The Visible Women Conference

It's hard to believe The Visible Women Conference was already a month ago. It was beautiful and heartfelt. Joyful and inspiring. It brought together brilliant women who are leaders, role models, mothers, aunties, grandmothers, sisters, catalysts of change, experts in their field, community builders, founders, and entrepreneurs. A month later, I'm still reflecting on all of the ways it felt different from other conferences. For now, I'll say that VWC created a space for women to to experience what spaces designed by us look like, what conversations around leadership and collaboration sound like when we're speaking, and what leadership re-imagined by us feels like. It was a space to dream of doing things differently while seeing what that actually means, in practice. These spaces are everything right now. Thank you, Bibigi Haile, MSc. for inviting us to bring this dream to life. 💛

We have been receiving the videos for the conference! This is what the VIP dinner right before the conference felt like! It WAS A WHOLE VIBEEEE.

What she said This is what Bibigi Haile, MSc. is telling her people today. We think you should listen too 👇🏾 Last call (really) Coming back from the Maine Women's Conference, I feel like the fall intensity is starting to wind down. I am getting into warm blankets and soup mode. This will be my final reminder to get your hashtag #VWC2025 tickets - As a 2024 attendee (you get 40% off. This rate is not coming back) or - As a FOMO-did-not-get-to-go (you get 30% off with code FOMO2024) The discounts go down at the end of the day today. The next (and only) discounts will be for the waiting list (25%. You can sign up at the same link as to buy a ticket), and for the early bird (20% sometime in the spring) I can tell you why you should join us. Or you can read a sample of testimonials 👇🏾 or even go check out the LinkedIn page of The Visible Women Conference where all the gushing and Oh My Goding is going on.

Do you miss the groovy vibe at the Visible Women Conference 2024? No worries—we still have the VWC 2024 Spotify playlists from the event including: → All the speaker walk-in songs. → The closing cocktail jams. → And every track that kept the energy high. You get to relive the whole experience whenever you want. Playlist links are in the comments. Oh, and one more thing: if you’re thinking about joining us for 2025, don’t forget—there are a few days left to get 30% off your ticket. Just use FOMO2024 at checkout before the 25th of October 2024. 🔗 To get your ticket: https://lnkd.in/enEU8Pxr Enjoy the music, and we’ll see you next year! PS. And also "10% of the tickets are sold one week in" #VWC2025

It could have been a flop LinkedIn has been abuzz with the afterglow of The Visible Women Conference. To the point that my friend (I won’t tag you) told me she turned off her notifications. The conference was indeed magic. But it could have been a flop. Which means the people who stood by us from day one took a gigantic leap of faith. There is a stat out there that women get 2% of VC funding. Here is what I realized with this conference: you know who takes big risks on women? Other women. With small businesses of their own. Family-owned businesses without asking for “ROI”. Women centered associations who say yes without even being asked. You know who said yes to sponsoring us? Sandra Besanger from Besanger Law who gifted another woman access to the conference. AFFQ - Association des femmes en finance du Québec who were literally the first to say ABSOLUTELY LET'S DO THIS before the design was even finalized. Tonya. Wonderful Tonya from Asymmetric by Design who left the whirlwind of Montreal Fashion week and jumped right in with us and allowed me to look fabulous with one of her creations. Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics INC. You should see their products. I had to hold myself back from keeping a little something something for myself. Alea Protection. Ahhh let me tell you about Alea protection. There is not a single woman who doesn’t want safe menstrual protection. We know when we are buying menstrual products that we are putting our health at risk. But also, it was extra special for me because I was in a battle with my own periods who wanted to hang out at the conference as well. (We have an exclusive discount code for their products. Hit up the conference inbox) Nishi Pearls. I am a pearls girl. My dad offered me my first pearl bracelet when we were travelling together to San Fransisco. I still have it and was wearing it on day 2 of the conference. It felt so fitting to have the support of this wonderful organization and you Lina Nobile, my dear dear friend. And the gorgeous products from JB Skin Sävvi by JB Skinguru. Another gift that required restraint from me. You were our Day 1s. We owe you a debt of gratitude for your trust, your belief and for showing up when there was no guarantee on the other side. 

