Empowering Women: Catholic Women’s Leadership Program Celebrates 5th Graduating Class

OTTAWA, Wednesday, May 31, 2023 — Earlier this month, Saint Paul University's Providence School of Transformative Leadership and Spirituality and the Catholic Women’s Leadership Foundation celebrated the 5th graduating class of the Catholic Women’s Leadership Program (CWLP).

Throughout the year-long program, these women built their leadership capacity through a learning experience that included personal, professional and spiritual development.

With the completion of the program, these women are better equipped to take on leadership roles within their communities and professions – including education, healthcare, social justice and community engagement.

“The world will be a better place because of the transformative leadership experiences these women have gained through this program,” said Linda Dudar, Catholic Women's Leadership Foundation’s Chair of the Program Committee. “Congratulations to the graduating women! I wish them success and happiness in their leadership journey.”

“As we celebrate the achievements of the 5th cohort of the Catholic Women's Leadership Program, we recognize that their journey is just beginning,” shared Chantal Beauvais, Rector of Saint Paul University. “The impact of their work will continue to ripple through their workplaces and communities, bringing compassionate leadership and positive change.”

About the Catholic Women’s Leadership Program

Funded by a generous donation from the Catholic Women’s Leadership Foundation, the program was developed by the Providence School of Transformative Leadership and Spirituality. The program is currently being administered by the Institute for Transformative Leadership.

“In developing this certificate program, we wanted to create an adult women’s learning experience that would provide an opportunity to hold leadership and faith development together. We responded by offering exceptional expertise, current resources and integrating processes,” explains Miriam Martin, pbvm, the former Director of the Providence School of Transformative Leadership. “In addition to the education itself, the diversity of women's experiences of leadership shared in each cohort has also opened paths for networking and supporting women’s leadership across the country.”

Since 2019, more than 70 women have graduated from the program.

The CWL program will return for the 2024-2025 academic year.

For more information, please contact:
Julie Bourassa
Communications Officer, Saint Paul University
613-236-1393, ext. 2310
jbourassa@ustpaul.ca