17th Women's Leadership and Empowerment Conference [WLEC2026]
1-3 March 2026, Bangkok, Thailand
Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit

SPEAKERS
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Authentic Relationships at Work: The One Thing AI Can’t Do

As AI continues to transform the workplace, it is easy to forget the one thing that has always made the biggest difference in our careers: our relationships. In this engaging and relatable session, former executive, best-selling author, and coach Rachel B. Simon reminds us why human connection matters more than ever at work. While technology can automate tasks and analyze data, it cannot build trust, earn credibility, create influence, or help people feel truly seen and valued. Drawing on 30 years of leadership experience and real-life stories, Rachel shares practical, approachable strategies for building meaningful workplace relationships, increasing visibility, and navigating today’s organizations with confidence. Attendees will leave feeling energized, encouraged, and equipped with tools they can use right away to create stronger connections and more fulfilling, resilient workplaces.
Rachel B. Simon is a speaker, executive coach, and bestselling author of Relationships at Work: How to Authentically Network within Your Company. A former AT&T executive with over 30 years of experience, she led teams through major business, privacy, and customer challenges, always guided by one core belief: authentic relationships drive success. Known for heartfelt, practical keynotes and workshops, Rachel helps professionals at all levels foster connection, purpose, and joy at work. She co-founded AT&T Women of Finance and champions equity through United Way’s Women of Tocqueville. Rachel lives in Dallas with her husband and two children.

Empowering Research Futures: Insights from the Status of African Women in Research Report

Across the globe, women are making notable strides in research—but gender disparities remain stark, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where women account for only 32% of researchers. This presentation draws on findings from the Status of African Women in Research report by the Mawazo Institute, which examines the lived experiences of early-career African women pursuing doctoral studies across the continent. Using insights from over 1,400 survey respondents and in-depth interviews with Mawazo fellows and alumnae from nine African countries, the report reveals persistent, intersectional barriers that hinder academic progress: inadequate funding, caregiving burdens, limited mentorship and leadership opportunities, restricted mobility, and experiences of discrimination. Despite these challenges, African women researchers continue to demonstrate resilience, producing impactful work while mentoring future scholars and driving transformative change. This session will highlight key data, personal narratives, and actionable recommendations for fostering more equitable research environments. By centering the voices of African women in academia, this presentation calls for targeted interventions—such as expanded funding, skills development, and institutional reforms—to unlock their full potential. Supporting African women in research is not just a gender equity issue; it is essential for driving innovation, advancing inclusive knowledge production, and addressing Africa’s most urgent challenges.
Aisha Mugo is a Research Officer at Mawazo Institute. She leads research projects that amplify African women’s voices in research and policy. She has worked on key publications such as the Status of African Women in Research report and the Emerging Trends in Research: Sector Briefs, which highlight critical insights on gender and research trends across the African continent. She is passionate about using data-driven research to inform policy and create equitable opportunities for African women in academia and beyond.

Making invisible violence visible: Measuring GBV at the intersection of Migration, race and gender

As an international community committed to advancing positive change through inclusive dialogue and collective reflection, this presentation by AWDPI(Asian Women Development Plan International) addresses a critical concern in gender based violence (GBV) measurement: the continued invisibility of migrant and minority women within global data systems. Although GBV indicators shape policy priorities and determine the distribution of protection resources, they often fail to capture experiences shaped by immigration status, language barriers, and racialized gender bias. The research examines these gaps and introduces a set of intersectional indicators designed to ensure that diverse forms of violence are accurately identified and meaningfully represented. Drawing on academic literature and AWDPI’s multilingual protection network across several regions, the study highlights how immigration related control, language-based isolation, and racialized service denial remain insufficiently measured within existing frameworks. The purpose of this work is not only to improve data accuracy but also to support more equitable, responsive, and inclusive systems of protection. By strengthening the visibility of communities historically overlooked in GBV research, this research aims to contribute to the broader vision of fostering a society in which all individuals are acknowledged, supported, and safeguarded.
I am the Head of the Thailand National Office of the Asian Women Development Plan International (AWDPI). I hold a PhD in Digital Economy and Management Innovation. I am currently a university lecturer in Thailand. My career spans the media, film, and entertainment, and transnational education sectors, with extensive experience in leadership, strategic communication, cross-sector coordination, and international program development. As the Thailand National Office has been newly established, I am committed to building strategic partnerships, strengthening regional capacity, and advancing AWDPI’s mission to protect and commit to eliminating gender violence and discrimination against Asian women overseas while promoting their rights and empowerment.

