Claiming Your Seat: Career Growth, Confidence, and Redefining Success

Your career path is uniquely yours — but the challenges are often shared. From finding your voice in the workplace to leading in spaces that weren’t designed with you in mind, women continue to navigate barriers, expectations, and opportunities that shape their professional journeys.

Join us for Claiming Your Seat, a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Erin Higgins, founder of Women in Focus and Winthrop Consulting. Our panel brings together diverse voices and experiences across industries to share their insights, strategies, and lessons learned on the road to building meaningful, values-driven careers.

Topics we’ll explore include:

• Finding your voice at work: Asking for more and saying no with professionalism and confidence

• Mastering your mindset: Moving beyond perfectionism and imposter syndrome

• Navigating career pivots and starting over with clarity

• Building your personal board of directors: Mentorship, sponsorship, and strategic growth

• Leading in male-dominated spaces without compromising your values

• Creating a career path that aligns with your worth, not just your résumé

This is an evening of honest conversations, practical strategies, and empowering perspectives — designed to leave you with the confidence and clarity to claim your own seat at the table.

Following the panel, stay for a networking reception where you’ll have the opportunity to connect directly with our panelists and fellow attendees — continuing the conversation, building relationships, and expanding your professional community in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

Meet your speakers:

Benslyne Avril, She/Her, Registered Psychotherapist, Founder and Lead Clinician of Therapy with Empathy, and Counselling Psychology Professor at the University of Ottawa

Hugo Bui, PFP, She/Her, Financial Planner, Investment and Retirement Planning at RBC

Wendy Desir, She/Her, Director of First Nation Policing and Facilities, Public Safety Canada

Jayde Micah, She/They, Co-owner at Beandigen Cafe, Anishnaabe Artist & Beadworker, Owner of Jayde Micah Designs

Hannah Schmitt, She/Her, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Virtual CFO

Meet your moderator: 

Erin Higgins, She/Her, Founder & Director of Events & Branding at Winthrop Consulting

With support from: