International Women's Day Breakfasts

International Women's Day Breakfasts

Each year, GenEQ hosts International Women’s Day events that bring together scholars, students, and staff to celebrate progress and inspire action toward gender equity. By connecting academic research with practical strategies, they offer actional insights and encourage reflection on how equity can be advance in everyday work. Through engaging discussions and personal connection, participants leave with a renewed sense of purpose and a stronger commitment to building a more inclusive campus community. 

GenEQ International Women's Day Breakfast 2025 

Turning commitments into progress by advancing gender equity, challenging systemic barriers, and driving change across academia, workplaces, and communities. The 2024 panel event opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. René Van Acker, Interim President of the University of Guelph who asserted the importance of gender equity at UofG. To set context for the panel, Dr. Leanne Son Hing, Professor of Psychology, shared key findings about gender disparities in the workplace and in universities in particular.  

Moderator: 

  • Dr. Leanne Son Hing, Professor of Psychology 

Panelists:  

  • Jill Rogers, Managing Director, Research Operations, U of G Research Services Office 

  • Dr. Mary Anne Chambers, U of G Chancellor, former Ontario MPP and Cabinet Minister, former Senior Vice-President at Scotiabank 

  • Dr. Winny Shen, Associate Professor, Schulich School of Business, York University   

The panel highlighted both research and lived experience, offering actionable strategies to promote gender equity across institutions and sectors. The conversation inspired attendees to reflect on their own roles in driving change and to take meaningful steps in their workplaces and communities.  

GenEQ International Women's Day Breakfast 2024 

The theme of this year’s breakfast was exploring how to ensure the needs, interests, and aspirations of women and girls are valued and represented in academia, our workplaces, and communities. 

The 2024 GenEQ International Women’s Day Breakfast brought together over 320 attendees from across the University of Guelph community for a morning of celebration, reflection, and ideas for action. The event opened with a welcome from President Yates, recognizing the achievements of women and reinforcing the University’s commitment to equity and inclusion. Dr. Leanne Son Hing, Professor of Psychology, provided a short talk providing ways to conceptualize inclusion and evidence of its importance for the workplace.  

Moderator: 

  • Dr. Leanne Son Hing, Professor of Psychology 

Panelists:  

  • Dr. Kim Anderson, Professor of Family Relations & Applied Nutrition, Tier II Canada Research Chair in Storying Indigenous Relational Futures  

  • Dr. Jana Levison, Doody Family Chair for Women in Engineering, Professor of Engineering  

  • Dr. Alicia Viloria-Petit, Professor of Biomedical Sciences  

  • Nealob Kakar, PhD student in Social Practice and Transformational Change  

  • Linda Watt, Director, Learning & Development and Consulting Services, Human Resources  

Discussant: 

  • Ambassador Adriana Solano Laclé, Costa Rician Ambassador to Canada 

The panel provided a rich conversation that explored diverse perspectives on inclusion and systemic change. 

Watch the VIDEO: 2024 International Women's Day Breakfast and Panel Discussion, Presented by GenEQ

GenEQ International Women's Day Presentation 2022

The GenEQ advisory group hosted Dr. Linda Lara Jacobo for an online event. She spoke on “Reducing the gender gap in STEMM through women’s networks” as part of a panel moderated by Dr. Alicia Viloria-Petit, professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and member of the GenEQ advisory group. 

GenEQ International Women's Day Breakfast 2021 

The 2021 GenEQ International Women’s Day Breakfast focused on the critical role of women in leadership during the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event highlighted the unique barriers women face, and the strategies needed to build a more equitable future in academia, workplaces, and communities.  

Though held virtually, the panel brought together diverse voices to share insights, inspire action, and reinforce the University’s commitment to gender equity. Participants were encouraged to reflect on how leadership can drive systemic change, especially in times of crisis.  

Watch the VIDEO: 2021 International Women’s Day Speaker Panel 

GenEQ International Women's Day Breakfast 2019

On March 8th, 2019, the GenEQ advisory group hosted its third annual International Women’s Day Breakfast for faculty and staff at U of G. The event attracted more than 400 people from across the University and included remarks from Yates and Paulina García-Del Moral (Assistant Professor, Sociology).  

GenEQ also hosted a student celebration in University Centre encouraging the wider campus community to take photos in its selfie station while sharing stories of women who inspired them on campus.   

GenEQ International Women's Day Breakfast 2018

An International Women’s Day breakfast was held in March of 2018 by the GenEQ advisory group which attracted more than 400 people from across the University. The event included remarks from Yates and Fach and performances by students from the College of Arts music program. 

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