The Cost of Code-Switching: Identity Negotiation and Leadership Pathways for Black Women in Predominantly White Spaces

Black women often move through professional spaces carrying unspoken expectations about how we should speak, look, and behave. These expectations are rarely stated, yet deeply understood. Although they often don’t align with who we authentically are, many of us learn to navigate these spaces by “playing the game,” adjusting pieces of ourselves in order to survive, be taken seriously, or advance. But what is the emotional and cognitive cost of doing so? Drawing from testimonials from Black women leaders and existing research on intersectionality and organizational culture, this presentation explores what it means to lead in spaces shaped by White norms. We will examine how expectations around language, appearance, and self-presentation influence leadership development, retention, and workplace culture. Through data, storytelling, and interactive reflection, this session invites us to consider not only how Black women adapt to leadership spaces but also what those spaces lose when authenticity is treated as a liability rather than a strength.
Dr. Maranda Bell is a U.S.-based education researcher whose work focuses on planning, policy, and research, with particular expertise in grant management, program evaluations, and technical writing. Her work centers on translating data and policy into clear, actionable strategies that support schools and students. Her previous roles in education include English and AVID teacher, specialty programs administrator, and adjunct professor. With professional experience spanning elementary school through college education, Dr. Bell brings a comprehensive, systems-level perspective to her work. She has worked in diverse communities, from urban school districts in Oakland, California, to military-connected communities in coastal Virginia, shaping her approach to equity, leadership, and student support. Dr. Bell holds an EdD in Educational Leadership from Regent University and a master’s degree in Secondary Education from Stanford University.

How can FemTech companies responsibly scale AI while maintaining user privacy, regulatory compliance, and trust?

The trend of FemTech is booming, using exciting new technologies like AI to revolutionize women's health. But as these innovations grow, a big question arises: how can FemTech companies use AI to help more women without putting their personal privacy at risk or losing their trust? This presentation dives into this crucial balance. We'll explore real-world examples and clear strategies for building AI in FemTech that is not only powerful but also responsible. Also we will discuss how companies can handle sensitive health data with care, follow the rules, and earn the confidence of their users. Join this presentation to understand how ethical design and thoughtful choices can pave the way for a future where technology truly empowers women, showcasing how responsible innovation is key for the growth and leadership of women in digital health.
Maho is a MBA candidate at NUS Business School and HEC Paris, serving as President of the Women in Leadership Club. With a background spanning tech consulting, healthcare, and women’s health advocacy, she is passionate about driving purpose-driven innovation and gender equity in business. Currently part of UN Women Asia-Pacific’s Women & AI School, she is deepening her expertise in ethical AI and exploring how AI can be leveraged to advance gender equality. Her research focuses on responsible AI use in the HealthTech industry, particularly how startups can scale while protecting user data and trust. She recently launched a leadership development program for women at HEC, empowering peers with strategic negotiation and leadership skills. Multilingual and globally minded, Maho aims to lead inclusive, diverse teams in Asia’s HealthTech sector.

