YWCA Edmonton

Grants entry to the event with access to standard amenities and activities.

General Admission

Board Ready: Trustee Edition &mdash; Learn to Lead as an Elected School Board Trustee May 26 | YWCA Edmonton | Doors 4:30 PM | Panel 5&ndash;6 PM With Alberta&rsquo;s municipal elections coming this October, now is the time to explore how you can step into leadership and governance roles that shape your community, &nbsp;starting with the vital role of school board trustee. This empowering panel is designed to demystify what it means to serve as a trustee, why diverse women&rsquo;s voices are needed at the table, and how you can launch a successful campaign. You&rsquo;ll hear firsthand from inspiring leaders: Trustee Julie Kusiek, Chair, Edmonton Public School Board Trustee Sandra Palazzo, Chair, Edmonton Catholic School DistrictDr. Vivian Abboud, CEO, Alberta School Boards AssociationModerated by Katherine O&rsquo;Neill, CEO, YWCA Edmonton Now part of YWCA Edmonton, DirectHER Network is advancing our shared commitment to removing barriers for women in governance, opening doors to boardrooms, and amplifying the next generation of women leaders. This event continues that important conversation &mdash; giving you the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to take action. Whether you&rsquo;re considering running or simply want to better understand what trustees do and how they impact education, this conversation will equip you with practical insights and motivation. Seats are limited &mdash; join us and take your first step toward leading change.___________________________________________________________________________ Panelists: Dr. Vivian AbboudDr. Abboud is the Chief Executive Officer of the Alberta School BoardsAssociation (ASBA), the provincial organization supporting its locallyelected public, Catholic and Francophone member school boards. Sinceassuming this role in 2018, she has led the implementation of ASBA&rsquo;sStrategic Plan, positioning the Association as a strategic and influentialorganization. In recognition of her leadership, she received the 2021ASBA President&rsquo;s Award. Currently, Dr. Abboud represents ASBA on the Local Authorities PensionPlan Sponsor Board and serves as a Senator Alumnus with theUniversity of Alberta, continuing her commitment to strong governanceand education. With a rich background spanning governance, education, business andwomen&rsquo;s initiatives, Dr. Abboud previously held several executive roleswithin the Government of Alberta. She is also a dedicated communityleader, having served as Chair of Daughters Day and as a Director ofCanadians for Civil Society from 2015 to 2023. In 2013, she played a keyrole in establishing the Women of Advocacy Voice of Edmonton. She is trilingual and holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Governanceand Leadership from Simon Fraser University, along with multiplecertifications in leadership, management and education. Her leadership and advocacy have earned her numerous accolades,including being named one of RBC&rsquo;s Top 25 Canadian Immigrants,featured among Canada&rsquo;s Top 40 Women Change Makers by CanadianLiving&nbsp;Magazine and recognized in Avenue Magazine&rsquo;s Top 40 Under 40. Julie KusiekJulie believes public education is a fundamental and essential human right for every child. She is passionate about community engagement and positive advocacy, which she has dedicated much of her time to over the last decade and a half. She holds a M.A. in political science (with a focus on youth engagement in local communities) and an BA hon in political science (studying the democratic deficit). Prior to being elected as Trustee in October 2021, she volunteered her time on various boards and local advocacy initiatives that build stronger, more connected communities. &nbsp;Some of this work has been referenced in interviews for published books and a variety of podcast episodes. Julie is also the proud parent of four children who attend Edmonton Public Schools. As Board Chair, Julie works with her Trustee colleagues to strengthen public education through a focus on strong governance practices and collaboration. Sandra PalazzoSandra Palazzo serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees with Edmonton Catholic Schools. With over four decades of experience in the field, Sandra&rsquo;s commitment to education runs deep. She began her journey with ECSD in 1986 as a teacher where she honed her skills and passion, fostering student growth. Throughout her career, she has held various roles, including department head and administrator,allowing her to gain a comprehensive understanding of the educational landscape. Sandra&rsquo;s leadership extends beyond the classroom walls. Her tenure as a Senior Manager with Alberta Education provided her invaluable insights into educational policy and system-level decision-making. What sets Sandra apart is her unwavering dedication to serving the students, staff, and families of theDivision. In her role as Chair of the Board of Trustees, Sandra continues to champion excellence in education while advocating for Catholic education in the province of Alberta. Beyond her professional endeavors, Sandra remains deeply engaged with the community, recognizing the importance of forging strong ties between schools and the broader society. She actively seeks opportunities to involve stakeholders in shaping the Division&#39;s vision and priorities, fostering a collective responsibility for student success.

