UM Students Leading Change Conference

Title: Leadership in 2024: Empowering others and leading change, together

Panel moderator: Tanjit Nagra (she/her) (MBA, B.A.)

Bio: Tanjit Nagra is a two-time alumna of the University of Manitoba, holding a BA in Political Studies and an MBA with majors in Leadership and Organizations and Sustainability. She is a CPHR Candidate and currently serves as Director, Office of the Vice-President (Administration). Previously, she was CEO of Pharmacists Manitoba and has experience in government relations, not-for-profits, and charitable organizations. Tanjit volunteers on several community boards, including the TELUS Future Friendly Foundation and Sexuality Education Resource Centre - Manitoba. During her time at UM, she held numerous student government roles, including President of UMSU and Vice President (Academic) of UMGSA.

Title: Meetings, meetings meetings: Leading them well

Description: This session will cover an overview of different governance models and the pros and cons of each, how to create effective agendas & minutes, and strategies for maintaining order. During part of the session, students will break off into groups and practice applying techniques.

Facilitator: Keren Taylor-Hughes (MA, ICD.D)

Bio: Keren has made a career of helping people and companies prepare for big changes. Starting in child welfare, to consulting in healthcare, academia, agribusiness and wealth management, Keren has had a rich and varied career. Keren's most rewarding role to date was that as former CEO of Harvest Manitoba. Serving Manitobans in need, especially during the pandemic was the biggest challenge of her work career, but also the most rewarding.  

Keren is currently a consultant providing strategic transformational leadership advice to Chief Executive Officers, Executive Directors and Board Chairs. She assists Boards of Directors and Management in elevating governance practices, strategic planning, transformation and managing risk. 

Keren has the experience of reporting to a Board as a CEO, working with Boards as a consultant and serving on Boards as a director for the past 25+ years. With a master’s degree in leadership, C suite experience and expertise as a senior change consultant based on servant leadership, Keren has a track record of excellence in facilitating sustainable change. She believes collaboration leads to the best decisions. 

Title: Me first! Setting personal and professional boundaries

Description: Learn where and how to draw personal & professional boundaries as a student leader when handling conflicts and when engaging with peers (both in your group and in the student body you represent). This session will also cover strategies for attending to your mental health and well-being.

Facilitator: David Ness (he/him/his)

Bio: David Ness is the Director of Student Counselling and Wellness at the University of Manitoba where he has trained and worked since 1991. David’s training background is clinical psychology and in addition to his administrative duties, he provides counselling and therapy to students using an integrative approach that emphasizes cognitive, developmental, relational and insight oriented approaches.  David uses these approaches to work with students presenting with anxiety, relationship challenges, trauma recovery, family conflict, and career indecision and other difficulties. He also enjoys facilitating groups and workshops and delivering programming across campus at the University of Manitoba.

Title: All eyes on me: Handling scrutiny and media relations

Description: As the face of a student organization, oftentimes student leaders are asked to release statements, conduct interviews, etc. This session will provide students with guidance on how to handle the spotlight, face scrutiny, and protect both themselves and their members. The session will include a recorded mock interview amongst volunteers that will be played back for the group to discuss.

Facilitator: Eleanor Coopsammy (BA)

Bio: Eleanor Coopsammy is the Director, Media Relations and Issues Management for UM. She is responsible for overseeing the generation of earned media for the university through outreach to local, international and global media outlets. Previously, she worked in strategic and corporate communications for economic development agencies in Manitoba and New Brunswick. Before that, she was in broadcast media for nearly 17 years at CTV Winnipeg and CBC Manitoba. 

Title: How to facilitate relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities as student leaders

Facilitator: Michaela de Hoop (she/her)

Bio: Michaela de Hoop is the UMSU Indigenous Students' Representative. She is originally from The Pas and Opaskwayak Cree Nation. Michaela is a fourth-year student in the faculty of science majoring in biology. She is involved in many Indigenous advocacy efforts across Manitoba and Canada. Michaela is also a published author, having created a book to bring traditional land knowledge back to her community. The book Opaskwayak Culture & Healthy Living Initiatives; Planting, Harvesting & Cooking Guide can be bought at all major Canadian book retailers with proceeds going to community garden efforts. Michaela formerly worked as the Indigenous Affairs News Reporter at the Manitoban. Today, Michaela continues to use her love of writing and land-based education to advocate for more Indigenous representation in the scientific community both at the university and on a wider scale.

Title: I thought this would be easy: Issues management 101

Description: This session is recommended for Presidents, Senior Sticks, and student community group leads.

Strategies for defining the problem, addressing the issue, identifying resources to consult, evaluating your success, and preventing similar issues in the future.

Co-Facilitator: Laurie Schnarr (she/her) (MA)

Bio: As the UM Vice-Provost (Students), Laurie provides leadership and strategic direction to advance UM’s commitment to deliver an exceptional student experience. She leads the Student Affairs team, spanning three departments: the Office of the Registrar and Enrolment Services, Student Engagement & Success, and Student Support, and plays a key role in institution-wide initiatives that promote student retention, engagement and academic success. Laurie is consulted when members of the UM community are concerned about a student and/or their behaviour, and has jurisdiction over disciplinary matters affecting the University generally. Throughout her career, student leadership development, civic engagement, and Indigenous achievement have been important areas of focus in Laurie’s professional and scholarly work. She is passionate about the student experience and has played a key role in strengthening communications with administration at UM, engaging members of under-represented student populations, and building a strong sense of Bison spirit.

Co-facilitator: Brandy Usick (she/her) (EdD)

Bio: Brandy has enjoyed working at the UM supporting students for over 20 years. She provides leadership to a dynamic department to help meet institutional strategic priorities and the goals within the division of Student Affairs: Academic Learning Centre; Career, Community and Experiential Learning Centre; Assessment Communications and Outreach; English Language Centre; International Centre; and Student Transition and Success Centre. Through consultation and committee work, she provides direction on student services, programs, and policies and leads working groups that focus on institutional priorities including academic integrity and experiential learning. Brandy’s research includes examining how universities support students with family responsibilities. She is also the co-founder of and co-editor for the Canadian Perspectives on Academic Integrity.

Session 5: Opening the books: Managing funds responsibly

Description: This session will cover responsible financial management within student groups. We will cover the basics of financial management, practical tips and tricks, and share resources and best practices. The goal of the session is for attendees to build their confidence in managing their student organization finances, and help them improve their student organizations financial practices. Content will be tailored to suit the needs of student groups of all sizes.

Facilitator: Gordon Chandler (CPA)

Bio: Gordon is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and a graduate of the University of Manitoba (B.Comm.(Hons).) and Athabasca University (MBA). He works in leadership in the non-profit sector. Previously, Gordon worked at the University of Manitoba Students' Union (UMSU) as the Services Manager, where he worked with student clubs and organizations.

Title: Game plans for programs and events

Description: This session will cover strategies for planning inclusive events and programs. It will include information on navigating UM event-planning resources, creating project and event plans, and steps to ensuring that events/programs are accessible and inclusive. Students will break off into small groups to discuss their experiences running events/programs, share resources, and identify opportunities for collaboration. 

Facilitator: Sarah Saunders (she/her)

Bio: Sarah Saunders is a Student Affairs professional and former leadership educator at the University of Manitoba. As the Manager of Assessment, Communications and Outreach for Student Affairs, her current work revolves around effective assessment and evaluation and leading a team with responsibility for many large events on campus (including Orientation and various career fairs). Sarah has spent over a decade in various student engagement and success portfolios including orientation and transition, leadership education and development, co-curricular engagement and experiential learning, and advising. As an event planner, her aim is to create safe(r) spaces that are inclusive, accessible, and welcoming. As an educator, she loves helping students recognize & maximize their skills, and build effective teams.

Title: Let’s talk sponsorships

Description: This session will cover how to acquire sponsorships & grants, such as how to draft a sponsorship package and how to facilitate lasting relationships with sponsors. We will also brainstorm ideas around how to know which groups are approaching which sponsors so that we’re not over-asking (is a coordinated approach possible?).

