WiDS Canada

06/09/2025

Call it what you will, rivalry, respect, or ridiculously sore shoulders, but the WiDS Canada Water Warriors and The Pepper Pod Paddlers are heading for a splashy showdown at the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival!

Yes, we love our sisters in “ARMS,” but let’s be real, we're "ready, ready" to see them in our wake:)

04/01/2025

Spring has arrived (kind of 😉), marking the start of our first Speed Mentoring Event of the year!

WiDS is excited to host another round of this highly popular Professional Development opportunity. Speed mentoring allows for direct access to top-tier mentors in defense and security, fostering authentic conversations.

In the midst of life's demands, we often overlook our own career goals and coaching prospects. Whether you're early in your career or a seasoned professional, these interactions can offer insights to propel you forward, equipping you with the skills needed to advance.

Due to high demand, secure your spot as a mentee today by registering here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gahxEGtM

Event Details:
FEES: $50 per mentee, $25 per student mentee (*proof may be required)
LOCATION: KPMG Offices, 150 Elgin St. Suite 1800, Ottawa, ON K2P2P8
TIME: 15:00 - 19:00 EST

We extend our gratitude to our sponsors: KPMG Canada, CAE, General Dynamics Mission Systems - Canada, General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Canada.

03/06/2025

🌟WiDS 2025 Annual Awards Breakfast & 20th Anniversary Celebration 🌟

What an inspiring morning it was as we gathered to celebrate not only the remarkable achievements of women in defence and security but also the powerful community that has been built over the last two decades.

Our 20th anniversary is more than just a milestone—it’s a testament to the resilience, dedication, and unyielding spirit of the women who continue to break barriers, lead change, and elevate the industry to new heights.

Congratulations to our scholarship and fellowship recipients and all of our award winners who are shaping the future of defence and security. Let’s continue to empower and celebrate each other, knowing that we are stronger when united!

03/05/2025

WiDS is thrilled to announce our 2025 Annual Awards Breakfast keynote speaker, Major-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, Deputy Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force. MGen Spieser-Blanchet's remarkable career has reached exceptional heights, both in the skies and in military leadership.

Get ready for an enlightening address from a true trailblazer!

03/04/2025

Get ready to shine at the WiDS Annual Awards Breakfast happening in just 2 days!

🎇 This year's theme is 'Honouring our Past, Celebrating our Future'.

🪪 Remember to print your badge in colour beforehand for onsite access. IDs will be checked, and badges scanned for entry.

📍 Join us at Rogers Centre Ottawa, Level 3.

🅿️ New parking system alert! Pay for parking upon arrival by scanning the QR code or using the HangTag app.

⏲️ Networking and registration kick off at 7:45am EST.

🎤 Tune in to the Virtual Red Carpet at 8:00am EST to hear inspiring stories from remarkable women shaping history.

📸 Don't miss the chance to snap memorable photos at our photobooth during the event.

🏆 The Awards Ceremony starts at 9:00am EST.

🥐 Breakfast will be served around 9:30am EST, so plan accordingly.

🎬 And at 12:00pm EST, we wrap up the 2025 WiDS Annual Awards Breakfast!

Whether you are joining us in person or virtually as we celebrate 20 incredible years of WiDS, your support means the world to us. Thank you!

03/03/2025

The WiDS 2025 Annual Awards Breakfast is just around the corner, happening in a mere 3 days!

With the much-anticipated 20-year anniversary celebration approaching, we want to recognize our incredible Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Patron Sponsors whose dedication and support has made this event a reality.

🌟Bronze Sponsors: ADGA Group, Babcock Canada, Calian Group, Hanwha Defense, BAE Systems, Microsoft, Compass Rose and the Royal Military Colleges of Canada Alumni Association Inc.

🌟Silver Sponsors: MDA Space, Fasken, ITI, Pure Logic Solutions, and Seaspan ULC

🌟 Gold Sponsors: Accenture, Thales Defense & Security, Inc., and True Patriot Love Foundation

🌟Platinum Sponsor: Lockheed Martin

🌟Patron Sponsors: General Dynamics Mission Systems - Canada, General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Canada

We can't wait to honour our past and celebrate our future together at the grand event on March 6th! 🎉

02/28/2025

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of WiDS, we introduced the 'Twenty in their 20’s' Award to recognize young leaders under 30 who are making a big impact early in their careers. Thank you to Saab for stepping up to support this 2025 award, and for their continued sponsorship of our WiDS VIP Reception. Your contribution to our community is much appreciated.

We look forward to celebrating with the Twenty in their 20's finalists next week at our *SOLD OUT* in-person Annual Awards Breakfast!

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02/27/2025

With the generous support of our Patron Sponsor, General Dynamics Mission Systems - Canada, General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, and General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Canada, WiDS is able to provide enriched programming, professional growth opportunities, and networking platforms for our community.

WiDS is incredibly thankful to General Dynamics for their ongoing commitment and the significant impact that their Patron Sponsorship has had on the women in defence and security.

We look forward to honouring the WiDS journey, recognizing the profound influence of our industry, and celebrating the future next week at our *SOLD OUT* in-person Annual Awards Breakfast!

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02/26/2025

Thank you Canadian Defence Review for honouring WiDS and our 20-year milestone. We are proud of our community's growth and continued commitment to inclusivity and advancement of women in our industry.

A heartfelt thank you to Stephanie Mangan and Alessandra Jenkins for embodying WiDS' core values with dedication, serving as exemplary representatives of the organization's vision and mission.

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🚀✨ For 20 years, WiDS has been empowering women in Canada’s defence and security sector. Stephanie Mangan and Alessandra Jenkins share their stories and the impact of mentorship and community. Read more: https://loom.ly/Koa7nLA

📅 Don’t miss the WiDS Awards Breakfast on March 6!

Saab WiDS Canada

02/26/2025

WiDS is truly grateful for the ongoing support from our Platinum Sponsor, Lockheed Martin. The scholarships backed by Lockheed Martin play a pivotal role in our Annual Awards Breakfast, making their contribution immensely valuable.

Thank you for empowering women keen on pursuing careers in the defense and security industry to thrive and succeed.

With our *SOLD OUT* in-person event just around the corner, we look forward to celebrating the opportunities on the horizon and the bright future awaiting us all!

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02/25/2025

This year, the Emerging Leader Awards have been rebranded as the Remarkable Leader Awards, thanks to the insightful feedback from our community!

The Remarkable Leader Awards recognize and celebrate the unwavering dedication and leadership of women within our community. We are excited to recognize Leonardo, our esteemed sponsor, whose invaluable support brings these awards to life. A heartfelt thank you for championing women in the defense and security sector with steadfast dedication.

On March 6th we will honour the exceptional 2025 Remarkable Leaders and celebrate their outstanding contributions!

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02/24/2025

Excited to announce that True Patriot Love Foundation is returning as an in-kind Gold Sponsor for our *SOLD OUT* in-person Annual Awards Breakfast!

At WiDS, we share TPL's commitment to empower our community and we are honoured to have the opportunity to collaborate with them towards our shared goals.

We are looking forward to a memorable celebration on March 6th!

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