Jen Kristjanson: Advice from Local Leaders

For our November 2025 Leadership Winnipeg session, we had the honour of being welcomed into the home of the Honourable Lieutenant Governor Anita Neville, where we spent the day learning from remarkable local leaders as well as from one another.

Our morning began with an inspiring talk by Connie Walker. Connie reflected on her early career as a young public health nurse working in a low-income neighbourhood in Winnipeg’s core and North End. She described how these formative experiences shaped her personally and professionally, and how they continue to influence her leadership approach today. Connie emphasized that effective leadership requires never losing sight of what matters most in any organization: its people. She also highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of empathy—both for others and for oneself. In her view, empathy creates the safe and supportive environment needed for diverse perspectives to be shared, encourages authenticity, and provides the calm stability necessary for thoughtful decision-making.

Later in the day, we broke into smaller groups for more intimate conversations with several local leaders who generously joined us to share their insights: Carly Edmundson, Jessica Dumas, Kevin Selch, and Sandy Chahal. Each spoke candidly about their unique paths, the challenges they faced, and the pivotal decisions that shaped their careers.

Despite their diverse backgrounds, cultures, and professional journeys, the local leaders each reflected on the qualities and experiences they believe have contributed to their success as leaders. Three themes emerged consistently. Firstly, meaningful growth often only occurs during moments of discomfort, being a leader within our community is a privilege and responsibility that should be leaned into generously. Lastly—and perhaps most importantly—success in leadership requires showing up as one’s authentic self and remaining true to who you are as an individual.