Effects of Climate Change on Girls’ Education, Marriage Age, and Life Choices in the Coastal Belt of Bangladesh

Climate change is profoundly reshaping the lives of girls in Bangladesh’s coastal belt—Mongla, Rampal, Sarankhola, Rangabali, and Shatkhira—through disrupted education, early marriage, and constrained futures. Repeated cyclones, tidal surges, and salinity intrusion damage schools and force girls into caregiving and water collection, deepening gender gaps. Families often resort to child marriage as a coping strategy, reducing household burdens and seeking protection for daughters. Climate-induced displacement worsens vulnerabilities. Migrating families to urban slums face poverty and insecurity, where girls are at heightened risk of marriage, hazardous labor, and exploitation. Data shows a 39% surge in child marriage in climate-affected areas, with up to half of students in Mongla and Shyamnagar dropping out before finishing high school. Health risks are equally severe: over 90% of women report reproductive health problems linked to salinity and disasters, with rising maternal complications and poor menstrual hygiene. Children with disabilities and boys in hazardous labor face added risks, compounding child-rights violations. Without action, these trends will entrench poverty and widen gender inequities. Urgent, gender-responsive solutions—climate-resilient schooling, WASH, adolescent health services, social protection, and community engagement—are critical to protect rights, delay marriage, and expand life opportunities. The future of coastal girls depends on how we act today.
I am Qazi Nahid Alam, serving as Senior Manager – Program at CODEC. Over the years, I have been working in the coastal belt of Bangladesh, focusing on the lives and challenges of marginalized communities, particularly women and children. My work is centered on addressing the impacts of climate change, which has emerged as both an environmental and social justice issue in coastal areas. In my role, I engage in program management, implementation to promote climate resilience, inclusive development, and community empowerment. I work closely with local communities, government bodies, and development partners to ensure that women and children’s voices are heard and their rights safeguarded. My vision is to contribute to building a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable coastal society where no one is left behind.

Securing Her Future: Digital Safety and Ethical AI for Women in a Connected World

In today’s hyper-connected world, digital spaces are no longer separate from our personal, professional, or public lives - they shape them. For women, this digital transformation brings immense opportunity, but also new and evolving risks. From online harassment, data privacy violations, and deepfakes to algorithmic bias and unethical uses of artificial intelligence, the digital world can amplify existing inequalities if left unchecked. “Securing Her Future: Digital Safety and Ethical AI for Women in a Connected World” invites us to look beyond technology as a tool and examine it as a force that influences power, access, and agency. Digital safety is not just a technical issue; it is a leadership issue, a rights issue, and an empowerment issue. Likewise, ethical AI is not about slowing innovation - it is about shaping innovation to be inclusive, fair, and accountable. As women leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and change-makers, we have a critical role to play in ensuring that digital systems are designed with women’s realities in mind. This conversation challenges us to ask: Who is protected? Who is represented? And who is shaping the rules of the digital future? By centering women’s voices, experiences, and leadership, we can build a connected world where technology strengthens—not threatens—women’s safety, dignity, and opportunities.
Sanali Kaushalya is a technology and inclusion advocate with over 11 years of experience across talent strategy, workforce development, and leadership in the tech and services sectors. She currently serves as the Country Director for Women in Tech Sri Lanka & People & Culture Manager for EFutures Pvt Ltd, where she leads national initiatives to advance women’s participation, leadership, and visibility in technology and innovation. Her work focuses on building ecosystems that support women through mentorship, skills development, ethical technology awareness, and cross-sector collaboration with industry, academia, and policymakers. Sanali is passionate about addressing digital safety, bias in emerging technologies, and equitable access to opportunities for women in a rapidly evolving digital economy. She specializes in building high-performing teams, leading technical and leadership hiring, and driving employee engagement, retention, and DEI initiatives aligned with business growth. With a strong foundation in strategic management, cybersecurity awareness, and emerging technologies such as AI, Sanali brings a people-first yet future-focused perspective to leadership, empowering women to thrive in an increasingly digital world. She is committed to shaping inclusive digital futures where women are not only protected - but leading the change.

