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Kingbridge Women's Leadership Lab
presents
________________________________
Midlife Power Shift
A Leadership Renewal Experience for Women at Midlife
________________________________
Friday & Saturday, May 1-2, 2026 | Kingbridge Centre
In partnership with McMaster University and the Mary Heersink School of Global Health and Social Medicine
The net proceeds of this event promote equitable access to bursaries for students of the Mary Heersink School of Global Health and Social Medicine experiencing financial hardship.
presents
__________
Midlife Power Shift
A Leadership Renewal Experience for Women at Midlife
__________
Friday & Saturday, May 1-2, 2026 | Kingbridge Centre
In partnership with McMaster University and the Mary Heersink School of Global Health and Social Medicine
The net proceeds of this event support bursaries for underprivileged female students at the Mary Heersink School of Global Health and Social Medicine
A Strategic Investment in Women Leaders
Midlife is a pivotal inflection point for women leaders. It is often the stage when experience, insight, and strategic judgment are at their peak, yet it is also when many women quietly disengage or exit leadership pathways altogether.
The Midlife Power Shift is a two-day, retreat-style leadership symposium designed to help organizations retain, re-energize, and advance their senior women leaders at this critical career moment. Hosted at the Kingbridge Centre and delivered in partnership with McMaster University’s Mary Heersink School of Global Health & Social Medicine, the experience integrates leading-edge health science, executive leadership insight, and restorative renewal.
The Experience
Over 2 immersive days, participants engage in:
•Expert-led sessions on menopause and ageing
•Inspiring stories from women leaders
•Empowerment through practical sessions on power dressing and makeup in midlife
•Mind–body recalibration
•Wellness and vitality experiences
•Culinary and community experiences
•Expert-led sessions on menopause and ageing
•Inspiring stories from women leaders
•Empowerment through practical sessions on power dressing and makeup in midlife
•Mind–body recalibration
•Wellness and vitality experiences
•Culinary and community experiences
A Strategic Investment in Women Leaders
Midlife is a pivotal inflection point for women leaders. It is often the stage when experience, insight, and strategic judgment are at their peak, yet it is also when many women quietly disengage or exit leadership pathways altogether.
The Midlife Power Shift is a two-day, retreat-style leadership symposium designed to help organizations retain, re-energize, and advance their senior women leaders at this critical career moment. Hosted at the Kingbridge Centre and delivered in partnership with McMaster University’s Mary Heersink School of Global Health & Social Medicine, the experience integrates leading-edge health science, executive leadership insight, and restorative renewal.
The Experience
Over 2 immersive days, participants engage in:
•Expert-led sessions on menopause and ageing
•Inspiring stories from women leaders
•Empowerment through practical sessions on power dressing and makeup in midlife
•Mind–body recalibration
•Wellness and vitality experiences
•Culinary and community
experiences
•Expert-led sessions on menopause and ageing
•Inspiring stories from women leaders
•Empowerment through practical sessions on power dressing and makeup in midlife
•Mind–body recalibration
•Wellness and vitality experiences
•Culinary and community
experiences
Why the Midlife Power Shift Matters
Recent research shows that women often begin to fall behind in the workforce during midlife—precisely when they should be stepping confidently into executive and board-level roles. The convergence of career demands, menopause, teenage children leaving home, ageing parents requiring care, and increasing personal responsibilities creates a unique and often invisible leadership challenge. Without intentional support, organizations risk losing some of their most experienced, capable, and valuable leaders at this critical moment.
Why the Midlife Power Shift Matters
Recent research shows that women often begin to fall behind in the workforce during midlife—precisely when they should be stepping confidently into executive and board-level roles. The convergence of career demands, menopause, teenage children leaving home, ageing parents requiring care, and increasing personal responsibilities creates a unique and often invisible leadership challenge. Without intentional support, organizations risk losing some of their most experienced, capable, and valuable leaders at this critical moment.
Designed for Organizations. Transformative for Leaders.
Organizations are invited to sponsor their women leaders for The Midlife Power Shift is a strategic investment in:
- •Retention: Supporting women at a known attrition point
- •Executive Readiness: Strengthening confidence, presence, and sustainability
- •Performance: Equipping leaders to manage complexity and sustained demand
- •Equity: Advancing gender parity at senior levels
- •Leadership Pipeline: Preserving and accelerating future enterprise leaders
Participants return energized, focused, and equipped with practical strategies to navigate complexity, lead with clarity, and sustain excellence.
Designed for Organizations. Transformative for Leaders.
Organizations are invited to sponsor their women leaders for The Midlife Power Shift is a strategic investment in:
- •Retention: Supporting women at a known attrition point
- •Executive Readiness: Strengthening confidence, presence, and sustainability
- •Performance: Equipping leaders to manage complexity and sustained demand
- •Equity: Advancing gender parity at senior levels
- •Leadership Pipeline: Preserving and accelerating future enterprise leaders
Participants return energized, focused, and equipped with practical strategies to navigate complexity, lead with clarity, and sustain excellence.
Speakers
Please click to view speaker bios
Dr. Susan Tighe
PhD, PEng, FCAE, FCSCE, FEIC, C.Dir.
President, McMaster University
Dr. Menaka Pai
MSc, MD, FRCPC
Hematology Specialist
Dr. Alexandra Papaiannou
BScN, MD, MSc, FRCP(C), FACP, FCGS
Osteoporosis Specialist
Dr. Russell De Souza
ScD, RD
Registered Dietician &
Nutritional Epidemiologist
Dr. Allison Shea
MD, PhD, FRCSC, MSCP
Obstetrician & Gynecologist
Sponsors
Special Sessions
Power Dressing In Midlife
Jo-Ann Fisher
Founder and Principal, Hanger9
Rachael Doak
Style Strategist, Entrepreneur &
Co-Owner Hanger9
Ready To Step Into The Shift?
This is not a traditional leadership symposium – it is a curated, retreat-style intervention designed to build resilience, sustain high performance, and unlock the next chapter of women’s leadership impact.