Vancouver Women in Male-Dominated Industries

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In 2026, The WIMDI Speaker Series is inviting engaging speakers each month to give interactive talks on topics that help women kill it at work.
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Welcome to Talk 1 of 13 - Managing Up with Challenging Bosses

Managing your career growth can be an absolute delight if you have a skilled manager that you get along with. But if your manager is…a little more difficult? Well, yikes.

Challenging bosses present a big obstacle to your success. It can be hard to get your achievements recognized, difficult to get your ideas heard, and almost impossible to perform and grow.

Even though it’s tempting to minimize your interactions with managers who drive you to distraction, It’s essential to your long-term career prospects to learn how to manage up so you can turn your most challenging leaders into supportive allies.
This talk will focus on how to effectively manage up when dealing with difficult, reactive, or tricky leadership.
We’ll cover:

• The 5 most common types of challenging bosses (and how to handle them!)
• How to speak up and self-advocate while maintaining your professionalism
• Strategies for diffusing conflict and creating emotional distance with difficult personalities
• When & how to turn your challenging manager into your biggest advocate

The goal of this talk is to give attendees practical tools and emotional clarity for navigating tough leadership dynamics, so they can advocate for themselves, stay in integrity, and move forward with purpose.

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Mary Connelly
Mary Connelly transforms high-performing professionals into influential leaders who advance their careers without sacrificing their authentic selves. Drawing from her proven background in media and sales management, Mary partners with senior executives at industry giants like Amazon, PepsiCo, AbbVie, and Hyatt Hotels, as well as ambitious leaders at high-growth startups.

Her coaching approach cuts through corporate noise by combining emotional intelligence with practical strategy. Whether navigating complex leadership transitions, mastering high-stakes communication, or accelerating career momentum, Mary's clients don't just succeed—they do it on their own terms.

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***

Attendance Notes:

1. Gender:
   This event is open to individuals of any gender identity.
2. Code of Conduct:
   By Attending this event, you agree to adhere to WIMDI's code of conduct, which you can find at wimdi.com/code-of-conduct-and-policy.
3. Privacy, Photography and Recording*:
   Online WIMDI events use Zoom, and we will be recording this event in the hopes of eventually releasing replays of the speaker portions of our events. As such we cannot guarantee that no photos, screenshots, or recordings will be taken of you during the event by event organizers or by other attendees. We love it when our members connect at our events using both video and audio, but we understand if our members prefer to participate with their video turned off to preserve (more of) their privacy.

# Women* At Roundup

Conferences are an endurance sport. The endless smiling at strangers. The forced small talk at vendor booths. The walking so many steps that you actually googled "halp speedy foot transplant downtown vancouver". After a long day of putting your best, most buttoned-up self forward, it's nice to take a break from being 'on' and relax around friends.

So kick off your high heels, untie your core shack-approved steel toed boots, or slip out of your low-heeled-but-somehow-missing-any-arch-support conference shoes and join us for comfortable, shoes-off networking event on Tuesday Jan 27th!

Women* at Roundup is a free come-as-you-are gathering of women and gender minorities who want to have fun and decompress before the evening rush. Expect a laid-back mix of folks from all over the mining and exploration industry -- operators, explorers, investors, consultants, and more. There’s no agenda, no presentations, and no awkward icebreakers. Just drinks, snacks, and a comfortable space to sit down, take off your uncomfortable shoes, and talk like normal humans again!

Drop in between 5 and 7 pm for drinks, small bites, and a welcoming space to unwind and connect with other women and gender minorities in the industry. Come alone or bring a colleague to enjoy some great, relaxed conversation before you head off to dinner, BC night, or wherever the night takes you next.
Grab your free ticket and join us for a fun and relaxed time!

# Location

Venue:
The Princess Louisa Room on the 2nd Floor of The Fairmont Waterfront 900 Canada Place Way, Vancouver, BC

See A Virtual Preview of The Event Space:
The event space is accessible for folks who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
The accessible entrance to the building is located at the corner of Howe and West Waterfront Road, directly across the street from the conference. Once inside the building, you can take the elevator to the second floor event space. Elevators can be found to the left of the concierge desk in the main lobby.
Check out our event walkthrough video for a visual preview of how to get into the building and the event space.

# Partners & Sponsors

We're able to put on this event thanks to help from the following sponsors and partner organizations.
Artemis Project
Femina Collective
Tripoint Geological Services
Aqui-Taine Metals
EDI Dynamics
Fireweed Metals
VRIFY
MineShift
Skeena Gold + Silver

# Attendance Notes

Attending events can bring up zillions of questions, so we’ve gathered everything you could possibly need in one spot. Whether it’s your first time attending one of our events or you're an old pro, this is your cheat sheet for showing up feeling ready, relaxed, and excited to hang out with your fellow Women* at Roundup!

