REGINA — Innovation, courage and hard-earned wisdom took centre stage Thursday as the University of Regina’s Inspiring Leadership Forum returned to the Bunge International Trade Centre at REAL District, drawing a packed and energized audience for one of the province’s most prominent leadership events.
The annual forum brings together leaders from across Saskatchewan and beyond to share stories of perseverance, innovation and change. This year’s theme, Breaking New Ground, focused on women who are pushing boundaries and reshaping industries ranging from technology and sports to advocacy and social change.
The sold-out event featured a lineup of internationally recognized speakers including cybersecurity innovator Kyla Guru, Indigenous advocates Sarah Eagle Heart and Emma Eagle Heart, and Canadian soccer legend Christine Sinclair.
Together, their stories reflected the forum’s central message: leadership often begins by challenging the status quo.
A young voice shaping the future of technology
At just 23 years old, Guru has already built an international reputation in cybersecurity and digital privacy. A student at Stanford University, she founded the nonprofit Bits N' Bytes Cybersecurity Education as a teenager after noticing how many cyberattacks were caused by human error.
Her organization now develops cybersecurity education programs for students and educators around the world.
Speaking in Regina for the first time, Guru said the energy at the forum was immediately clear.
“It was such a fun morning already. There’s been a lot of inspirational vibes,” she said. “Our nonprofit is really proud to be here in Saskatchewan. We’ve done a lot of international work but haven’t been here yet, so it’s exciting to bring cybersecurity education to more young students and people in the community.”
Guru encouraged attendees to embrace the rapid rise of artificial intelligence rather than fear it.
“Right now is the age of artificial intelligence,” she said. “It’s real and it’s here. We should be helping people understand the technology and join this new chapter instead of being left behind.”
She said events like the forum are especially important for women in technology.
“It’s not often that you get to bring people together in spaces that feel safe and welcoming in technology, specifically for women,” she said. “Being able to talk about frontier ideas like accessibility in education, technology and AI is incredibly important.”
Guru also emphasized that role models play a crucial role in inspiring future leaders.
“Role models are the way other people get involved and become leaders themselves,” she said. “When people see diverse voices sharing ideas and perspectives, it encourages them to step forward as well.”
A legendary athlete reflects on leadership
For Sinclair, widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players in Canadian history, the forum offered an opportunity to reflect on leadership both on and off the field.
The longtime captain of the Canadian women’s national soccer team and an Officer of the Order of Canada said she hoped her stories could inspire others.
Sinclair has long been an outspoken advocate for equality in sport and said conversations about women’s leadership remain essential.
“Half the world is female,” she said. “Women deserve absolutely every opportunity that men get and equal pay for it.”
She noted that women’s sports have seen major growth in recent years but said there is still work to be done.
“Things are moving in the right direction,” Sinclair said. “But the support still isn’t where it needs to be. There’s still a lot of work ahead.”
She added that travelling to communities outside Canada’s largest cities is especially meaningful.
“There’s so much more to this country than Vancouver and Toronto,” Sinclair said. “It’s nice to get to different parts of Canada, share stories and hopefully inspire people.”
Indigenous voices on courage and healing
For sisters Sarah and Emma Eagle Heart of the Oglala Lakota Nation, the forum was an opportunity to discuss leadership through the lens of culture, healing and resilience.
Their presentation focused on how personal healing and community transformation can drive innovation and change.
“Our talk today was really about utilizing healing and transformation for innovation,” Sarah Eagle Heart said.
The sisters have spent decades advocating for Indigenous rights and challenging harmful stereotypes. As teenagers, they famously protested a racially insensitive homecoming ceremony at their South Dakota high school, helping spark broader conversations about Indigenous mascots and representation.
“Leadership is not necessarily a straight path,” Sarah Eagle Heart said. “Innovation often comes from breaking rules and being courageous enough to create your own path.”
Emma Eagle Heart said those early protests taught them the power of speaking out.
“We were just young girls who felt called to stand up,” she said. “It was four years of protesting before the ceremony finally ended.”
Today, the sisters continue to advocate for cultural awareness and education.
“Education is incredibly important,” Sarah Eagle Heart said. “Sharing these stories helps people understand why accurate history and respect for culture matter.”
Stories that spark new leaders
The Inspiring Leadership Forum has grown into one of the University of Regina’s most anticipated events, bringing together students, professionals and community leaders each year to exchange ideas and build connections.
From artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to sports leadership and Indigenous advocacy, the speakers delivered a powerful message that leadership can take many forms.
For many in the audience, the takeaway was simple but powerful.
Big ideas often start with one voice willing to speak up.
