday, April 5.
How to host a meaningful braindate?
Braindates are conversations that stem from a shared interest.
Whether it’s a one-on-one or group braindate, keep the following 5 tips in mind to lead a meaningful braindate for everyone involved:

Make sure everyone introduces themselves and contributes to the discussion.
Ask the participant(s) what interested them about the topic.
Be transparent and honest about your own experience related to the topic: You don’t need to be an expert to lead a braindate.
Don’t forget that everyone has something interesting they can add to the conversation: adopt a beginner’s mindset.
Don’t forget to share contact information. Many great relationships started with a simple conversation.

Limited number of participants.
Please register by Monday, April 4. For this event specifically, we won’t accept late registrations. This event is exclusive for employees of our Proud Partners and Community Partners. Please send an email to info@prideatwork.ca if you have any questions.
Registration for this event has closed.

Fierté des Neiges/Winter Pride 2022
2022-03-30 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Toronto) | Bar Minéral, 1641, rue Atateken, Montreal, QB, H2L 3L4, Canada
Wednesday, March 30, 2022, from 5 PM to 7 PM EST – This in-person event is free and open to the public.
Pride at Work Canada is proud to have the support of RBC for Fierté des Neiges/Winter Pride 2022.

This event is in collaboration with Bar Minéral.

An evening of learning and networking, Fierté des Neiges/Winter Pride 2022 returns this year and continues the annual tradition of bringing the Pride at Work Canada network to Montreal to celebrate the inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in the workplace during the winter season. This year, this event will be held in-person at Bar Minéral, which is located on Atateken in the Village.
Two drinks and appetizers included. The sanitary measures in force will be respected inside the Bar Minéral.
Places are limited, hurry up!
Registration for this event has closed.
This in-person event is free and open to the public. If you have any questions, please send an email to info@prideatwork.ca.

Matrices: Trans, Non-Binary & Agender Digital Connect
2022-03-29 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Halifax)
Tuesday, March 29, 2022, from 12 pm to 1:30 pm EDT – this event is free and open to the public.

Pride at Work Canada is proud to present the fourth installment of Matrices: Trans, Non-Binary & Agender Digital Connect, a free networking event for trans, non-binary, and agender professionals and jobseekers! Building on the momentum from the recent Toronto Trans, Non-Binary and Agender Networking Breakfast and Rendez Vous: Women x Non-Binary Digital Connect, this one will again bring together individuals across Canada.
Our guest speaker will deliver brief remarks, then attendees will be placed into breakout rooms to discuss our speaker’s story, our session theme, and to meet other professionals and jobseekers. After the breakout room discussions, we’ll come back as a group to share our takeaways and close the session.
Help us make Matrices a safer event! All attendees will be provided with a set of community guidelines for this event that they will be expected to read and abide by. Discussion facilitators will be present in our breakout rooms, and there will be a BIPOC-specific breakout room for folks who wish to join that space. Creating a welcoming space is a communal effort, we look forward to building a braver space based in communicating with compassion.
Guest speaker:
Catherine McKenney (they/them), Councillor, Ottawa
Catherine was elected to Ottawa City Council in 2014, and re-elected in October 2018. Catherine is committed to improving life for everyone in their community, including more affordable housing, better transit, child care, more trees, streets that are built for people, better public spaces, protecting our heritage, and supporting local business.
Catherine previously worked for City Councillors Alex Munter and Diane Holmes and later for MPs Ed Broadbent and Paul Dewar. They returned to City Hall as senior advisor to the Deputy City Manager.
Catherine trains regularly for and competes in cross-country and ultra marathon running. They cycle year round, walk to work, support local independent businesses, and are the proud adoptive parent of four Humane Society animals. They are also an avid volunteer.