Thank you for registering for Board Ready: Trustee Edition. We&rsquo;re thrilled to have you join us on May 26 at YWCA Edmonton for this important conversation about leadership, governance, and the power of women&rsquo;s voices in education. As part of YWCA Edmonton&rsquo;s mission to advance equity and amplify women&rsquo;s leadership, this event is one more way we continue breaking down barriers and creating pathways for women and gender-diverse leaders to step into meaningful roles. We can&rsquo;t wait to see you there as we learn, connect, and inspire each other to lead change. If you&rsquo;d like to learn more about YWCA Edmonton&rsquo;s programs or find ways to support our work, please visit <a fr-original-style="" href="https://ywcaofedmonton.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">ywcaofedmonton.org</a>. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at <a fr-original-style="" href="mailto:communications@ywcaedm.org" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;">communications@ywcaedm.org</a>.Thank you again for being part of this important conversation. Together, we are building stronger, safer, more equitable communities for all.

Board Ready: Trustee Edition — Learn to Lead as an Elected School Board Trustee May 26 | YWCA Edmonton | Doors 4:30 PM | Panel 5–6 PM With Alberta’s municipal elections coming this October, now is the time to explore how you can step into leadership and governance roles that shape your community,  starting with the vital role of school board trustee. This empowering panel is designed to demystify what it means to serve as a trustee, why diverse women’s voices are needed at the table, and how you can launch a successful campaign. You’ll hear firsthand from inspiring leaders: Trustee Julie Kusiek, Chair, Edmonton Public School Board Trustee Sandra Palazzo, Chair, Edmonton Catholic School DistrictDr. Vivian Abboud, CEO, Alberta School Boards AssociationModerated by Katherine O’Neill, CEO, YWCA Edmonton Now part of YWCA Edmonton, DirectHER Network is advancing our shared commitment to removing barriers for women in governance, opening doors to boardrooms, and amplifying the next generation of women leaders. This event continues that important conversation — giving you the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to take action. Whether you’re considering running or simply want to better understand what trustees do and how they impact education, this conversation will equip you with practical insights and motivation. Seats are limited — join us and take your first step toward leading change.___________________________________________________________________________ Panelists: Dr. Vivian AbboudDr. Abboud is the Chief Executive Officer of the Alberta School BoardsAssociation (ASBA), the provincial organization supporting its locallyelected public, Catholic and Francophone member school boards. Sinceassuming this role in 2018, she has led the implementation of ASBA’sStrategic Plan, positioning the Association as a strategic and influentialorganization. In recognition of her leadership, she received the 2021ASBA President’s Award. Currently, Dr. Abboud represents ASBA on the Local Authorities PensionPlan Sponsor Board and serves as a Senator Alumnus with theUniversity of Alberta, continuing her commitment to strong governanceand education. With a rich background spanning governance, education, business andwomen’s initiatives, Dr. Abboud previously held several executive roleswithin the Government of Alberta. She is also a dedicated communityleader, having served as Chair of Daughters Day and as a Director ofCanadians for Civil Society from 2015 to 2023. In 2013, she played a keyrole in establishing the Women of Advocacy Voice of Edmonton. She is trilingual and holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Governanceand Leadership from Simon Fraser University, along with multiplecertifications in leadership, management and education. Her leadership and advocacy have earned her numerous accolades,including being named one of RBC’s Top 25 Canadian Immigrants,featured among Canada’s Top 40 Women Change Makers by CanadianLiving Magazine and recognized in Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40. Julie KusiekJulie believes public education is a fundamental and essential human right for every child. She is passionate about community engagement and positive advocacy, which she has dedicated much of her time to over the last decade and a half. She holds a M.A. in political science (with a focus on youth engagement in local communities) and an BA hon in political science (studying the democratic deficit). Prior to being elected as Trustee in October 2021, she volunteered her time on various boards and local advocacy initiatives that build stronger, more connected communities.  Some of this work has been referenced in interviews for published books and a variety of podcast episodes. Julie is also the proud parent of four children who attend Edmonton Public Schools. As Board Chair, Julie works with her Trustee colleagues to strengthen public education through a focus on strong governance practices and collaboration. Sandra PalazzoSandra Palazzo serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees with Edmonton Catholic Schools. With over four decades of experience in the field, Sandra’s commitment to education runs deep. She began her journey with ECSD in 1986 as a teacher where she honed her skills and passion, fostering student growth. Throughout her career, she has held various roles, including department head and administrator,allowing her to gain a comprehensive understanding of the educational landscape. Sandra’s leadership extends beyond the classroom walls. Her tenure as a Senior Manager with Alberta Education provided her invaluable insights into educational policy and system-level decision-making. What sets Sandra apart is her unwavering dedication to serving the students, staff, and families of theDivision. In her role as Chair of the Board of Trustees, Sandra continues to champion excellence in education while advocating for Catholic education in the province of Alberta. Beyond her professional endeavors, Sandra remains deeply engaged with the community, recognizing the importance of forging strong ties between schools and the broader society. She actively seeks opportunities to involve stakeholders in shaping the Division's vision and priorities, fostering a collective responsibility for student success.

YWCA Edmonton

Board Ready: Trustee Edition

10402 124 St

General Admission

Free