A panel discussion featuring: Dalal Al-Waheidi ’98, Anne Larcade '81, Nancy Austin '76 and Rann Sharma '97.The panel, moderated by former Trent president, Bonnie Patterson,

consisted of women from the private and public sectors, not-for-profit

organizations, male-dominated professions, female-dominated professions,

and governmental representation. The panel included Dalal Al-Waheidi

'98, executive director of Global We Day at Free the Children; Anne

Larcade '81, president and CEO of Sequel Hotels and Resorts; Nancy

Austin '76, executive lead on the Ontario Gender Wage Gap Steering

Committee, and Rann Sharma '97, global head people operations and

culture at Free the Children. Admissions from this sold-out event went

to support Trent’s chapter of the World University Service of Canada, a

program that is raising money to fund refugees to study at Trent.

Upon completion of the panel discussion, Lee Hays, director of Alumni

Affairs, announced the formation of the Community for Trent Women

(CTW), a life-long learning and leadership community providing

opportunities for collaboration, mentorship and support to empower women

and support each other to achieve professional goals. 

“This will be an inclusive community representing diverse

perspectives, experiences, and cultures, helping to expand global

awareness,” said Ms. Hays. “The CTW intends to identify and celebrate

remarkable Trent women who are advancing communities around the world

through their local or global efforts.” 

Anyone interested in getting involved, as a founding board member or as a community member can contact [email protected] or [email protected] for more information.

The Ideas That Change the World Fund was established in 2011 upon

the retirement of Alumni Affairs director Tony Storey, in support of an

annual event designated to celebrate the exploration of learning and

innovation.