Great event, new venue,
amazing cause.
YWHISPER has raised more than 6 million dollars over the past thirteen years, attracting engaged YW supporters, business leaders, women’s issues advocates, and the wider Calgary community.
This year’s gala took place on March 6, 2025, in the
newly-developed BMO Centre.
Thank you for your support which, will help women and
their families find safety, economic stability and build a
thriving future.
We look forward to seeing you next year.
“Empowering women isn’t just about giving them a voice, it’s about making sure that voice is heard.”
Kimberlé Crenshaw
YWHISPER 2025 Keynote Speaker
We were honored to welcome Kimberlé Crenshaw as our keynote speaker for the evening. A pioneering scholar in the field of critical race theory and the creator of the concept of intersectionality, Crenshaw’s work has been instrumental in shaping the modern feminist movement. Her insights into the overlapping and interconnected nature of social identities – such as race, gender, and class – have provided a crucial framework for understanding the complexities of women’s experience in the journey for equity.
Joining the Conversation
We were honored to welcome the following panelists to this year’s event program:
Panelist: Brandi Morin
Brandi Morin is an acclaimed Indigenous journalist and storyteller from Treaty 6 territory in Alberta, Canada. Her compelling reporting on Indigenous issues and human rights has appeared in numerous national and international media outlets. Through her award-winning work, Morin amplifies Indigenous voices while fostering understanding of the challenges faced by Indigenous communities.
Moderator: Jenny Steele
Jenny Steele is a versatile Producer, Actress, Host, and Voice Artist. Her career began hosting major entertainment programs, interviewing A-list celebrities like George Clooney and Dwayne Johnson. She later expanded into producing, co-creating shows like Celebrity Style Story and Styleography. Her work has appeared on networks including E!, CTV, CBC, and The Biography Channel.
Emcee: Leslie Horton
Leslie Horton is a prominent Canadian television personality and traffic reporter for Global News Calgary. With over two decades in media, she’s become a household name known for her engaging on-air presence and sharp insights. Leslie’s warm broadcasting style and commitment to keeping Calgary moving have made her one of the city’s most respected media figures.
Interested in becoming a 2026 sponsor?
Partner with us for one of Calgary’s most impactful evenings, just ahead of International Women’s Day. For more information on available sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jaclyn Krucik at JKrucik@ywcalgary.ca
Our 2025 Sponsors
Alberta Blue Cross / Avenue Magazine / Banff Sunshine Village / Borden Ladner Gervais LLP / Bull Moose Capital / Burke Group / Canadian Natural / Critical Mass / Enbridge / Fairmont Palliser /
Halliburton/ Hugessen Consulting / Lavender / MAWER / McCaig/Waller Family / McCarthy
Tétrault / McMillan LLP / Meg Energy / MLT Aikins LLP / Remington Development Corporation /
STRAAD / TD Bank Group / TRICO HOMES
Raffle Sponsors
2025 Event Leadership Committee
- Jane McCaig (Honourary Chair)
- Megan Luu (Chair)
- Manhar Cheema
- Pritma Dhillon-Chattha
- Micaela Hartslief
- Morgan Hendy
- Heather McDermid
- Hannah Osborne
- Judith Sparkes
- Abigail Tomney
- Molly Tonken
