GROW Women Leaders Summit 2025

Investing in Inclusive Hiring for the Future of Work

October 22-24, 2025

117days

19hours

10minutes

42seconds

About the GROW Women Leaders Summit

The GROW Women Leaders Summit is an annual gathering that brings together equity-driven professionals, HR leaders, employers and government officials from across Canada to collectively build inclusive hiring systems. This year's theme, "Investing in Inclusive Hiring for the Future of Work," focuses on breaking barriers, fostering innovation, and rethinking how we define talent.

The Summit includes keynote talks, industry panels, workshops, and breakout sessions that lead to real-world implementation of inclusive and competency-based hiring practices. It is designed to support public and private employers on their journey toward equitable workforce transformation.

What to Expect

High-impact keynotes
Actionable workshops
Cross-industry panels
Public-private collaboration roundtables
Marketplace of inclusive hiring
Celebration of inclusive leadership

Outcomes You'll Leave With

A toolkit of inclusive recruitment strategies
Access to cross-sector partnerships
A commitment roadmap for your hiring systems
Recognition for your role in building a fairer workforce

Target Audience

Professionals

HR Leaders

Employers

Government Officials

Note: Best practice and workplace culture training hours will be granted only to registrants from the target audience who provide proof of attendance in a DEI-related workshop. Those not in the target audience will receive a certificate of attendance.

Why This Summit Matters

The world of work is evolving. Yet too many talented individuals—especially BIWOC, immigrants, newcomers, and youth—remain locked out by outdated hiring systems. The Grow Women Leaders Summit 2025 is where changemakers gather to rewrite the rules.

This is not just another HR conference. It's a bold convening of innovators, employers, governments, and advocates designing inclusive hiring for the AI age, skills economy, and human future.

2025 Theme

Investing in Inclusive Hiring for the Future of Work

We believe equitable hiring is not charity—it's strategy. This year's theme challenges employers to move from intention to action.

Intention Action

Prioritizing skills over credentials
Designing bias-aware recruitment systems
Building cross-sector partnerships for long-term inclusion

Guest Speakers

To Be Announced

Best Workplace for Diverse Women Award

Nominate Your Company

We are excited to present the Best Workplace for Diverse Women Award, recognizing companies that excel in creating inclusive environments for diverse women. This award celebrates employers who implement best practices in equitable recruitment and support women’s growth and advancement.

The "Best Workplace for Diverse Women" Award not only recognizes exemplary companies but also promotes ongoing learning and development in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Marketplace

Vision

The Marketplace is more than just a career fair—it is a vibrant, interactive space designed to connect top employers with diverse, talented women candidates ready for the future of work. It will showcase inclusive employers, non-traditional job opportunities, and career development resources, while offering a high-touch, high-impact experience that fosters engagement, relationship-building, and opportunity-matching.

Participants

To Be Announced

Agenda

GROW Women Leaders Summit 2025

Day 1 - Redesigning Recruitment for Equity

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - Venue: Edmonton Convention Centre

Registration & Networking

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Participants register and begin networking with fellow attendees.

Welcome from Tracy Barry, Founder & CEO, Grow Women Leaders

9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Tracy Barry kicks off the event with a welcome address, setting the tone for the day.

Entertainment - Poet

9:30 AM - 9:45 AM

A poetic performance to inspire and energize attendees.

Keynote: Hiring Beyond Barriers: The Workforce of the Future

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

An exploration of innovative hiring practices to shape a more equitable workforce.

Panel: Beyond Resumes: Rethinking HR Systems for Inclusive Hiring

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Industry leaders discuss the limitations of traditional hiring practices and present inclusive solutions.

Lunch & Networking Break

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Enjoy lunch while connecting with peers and speakers.

Workshop: Creating a Bias-Awareness Culture: Best Practices for Fostering Inclusive Recruitment Pathways

1:30 PM - 2:15 PM

An interactive session focusing on actionable steps to eliminate bias in recruitment.

Breakout Sessions: Pathway to Inclusive Hiring Solutions

2:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Industry-focused sessions tailored to specific fields, exploring innovative hiring strategies.

Industries covered: Healthcare, Finance, Investments, Technology, General Electrics, Mining, Oil and Gas, Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation, Logistics, and Utilities.

Topics include: 'From Credentialism to Competency' and 'Designing Inclusive Job Descriptions & Interview Protocols'.

Closing Remarks

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Reflect on the day's insights and outline the vision for the next steps.

Sponsor the Movement

Align your brand with a future-focused, values-driven summit.

Sponsorship packages available now. Contact [email protected].

The Ally Sponsor (2 of 5 Opportunities Available)
The Collaborator Sponsor (4 Opportunities Available)
The Comrade Sponsor (3 Opportunities Available)
The Champion Sponsor (2 Opportunities Available)
Titled Sponsorship Option: Overall Summit & Candidate Program Support (1 Opportunity Available)

Ally Sponsors

Collaborator Sponsors

To Be Announced

Comrade Sponsors

To Be Announced

Champion Sponsors

To Be Announced

Overall Summit & Candidate Program Support

To Be Announced

Venue

Edmonton Convention Center

9797 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB T5J 1N9

GROW Women Leaders is delighted to host this event at the Edmonton Convention Centre.

Accomodations - TBA

We know that where you stay can make or break your experience. That’s why our team is hard at work behind the scenes, searching high and low to secure the best deals on accommodations for our members. From boutique hotels to trusted chains, we’re negotiating exclusive rates, checking locations, and ensuring quality — all so you can enjoy comfort, convenience, and value.

Our goal? To make sure every stay feels like a win — without you having to lift a finger.

Stay tuned for updates on some of the top accommodation offers we’re lining up just for you!