The Dalhousie Tigers held the 14th edition of the Women in Leadership Spotlight Dinner on November 28 at the MacInnes Room in the Student Union Building.
Women’s assistant coach Tessa Bulmer opened the evening sharing the impact the event and female leaders have had on her life and sporting career. She then invited Cheryl Fraser, chair of Dalhousie's Board of Governors, to the stage to welcome the guests to campus.
RBC returned as the presenting sponsor for the fourth year and Kellie Sauriol, regional vice president, business financial services at RBC shared words of welcome before leading a panel of student-athletes.
Joining Sauriol on the panel was the evening guest speaker, Michelle Aucoin.
Aucoin walked the evening’s attendee through her leadership journey, highlighting that for her it’s about how she shows up everyday especially as our world and community is experiencing many challenges.
“These challenges call on us all to step up and support each other; to lead with compassion and to create a more connected, caring community,” said Aucoin.
The women’s volleyball assistant coach told several stories from her coaching journey that personified this idea. They were stories about coaching colleagues and athletes who stepped up to a tough conversation and approached moments with respect and integrity, giving a voice to someone who was being overlooked or disrespected.
“Leadership is about lifting others up,” said Aucoin. “Empowering and supporting people in the good times and the bad. If someone feels supported and empowered there is no limit to what they can achieve.”
She wrapped up her address with a challenge. “What does leadership look like for you? How can you show up in big ways or small ways that can make a difference. Together, let’s all lead with courage, kindness and hope. Let’s inspire others and leaving lasting impacts that go beyond this room.”
Following the keynote, Aucoin and Sauriol led a panel discussion with three student-athletes. Ella Halliday of the soccer team, Karina Sarai from the basketball team and Annik Boldon from the volleyball team joined them on stage to discuss who were leaders in their lives and what leadership means to them.
Halliday shared that she thought “a good leader not only demonstrates commitment and responsibility but also really makes and effort to respect and value each individual team member and tries to make an effort to understand what they are going through.”
Boldon followed up with how Aucoin has impacted her ideas around leadership.
“You showed me that everyone is valuable, and everyone has different leadership styles,” she said to Aucoin. “I think that the best leaders really leave room for that and can see that. They can see that a leader might not be the loudest person in the room, might not hold the spotlight, might not get the kills or the goals, but it could be the kind of person that shows up every day and gives people reassurance or gives people confidence. I think that is what makes a great team and what makes a good leader.”