Decisive Is the New Productive: How Badass Leaders Eliminate Indecision and Execute Faster

Most leaders don’t have a time problem — they have an indecision problem. Constantly rethinking, re-explaining, and re-opening decisions quietly drains momentum, confidence, and authority, even in high-performing organizations. As one-half of The Pursuit of Badasserie, Amanda Furgiuele shares insights drawn from coaching and consulting with entrepreneurs and executives who want to stop overthinking, eliminate the “indecision tax,” and execute faster without working longer hours. Attendees will learn why smart, capable leaders struggle to decide and discover the Decide Once Framework — a practical system to categorize decisions, close decision loops, and remove bottlenecks so teams can move with clarity and speed. Participants will leave with actionable tools to reduce meetings, accelerate execution, build stronger team confidence, and reclaim energy, all while maintaining authority and trust. The session ends with a simple truth: decisiveness isn’t about rigidity — it’s about making decisions that stick and having the confidence to follow through.
Amanda Furgiuele is a homeschooling solo-parent, serial entrepreneur, bestselling co-author of The Pursuit of Badasserie series, podcaster, educator, international speaker, and an award-winning strategist known for her no-fluff, solutions-first approach. With over twenty-five years of experience starting, buying, selling, and mentoring businesses worldwide, she’s an expert in creative problem-solving, time management, and building businesses that actually work. As half of the Badasserie duo, Amanda—alongside Lynn Howard—guides entrepreneurs to step fully into their CEO selves. Through The Pursuit of Badasserie, they cut the chaos, silence the noise, and eliminate the “shoulds,” equipping leaders with the clarity, confidence, and ruthless intentionality to build scalable, sustainable, sellable businesses—and ultimately proving that when entrepreneurship is done right, it changes everything.

The Power Beneath the Surface: How Attitude, Assumptions, and Expectations™ Shape Women’s Leadership

Leadership is often evaluated by what we can see—outcomes, performance, and behavior. But in my work with women leaders across education, organizations, and communities, I’ve found that what shapes culture most powerfully is rarely visible. It is what we bring into the room emotionally, what we assume about others, and what we silently expect without ever naming. In this session, The Power Beneath the Surface, we will explore three internal forces that quietly shape every relationship and leadership moment: Attitude, Assumptions, and Expectations™. These forces operate long before conflict appears, before trust erodes, and before burnout sets in. When left unexamined, they distort meaning, increase stress, and weaken both relationships and health. When brought into awareness, they restore clarity, agency, and connection. This is not about fixing others. It is about understanding what is shaping how we interpret, respond, and lead—especially as women navigating complex expectations and emotional labor. Because leadership is not only about what we accomplish. It is about who we become in the process.
Dr. Moni Kay is a school principal, leadership strategist, organizational culture consultant, and transformational speaker dedicated to helping leaders build healthy, high-trust cultures from the inside out. With over two decades of experience across education, nonprofit, correctional, and international systems, she specializes in restoring relationships, strengthening leadership presence, and guiding organizations through cultural transformation. She is the creator of the AAE Framework™—Attitude, Assumptions, and Expectations™ and the Culture Cascade™, which reveal how internal beliefs shape communication, trust, and performance. Her work integrates leadership development with emotional intelligence, wellness, and relational clarity, addressing both organizational outcomes and leader sustainability. Dr. Moni Kay is the author of 3 Silent Relationship Destroyers and a sought-after keynote speaker known for delivering insight that is both deeply human and strategically actionable.

Shaping successful school-to-work transitions by empowering female youth migrants in prevocational programs