1) Gender:
This event is open to anyone who is in a gender minority in the mining and exploration industries. This includes trans individuals, genderqueer, agender, intersex, two spirit, and non-binary folks.
We are also happy to welcome cisgender men at this event, provided they they are invited by and attending with a friend or colleague who is in a gender minority.
If you are not sure if you are included, please err on the side of attending our events! Feel free to reach out to Holly Burton with any questions and for an automatic welcoming face and first friend at the event.

2) Children:
This event is for parents too! We know childcare can occasionally be a challenge, but we don't think that should stop you from connecting with us.
We don't offer childcare at this event, but we'd love you to bring your little one along. Suitable for ages 0+.

# Video & Photography

We will not be recording or taking photos at this event. You are welcome to take photos during the event, but only if you have explicit verbal consent of everyone in the photo frame.

# Event Space Info

1) Parking:
Parking is available across the street, under the convention center. The hotel also offers parking (enter at 200 Burrard St).

2) Transit:
The nearest mass transit hub is two blocks away at Waterfront Station with access to the Canada Line, Expo Line, SeaBus & West Coast Express. Learn more in the Translink Trip Planner.

3) Venue & Entrance Accessibility:
The event space is accessible for folks who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
The accessible entrance to the building is located at the corner of Howe and West Waterfront Road, directly across the street from the conference. Once inside the building, you can take the elevator to the second floor event space. Elevators can be found to the left of the concierge desk in the main lobby.

Check out our event walkthrough video or a visual preview of how to get into the building and the event space.

4) Washroom Accessibility:
There are accessible washrooms at the venue. The washrooms are directly across from the Princess Louisa Room where they event is being held.
Check out our event walkthrough video for a visual preview of the washroom space.

5) Gender-Neutral Washrooms:
Unfortunately this venue does not offer a gender neutral washroom. This venue's washroom does not make menstrual products/period supplies available.

6) Changing Tables:
There are washrooms with changing tables located on the first floor of the hotel. Find them by going past the concierge desk and following the signage. Changing tables are located within the accessible washroom stalls.
Note: the washroom located across from the event space on the second floor does not have a changing table.

7) Breastfeeding, Chestfeeding & Pumping:
Unfortunately, as a large, single-room event space, this venue does not have a private place for feeding a baby.
If you are comfortable feeding or pumping around others, you are welcome to feed or pump in the main event area with the other attendees. We encourage you to feed or pump with or without a cover, whatever works best for you. There are also a number of comfortable chairs in the public hallway outside the event space, which may offer a less busy (although not totally private) environment for pumping or feeding if that is preferable.

Feel free to reach out to Holly Burton with any questions or if you need additional information.

8) Covid & Other Health Precautions:
We recognize that large gatherings can be a risk for our covid-cautious, and immunocompromised members. We hope this information will help you assess whether attending this event fits within your health needs.
This in-person event is being held indoors. Most attendees do not wear masks. However, if you want or need to wear a mask to make attending this event safe(r) for you, please do!

Worried about being the only one in a mask? You won’t be alone! One of our organizers, Holly Burton, is happy to wear a mask alongside anyone who wants to so you have an automatic friend and ally (although she will take it off if she has to address the entire group, so that everyone can hear her clearly).

Need anything else to make it as safe as possible for you to join us? Drop Holly a note and we’ll make a plan so you can have a great (& safe) time with us!

9) Calm/Sensory-Friendly Space:
This event will likely be large and well-attended, and as a result it may feel crowded or noisy for some folks. Unfortunately, as a large, single-room event space, this venue does not have a specific area for folks who need a sensory break or low-stim environment. There are a number of comfortable chairs in the public hallway outside the event space, which may offer a less busy environment for those looking for quiet(er) time.
Although we don't have a calm/sensory-friendly space at this event, we encourage you to use any stims, fidgets, or other tools or practices that can help you self-regulate if that makes it more possible for you to attend. Please see our section on Stims, Fidgets, & Self-Regulation below for additional details on our community norms.

# Code of Conduct & Community Norms

1) Code of Conduct:
By attending this event, you agree to adhere to WIMDI's code of conduct, which you can find at wimdi.com/code-of-conduct-and-policy.

2) No Selling, Pitching, or Finding Your Next Client:
Our events are different than most traditional events. They're not focused on entrepreneurs, and aren't a place to pitch your business or service. Our first priority is making sure our community gets to connect with each other and it's no fun when everyone is trying to meet their next client.

3) Stims, Fidgets & Self-Regulation:
We want you to use any tools that make it easy for you to feel comfortable and pay attention. We encourage you to use any silent, low-key fidgets or stims that will help you concentrate or self-regulate during the event.

In general, our policy is if something will help you attend and have a great time, but won’t disturb others in a big way or go against our code of conduct, then we’re happy for you to do what you need to do.