Why is this event taking place?
While many events and networks are inclusive of trans, non-binary and agender people there are questions and discussions unique to these community members and their experiences. Pride at Work Canada seeks to create space for professional and job-seeking trans, non-binary and agender people to find support from and make connections with one another. We hope to be responsive to the needs and suggestions expressed by our attendees as this feedback helps to shape future events.
Who should attend?
The purpose of this event is to provide space for folks who identify as trans, non-binary and agender. There is no desire to monitor anyone’s gender or create barriers to entry. If you come to this event you will be welcome. While the support of people who identify as allies to trans people and communities is always appreciated please remember that the best support sometimes comes in the form of leaving space for people to connect around their shared identities and lived experiences.
Who can answer my questions about the event?
Please direct questions about this event to Jade Pichette at jade.pichette@prideatwork.ca. You may also contact info@prideatwork.ca with questions about any Pride at Work Canada events and activities.
Limited number of participants.
Registration for this event has closed.

(French) National Member Webinar: Finding a balance in marketing in a diversity and inclusion approach by changing the way we work and collaborate
2022-03-23 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax)
(Please note that this webinar will be offered in French.)
Wednesday, March 23, 2022, from 12 PM to 1 PM EDT – this event is exclusive for employees of our Proud Partners and Community Partners.
How can organizations develop marketing strategies that are truly inclusive? In an era of growing interest in diversity and inclusion strategies in the workplace, how must media relations and marketing evolve in order to truly reflect companies’ and institutions’ values? Marjorie Roux is an experienced public relations specialist who, before starting her own company, guided many companies with her philosophy of everyday inclusion. Using concrete examples, she will share strategies for finding more balance by changing the way we work and collaborate.
Presenter:
Marjorie Roux (she/her), President & Founder, Matinée Studio
Founder of PR firm MATINÉE STUDIO, Marjorie has over 15 years of experience in PR, both on the agency and client side. Her expertise includes planning and execution of local, strategic and creative integrated communications plans in the beauty, fashion, retail, design, food and technology sectors.
Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Marjorie was Director of Public Relations at SEPHORA Canada, led the North American (Canada and USA) public relations teams at DAVIDsTEA, worked as a senior member at ZAK COMMUNICATIONS and MSLGROUP on numerous projects in beauty, fashion, new technologies and health, and honed her corporate communications expertise at EDELMAN.
In her spare time, Marjorie is an avid reader who enjoys all things beauty and art. She also supports the LGBTQ+ community by participating in local activations and assisting Canadian non-profits with their external communications and annual events.
Registration for this event has closed.
This event is exclusive for employees of our Proud Partners and Community Partners. If you would like to register after the deadline, please send an email to info@prideatwork.ca

National Member Webinar: Responsible Use of Power
2022-03-16 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax)
Wednesday, March 16, 2022, from 12 PM to 1 PM EDT – this event is exclusive for employees of our Proud Partners and Community Partners.
Responsible Use of Power is a webinar that unpacks the nuances of systemic, personal and social power and explores how they can be used and misused in the workplace and in society at large. The session offers participants the opportunity to reflect on their own power and privilege. Led by the award winning educator and consultant Cicely Belle Blain, this training will be especially useful for those who are passionate about foster equitable spaces where power is redistributed in a meaningful and ethical way in office, virtual, job site, and social environments. Responsible use of power is crucial to changing existing structures of oppression and inequity.
Learning Objectives:

Understand the basics of systemic, social and personal power and identify them in your own life and work
Develop the tools to notice, address and problem solve ineffective and harmful uses of power
Strategize to create more equitable and responsible distributions of power in the workplace

Audience:

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion professionals
Employee Resource Group members
Community engagement professionals

Presenter:
Cicely Belle Blain (they/them), CEO, Bakau Consulting
Cicely Belle Blain (they/them) is a Black, mixed, queer non-binary femme from London, United Kingdom now living on the lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh people. They are the CEO Bakau Consulting, a social justice-informed diversity and inclusion consulting company that has served thousands of clients worldwide. They are most noted for founding Black Lives Matter Vancouver and subsequently being listed as one Vancouver’s 50 most powerful people, BC Business’s 30 under 30 and one of 150 Black women and non-binary people making change across Canada. Cicely Belle is an instructor in Executive Leadership at Simon Fraser University, the Editorial Director of Ripple of Change Magazine and the author of Burning Sugar (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2020).
Registration for this event has closed.
This event is exclusive for employees of our Proud Partners and Community Partners. If you would like to register after the deadline, please send an email to info@prideatwork.ca

Communauté BRAINDATE Community (bilingual)
2022-02-24 10:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Thursday, February 24, 2022, from 10 am to 6 pm EST (up to your schedule availability) – this event is exclusive for employees of our Proud Partners and Community Partners.
Pride at Work Canada is proud to have the support of Desjardins for this event.