Despite Germany’s integration efforts, a significant employment gender gap exists (Brücker et al., 2024). This implies a fundamental need for gender-sensitive concepts and approaches to break down gender-related educational barriers. In Germany minors of school age who are migrants without sufficient language skills are institutionally placed into the so-called transition system at vocational colleges (Busse & Maue, 2025). There, prevocational programs are designed to set the course for the professional future of people with challenging starting opportunities by teaching them transferable skills. In addition to developing and expanding language and career choice skills, this also includes the promotion of soft skills such as self-efficacy, resilience or problem-solving skills, which are crucial for professional success in the modern world of work (Asefer & Abidin, 2021). Clear parallels to goals and basic principles of psychological empowerment (Perkins & Zimmermann, 1995) can be seen. Beyond this, the educational plans in the transition system provide little information about development-promoting teaching methods or resource-oriented design of empowerment spaces. The presented study aims to fill these gaps in research empirically. The details of intervention (biographical research based) and evaluation (pretest-posttest-follow-up design with control group, N = 27) are presented, including the assessment instruments and first results.
Dr. Marcel Martsch is a research associate at the the Chair of School and Teaching Development at Vocational Colleges at the University of Siegen. He studied psychology and focuses the design, implementation, and evaluation of vocational training. His development and research work is not limited to Germany but extends globally. This includes, for example, the design of competency-based curricula, modular (practice-oriented, needs-based) training concepts, Train the Trainer courses, as well as doctoral programs for interested target countries. Moreover, he curiously follows all developments and insights related to vocational education and incorporates them into university courses for teachers at vocational schools.

The Reflective Recovery & Reintegration (R³) Framework: A trauma-informed, gender-responsive model for recovery, identity reconstruction, and reintegration

Women experience trauma and recovery within complex social, relational, and leadership contexts that are often insufficiently addressed by traditional mental health and recovery models. Many existing approaches prioritise symptom stabilisation while giving limited attention to identity reconstruction, meaning-making, and sustainable reintegration into personal, professional, and community life. This presentation introduces the Reflective Recovery & Reintegration (R³) Framework, a trauma-informed, gender-responsive model designed to support women through a holistic recovery process that integrates reflection, healing, and reintegration. R³ conceptualises recovery as a dynamic, non-linear journey that attends to both internal regulation and external participation, recognising the interconnected roles of identity, agency, and social context. The framework has been informed by the author’s professional practice and lived experience of trauma recovery and has been applied within women-centred, community-based therapeutic services delivered through the Women’s Resource Centre in Bermuda. Drawing on practice-based insights and aggregated programme-level data, the presentation outlines the conceptual foundations of R³, explains its core components, and explores its application in real-world settings. By bridging therapeutic insight with lived reintegration, the R³ Framework offers a practical and adaptable approach for practitioners, leaders, and organisations seeking to support women’s recovery beyond survival and toward sustainable engagement and wellbeing.
Juanae Crockwell is a trauma-informed practitioner, community leader, and Executive Director of the Women’s Resource Centre (WRC) in Bermuda. With over a decade of experience in women’s mental health and community-based therapeutic services, her work sits at the intersection of practice, leadership, and systems change. Juanae is the developer of the Reflective Recovery & Reintegration (R³) Framework, an emerging, trauma-informed, gender-responsive model informed by professional practice, lived experience of trauma recovery, and applied delivery within women-centred community settings. Her work centres on identity reconstruction, recovery, and sustainable reintegration for women navigating trauma, transition, and complexity. Juanae’s current interests include trauma-informed leadership, recovery-oriented practice, and the translation of applied frameworks into research, policy, and programme design.

Transparency, Pain, and Barriers: Coping with Endometriosis among Israeli women

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological condition affecting about 10% of women of reproductive age. It significantly impairs quality of life and mental and social well-being. Despite being a relatively recognized medical condition, awareness remains low—both within healthcare systems and among the general public. The disease is often "invisible": hard to diagnose, not outwardly apparent, and at times perceived as illegitimate. Many women report prolonged struggles with pain, medical uncertainty, lack of support, and a general absence of recognition from medical, educational, occupational, and social systems. Exploring the lived experiences of women with endometriosis is vital for uncovering systemic barriers, understanding their specific needs, and promoting shifts in perception and care.
Dr. Liron Inchi is a researcher and lecturer at Max Stern Yezreel Valley College. She has a BA in Sociology and Anthropology, an MA in Organizational Sociology, and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Haifa. Her research deals with the sociology of health, work and health, management, mental well-being, and health promotion.

