2026: In Conversation with Black Women in Leadership-Sisterhood & Storytelling

@475 West Georgia Street. Space is limited. Register by February 14, 2026. Cost = $50.

This Black History Month, join Dr. Yabome Gilpin-Jackson, In Conversation with Black Women in Leadership, reflecting the Canadian Black History Month theme: “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.” This year’s conversation centers on sisterhood and storytelling. Take time out to network with other women leaders and hear leadership wisdoms from the stories of Black women leaders.

Judith Bosire is the Chief Economist at Vancity. With over 15 years of experience in economic development, public policy, and business strategy, Judith has held senior leadership roles in both the public and private sectors including as Senior Economist at Deloitte and Director at Government of Canada, leading economic development initiatives across Canada’s northern territories—Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. Judith also contributes her expertise through significant board and advisory roles Supporting Black Canadian Communities.

Matilda Williams-Obiajunwa graduated from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, where she studied Creative Arts and majored in Directing for her first degree, and She has a postgraduate diploma from the same university in Educational Administration and Planning. She possesses a rich background in Childhood cancer advocacy, event planning, stakeholder engagement and catering. As an immigrant woman, Matilda struggled with self-esteem, depression, the several challenges of being a woman of colour and the constant fear of being accepted for who she is; these and her numerous life experiences as a woman have led her to create the Sisters In Canada Wellness Society.

Michelle Fenton is an architect, community engagement facilitator, and founder of Khôra Architecture + Interiors. Her work is guided by a simple truth: architecture shapes how we gather, connect, and care for one another. With over 25 years in practice, Michelle designs spaces that integrate culture, wellbeing, and belonging—drawing on her Caribbean heritage, her relationship to land, and a belief in co-creation as a design ethic. Through her practice and The Happitecture Podcast, she advances what she calls “architecture for happiness”—designing places that support personal fulfillment, social cohesion, and collective resilience.

Nadia Theodore (by video) is the Canadian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization, UN Trade and Development, the World Intellectual Property Organization and The International Trade Centre in Geneva. She joined the federal public service in 2004 as a trade negotiator. She has held progressively senior roles in economic, international and social policy, including at the CRA and Public Safety Canada. She is a leader, bridge builder and public speaker committed to youth development. Her focus is on ensuring that while she is often a first at leadership tables, she most certainly won’t be the last.

In Conversation dialogues are hosted and moderated by Dr. Yabome Gilpin-Jackson during Black History Month. She resides in British Columbia, Canada and is a multiple award-winning organizational development leader and scholar who centers equity in all she does. Throughout her career, which has spanned the public, private and non-profit sectors, she has helped people and organizations build capacity for transformational change. In addition to many academic peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, she has published short story/flash fiction collections about global African experiences Identities, Ancestries and Destinies. Limited signed copies of these books will be available to purchase at the event.