Conference Schedule

Registration for the SOAR Student Leadership Conference will open at 8:30 AM. Registration tables will be set up in the Richcraft Hall Atrium where you will receive a name badge, lanyard, and information about the conference program.

Leadership Blitz

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Location: Richcraft Hall 2200

Description: Learn a little bit about what the schedule for the day looks like and hear from three Carleton Student Leaders as they describe what leadership means to them in our annual Student Leadership Blitz.

Keynote Presentation

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Location: Richcraft Hall 2200

Keynote Address by Waneek Horn-Miller

Waneek Horn-Miller is an Indigenous advocate and Olympic athlete from the Kahnawake Mohawk territory. She is the first ever Mohawk woman to represent Canada at the Olympics, where she was co-captain of the Women’s water polo team. Waneek has also taken home the gold in water polo in the PanAm Games, appeared on the cover of TIME, and was the first woman to win Carleton University’s Athlete of the Year—which she won four years in a row.

Preparing for Life after Graduation: Building Communities That Propel Success

Presenter Name: Lily Akagbosu

Location: Richcraft Hall 3201

Description: In a world that often emphasizes individual achievement, it’s easy to overlook the transformative power of a supportive community. Join Lily Akagbosu, a proud Carleton alum, as she shares her journey of building vibrant, intentional communities both during and after university. You’ll learn how to create a network of lasting connections—whether through friendships, mastermind groups, or leadership roles—that not only help you overcome challenges and achieve your goals but also allow you to uplift and support others along the way. By the end of this session, you’ll have actionable strategies to build communities that foster mutual growth and propel personal and professional success after graduation.

How to Articulate Your Leadership Skills to Employers

Presenter Name: Natalie Pinto

Location: Richcraft Hall 3202

Description: As a student leader, you have developed leadership skills during your journey at Carleton. Your leadership skills are transferable and highly needed for today’s workforce. The magic is being able to articulate your skills and experience succinctly and effectively to an employer. In this interactive workshop, Career Services will help you reflect, identify and articulate your leadership skills . You will leave the workshop with a stronger understanding on how to write strong accomplishment statements, which can be used for a resume, cover letter and interviews.

Lead Through Writing: How Getting Published Can Help You Become a Leader

Presenter Name: Hannah Kirwin

Location: Richcraft Hall 3110

Description: Do you want to get published? In this presentation, I will share with participants how to get published, and the benefits that come along with it. Drawing on my own experiences as a student and as an editor, I will address the 5 W’s of getting published. I will also talk about the benefits of getting published and why it isn’t as hard as people think. Whether you want to publish a poem, short story, essay or something else, I will give you tips on how to approach the writing scene in and outside of Ottawa.

Sustainable Governance

Presenter Name: Kassidy Hammond

Location: Richcraft Hall 3112

Description: This presentation will cover practical leadership skills for the governance of more advanced clubs and not-for-profit organizations. The leadership section covers how to be an effective leader, how to build your team, and how to manage conflict. The membership section will provide advice on community outreach and membership retention. The club operations section will outline strategic planning, university relations, funding, and the documentation structure required to support an organization over time.

The Significance of Dreamcatchers (and Make Your Own!)

Presenter Name: Ashley Clark

Location: Richcraft Hall 3220

Description: Join Wahta Mohawk artist, educator and Carleton alum Ashley Clark to craft your own dreamcatcher. Delve into the significance of dreamcatchers in Indigenous cultures and engage in open discussions about Indigenous lived experiences. Explore topics including reconciliation, cultural appreciation, decolonization, and Indigenous teachings. Bring your creativity and questions, and join us for camaraderie, laughter, and new friendships.

This session requires pre-registration.

Location: Richcraft Hall Atrium and Conference Rooms

Description: Join us for our Networking Lunch where delegates will have the opportunity to engage with speakers, learn about leadership opportunities in the Carleton and Ottawa area and receive a professional headshot. Lunch will be provided.

Leadership Lessons with Carleton Alumni Business Owners

Panel Moderator: Jakob Bouse

Location: Richcraft Hall 2200

Description: Join in on a conversation with Ottawa business owners and Carleton alumni about successes, challenges and reflections on leadership and small business ownership. We are proud to host small business owners from various industries, including: Andrea Mueller Jewelry, Bougie Birch, Enfematic, the Foxhole, Hummingbird Chocolate and the Krista Norris Collection.

Leading for Change: Fundraising with Impact

Presenter Name: Shannon Morrison and Kavya Srivastava

Location: Richcraft Hall 3202

Description: What makes a leader truly inspiring? It’s not just their skills – it is their passion for the cause. In this interactive session, Carleton’s Relay for Life Co-Chairs will share their first hand experiences from organizing one of the school’s biggest club events. They will highlight how they tackled challenges, inspired their peers, and kept the focus on what truly matters: making a difference. Through engaging discussions and group problem-solving, you’ll learn practical strategies to overcome obstacles, build team momentum, and increase the impact of your fundraising efforts. Connect with like-minded peers, gain new perspectives, and equip yourselves with actionable tools to lead with purpose and passion.