Predictors of Mental Well-Being and Resilience Among Women During Times of Crisis

Coping abilities and psychological resilience are widely recognized as critical factors in maintaining mental health and preventing negative outcomes such as depression and anxiety during crises. This study uses data from a longitudinal survey of 305 young women aged 20–40, collected at two time points. The initial data collection was conducted in July 2023, approximately three months before the onset of the war in Israel. The second data collection took place at the peak of the crisis, from November to December 2023. Findings indicate a statistically significant decline in mental well-being following the onset of the war. Notably, women who engaged more frequently in "self-care", defined as dedicating time to enjoyable leisure activities, reported a smaller decline in well-being. Furthermore, higher levels of self-compassion before the crisis predicted greater psychological resilience three months after the outbreak of the war. These findings underscore the pivotal role of self-care and self-compassion in maintaining psychological well-being and coping capacity during crises. They highlight the need to actively promote these practices among mothers of young children. Encouraging women to allocate time for themselves should be framed not as self-indulgence at the expense of familial responsibilities, but as essential, health-promoting behaviors.
Prof. Shiran Bord is a lecturer and researcher in public health and health promotion (MPH, PhD). Her work focuses on parental well‑being, self‑care, and overall well‑being. She has extensive experience in evaluating health‑promotion programs across diverse populations.

The Power of Her Ledger: Leadership Frequency and Ethical Innovation in Forensic Accounting

Forensic accounting safeguards financial integrity, uncovers fraud, and strengthens institutional accountability. Yet leadership within this specialized field remains narrowly represented, limiting the range of perspectives shaping financial governance. This presentation introduces Leadership Frequency as a framework for understanding how Black women in forensic accounting contribute uniquely to ethical oversight, risk detection, and systemic clarity. Drawing on industry research and professional trends, this session explores how advanced credentialing, entrepreneurship, and strategic professional affiliation operate not only as pathways to advancement, but as mechanisms of institutional influence. Navigating environments where authority is unevenly distributed often sharpens discernment, pattern recognition, and ethical vigilance. These competencies enhance the ability to identify weak signals of fraud, misalignment, and governance breakdown before they escalate. By applying Leadership Frequency to forensic accounting, this presentation reframes inclusion as governance capacity rather than symbolic presence. Attendees will gain insight into how diverse leadership perspectives strengthen fraud prevention, reinforce accountability structures, and contribute to more transparent and resilient financial systems. The session invites leaders to reconsider how listening, legitimacy, and ethical clarity shape the future of financial governance.
Dr. Chabela “Dr. Bela” McFashion is a forensic accounting specialist, Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and governance-focused researcher whose work examines how leadership, ethics, and institutional accountability intersect within complex systems. With over twenty years of experience in financial oversight, compliance, and risk analysis, she brings both scholarly depth and applied expertise to conversations about fraud prevention and ethical governance. Dr. Bela is the founder of The B Venture, a hybrid applied research and advisory platform dedicated to strengthening financial integrity, leadership development, and workforce readiness. She is the creator of the Leadership Frequency framework, which explores how discernment, authority, and listening practices shape institutional resilience and accountability. A board treasurer for a nonprofit organization and leadership coach at Spelman College, Dr. Bela develops leaders who combine technical competence with ethical clarity. Her research and international speaking engagements focus on governance, early risk detection, and expanding leadership perspectives within financial systems.

