GROW Women Leaders Summit 2025

Investing in Inclusive Hiring for the Future of Work

October 22-24, 2025

96days
18hours
12minutes
16seconds

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: We're pleased to announce that the GROW Women Leaders Summit 2025 is Pre-Approved for CPHR Alberta Continuing Professional Development Hours. Training hours will be granted to eligible participants who attend DEI-related workshops and provide proof of attendance. Others will receive a certificate of attendance. This accreditation supports inclusive hiring and contributes to increasing the workforce participation of underrepresented women across sectors.

CPHR 16 CPD Hours Stamp

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 Yet too many talented individuals—especially BIWOC, immigrants, newcomers, and youth—remain locked out by outdated hiring systems.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

Steering Committee

Dr. Hellen Gateri

Paula Kirman

Jean Bruce Koua

Izabela Figueiredo Shudra

Guest Speakers

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.

This program has been approved by CPHR Alberta for 16 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours.

Marketplace Exhibitors

To Be Announced

Join the Movement

The future of work starts with how we hire today.

Be part of a powerful gathering reshaping the systems that shape opportunity.

Event Tickets

Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be canceled once purchased.

Summit Only

If you're excited for our summit but don't want to break the bank, look no further!

FREE

Availability: Candidates Only

Summit + Award Gala Dinner

If you would like to attend the summit and attend the award gala dinner, we have you covered!

$99.99

Availability: Candidates Only

Executive + Recognition Award Dinner*

If you are an executive who would like to attend the summit the award gala dinner, this is the package for you!

$1049.99

Availability: Executives Only

Executive Recognition Award Dinner Only

If you don't have time to attend all 3 days of the summit, you can attend just the award dinner!

$199.99

Availability: Executives Only

* Looking for support from your leader to attend the Grow Women Leaders Summit 2025? Find our sample Letter to Leader here.

Venue

Event 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.

Accommodations

Mention 'Grow Women Leaders Summit' when booking before October 6th 2025 for a special rate.

Days Inn by Wyndham Edmonton Downtown

10041 106 St, Edmonton, AB T5J 1G3

GROW Women Leaders Summit 2024 Gallery

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The Orange Hub Building

10045 156 St, NW
Edmonton, AB
T5P 2P7, Canada

(780) 306-0896

(844) 223-2987

[email protected]

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