Women Leaders Conference: Inspiring, Elevating, and Redefining Female Leadership
On October 2, several members of DAC Montreal’s client management team had the privilege of attending the Women Leaders Conference organized by Les Affaires. This annual event, designed to spotlight female leadership, brought together inspiring women who shared their knowledge, experiences, and advice to propel participants to new heights. The agenda included captivating talks, enriching workshops, stimulating panels, and valuable networking opportunities.
During the day, Fanny Mooijekind, General Manager of DAC Montreal, spoke on a panel titled “Female Leadership: Redefining Norms and Expectations,” alongside Elara Verret, Chief of Digital and Customer Experience at Reitmans, and Mélissa Lessard, Head of Marketing, North America, at Couche-Tard.
Our colleagues Ines Blondet, Stéphanie Bau-Plourde, Camille St-Georges, and Amandine Delmiche also had the privilege of attending the conference. Ines, a past participant, was once again impressed by the relevance and impact of the topics discussed, while Camille Saint-Georges, a new Account Coordinator at DAC Montreal, experienced her first conference without specific expectations and was pleasantly surprised by the energy and dynamism of the day. Both share their reflections and takeaways here.
The Power of Influence and the Art of Setting Boundaries
Ines was particularly struck by Jessica Harnois’s opening talk on “The Power of Influence.” Jessica discussed the importance of influence as a tool, but more so the need to set clear boundaries to maintain a healthy balance, especially for women who often carry a “mental load.” This speech resonated with Ines, reminding her that influence can be positive and constructive, particularly through mentoring.
Redefining Female Leadership
A highlight of the day for both attendees was the panel led by Fanny Mooijekind, General Manager of DAC Montreal, joined by Elara Verret from Reitmans and Melissa Lessard from Couche-Tard. This panel explored the redefinition of female leadership and the deconstruction of traditional expectations associated with leadership roles.
Ines especially appreciated the emphasis on emotional intelligence as a leadership lever, prompting her to rethink her own approach to leadership. Camille was struck by Mélissa Lessard’s remarks on the importance of valuing emotions in the workplace. Sharing her personal experiences, Camille felt a deep connection with the topic, having faced judgments about her emotions in a sports setting. This was a moment of realization for her on the importance of embracing her emotions and using them as a strength.
Empathy at the Heart of Influence
The theme of empathy was explored by Marie-Ève Landry from Orée Leadership, who led a powerful workshop. Ines found this workshop eye-opening, highlighting the necessity of practicing authentic and active empathy for true influence. Camille appreciated the sharing environment created during the workshop, which allowed participants to tell personal stories and receive advice on developing genuine professional empathy.
A Transformative Experience
For Ines, this second edition of Women Leaders was a source of renewed inspiration, reinforcing her desire to continue her personal and professional growth. Camille, new to the event, left feeling enriched and more confident, with a drive to apply what she learned in her day-to-day life.
Both colleagues are unanimous: the Women Leaders Conference is a valuable experience that inspires, encourages, and motivates them to aim ever higher.