Orientation Before Authority: A Framework for Strengthening Women’s Leadership from the Inside Out

In rapidly evolving professional environments, leadership visibility often accelerates faster than internal readiness. This presentation introduces LUPO, an orientation-based leadership framework grounded in the principle that authority should not expand faster than internal positioning. Rather than focusing first on performance competencies, LUPO proposes a structured sequencing model: clarity, conviction, courage, communication, and consistency. The framework examines how leaders internally locate themselves in relation to power, pressure, and expectation, particularly in contexts where authority is socially negotiated and highly visible. The session will explore how misalignment between internal governance and external responsibility contributes to instability in leadership expression, and how intentional orientation can create durable authority. Drawing from applied leadership practice, the presentation offers a disciplined lens for rethinking development models that prioritize skill acquisition over structural self-alignment. This contribution invites participants to reconsider leadership not only as influence, but as internal infrastructure, positioning orientation as a foundational element of sustainable and responsible authority.
Tshimologo Mothulwe is a communications practitioner, story alchemist, author, and the founder of LUPO , an orientation-based leadership framework centred on internal positioning before external authority. Her work sits at the intersection of narrative strategy and leadership development, exploring how clarity, conviction, and structured self-alignment shape sustainable influence. With a background in strategic communications and high-visibility environments, Tshimologo specialises in translating complex identity, power, and leadership dynamics into coherent frameworks and actionable systems. Through LUPO, she advances a sequencing model built on clarity, conviction, courage, communication, and consistency, positioning confidence as infrastructure rather than performance.

Voices Rising, Power Claimed: Women of Colour as Agents of Academic Change

Women of Colour (WOC) face persistent systemic barriers in higher education, despite institutional commitments to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, Anti-oppression, and Indigeneity (EDIA-O-I). Far from a monolith, WOC encompass a diverse array of women with multiply intersecting identities—including but not limited to Indigenous, Black, South Asian, Latine, mixed, and biracial individuals. We acknowledge Indigenous peoples' unique nation-to-nation relationships, historical contexts, and sovereignty, ensuring their experiences are not subsumed under broader racialized categories. Academic scholarship reveals critical insights: lower hiring rates, slower promotions, pay disparities relative to white peers, and the silencing of lived experiences. Drawing on empirical data and lived accounts, this presentation analyzes WOC challenges in academia—such as internal silencing, stereotype negotiation, and exclusion from leadership pipelines—while highlighting their successes as leaders. Grounded in intersectionality theory, this virtual session centres and amplifies WOC voices, exploring how intersecting identities (e.g., race, gender, sexuality, culture) create complex marginalization and opportunities. Through interactive dissemination across academic networks, we engage attendees to deepen understanding of WOC realities, inform evidence-based pedagogy and policy, and foster equity in local and global academic communities. Outcomes include actionable strategies for faculty, leaders, and institutions to advance transformative leadership and solidarity-building.
Sandra Dixon, PhD, is a Registered Psychologist in Alberta, Certified Professional Life Coach, and Associate Professor in the University of Lethbridge’s Faculty of Education. She also serves as Associate Faculty at City University’s Calgary Virtual Campus (Master of Counselling Psychology Programme), Research Affiliate with the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy, and EDI Scholar at the University of Lethbridge. Driven by social justice, Dr. Dixon is a leading expert in psychology, faith, mental wellness, and ethnocultural discourses, focusing on immigration, cultural identity, and faith. Her research explores intersections of immigration, EDI, culturally appropriate counselling, cultural identity reconstruction, racial trauma, and spiritual experiences. Her leadership has earned awards including the 2024 Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA) Juanita Chambers Excellence in Community Service Award, 2023 PAA Excellence in Teaching Psychology Award, and 2022 Alberta Black Therapists Network People’s Choice Award. Research honours include the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Research Award, Professor Cecille DePass Research Award, and EDI Scholar Award. Dr. Dixon serves on boards for Lethbridge Family Services, PAA, and the Alberta Network of Immigrant Women. She is a nominated participant in the American Psychological Association 2026 Diversity Leadership Program, PAA diversity delegate (2022, 2024), and Chair of the PAA Culture Committee (2023–2025).
Millie Batta is a Registered Clinical Counsellor practicing in British Columbia, where she has established a part-time counselling practice. She completed her Master of Education in Counselling Psychology at the University of Lethbridge. Her thesis research explored the experiences of emergency remote learning among autistic youth during the Covid-19 pandemic. Millie Batta’s research interests include neurodiversity, gender issues, and the mental health of racialized groups. She has co-published and co-presented a wide range of work focused on racialized populations, including women, graduate students, and Black communities. Batta is the recipient of the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Dr. Jacqui Linder is a clinical psychologist and the Vice President Academic of City University in Canada. She specializes in the treatment of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and works extensively in the field of human trafficking. An internationally recognized expert, she has delivered presentations at the Canadian Police College, Interpol, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). For over 15 years, she has lectured on psychological trauma across Canada, the USA, France, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Hungary, the UK, Guyana, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Japan, Thailand, and Mexico. Her professional affiliations include the College of Alberta Psychologists, the Psychological Association of Alberta, the College of Psychologists of Ontario, the American Psychological Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and the European Society for Trauma and Dissociation.

