Run Like A Girl: Insights on leadership, advocacy and climate action

Earlier this year, Smith School of Business welcomed former federal minister and celebrated climate leader Catherine McKenna to Goodes Hall for a memorable afternoon of candid conversation, reflection, and community connection. Co-hosted by the Smith Research Office and the Institute for Sustainable Finance (ISF), the event brought together a diverse audience united by a shared interest in climate leadership, sustainable finance, and the future of responsible business. In a fireside chat with Interim Dean Lynnette Purda, McKenna drew on her distinguished career in public service to offer thoughtful perspectives on resilience, ambition, sustainability, and what it means to lead with purpose on some of the world's most pressing challenges.

Previous Next

As Canada's former Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister of Infrastructure, McKenna spoke with both candour and conviction about navigating leadership in complex political and global landscapes. She also emphasized the vital role of women's leadership in driving systemic change, offering insights that were as personally compelling as they were professionally instructive. Her words resonated deeply with an audience of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the broader Queen's community, sparking meaningful dialogue at the intersection of sustainability, governance, and social impact.

Throughout the discussion, attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with ideas around climate action, public policy, and the responsibilities of future leaders. The event offered a rare chance to learn from one of Canada's most recognized voices in climate leadership, while reinforcing the shared mission of the Smith Research Office and the ISF to convene influential thinkers and foster conversations that inspire innovation and positive change across business and society.

The afternoon concluded with a book signing for McKenna's memoir, Run Like a Girl: A Memoir of Ambition, Resilience, and Fighting for Change, extending the event's themes of perseverance, empowerment, and leading with courage into a personal and lasting takeaway for attendees.