Nerve: Lessons on Leadership from Two Women Who Went First

We have the honour of sitting down with two of Canada's most influential women leaders, who were willing to take risks when leadership opportunities presented themselves.  

Join the Telfer Scho ol of Management’s EMBA Director & Associate Professor, Charlotte Karam Ph.D. as she moderates this candid and insightful conversation with Martha Piper O.C., O.B.C., Ph.D. who served as the first woman president of the University of British Columbia and Indira V. Samarasekera O.C., Ph.D., as the first woman president of the University of Alberta.

Together, they will elaborate on the content of their new book “Nerve: Lessons on leadership from two women who went first”; share their personal and professional stories and offer guidance for women leaders of every age and at every stage of their career. 

Topics explored will include different approaches for effectively handling obstacles, strengthening emotional intelligence, issues around intersectionality and developing the skills necessary to stand out as a leader among both men and women. 

As the Right Hon. Kim Campbell, P.C. expressed in the foreword: “Nerve is a must-read for any woman who is leading today, considering leading, or thinking about life after leading.” 

Question and Answer Period 

There will be an opportunity for the audience to ask questions during the Q&A portion at the end of the moderated chat. 

Note: All are welcome to this inclusive event! We welcome allies who are committed to creating environments that are supportive of people who are typically underrepresented in the workplace and beyond. 

Complimentary Ticket

With your complimetary ticket, you will receive a hardcopy book upon arrival, access to a book signing by the authors, some Telfer swag and a continental breakfast. Regular retail book price is valued at $36 + HST.

Event Schedule 

• 7:30 – 8:00 a.m. : Registration, networking and light continental breakfast 
• 8:00 – 8:40 a.m.: Panel discussion with Martha Piper and Indira V. Samarasekera 
• 8:40 – 9:00 a.m.: Q&A period from in person and online audiences 
• 9:00  a.m.: End of event 
• 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.: Book signing, networking and light snack

Speakers

Martha C. Piper, O.C., O.B.C., Ph.D. 

Martha Piper served as the first woman president of the University of British Columbia and has been a director of the Bank of Montreal, Shoppers Drug Mart, and TransAlta Corporation.  An Officer of the Order of Canada, she was born in Lorain, Ohio and lives with her husband, William Piper, in Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Indira V. Samarasekera, O.C., Ph.D.   

Indira Samarasekera served as the first woman president of the University of Alberta and is a director of Magna International, TC Energy, Intact Financial Corporation and Stelco and has served as a director of the Bank of Nova Scotia.  An Officer of the Order of Canada, she was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka and lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Moderator

Charlotte Karam, Ph.D. 

Charlotte Karam is a tenured associate professor at the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, where she also holds the Endowed Professorship in Gender and Inclusive Systems. Charlotte’s work as a scholar-activist contributes to overlapping conversations in inclusive HR systems, business ethics, public policy, and feminist praxis. Through a MEPI grant, she led the development of The KIP Index, the first MENA sector-based measure of women’s recruitment, retention, and promotion. In 2021, she launched The SAWI Project, focused on mobilizing employers to engage in localized strategies for women-inclusive HR systems.