4) Dress Code
This event does not have a restrictive dress code, but our basic rule is:

Show up wearing whatever is comfortable, as long as:

• Your NSFW parts are covered!.
• You will not soil the furniture or floors in the event space (eg: work coveralls covered in coal dust, muddy work boots, etc)
• Nothing about your outfit will impede others' enjoyment of the event (eg: excessive perfume, etc)

Our goal is to have you feel comfortable and not stress too much about your clothing. However, we also recognize that sometimes a "wear what you want" dress code isn't always the most helpful and it can be nice to know that you'll "fit in" with the crowd. In that spirit, we'll provide a snapshot of what the 'typical' attendee wears:

Most folks will come to the event straight from the conference, so many WIMDIs are dressed in suits or business-casual wear. We also have many attendees who work in more casual offices or field work (or aren't coming from their day-job!), so lots of folks are dressed in casual clothing or work wear. In terms of shoes, we will be kicking them off at the door, so no need to worry about bringing bring your 'fancy' shoes!

We hope this gives you a helpful picture, but remember we want you attend wearing whatever makes you most comfortable.

5) Punctuality
At WIMDI, we have a no-judgement policy around punctuality. We recognize that folks sometimes need to show up late or leave early for all kinds of valid reasons. This is especially true after a long day of conference attending!
This is an unstructured networking event, so please attend in whatever timeframe your work, life, parenting, mental health, or ADHD schedules require.

6) Donations to The PAFNW (Pacific Association of First Nations Women)
As part of this event we have the option of donation to the Pacific Association of First Nations Women to support their programming for Indigenous women and girls. This is a concrete way - beyond land acknowledgement - to redistribute some of our collective financial privilege to support Indigenous women.

***** SIGN UP ON TICKET TAILOR TO GET TICKETS: *****
https://wimdi.com/cafe-night-event?utm-source=&utm_medium=Meetup&utm_campaign=CafeInPerson&utm_content=260129

It's our much-loved café night -- this time in an actual café!

Join us for a night of in-person networking, chit-chat, and strategy sharing between women in male-dominated industries.

This is an IRL networking event for all of our Vancouver-based WIMDI members.
Here's the plan:

1. Meet at Pane e Formaggio Cafe - 868 Beatty St
2. Order delicious mochas, jasmine tea, muffins, etc.
3. Meet some cool women and chat about our work lives
4. Exchange cards, phone numbers, facepages, myfriend accounts, tiktaks, instapics, snaptexts, or whatever it is that the kids are using these days to stay in touch
5. Stay in touch! Or....failing that, we'll do it all again in four weeks, so don't worry, we've got your back.

Hope to see you there!

Holly Burton
WIMDI Founder & CEO + Executive Coach for Women in Male-Dominated Industries
e: hello@wimdi.com
w: wimdi.com
p: she/her

Location:
Pane e Formaggio Cafe - 868 Beatty St

Parking: There is limited paid street parking or parkades on the streets surrounding the café.
Transit: The nearest mass transit hub is just two blocks away at Yaletown-Roundhouse Skytrain Station (on the Canada Line) or Stadium-Chinatown Skytrain Station (on the Expo Line). Additional information about planning your trip via transit can be found here: Translink Trip Planner

Accessibility & Covid Precautions

Seating Accessibility:

• The café as a whole has an accessible entrance. Please consider whether this is a fit for your mobility needs.

Accessible Washrooms: The café has an accessible washroom.

Covid Precautions:

• This in-person event is being held indoors.
• Masking is encouraged for any WIMDI members who prefer to wear them for their own safety and/or comfort.
• Worried about being the only one in a mask? You won’t be alone! WIMDI’s founder Holly is committed to wearing a mask with any WIMDI member who wants to so you have an automatic friend and ally.
• Need anything else to make it as safe as possible for you to join us at Café Night? Drop Holly a note at hello@wimdi.com and we’ll make a plan so you can have a great (& safe) time with your fellow WIMDIs!

Attendance Notes:

• Gender:
  All WIMDI Café Nights are restricted to those who do not currently identify as cisgender men. These events have limited attendance and often involve personal discussion, debate, and advice specific to dynamics underrepresented minorities in these industries experience. We are happy for cisgender men to learn and participate in WIMDI conversation at most of our other events, but we reserve the Café Lunches as a space for women***** to connect with each other freely and openly.

*****WIMDI uses an inclusive definition of women that means "people who are in a gender minority in their field". This includes trans individuals, genderqueer, agender, intersex, two spirit, and non-binary folks. If you are not sure if you are included, please err on the side of attending our events! Feel free to reach out to the Organizer, Holly Burton, with any questions and for an automatic welcoming face and first-friend at any WIMDI event.

• Code of Conduct:
  By attending this event, you agree to adhere to WIMDI's code of conduct, which you can find at wimdi.com/code-of-conduct-and-policy.
• Children:
  WIMDI events are for parents too! We know childcare can occasionally be a challenge, but we don't think that should stop you from connecting and learning with us. WIMDI doesn't offer childcare at our events, but we'd love you to bring your little one along with some quiet activities to occupy them. Suitable for ages 0+.
• Photography:
  This WIMDI event does not have photography.