This International Women’s Day, join us as we embrace the global campaign theme, “Accelerate Action,” to champion gender equality. Our event will spotlight critical issues such as closing the gender pay gap and increasing women’s representation in leadership roles. Through insightful discussions, actionable strategies, and inspiring stories, we aim to empower individuals and organizations to take bold steps toward a more equitable future. Together, we can drive meaningful change and accelerate progress toward true gender equality.
Rochelle Bush is the owner and primary guide of Tubman Tours Canada. A proud descendant of freedom seekers, she was born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario, where her deep-rooted connection to the community continues to shape her work. Her maternal great-great-grandfather served as minister-in-charge of Salem Chapel, BME Church during the period when Harriet Tubman was an active member.
For over twenty-five years, Rochelle has been dedicated to preserving, promoting, and protecting Canada’s rich Black history. She played a pivotal role in shaping the early Black history narrative and government tourism initiatives in St. Catharines and across the Niagara region. Through this work, she began offering step-on guide services, showcasing Niagara’s Freedom Trail and enhancing visitors’ understanding of the Underground Railroad. Approximately fifteen years ago, she launched the Harriet Tubman Tour, highlighting Tubman’s time in St. Catharines.
Rochelle serves as a Trustee and the resident historian of Salem Chapel, BME Church, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Sites. She is a certified Niagara Tourism Ambassador, a licensed Niagara Parks tour guide, and has held key positions including Board Director of the Historical Society of St. Catharines, Board Member of the St. Catharines Museum, and Emancipation Day organizer. She is also affiliated with the historic Zion Baptist Church.
Highlights
Through her extensive work, Rochelle Bush continues to be a leading voice in Black history preservation, ensuring that the legacies of Harriet Tubman and other freedom seekers remain an integral part of Canada’s historical narrative.
Vice President of Community Initiatives, Canadian Women’s Foundation
Karen Campbell is an accomplished non-profit leader with over a decade of experience advancing gender equity and social justice through strategic program development, policy and advocacy, and feminist philanthropy. As Vice President of Community Initiatives at the Canadian Women’s Foundation, she leads national efforts to address gender-based violence, build economic security, and support youth leadership. A passionate advocate for feminism and systems change, Karen champions intersectional approaches that prioritize grassroots leadership and community-led solutions to systemic injustice. Her experience spans national and international projects with charities, non-profits, and grassroots organizations, addressing issues including gender-based violence, economic security, global migration governance, and human rights.
National Director of Communications, YWCA Canada
Dana Dignard (she/her) is the National Director of Communications at YWCA Canada. She is an accomplished bilingual executive with over 20 years of experience driving marketing, communications, corporate strategy and inclusion initiatives in the non-profit sector nationally and internationally.
Much of Dana’s career has been rooted in the social impact space—from coordinating national campaigns for human rights to leading entrepreneurial training programs for women in Central Africa. She has supported sustainable development projects, advanced gender equity through crisis intervention and advocacy work, and served as Board Chair for Volunteer Toronto.
Prior to joining YWCA Canada, Dana served as Vice President of ESG, Marketing, Communications, and Education at GS1 Canada, where she spent the last ten years. She has held several key leadership roles within the organization, including Senior Director of Corporate Strategy. She was also a senior leader at WE (formerly known as Free The Children), notably serving as Global Head of Global Creative and Communications.
Dana began her career in program management and crisis intervention in the shelter system, holding positions at the Canadian International Development Agency and Women’s Place (now Birchway Niagara). Dana holds a BA in Human Rights and English from Carleton University, along with an MBA from the Rotman School of Management, where she earned the Fellowship Award for Non-Profit Managers.
Co-Chair, Equal Voice; Regional Councillor, Town of Pelham
Diana Huson is a Regional Councillor for the Town of Pelham and also Founder and Co-Chair of Equal Voice Niagara, advocating for gender equity in politics. First elected in 2018, she became the first woman to both run and hold her seat. Diana is a champion for economic development, social policy and inclusive governance. She served as Chair of the Region’s Women’s Advisory Committee, the Planning and Economic Development Committee, Vice Chair for the Ontario Caucus and other leadership roles with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, working to increase women’s participation in government.
Included in your luncheon ticket:
Vendor Booths
Reach our IWD audience with a vendor booth! Booths come with one table, one chair, and one complimentary ticket to International Women’s Day. VENDOR BOOTHS ARE SOLD OUT.
Silent Auction
Gain exposure and support IWD by donating an item to our silent auction! Proceeds from the silent auction will go towards a bursary to send a woman in Niagara to the Accelerate Civic Leadership program through Leadership Niagara.
Volunteer
Volunteer at International Women’s Day and network, have fun, and support a great cause! Volunteers are needed to help with event setup, registration, helping our vendors set up their booths, monitoring and finalizing the silent auction, and more.
About the International Women’s Day Award
Each year the Women in Niagara Council, part of the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce presents an award on International Women’s Day Award to a woman in Niagara who captures the spirit of our values, who is innovative, ground-breaking and brings a voice to issues that advance our community.
Accessibility:
We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all attendees. If you have any accessibility requirements or specific accommodations that would enhance your participation in the event, please let us know when registering.
Quiet Room:
Attendees are welcome to take a break in our Quiet Room. We request that all quiet room users enter the space with mindfulness, allowing others to enjoy the quiet and serenity. The quiet room is a space to reflect, contemplate, meditate, pray; a space for well-being or a space to simply take a breath. Soft voices and silenced phones are requested while in the Quiet Room.
Photo Disclaimer:
GNCC reserves the right to photograph its events, and from time to time we use these photos in our publications. By registering for any of our events, you understand and acknowledge that your photograph may be taken and used, per GNCC discretion.
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