Arrive, register, and get excited for the day ahead.

This chunk of time is for getting settled; grabbing a complimentary bagel, finding a seat, and start making connections before the programming even begins.

We'll open the day together with a land acknowledgement, followed by a welcome from Fora's Chief Executive Officer, Emma Asiedu-Akrof, and inspiring words from special guests.

Expect it to feel grounded, warm, and like the start of something good.

Panel A: Creating Opportunity in a Changing World

DETAILS:

Career paths have never been perfectly linear, but right now, they're being redrawn entirely. Layoffs, automation, shifting workplace expectations, and an increasingly complex political and economic landscape are changing how people access opportunities, build careers, and enter leadership. And while these shifts are affecting everyone, young women and gender-marginalized people continue to face the steepest barriers, not because of a lack of skill, ambition, or experience, but because of who still controls the room.

In this opening panel, leaders from across sectors will share honest reflections on their own career journeys, from the pivots and rejections to the moments when someone opened a door (and the moments they had to build one themselves).

Together, they'll explore what it takes to navigate opportunity in today's world and what personal agency and collective responsibility actually look like in practice. This is a space for real conversation about what leaders, organizations, and institutions need to do differently to ensure talent doesn't go to waste.

Attendees will have a chance to transition between sessions and have a short bio break.

Guided networking prompts will be available if you want to use this time to start a conversation.

Choose between attending the workshops or sign up for our speed mentoring session. We invite experienced leaders to sign up to volunteer as a mentor when you register. Limited spots available. Mentees will be accepted on a first come basis on the day of the event.

WORKSHOP A:

The Skills That Don't Expire: As artificial intelligence and automation continue to reshape the world of work, it can be hard to know which skills are worth investing in. This workshop explores the intersection of technological change and human-centred leadership. You'll examine emerging workplace trends, take stock of the strengths you already bring, and identify the skills that remain valuable no matter what comes next.

WORKSHOP B:

Closing the AI Gap: AI is already in your workplace, whether your organization has a policy for it or not. This practical, honest workshop is designed for leaders who want to engage with emerging technology thoughtfully. You'll develop a foundational understanding of how AI works, explore real ways it can support your productivity and growth, and examine the ethical considerations that matter, from bias to privacy to equity. No technical background required.

SPEED MENTORSHIP SESSION:

A fast-paced, dialogue-driven experience that connects participants with experienced mentors from across industries, sectors, and career paths. Through a series of rotating conversations, you will gain practical insights and grounded advice from people who have navigated similar journeys, leaving with a wider network and new connections built on shared purpose.

Take a break, grab a meal, and keep the conversations going.

After you eat, drop in for a free professional headshot and get real-time advice for levelling up your LinkedIn presence with career coaches and branding experts.

Attendees will have a chance to transition after an action-packed morning and take a short bio break before the sessions to come.

Guided networking prompts will be available if you want to start a conversation.

Guests return to the Auditorium and settle back in over an uplifting Spark Talk.

Panel B: The Power of Opportunity

DETAILS:

Talent, hard work, and qualifications matter. But they are rarely enough on their own. Opportunities are frequently shaped by who gets recommended, invited into conversations, nominated for leadership roles, and advocated for when they're not in the room. That's not a bug in the system. It’s the system.

Grounded in insights from Fora's own research report, "Ready, Willing and Rejected," this panel explores how sponsorship shapes career growth, board appointments, and access to opportunity across sectors and career stages. Panellists will share personal experiences of being sponsored, sponsoring others, and moving through systems where opportunity isn't always distributed equitably.

This is a space for honest dialogue about the collective responsibility leaders have to recognize talent, open doors, and build environments where more people can thrive, and what it actually looks like when they do.

An energizing mid-afternoon activity to reset, recharge, and reconnect before the afternoon workshops.

Take a few minutes to stretch, grab a drink, and have a bio break before diving into chosen workshops.

Guided networking prompts will be available if you want to start a conversation during this break.

WORKSHOP C:

Build Your Network

Networking has a reputation problem, especially for women and gender-marginalized leaders who've experienced it as transactional, performative, or designed for people who already have access to the right rooms. This workshop reframes it entirely, exploring networking as a relationship-building practice rooted in community rather than competition. You'll map the relationships already in your corner and leave with a clear, intentional plan for the connections you want to build going forward.

WORKSHOP D:

Know Your Worth: Negotiation, Opportunity & Career Advocacy

Most people know they should advocate for themselves, but far fewer feel equipped to actually do it, especially in rooms where the power dynamic isn't in their favour. This workshop is practical and direct, covering negotiation strategies and self-advocacy skills across a range of professional contexts, from salary conversations to stretch assignments to leadership opportunities. You'll leave with concrete tools to communicate your value and pursue opportunities with confidence.

WORKSHOP E:

Opening Doors: Creating Opportunity Through Leadership

Most people know they should advocate for themselves, but far fewer feel equipped to actually do it, especially in rooms where the power dynamic isn't in their favour. This workshop is practical and direct, covering negotiation strategies and self-advocacy skills across a range of professional contexts, from salary conversations to stretch assignments to leadership opportunities. You'll leave with concrete tools to communicate your value and pursue opportunities with confidence.

Attendees will transition back to the Auditorium and have a short bio break.

We'll close out the day together with an artistic performance, guided reflection, and the Room to Grow Wall—a community-built vision of what creating opportunity looks like in practice. You'll also write a letter to your future self!

A brief close to the day's formal programming.

We'll invite you to complete the post-event survey before heading into our end-of-day social.

Some of the best conversations happen after the panels end and the pressure's off.

Join us for pizza, casual connection, and a chance to keep the conversation going before you head home! Is there a better way to top off a great day?