Dig In! Celebrating Women's Leadership, Creativity and Impact
March 6
12 to 1 p.m., MT
Online (Zoom)
Free!
Although most women only work in one industry or sector, their personal experience may span many fields and disciplines, and the most successful among them draw from a variety of experiences, educational backgrounds, passions and interests to do the work that makes meaningful change possible.
You’re invited to dig in to an exceptional panel of UCalgary alumni from diverse fields, including the arts and corporate sectors, for a conversation on sparking change as powerful women across and between a variety of disciplines.
These women, who bring a wealth of experience from visual arts, filmmaking, education, law and even the energy industry, will share their unique stories, exploring how interdisciplinary work can lead to innovation and create meaningful connections across different sectors.
Join us ahead of this International Women’s Day to celebrate and learn from these incredible alumni.
Althea Francis
General Counsel, Public Prosecution Service of Canada
Althea Francis, BA’95, LLB’99, has enjoyed a distinguished career, marked by her dedication to addressing systemic discrimination and racism within the criminal justice system. She pursued interests in literature, art and philosophy at UCalgary before tackling social justice during her law degree. Althea leads and oversees the prosecution of complex cases that involve national security, terrorism, organized crime, money laundering and fraud, and brings a unique perspective to each as a Black woman, immigrant and mother. Althea is the first Black woman to hold the title of General Counsel at the Ontario regional office of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
Laurel Johannesson
Artist and Professor, Alberta University of the Arts
During her 25 years at the Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) in Calgary, Laurel Johannesson, MFA’99, has held several academic leadership roles, served on various editorial boards, and internationally presented and published her research in temporality, the moving image, interactivity and generative art. In addition to her career in academia, Laurel is a distinguished artist known for her evocative work that explores the relationship between body and nature. Her extensive body of work spans photography, experimental film and moving images and is held in significant collections worldwide, including the Government of Canada and the Royal College of Art. Represented by Herringer Kiss Gallery (Calgary) and Artpowher Contemporary (Zurich), Laurel has received numerous grants and awards for her innovative contributions to art.
Gina McKinnon
Corporate Services Co-ordinator, Heritage Royalty
Gina McKinnon, BA'12, is a visual artist, lifelong volunteer and seasoned professional with more than 13 years of experience in corporate administration, currently working in the energy sector. Her career is marked by a deep curiosity for process optimization and systems governance, evolving from program administration and IT oversight to board governance. Gina is also chair of the governance committee for The New Gallery, an artist-run centre in Calgary's Chinatown. She has exhibited work at Theatre Calgary, Pumphouse Theatre’s Quenten Doolittle Memorial Gallery and assorted friends’ living rooms. She blends her passion for art and structure with a focus on process and compliance in both her professional and artistic pursuits.
Teresa Posyniak
Artist
Teresa Posyniak, MFA’83, embodies a transdisciplinary approach to her work, blending literature, drama, education, painting, drawing and sculpture in her creative practice. With degrees spanning across these fields, she integrates diverse materials to craft her dynamic pieces. A former instructor at both UCalgary and the AUArts, Teresa’s art, exhibited nationwide, reflects her commitment to social activism, particularly for women, children and the environment. Her recent commission for the Calgary Stampede's BMO Centre mural, Grasslands Tapestry, and the memorial sculpture Lest We Forget at the UCalgary Main Campus, centred on missing and murdered women, highlight her advocacy-driven work.
Nina Rehill
Board Director, UCalgary Alumni Association
Nina Rehill, BA'16, BA'21, is a proud Calgarian with a passion for community, connection and learning. She holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in both sociology and political science from UCalgary. Nina’s academic journey led her to a career in marketing, communications and public relations. She began her commitment to UCalgary during her undergraduate degrees and now continues to be actively involved in its endeavours driven by the love for the university and the city of Calgary. She currently serves on the UCalgary Alumni Association’s Board of Directors.
About Dig In!
The UCalgary Alumni “Dig In!” series lets you “dig in” to the most important and interesting topics of the day while also “digging in” to a meal over the lunch hour! Join us for unique and interactive discussions examining hot topics, trends and more.