AURORA, Ont. — Golf Canada in partnership with Canadian Pacific (CP), is proud to announce that the second annual CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit will take place Tuesday, August 20 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North in Richmond Hill, Ont. as part of the weeklong excitement of the 2019 CPKC Women’s Open (CPWO).
The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit will bring together like-minded businesswomen from across the country for a day of networking, empowerment and philanthropy. The Summit will also raise awareness for the CPKC Women’s Open, with attendees receiving access to the tournament during the week.
The business panel of the Summit will consist of three businesswomen at the top of their respective fields. Maeghan Albiston, Assistant Vice-President of Investor Relations & Pensions at CP, Anne Simard, Chief Mission & Research Officer of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Jennifer Tory, Chief Administrative Officer of RBC will all be part of the panel.
“After seeing the success of the inaugural event, I was honoured to be asked to participate in this year’s CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit,” said Albiston. “As an organization whose values hinge on pride and diversity, we at CP see this event as a meaningful way to show our commitment to developing and empowering women in the workplace.”
A new addition to the leadership summit in 2019 is the athlete panel, which will feature four accomplished Canadian Olympians—speed skater Anastasia Bucsis, soccer goalkeeper Karina Leblanc, multi-sport star Georgia Simmerling and two-time ice hockey gold medalist Natalie Spooner. Rogers Sportsnet Central Co-Anchor Evanka Osmak will act as the emcee and panel moderator for the event.
In addition to the business and athlete panel, Roberta Bowman, Chief Brand & Communications Officer of the LPGA will join the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit as the keynote speaker.
Bowman spent 25 years with Duke Energy before retiring in 2012 as Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer. She served on the LPGA Board of Directors from 2012-2017 and joined the organization full-time in 2018 as Chief Brand and Communications Officer. In her role as a member of the LPGA’s executive leadership team, Bowman led the development and implementation of the LPGA’s new marketing campaign – Drive On – which celebrates the power and potential in each individual, sharing inspiring stories and creating emotional connections with players, fans and sponsors alike.
“I am thrilled for the opportunity to promote diversity in both business and sport by participating in the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit,” said Bowman. “I look forward to bringing together a group of women who are leaders in what they do, and discuss what motivates, challenges, and inspires us to work hard and enhance our careers.”
For Golf Canada, hosting the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit as part of Canada’s National Women’s Open Golf Championship aligns with the organization’s commitment to developing a more inclusive culture in Canadian golf.
“Continuing the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit is an extension of our efforts to encourage more women and girls to engage with golf and use the CPKC Women’s Open as a platform to bring together like-minded businesswomen in the spirit of networking, idea-sharing and empowerment,” said Mary Beth McKenna, a member of Golf Canada’s championship management team. “All of our speakers are leaders in their industries, and will provide participants with an inspiring experience and wide array of perspectives.”
The CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit begins at 9 am on August 20 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North and will feature networking opportunities, a question-and-answer session with panelists along with a three-course lunch. The day will conclude with an activity to support the charitable beneficiary of the CPKC Women’s Open, SickKids Foundation.
For more information about the CPKC Women’s Leadership Summit, including tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.cpkcwomensopen.com/wls.