This event is in collaboration with Braindate – e180.

Tired of missing out on webinars because they don’t suit your schedule or don’t accommodate your time zone? Pride at Work Canada’s Braindate networking events provide the opportunity to meet and learn from others through meaningful conversations all on your schedule.
Join us on February 24 to connect with D&I professionals from across Canada through the Braindate platform. Representatives from Pride at Work Canada’s Proud Partner and Community Partner network will be coming together to share best practices and learn from one another. If you have some spare time on your lunch break or between meetings at any point from 10 am to 6 pm (EDT), stop by to say hi and explore this new way of networking with us!
What is a Braindate?
Braindates are one-on-one or group video chat discussion sessions created by platform users based on what they can teach or what they want to learn. On the Braindate platform, you will be able to browse a list of topics posted by other users and join the conversations that interest you most and suit your schedule. If you’re seeking advice or have a subject you’re itching to discuss with other members of the Pride at Work Canada community, you can post your own topic too!
What is Braindate? from e180 on Vimeo.Here’s what to do:

Log into Braindate to create your profile: details will be sent to the email you register with.
Explore the Topic Market: participants (and you, too!) post braindate topics here related to discussions they’d like to have with others during the event. You can invite anyone to meet based on their topic!
Create topics: post braindate topics about discussions you’d like to have. This is your opportunity to share your knowledge, experiences, and expertise!
Book your braindates: send invitations to meet others to discuss their topics, and accept the invitations you receive. Once confirmed, your braindates will take place virtually right on the platform.
Get started!

We’re here to help! About virtual learning concierges
Would you like advice on how to create a compelling braindate topic? Are you having trouble finding topics that are relevant to you? Do you have questions about how to use the Braindate platform?
We can help. At our Braindate networking events, Virtual Learning Concierges (real humans – no bots here!) will be on call to support you in making the most out of your experience. Don’t hesitate to connect with one of them on button links.
They will be available by Tuesday, February 22.
How to host a meaningful braindate?
Braindates are conversations that stem from a shared interest.
Whether it’s a one-on-one or group braindate, keep the following 5 tips in mind to lead a meaningful braindate for everyone involved:

Make sure everyone introduces themselves and contributes to the discussion.
Ask the participant(s) what interested them about the topic.
Be transparent and honest about your own experience related to the topic: You don’t need to be an expert to lead a braindate.
Don’t forget that everyone has something interesting they can add to the conversation: adopt a beginner’s mindset.
Don’t forget to share contact information. Many great relationships started with a simple conversation.

Limited number of participants.
Please register by Monday, February 21. For this event specifically, we won’t accept late registrations. This event is exclusive for employees of our Proud Partners and Community Partners. Please send an email to info@prideatwork.ca if you have any questions.
Registration for this event has closed.

THRIVE 2022 - Virtual Leadership Program
2022-02-22 18:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York)
Pride at Work Canada is proud to have the support of Scotiabank and IBM for this program.

THRIVE 2022 – Virtual Leadership Program is a three-month virtual program that will develop the next generation of 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 second THRIVE cohort will collectively unlock their potential as out leaders.
Visit THRIVE 2022 for more information and details.

