Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders

Her Future Forward

Speaker Series & Leadership Breakfast

Presented by:

A shared learning experience for young women aged 12-18 and their adult allies. Her Future Forward focuses on leadership, entrepreneurship, confidence, and future-ready skills, creating space to learn together, strengthen support systems, and spark meaningful conversations about ambition, resilience, business and diverse career pathways.

STUDENT REGISTRATION

NON-STUDENT REGISTRATION

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SAVE THE DATE: Friday, May 15, 2026

LOCATION: University of Calgary, Downtown Campus

Her Future Forward Speaker Series & Leadership Breakfast is a shared learning experience for young women aged 12-18 and their adult allies. The event focuses on leadership, entrepreneurship, confidence, and future-ready skills, creating space to learn together, strengthen support systems, and spark meaningful conversations about ambition, resilience, business and diverse career pathways.

A woman in a yellow sweater holding a microphone and speaking at an indoor event with a diverse group of people listening.

ABOUT: 6×6 Speaker Series

The 6x6 Speaker Series is a dynamic, high-impact leadership and entrepreneurship event designed to inspire the next generation of changemakers. The format is simple and powerful: six speakers, six minutes each, supported by six slides. This fast-paced structure keeps the content engaging, accessible, and focused, allowing attendees to hear a diverse range of perspectives, stories, and insights in a single event.

Each speaker brings a unique voice from business, leadership, innovation, and community impact, offering real-world experiences that connect directly to Junior Achievement’s mission of preparing young people for future success through financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship education.

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE

Meet the Speakers

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DEANNA ZUMWALT

CO-FOUNDER & CHAIR, CALGARY WILD FC

Deanna is a board leader and co-founder of Calgary Wild FC—Calgary’s first professional women’s soccer team. She also serves as a director of Canada’s Northern Super League and has played a key role in launching the country’s first professional women’s soccer league.

Formerly President & CEO of Coril Holdings Ltd., Deanna led a multi-billion dollar portfolio through growth and transformation. Recognized with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal and the University of Calgary’s 2025 Management Alumni Excellence Award, Deanna is known for her bold leadership and commitment to developing future leaders.

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PEGAH JAZAERI

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, CLARK BUILDERS

With a background in civil engineering and an MBA, Pegah enjoys working at the intersection of strategy, design, and execution — helping shape project visions and supporting their path from concept to construction.

Pegah brings a global perspective and values the importance of inclusion and collaboration. She takes care to listen, understand what matters to clients, and fosters strong, trusting relationships. Outside of work, Pegah enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, and exploring local design and architecture that reflect the culture and spirit of a place.

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NATASHA TIPPETT

DIRECTOR, CREATIVE DESTRUCTION LAB-ROCKIES

Natasha works with early-stage science and technology startups to help them grow and scale. Alongside her work at CDL, she is building FarCloser Travel, a company that helps families explore the world with more intention - and come home changed by it. She's passionate about innovation, personal growth, and building confidence through real-world experience.

As a mom of two, Natasha is driven to show the next generation that they are capable of more than they think - encouraging young people to take risks, trust themselves, and define success on their own terms.

KIRSTIE BOYLE

CEO, ENVIROSOFT CORPORATION

Kirstie Boyle is a 2025 Top 40 Under 40 honouree, recognized for bridging science, technology, and business to drive meaningful environmental impact. As CEO, she has rapidly scaled the organization while helping energy companies reduce emissions and improve reporting practices.

Known as a “translator” between technical and business worlds, Kirstie excels at turning complex challenges into practical, high-impact solutions. She is also a passionate advocate for inclusion in STEM, building diverse teams and championing opportunities for women and underrepresented groups. Beyond her corporate leadership, Kirstie has played a key role in Calgary’s science community, including serving as board chair of Telus Spark Science Centre.

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Nadine Niba

ALBERTA MARKET LEADER, RISK ADVISORY, BDO CANADA

Nadine is an author, speaker, and corporate leader committed to helping the next generation step into confidence and leadership. She is the author of Quarterback: An Immigrant’s Guide to Corporate North America, where she shares practical lessons on navigating corporate spaces, building self-belief, and owning your voice.

Professionally, Nadine is a CPA, MBA, and Alberta Market Leader for Risk Advisory at BDO Canada, where she advises executives and boards on strategy, risk, and transformation.

Through her work and storytelling, she empowers young women to see what’s possible and move forward with clarity and courage