#FOMO is bad, but #MODRI is worse.    With the former, your fear might be misplaced: you might learn that the event you didn’t attend wasn’t all that special. But MODRI? – Missed Out and Deeply Regretting It? – that’s painful! So I’m apologizing in advance. But also offering a solution. If you were unable to attend The Visible Women Conference convened by Bibigi Haile, MSc. in Montreal last week, you missed a truly transformative experience. Because it was such a success and tickets for #VWC2025 are already on sale, in addition to sharing some of my own take-aways, I’ll post the link to next year’s event in the comments section below so you can act on FOMO and avoid MODRI next year. I had the enviable opening keynote spot, which meant once I'd shared my stories and research, poetry and calls to action with the very generous audience, I got to relax, feel seen and be inspired by everyone else. I laughed and cried, took copious notes, made amazing connections, and was unable to sleep at night from the over-stimulation. Just before lunch on the first day, Bibi moderated a panel discussion featuring three powerhouse women who shared thoughtful, funny, inspiring advice about their own visibility journeys. Leslie Quinton advised that “If you differ from the dominant culture in some way, you’re already visible, so own the space, take your stand.” Working in male-dominated industries like engineering and video gaming, she has often been under-estimated – until she opens her mouth. So yes, speaking up is critical, because sharing your insights demonstrates your value. (You can see why we love having her on our board!) Tamara Close, CFA talked about the power of pro-active thought leadership, becoming a subject matter expert and then sharing your insights (a notion fundamental to Informed Opinions’ existence). She also advised “Sometimes you just have to ask [for the promotion, opportunity, salary increase]. Because we’re not living in a meritocracy. They’re not googling ‘best person’!” (Clearly, we’re also aligned!) And Caroline Codsi, IAS.A., ICD.D. put fear of failure into stark perspective: “When you’ve lived through 15 years of civil war," she noted, "calling up a CEO to say ‘will you sponsor my gala?’" is not intimidating! In response to haters, Leslie practises radical empathy that permits her to disregard the attack: “That person is hurt or messed up in some way. Their comments are not about me.” For her part, Caroline talks back to trolls. By doing so, politely but firmly, she gives other people both permission to, and ideas for how to push back themselves. (A role model after my own heart!) More to come about inspiration from Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer Sarah Bettman, CPCC, ORSC-C, MBA Helene Blanchette, Rohene Bouajram ⚡️ Bianca B. King Kristin Carver Smith Katharine Evans Rachelle Houde Simard Sarah Lang (MA, PCC, CPCC) Chelsea O'Meara Michaella Mutoni-Dorvlo, MBA Nicole Piggott Violeta Rangel E., CAIA, SCR Sandra Sezirahiga

Walking into The Visible Women Conference last week, I knew this wasn't just another event; it was truly something special, but in a way that I could not capture in words. The room buzzed with purpose and a beautiful, highly contagious energy that was palpable. Women showed up boldly, unapologetically, and powerfully and I realized: Visibility is truly a radical act of self-trust. When we take up space, we say, "I belong here," it creates room for others to do the same. I am deeply honored that I was able to share the stage with so many phenomenal women. A highlight for me was our incredible host, Bibigi Haile, MSc.'s keynote on day two—a powerful reminder of why our dreams and desires matter. And every conversation with the attendees and speakers reinforced that showing up for yourself means showing up for the woman beside you. Representation matters now more than ever. This is how we push through ceilings, rewrite narratives, and change the game. As the African proverb says: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." Where have you seen the power of women supporting women recently? Drop your story in the comments—I'd love to hear it. Shoutout to all the incredible speakers and staff who made this event possible - be sure to follow these brilliant souls. Sarah Bettman, CPCC, ORSC-C, MBA Helene Blanchette, Rohene Bouajram Kristin Carver Smith Tamara Close, CFA Caroline Codsi, IAS.A., ICD.D. Katharine Evans Shari Graydon Rachelle Houde Simard Sarah Lang (MA, PCC, CPCC) Chelsea O'Meara Michaella Mutoni-Dorvlo, MBA Nicole Piggott Violeta Rangel E., CAIA, SCR Sandra Sezirahiga Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer Leslie Quinton #VWC2024 #RedefiningAmbition #Ambition #RepresentationMatters #WomenSupportingWomen #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessWomen #Leadership #NextLevel If you want to connect or chat about how to redefine ambition and success, my DMs are always open. . . . Enjoying my post?  ♻️ Share to help other women leaders who are redefining success. ______________________________________________________________ 🔔 Follow me, 𝐁𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐚 𝐁. 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠, for more content on ambition + success.