National Member Webinar: FLOURISH: Leading Employee Resource Groups with Intention
2022-02-16 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Wednesday, February 16, 2022, from 12 PM to 1 PM EST – this event is exclusive for employees of our Proud Partners and Community Partners.
Those who lead 2SLGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Groups (ERGs*) have an enormous opportunity to create change for queer and trans employees. They also face very specific challenges in Canadian workplaces. In Fall 2021 Pride at Work Canada launched FLOURISH, an entirely new four-session virtual program that develops the skills required for 2SLGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group (ERG) leaders to be effective and successful in their roles. During this webinar we will address the major learnings in the four competency areas for ERGs:

Domestic and international 2SLGBTQIA+ economic issues
Building business cases and generating buy-in for 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion
Principles of governance and volunteer management
Providing peer support to 2SLGBTQIA+ people and their allies

Join Stella Samuels, Leadership Programs Coordinator, visionary and designer of the FLOURISH curriculum and program, along with participants from the 2021 FLOURISH cohort as they revisit and review their experiences, lessons learned, and key takeaways that have resulted in impactful changes.
*We are considering “ERG” to mean all kinds of internal groups: ERGs, Business Resource Groups, internal committees, working groups, etc.
Learning Goals:

Strategic planning for ERGs
Inspiration & innovative practices for ERG leadership
Sharing lessons learned from FLOURISH

Audience:

Employee resource group members
Employees looking to form an ERG
HR professionals who support employee resource groups

Presenter:
Stella Samuels (they/them, she/her), Leadership Programs Coordinator, Pride at Work Canada
Stella is deeply passionate about finding innovative ways to be, work, and play together in communities. Stella holds a Master’s Degree in Gender, Feminist, and Women’s Studies and is a longtime social justice advocate and activist in 2SLGBTQIA+ and disability communities. Their career has taken a winding path that includes entrepreneurship, non-profit work, municipal government, academia, and book publishing…sometimes in tandem. They are currently co-facilitator of Pivot Nova Scotia, a 2SLGBTQIA+ health intervention program through Community Based Research Centre. They are a past Board member and Provincial Coordinator with Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project, an organization focused on education, advocacy, health, and law reform, and coordinator/facilitator/researcher at Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS).
Guest speakers:

Debra (Debi) DeMille (she/her, they/them)
Finance – Cash Management & Accounts Receivable
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada

Emily O’Donohue (she/her)
Director and Associate General Counsel, Derivatives
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan

Kirk Nielsen (he/him)
Business Process Architect & Chair of Pride Employee Resource Circle
Servus Credit Union

Registration for this event has closed.
This event is exclusive for employees of our Proud Partners and Community Partners. If you would like to register after the deadline, please send an email to info@prideatwork.ca

(French) Rendez-Vous: Women x Non-Binary Digital Connect
2022-02-15 17:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York)
This session will be offered in French. The English session will be on February 15, 2021, at 12 pm EST.
Tuesday, February 15, 2022, from 5 pm to 6:30 pm EST. Free event.

Pride at Work Canada has been bringing women and non-binary people* together across Canada for years. Though we can’t safely hold in-person events right now, we are forever optimists. We’re seizing on this opportunity to connect women and non-binary people online, regardless of where they live.
Rendez-Vous: Women x Non-Binary Digital Connect is the next evolution of our popular LGBTQ2+ Women’s Networking Breakfasts program. It’s a unique opportunity for women and non-binary people to make professional connections in a casual and comfortable setting – from anywhere!
*Pride at Work Canada understands that these terms may not resonate with everyone and endeavors to include all those who do not identify as men including trans women, cis women, non-binary folks, agender folks, and more.
Our theme for this Rendez-Vous networking event is visibility!
Our guest speaker will deliver brief remarks, then attendees will be placed into breakout rooms to discuss our speaker’s story, and to meet other professionals and jobseekers. After the breakout room discussions, we’ll come back as a group to share our takeaways and close the session.
Help us make Rendez-Vous a safer event! All attendees will be provided with a set of community guidelines prior to the event that they will be expected to read and honour. Discussion facilitators will be present in our breakout rooms, and there will be a BIPOC-specific breakout room for folks who wish to join that space.
Guest speaker:
Henri-June Pilote (he/him, they/them), Content Creator – LGBTQ+ & Trans Issues
Henri-June Pilote is a content creator focused on trans and LGBTQ+ issues, public speaker, podcaster, former executive director of the organization AlterHeros, and a lively Gemini with a strong sense of humour. Given his skills in communications and LGBTQ+ community organization management, his Instagram content and podcast are goldmines of education on LGBTQ+ issues and sexual education. Through his podcast C’est quoi mon genre? (“What’s My Gender?”) Henri-June vulnerably addresses issues related to trans identity, sexual orientation, mental health and more. Created at a time when the lack of LGBTQ+ information and representation in French was glaring, C’est quoi mon genre? allowed many members of the French-speaking LGBTQ+ community to recognize themselves for the first time and to unite around a common model, making Henri-June a pioneer in trans representation in Quebec. Through these two platforms, Henri-June Pilote bears witness to the ups and downs of his medical, legal and social gender transition. His intimate and educational approach helps to dismantle feelings of isolation, and provides special access to the trans experience for others.
Limited number of participants in this free networking event for women and non-binary people.
Registration for this event has closed.