Communicate with Confidence: Unlock Your Leadership Potential

Presenter: Sofia Meere

Location: Richcraft Hall 3201

Description: Discover the power of effective communication and its impact on leadership. This session explores how understanding communication styles and embracing emotional intelligence can foster authentic connections and boost leadership potential. Using insights from Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson and Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, attendees will identify their communication strengths, adapt to diverse styles, and lead conversations withcourage and empathy. Join us for an interactive workshop to inspire confidence, collaboration, and growth as leaders.

Redefining Your Relationship with Failure

Presenter Name: Shania Tubana-Dean

Location: Richcraft Hall 3110

Description: Failure is not just a word; for many, it’s a daunting experience that stirs fear and uncertainty. Regardless of your experiences with failure, the anxiety of situations not following our desired trajectories often lurks in our thoughts, fueling fears about our potential shortcomings. However, when we view failure as merely a dark cloud, we overlook the invaluable opportunity it offers; an illuminated journey toward growth and transformation. Lets redefine our relationship with failure and explore innovative ways to navigate challenges and foster resilience in a healthy way.

The Power of Networking: Building Pathways Through Meaningful Connections

Presenter Name: Shaye Belanger

Location: Richcraft Hall 3112

Description: This session will introduce you to the art of informational interviewing, a powerful yet underused tool for building meaningful professional connections. You will learn how to confidently reach out to leaders, prepare insightful questions, and create lasting impressions that can open doors to future opportunities. Whether you are seeking insight into a new field or aiming to strengthen their networks, this workshop provides the tools to make the right connections.

Legally Bold: Leadership Lessons for the Modern Trailblazer

Presenter Name: Nabiha & Maira Bilgrami

Location: Richcraft Hall 3201

Description: Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s about owning your unique journey and bringing your true self to every challenge. In this interactive session, you’ll uncover your personal leadership style and learn how to lead with confidence, authenticity, and boldness. Not sure what your style is yet? Wondering how to make bold decisions and build meaningful connections? We’ve got you! This session is packed with insights and tools to help you sharpen essential skills for success. Join us to unlock your leadership potential—because your path is unique, and your leadership should be, too!

The Making of a Dream Team: Skills and Strategies for Optimal Collaboration

Presenter Name: Ruth Nobossi

Location: Richcraft Hall 3202

Description:Have you ever been in a Dream Team? Whether you are a leader or a team member, teamwork is an important skill to develop. The concept of a “dream team” is an aspirational one, and there are many factors that go into making an optimal team that works well together. In this session, we will discuss what it really means to have a dream team and through activities, we will learn about ways foster positive collaboration and inclusive environments when working with a group towards a common goal. A dream team is fostered, not curated, and in this session you can learn how to make that happen.

Fostering Inclusivity: The Importance of EDI in Student Leadership

Presenter Name: Rana Saadi

Location: Richcraft Hall 3110

Description: This presentation considers how EDI not only enriches leadership dynamics but also fosters a vibrant and equitable campus community. We’ll explore compelling case studies and share practical strategies that empower student leaders to advocate for inclusivity and harness diverse perspectives. By the end of this session, you’ll gain insights into how embracing EDI can enhance your leadership style, inspire collaboration, and drive meaningful change.

Rooted Leadership: Lessons from Nature’s Resilience and Collaboration

Presenter Name: Farah Mcheik

Location: Richcraft Hall 3112

Description: Discover how the principles of nature can inspire authentic leadership. In this interactive session, you’ll explore how ecosystems—like the resilient cedar tree—can teach us to lead with adaptability, empathy, and strength. Through engaging activities and meaningful discussions, you’ll learn to apply nature-inspired strategies to foster collaboration, overcome challenges, and grow as a leader. Rooted in the symbolism of Lebanon’s iconic cedar tree, this session emphasizes deep grounding, interconnectedness, and resilience, offering a fresh perspective on leadership for today’s dynamic world.

Leading the Pack: Empowering Athletic Leadership

Presenter Name: West Estiverne

Location: Richcraft Hall 3220

Description: In this workshop, we will explore the qualities that define effective athletic leaders. You will learn how successful sports teams inspire and motivate their members, fostering a culture of collaboration and resilience. We’ll discuss practical strategies for decision-making and conflict resolution in high-pressure environments. Additionally, we will share real-life examples of successful leaders in sport and the impact they have made. Join us to reflect on your leadership potential in sport and ways to take your team to the next level!

Closing Ceremonies and Raffle Prize Draw

Location: Richcraft Hall 2200

Description: Join us to wrap up SOAR 2025! We will be announcing our SOAR 2025 raffle winners and presenting our Student Life and Service Excellence Awards.

Delegates will receive a raffle ticket as they enter the Closing Ceremonies for a chance to win prizes from local small businesses:

• Andrea Mueller Jewelry
• Bougie Birch
• Enfematic
• the Foxhole
• Hummingbird Chocolate
• Krista Norris Collection