Help shape the future: Join the Women in STEM talk on innovation, resilience, and leadership
October 6, 2025 - Defence Stories
Estimated read time – 1:30

Get ready for a lively exchange of ideas and insights!
Join the Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Coalition on October 21 (9:00 to 11:00 EDT), for a hybrid panel discussion on innovation, resilience, and leadership.
Since 2018, the Women in STEM Coalition has empowered, connected, and supported growth across the Defence Team. This year’s focus on innovation, resilience, and leadership continues that tradition, encouraging us all to adapt, lead, and thrive. This discussion will explore how diverse perspectives are shaping the future of Defence.
Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret’d) Diane Barry will open the event with a keynote address. Drawing on her 27-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces as a financial officer, she will share insights on authentic leadership across operational, strategic, and special forces roles. She will highlight how communication, self-awareness, and experiential learning fuel innovation, build resilience, and strengthen leaders.

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Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret’d) Diane Barry, CD1
An interactive panel discussion will follow, featuring women from diverse backgrounds who will share how they embody this year’s theme in their own professional journeys. The session will conclude with networking and opportunities to exchange ideas with peers and panelists. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of a conversation that could help shape our future!
Participation options:
- In-person: Defence Team members can attend in person at the National Defence Headquarters (Building 6 Atrium at Carling Campus)
- Virtual: MS Teams
- A networking session will follow from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EDT – also streaming live on MS Teams.
Registration:
Please confirm your attendance by completing the reservation form (accessible only on the National Defence network) no later than Friday, October 17.
For more information, please visit the Women in STEM Coalition site (SharePoint) (accessible only on the National Defence network).
We look forward to connecting with you at this year’s event!