People-Powered Change: Courage, Compassion & Resilience

Change does not begin in boardrooms or research labs. It begins with people. It takes courage to challenge old systems, compassion to see the humanity in others, and resilience to keep moving forward when the path is uncertain. Four inspiring voices: Betty-Ann Heggie, Michelle Brooks, John Bailey, and Kaleb Dahlgren show how real progress happens when leadership is powered by empathy and purpose.

For Betty-Ann Heggie, a former senior executive turned author and advocate, the divide between men and women in the workplace is not a battle to win but a balance to find. In her talk, Gender Wars: From Conflicts to Creative Potential, she reminds us that creativity flourishes when masculine and feminine qualities work together. “Neither one of these sets of attributes is better than the other, but they are better when they are working together,” she says. Her message calls for collaboration over competition and for all of us to “get out of our online echo chambers to meet each other in the real world where we can discover one another’s humanity.”

From reconciliation to self-discovery, Michelle Brook’s journey in I Used to Think I Wasn’t Indigenous Enough tells the story of reclaiming identity and walking a path of self-leadership. When the pandemic forced her to pause and reflect, she realized, “I absolutely am enough to create change in this world and to do the work that I do.” Today, as an Indigenous entrepreneur and advocate, she empowers others to take that same leap by building businesses and communities rooted in authenticity and reconciliation. Her story reminds us that leadership often begins with believing in our own worth.

As CEO of the Regina Food Bank, John Bailey has learned that compassion alone is not enough to create real change. It must be supported by structure, vision, and accountability. In The Math of Transformation, he explains, “When your compassion ignores the math, we create a fractured, fragile system.” By combining heart and strategy, John has reimagined food security and proven that sustainable impact requires both empathy and operational excellence. His leadership shows how compassion can evolve into lasting community resilience.

Few stories capture resilience like that of Kaleb Dahlgren. A survivor of the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy, Kaleb has transformed heartbreak into purpose. In The Power of Micro Resilience, he shares how small, consistent acts of strength can rebuild even the most broken lives. “It’s not about being perfect. It’s about progress and consistency. Because over time, these actions retrain your brain,” he says. Through his advocacy for mental wellness and mentorship for children with diabetes, Kaleb shows that healing is both personal and collective. When we lift others, we also rise. 

Each of these speakers reminds us that people-powered change is not just a theme, it is a mindset. It means pairing courage with compassion, balancing heart with logic, and finding strength in community. Whether in the workplace, within ourselves, or across entire systems, their stories prove that transformation begins with us.