Changes in Sexist and Gender-Inclusive Language in American English (1990–2019)

Sexist language in English has long been a topic of social debate. Since the 1970s, nouns containing “man” and binary pronoun expressions have been criticized for reflecting a male-centered perspective. In response, more inclusive alternatives such as chairperson, firefighter, and singular they have been promoted. The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), currently in its 7th and latest edition (2020) and widely used as a writing standard in academic research, also recommends avoiding sexist language and adopting gender-inclusive forms. This study investigates how such normative recommendations have been reflected in actual English usage. Using the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA), it analyzes changes in sexist and gender-inclusive language from 1990 to 2019. Specifically, expressions defined as sexist in the APA 7th edition (nouns containing -man, housewife, and binary pronouns) and their inclusive counterparts were examined. The Generalized Additive Model and Wald tests were used to assess the statistical significance of longitudinal trends.
Yuki Sugiyama is a doctoral student at the Graduate School of Global Humanics, Chubu University, Japan. Her research explores gendered expressions in English and Japanese, focusing on how these forms are changing in contemporary usage. She is interested in why gendered language changes, how social values influence these shifts, and what current trends suggest about future language use. Her work combines corpus analysis with questionnaire surveys and qualitative approaches to examine both patterns of usage and speakers’ attitudes toward gender-inclusive language. Her broader interests include sociolinguistics, language change, and the relationship between language and society.

Women’s Political Marginalization: Institutional Subordination and Reform

This presentation examines the persistent structural and socio-political barriers affecting women’s political participation within a traditionally rooted Muslim society such as Zanzibar. Drawing on institutional theory, feminist political analysis, and empirical evidence from policy reports and field assessments, the paper explores how formal legal frameworks often coexist with deeply embedded informal norms and cultural expectations that continue to shape and at times constrain women’s leadership trajectories. The presentation highlights the gendered nature of political violence, media framing patterns, and party-level dynamics that influence women’s access to decision-making spaces. It also evaluates the effectiveness of existing national, regional, and international commitments aimed at advancing gender equality in governance. By situating Zanzibar within broader African and global debates on women’s leadership, this study contributes to ongoing conversations about strengthening democratic institutions, enhancing accountability mechanisms, and building safer political environments for women. The session will offer evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, civil society actors, and political parties committed to transformative and inclusive leadership.
Dr. Mzuri Issa is a Lecturer at Zanzibar University (ZU) holding a Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Dar es Salaam, and a B.A. in Mass Communication from Saint Augustine University of Tanzania. She has received advanced training in communication linkages, gender auditing, and digital research methodologies through programs facilitated by the World Bank (Washington), Makerere University, and Stockholm University. Dr. Mzuri founded TAMWA Zanzibar in 2008 and has led it as a strong advocate for gender equality, freedom of expression, and democratic accountability. She serves on several national and regional boards and advisory bodies on governance, constitutionalism, and gender data. Her research focuses on women’s political participation, technology-triggered gender-based violence, media, and governance. She is the recipient of multiple regional and national awards recognizing her leadership and contribution to women’s empowerment.