Facilitator: Roslyn Dally

Bio: Roslyn Dally, Senior Alumni Relations Officer at the University of Manitoba, excels in fostering dynamic partnerships with event sponsors, affinity groups, external organizations, and campus partners. Prior to joining UM in 2018, she led the introduction of MTS's Future First community investment program and its inaugural Diversity and Inclusion strategy, building bridges with First Nations and Métis communities. With a rich background in public relations, event sponsorship, and community engagement, Roslyn is a seasoned community investment practitioner dedicated to impactful connections and meaningful initiatives.

Title: Effective Leadership: When to lead from the inside out

Description: This session will help you examine the unique importance for new leaders to look inward while still maintaining an external focus and meeting organizational priorities.  By leveraging your own leadership approach, one can understand how to be most effective as a leader. In this session, participants will be challenged to define “success” as they consider ways to grow as a leader.  

Facilitator: Larissa Kanhai (she/her/elle) (MBA, B.A. (Hons), B.Sc.)

Bio: Larissa Kanhai is a community leader, strategic consultant and mother of 3. She holds an MBA in Sustainability and Public Administration, a B.A. Hons in International Development and a B.Sc. in Biology. She also has training in anti-racism, conflict resolution, change management and GBA+. 

Larissa has worked leading a national study on gender barriers (University of Manitoba), Diversity and Inclusion (Manitoba Government), Fairtrade Outreach (Manitoba Council for International Cooperation) and volunteered overseas with her children in the Ecuadorian Amazon. She is a Board Director for Siloam Mission.

Larissa is a skilled workshop facilitator, project manager and writer. Her greatest impact is made through engagement and relationship building.

Title: Working Together: Strategies for building inclusive practices in student organizations 

Description: This session will invite students to consider what inclusive practices ideally are for their groups, identify common barriers to realizing this ideal, and strategize solutions. The session will consider everyday power relations, and include guidance on identifying and effectively responding to microaggressions within a team. 

Facilitator: Tina Chen (she/her) (PhD, MA, B.A.)

Bio: Tina Chen is the inaugural Vice-Provost (Equity) at the University of Manitoba. She previously served as UM Executive Lead, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, as well as Department Head of History and Acting Coordinator of Asian Studies. A Distinguished Professor at University of Manitoba, Tina is an internationally recognized scholar in the fields of modern Chinese history, Chinese feminism, socialism, film and visual cultures, Asian anti-colonial solidarities, and equity in sport. She teaches courses in histories of racism and anti-racism, global histories, and alternative political imaginaries. Tina also is a committed community organizer, activist, and volunteer and is the recipient of a Canada Race Relations Community Champion Special Award, WXN Top 100 Most Powerful Women, UM Dr .and Mrs. Ralph Campbell Outreach Award, and YWCA/YMCA Woman of Distinction Award.

Co-facilitator: Katie Leitch (she/they) (MA, BSW, RSW) 

Bio: Katie was born and raised in rural Manitoba on Treaty One territory, and has loved engaging with different types of leadership initiatives at the UM as both a student and staff member for more than 10 years. Katie is passionate about supporting students in their identity development, community engagement, and EDIA-focused practice. Katie is currently the Acting Lead in Student Experience and Development (SEAD) office.

Co-facilitator: Madison Reed (she/they)

Bio: Madison Reed is an avid leadership learner and is passionate about deconstructing traditional views to promote an expanded idea of leadership that is more accessible and inclusive. They believe that leadership is a process that occurs between people, and is thankful to have the opportunity to learn with and from a variety of other passionate leaders through her work coordinating the Student Leadership Development Program in the SEAD office. 

Welcome and introduction to Office of Equity Transformation (Tina Chen, Vice-Provost, Equity) 

Community Guidelines and details for the day

Speaker: Shelby Thomas, Indigenous Rights Specialist, UM Office of Human Rights and Conflict Management

Facilitators: Tanvin Hossain and Ivan Nunez-Gomez

Free time.