Rendez-Vous: Women x Non-Binary Digital Connect
2022-02-15 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York)
Tuesday, February 15, 2022, from 12 pm to 1:30 pm EST. Free event.

Pride at Work Canada has been bringing women and non-binary people* together across Canada for years. Though we can’t safely hold in-person events right now, we are forever optimists. We’re seizing on this opportunity to connect women and non-binary people online, regardless of where they live.
Rendez-Vous: Women x Non-Binary Digital Connect is the next evolution of our popular 2SLGBTQIA+ Women’s Networking Breakfasts program. It’s a unique opportunity for women and non-binary people to make professional connections in a casual and comfortable setting – from anywhere!
*Pride at Work Canada understands that these terms may not resonate with everyone and endeavors to include all those who do not identify as men including trans women, cis women, non-binary folks, agender folks, and more.
Our theme for this Rendez-Vous networking event is Diverse Communities, Diverse Career Paths!
When you think about your professional life, what catalysts brought you to where you are? Did you have particular watershed moments or turning points? Hear from Janis Irwin, MLA, Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood, Deputy Opposition Whip, Critic, Status of Women & LGBTQ2S+ Issues about her journey in politics, and how the best journeys are often unplanned. Connect with other members of the Rendez-Vous community for a conversation about the value of our unique, and often unexpected, journeys and more while expanding your professional network.
Janis Irwin will deliver brief remarks, then attendees will be placed into breakout rooms to discuss our speaker’s story and the event theme, and to meet other professionals and jobseekers. After the breakout room discussions, we’ll come back as a group to share our takeaways and close the session.
Help us make Rendez-Vous a safer event! All attendees will be provided with a set of community guidelines prior to the event that they will be expected to read and honour. Discussion facilitators will be present in our breakout rooms, and there will be a BIPOC-specific breakout room for folks who wish to join that space.
Guest speaker:
Janis Irwin (she/her), MLA
Janis Irwin was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta as the representative for the constituency of Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood on April 16, 2019. Janis is currently the Official Opposition Deputy Whip and the Critic for Women and LGBTQ2S+ Issues.
Prior to serving as an MLA, Janis devoted over a decade to the field of education, where she worked for Alberta Education as the Senior Manager, Social Studies, and then as the Executive Director for High School Curriculum. She started her career working in rural Alberta as a high school teacher and as a vice-principal.
Janis holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Alberta and a master’s degree in education from the University of Calgary. Over the years she has served as a board member for several nonprofit associations, and has volunteered with a number of organizations. Janis enjoys an active lifestyle and spending her spare time running and biking.
Limited number of participants in this free networking event for women and non-binary people.
Registration for this event has closed.

