Conference details
October 22, 2026, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM ADT – Held Virtually
Leadership doesn’t pause when life gets difficult— turning grief, personal experiences and workplace challenges into inspirational leadership.
Meet the Speakers
Dr. Linda Duxbury
Keynote Speaker
“Dr. Linda Duxbury is a work life balance keynote speaker & Canada’s most accomplished researcher, writer on employee health, wellness & change. Dr. Linda Duxbury is the Chancellor’s Professor in Management at the Carleton University’s Sprott School of Business in Ottawa, Ontario. Dr. Linda Duxbury is Canada’s most accomplished researcher, writer and speaker on the topics of employee management, workplace culture, employee health & wellness while managing change.
– Description taken from speakerscanada.com
Maureen MacDonald
“Maureen MacDonald is an oncology nurse with over 23 years of clinical experience in
pediatric and adult settings, from California to Canada’s Arctic territories. Her work with
patients, families and colleagues navigating times of profound loss inspired her to further
study the grief experience.Through her work, Maureen aims to normalize conversations about grief and help healthcare professionals and first responders navigate their grief experience, and sustain long, meaningful careers.”
– Description provided by Maureen MacDonald
Jill MacDonald
“My journey began with facing the unimaginable: battling cancer, losing my husband to the same disease, and navigating life with a disability. These experiences taught me the power of resilience and the importance of choosing how to rise above adversity. Through my speaking engagements, I aim to inspire others to turn their impossible into possible, sharing tools and insights that foster a mindset of strength and hope. Join me as we embark on this journey together, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.”
– Description taken from Jill’s website
What You Will Learn
Beyond Survival Leadership Series
1. What knocks leaders off balance
External pressures, workload, role compression, staffing instability, and cumulative organizational loss all affect leadership steadiness.
2. What unsteadiness feels like inside
Grief and pressure influence physiology, cognition, emotional reactivity, and decision-making.
3. How leaders get steady again
Leaders rebuild steadiness by reconnecting with values, restoring clarity, and understanding how identity shifts under pressure.
4. How leaders stay steady
Daily stabilizers, grounded leadership practices, and intentional reflection held leaders maintain steadiness over time.