Facilitator: Dr. Tina Chen, Vice-Provost (Equity)

Description: This workshop encourages participants to consider how their activism, advocacy, and community-building actions might be different if approached from an anti-oppression framework. The workshop introduces key theories of anti-oppression, including exploring how multiple forms of oppression can occur at the same time, and at various levels (micro, mezzo, macro). The workshop further considers how anti-oppression is premised upon recognition of diversity within systemically marginalized groups. We will collectively explore how listening, relationships, collaboration, partnerships, stepping up & stepping back are all key aspects of anti-oppression praxis. We distinguish anti-oppression praxis from ‘everyone, everywhere, all at once” approaches, and discuss how anti-oppression frameworks can inform strategic prioritization of initiatives and areas for action by and for specific individual and groups. 

Food and drinks will be provided.

WORKSHOP 1

Title: Intersectionality: Building Understanding and Application (Modules 1 & 2)*

Facilitators: Alex Rana, Ivan Nunez-Gomez

Description: The workshop centers the voice of Kimberlé Crenshaw, the term's originator, with modules sessions looking at the basics, intersectionality in the Canadian context, and how to apply intersectional thinking. Modules exercises specifically tailored to the work of a student leaders in EDIA, Anti-Oppression and Social Jsutice spaces, leaving space to move from theory to practice. Participants should have a basic understanding of different forms of systemic oppression and come open to discussions and exercises to deepen their understanding of intersectionality.

*The Intersectionality Workshop is a series of four modules (60 to 75 minutes each). Modules 1 & 2 will be delivered at the Post-SLC Forum. Students who are interested will have the opportunity to continue to participate in Modules 3&4 in the weeks following the Forum. Students completing all 4 modules will receive a certificate of completion. 

WORKSHOP 2

Title: Power, Change, and Community Organizing 

Facilitator: Trixie Maybituin (Fellow, UM Equity Anti-Oppression, and Social Justice Program) and Anny Chen

Description: The workshop discussed power and how we can make change through community organizing, both within and outside of the University of Manitoba. We will learn about different forms of community organizing (direct services, self-help, education, advocacy, direct action) and refer to examples of local organizing efforts at the UM and in the wider community. Using the Midwest Academy Strategy Chart, we will also unpack common components of successful community organizing. The workshop aims to increase student awareness about how we can make change, as well as introduce the strategy chart as a tool for planning campaigns. 

Students interested in deeper learning are invited to join a six-week workshop series, organised by UM Community Engaged Learning, taking place in the Fall term. 

WORKSHOP 3

Title: Accessibility from cross-disability and intersectional perspectives 

Facilitators: Melissa Graham (Executive Director), Jennifer Breddam (Chair), Manitoba League for People with Disabilities

Description: The Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities (MLPD) is a provincial not-for-profit organization that promotes accessibility and inclusion for people of all abilities. MLPD has over 40 years of experience solving accessibility challenges and promoting accessibility and inclusion. We provide a cross-disability, intersectional perspective on accessibility.

Melissa Graham, MLPD’s Executive Director and Jennifer Breddam, MLPD’s Council Chair, are pleased to share their knowledge with student leaders at the Post-SLC Forum: EDIA and Anti-Oppression, hosted by the University of Manitoba’s Office of Equity Transformation. In this session, student leaders will gain valuable insights into disability and accessibility from an intersectional perspective. Melissa and Jenn’s interactive approach will equip participants with the essential knowledge to actively promote inclusivity within their student groups and communities. Students will learn to define accessibility and inclusion, identify discrimination and barriers, recognize the unique contributions of students with disabilities, and acquire strategies to foster an accessible and inclusive environment for all.  

Free time.

Topic: Mutual Support and Self-Care in EDIA, Anti-Oppression and Social Justice Spaces

Panel:

Bre Wolgroski, Coordinator Sexual Violence Resource Centre

Vanessa Lillie, Director of Cultural Integration (Indigenous)

Nina Lam, UM Alumnus and former student leader

Michele Pearson, Student Counselling Centre

Activity: “Commitments to myself and each other”