(French) National Member Webinar: Evolution of rights for LGBT+ families
2022-01-26 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
(Please notice that this event will be offered in French.)
Wednesday, January 26, 2022, from 12 PM to 1 PM EST – this event is exclusive for employees of our Proud Partners and Community Partners.
In the 1990s, families with LGBTQ2+ parents were completely invisible in our society and had no legal recognition. However, over the course of only 25 years, LGBTQ2+ families in Quebec have acquired a number of rights, making our society one of the most pioneering in the world. The media is very interested in family diversity, assisted reproduction, adoption, surrogacy, multi- and poly-parent families and issues such as access to origins and fertility preservation for trans people. Laws to recognize LGBTQ2+ families have been passed. Courts have issued life-changing decisions. However, the recognition of these rights is an ongoing process, as family structures and different ways of constituting a family continue to proliferate. This presentation by Mona Greenbaum, Executive Director of the LGBT+ Family Coalition, outlines key legislative and legal moments while providing examples of their impact on the lives of affected families.
Presenter:
Mona Greenbaum (she/her), Executive Director, LGBT+ Family Coalition
Mona Greenbaum is the founder and executive director of the LGBT+ Family Coalition, an advocacy organization for families with lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans parents. The organization has received three “Gala Arc-en-Ciel” awards in recognition of its social activism. Their main mission is to train intervention workers in schools, social services and community organizations. To date, they have conducted more than 1000 courses in the 17 regions of Quebec, reaching more than 40,000 workers, in order to build awareness of the importance of intervening against homophobic and transphobic violence and heteronormativity. From 2004 to 2006, Mona was a member of the Joint Working Group against Homophobia (“Groupe de travail mixte contre l’homophobie”) of the “Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse”. The Group’s mission was to examine the reality of homophobia in Quebec and to recommend institutional and governmental measures to address the problems and needs identified. Mona was involved in the subcommittees on health and social services, education, family, seniors and the status of women, ethnocultural communities, and community life. The final report resulting from this work, published in February 2007, formed the basis of the “Politique nationale de lutte contre l’homophobie” (2009) and its subsequent action plans (2011-2015 and 2016-2021). In 2010, Mona was awarded the Medal of the National Assembly of Quebec, recognizing her many years of activism within the LGBT community. In 2015, in honour of the 40th anniversary of the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, the “Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse du Québec” selected Mona as one of the 40 individuals who have had an exceptional career defending or promoting the rights included in the Charter. Mona is also a consultant and trainer for the Public health expertise and reference centre (“Institut national de santé publique du Québec – INSPQ”).
Registration for this event has closed.
This event is exclusive for employees of our Proud Partners and Community Partners. If you would like to register after the deadline, please send an email to info@prideatwork.ca.

National Member Webinar: Loving the Fire - Trauma Informed Conflict Engagement In the Workplace
2022-01-12 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Wednesday, January 12, 2022, from 12 PM to 1 PM EST – this event is exclusive for employees of our Proud Partners and Community Partners.
What does it mean to hold the often emotionally intense experience of conflict with love and compassion? How can employers embrace conflict as an opportunity for growth and transformation while also being trauma-informed? This webinar explores trauma-informed, embodied approaches to conflict resolution and engagement. Kai Cheng Thom, MSc, Mediator and certified coach will explore connections between individual and collective trauma and conflict in organizations and marginalized communities. Participants will be invited to take part in (optional) experiential activities focused on developing an embodied conflict resolution toolkit, including meditation and movement, scenario analysis, role play, and group discussion. The key skills of self-soothing, ethical judgement, discernment, and managing polarized/binary thinking are central to this webinar. Kai Cheng will also briefly outline the concepts of trauma theory, Restorative Justice, Transformative Justice, and prison abolition, which this webinar is grounded in.
Learning Goals:

Gain a basic understanding of trauma’s impact on the body, brain, and interpersonal relationships
Acquire skills for trauma-informed conflict analysis and intervention
How to de-escalate conflicts that are informed systemic power, privilege, and oppression

Audience:

All employees of our partner organizations
Inclusion and Diversity professionals
Employee Resource Group members

Presenter:
Kai Cheng Thom (she/her), Writer, Performer & Community Worker
Kai Cheng Thom is a writer, performer, and community worker with an extensive background in clinical mental health, creative arts facilitation, and diversity/equity consulting.. She is the author of several award-winning books, including the essay collection I HOPE WE CHOOSE LOVE: A trans girl’s notes from the end of the world. A lifelong learner, Kai Cheng incorporates many approaches and disciplines in her work, and is currently studying somatics, holistic sex education, and conflict transformation.
Registration for this event has closed.
This event is exclusive for employees of our Proud Partners and Community Partners. If you would like to register after the deadline, please send an email to info@prideatwork.ca
