Speakers LEAP 2026
Voices That Move You
LEAP speakers are bold thinkers, respected leaders, and dynamic storytellers. Chosen not just to inspire, but to equip.
From high-energy keynotes to tactical panels and toolbox sessions, each speaker brings insight you can apply immediately. On the job, in leadership conversations, and in your career decisions. Come curious. Leave changed.
HERStories | New This Year
Short. Powerful. Unforgettable. HERstories are fast-paced, inspiring talks delivered by women who have lived the journey. Sharing real lessons, pivotal moments, and practical insights.
No fluff. No theory. Just stories that spark action. ~ “You’ll feel it. You’ll use it.”
Dr. Brynn L. Winegard
Applied Neuroscientist | Award-winning Business Professor | Former Fortune 100 Corporate Manager
Dr. Brynn L. Winegard translates neuroscience into practical tools for enhancing leadership performance and mental fitness. With experience advising elite athletes and executives, she has appeared on networks like CNN and CBC. Her new book, The Working Brain, focuses on building antifragile mental fitness, and she will be the keynote speaker at VRCA’s ‘Women Who Build.’
Jeannine Martin
VRCA PRESIDENT
As President of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA), Jeannine champions the Vancouver construction industry through advocacy, education, and facilitating business connections, elevating over 1000 member companies through proactive and inclusive leadership. With more than 25 years of experience in construction and engineering, she brings industry understanding and expertise that elevates her ability to uplift issues important to the construction industry.
Jeannine’s success in the male-dominated fields of construction and engineering inspires resilience and leadership among women, fostering growth and diversity within the industry.
Stephanie Hun
CCW PRESIDENT AND Vice President, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, CANADA FOR FLATIRON DRAGADOS CANADA
Stephanie brings 20 years of experience in business development, client engagement, strategic planning and marketing communications across the engineering and construction industry. Her career spans projects throughout North America, Asia and Australia, with sector experience in power, transportation and marine infrastructure.
In 2025, Stephanie received VRCA’s 2025 Women in Construction Outstanding Achievement Award for her tireless dedication to advancing women in construction. She is also the President of Canadian Construction Women, a member of Women in Roadbuilding & Heavy Civil Construction, a Board Director of British Columbia Construction Roundtable, and Co-Chair of National Women’s Infrastructure Network Awards.
Sophie Warwick
Co-CEO & Co-Founder of The Thoughtful Co.
Sophie equips both individuals and organizations to achieve measurable results through equitable compensation and leadership. She is an experienced public speaker who designs and delivers evidence-based workshops and keynote sessions on negotiation, career advancement, inclusive leadership, and equity. Sophie has facilitated learning experiences for global universities, professional associations, and leading engineering, technology, and financial organizations. She regularly speaks to audiences ranging from small cohorts to rooms of 500+ professionals. She also coaches women to confidently negotiate salary, equity, benefits, and parental leave, and advises employers on equity policies and objective decision making. With over a decade of industry experience and a Master’s in Structural and Earthquake Engineering from UBC, she brings analytical rigor, facilitation expertise, and practical, insight to every session. Sophie also co-founded Women in Consulting Engineering (WCE) Vancouver, now a national organization with thousands of members.
Chris Atchison
President, British Columbia Construction Association
Chris Atchison is the President of the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA), where he leads initiatives to modernize the construction industry, enhance workforce development, and drive economic growth for the province. With over 25 years of experience in leadership, employment, and training strategies, he oversees programs such as the Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP), Integrating Newcomers (IN), and the Builders Code. He actively participates in industry advisory boards, including the Deputy Minister Industry Infrastructure Forum and the Canadian Construction Association’s National Advisory Council, where he helps guide the future of the sector in British Columbia and across Canada
Nicole Bryant
Nicole Bryant, CEO at NRCA
Nicole leads initiatives focused on workforce development, leadership development, and advocacy across Northern British Columbia’s construction industry as the CEO of the Northern Region Construction Association (NRCA). Nicole holds a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership from Thompson Rivers University. She is completing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Women’s Studies and is also pursuing a Master’s degree in Political Science at UNBC, with a focus on leadership, policy, and equity in organizational and community contexts. This academic grounding informs her approach to leadership development, particularly in industries navigating workforce change, skills shortages, and evolving expectations around culture and inclusion.
Natasha Jeshani
President & CEO at Career Contacts
Natasha Jeshani is a bestselling author and an award winning keynote and panel speaker with 17+ years of experience in
recruitment & human resources advisory, and corporate training. She has appeared on the BiV Forth Under 40 list and has been nominated as a Women of Distinction.
Natasha’s companies support organizations to support and retain top talent as fractional HR advisors to small business, enterprise corporations and nonprofits across Canada and the US. Natasha holds a Sociology degree from UBC; an HR Management Certificate, with distinction, from BCIT; and a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR) and a Society for Human Resource Management – Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).
Ada Nadison
Public Safety Manager at FortisBC
Ada Nadison’s work is rooted in the belief that safety is an act of care. As Public Safety Manager at FortisBC, she helps communities and industry partners understand how to work safely around natural gas and electricity infrastructure, translating technical risks into clear, practical actions. She also serves on the Board of the BC Common Ground Alliance, supporting safe excavation and underground infrastructure protection across the province. With a diverse background in emergency management, public safety communications, and adult education, Ada believes safety is more than preventing harm; it is rooted in dignity, clarity, and connection, creating environments where people understand risk and feel supported in managing it.