A complete honour and treat to have delivered a workshop at The Visible Women Conference this weekend in Montreal. To read the agenda, you see a list of keynotes, TED-style talks, fireside chats and workshops. They were all fabulous. But it's what we don't see in words that made the biggest impact on me... - The honesty which led to us feeling (and being) seen - The quality and intimacy of connections – between nearly 200 women - The electricity and energy of the room when we pumped each other up Ultimately: The shared acknowledgement that each of our voices matter in our work – and in our worlds. Celebrating Bibigi Haile, MSc. for bringing your vision to life with excellence and love. Celebrating all the women who made time to attend, and brought their energy, ideas and presence. Thank you to our excellent MC (Sandra Sezirahiga) and line-up of wonderful speakers, including Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer, Shari Graydon, Leslie Quinton, Tamara Close, CFA Caroline Codsi, IAS.A., ICD.D. Rohene Bouajram ⚡️ Bianca B. King Helene Blanchette, Rachelle Houde Simard Sarah Bettman, CPCC, ORSC-C, MBA Katharine Evans Michaella Mutoni-Dorvlo, MBA Nicole Piggott Chelsea O'Meara, Kristin Carver Smith. And to the top team Magda Akadiri, Zinzile Mhlanga, and Kendra B. I long to spend more time with each of you! ❤️🙏 Already marking my calendar for next year.

It was a true pleasure to join The Visible Women Conference as a panelist alongside the incredible Leslie Quinton and Tamara Close, CFA, under the skillful moderation of the equally fabulous Bibigi Haile, MSc. And the audience… what an inspiring, engaged group! Their energy and passion elevated the entire experience, making every moment even more meaningful. This is such an essential topic! Visibility matters because it shapes perceptions, opportunities, and outcomes, breaking stereotypes by providing role models and demonstrating that success is attainable for everyone. It allows women to influence policies, decisions, and cultural norms, ensuring their contributions are recognized and addressing systemic biases. Visibility inspires and empowers women, fostering innovation, diversity of thought, and progress. By validating their presence and contributions, visibility creates a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive world where women's voices are heard and their potential realized. That’s the world I want to live in. You? La Gouvernance au Féminin - Women in Governance #lagouvermanceaufeminim #womeningovernance #paritycertification

What opening your wallet means In entrepreneurship circles we know that people telling you they love your stuff doesn’t mean anything until they are ready to exchange their hard-earned money for said stuff. The exchange is a confirmation of trust. A signed and sealed approval of your stuff. We sent an email to the attendees of VWC2024 with an exclusive code for 40% off….and sales are coming in. People are actually buying their tickets for VWC2025. I am going to sit with that a minute. So here is the thing. If you know me, you know I don’t do scarcity or fake urgency. I am going to tell you the truth about the plan for 2025: 👉🏾 The dates are October 3 and 4. 👉🏾 The capacity for the event will remain very close to what it was this year (200). 👉🏾 There will be 4 discounts: 1. The one for 2024 attendees (40%) 2. One for FOMO ("I can't believe I was not there") purchases this week (30%) 3. One for 2024 waitlist (25% - sign up in the link in the comments)  4. A final one for early birds (early 2025) If you are feeling FOMO (which, if you are not, go check out the conference page) and want to get your ticket: the code is FOMO2024 (case sensitive). The link to sign up is also in the comments. #VWC2025 is a thing people. It is already a thing. Picture by the amazing Annaicart Mazile