����APP����

Every March, International Women's Day (IWD) offers a moment to take stock, not only of progress made, but of the leadership shaping what comes next. Across industries and communities, women are stepping into positions of influence, building institutions, reshaping conversations and creating space for others to follow.

As part of this year’s IWD discussion, ����APP���� Alumni is hosting its International Women’s Day webinar, bringing together leaders from across sectors to reflect on defining moments in their journeys. Ahead of that discussion, we asked four incredible women from our alumni community, who are forging ahead in their respective fields, to share their perspectives on meaningful growth, the lessons leadership has taught them and where they see real momentum. Their responses reveal a shared commitment to voice, visibility and ensuring that progress is not only sustained, but expanded for the next generation. 

The Builder

Deanna Zumwalt, BComm’93

Executive Chair, Calgary Wild FC

As executive chair of Calgary Wild FC, Deanna Zumwalt is helping shape a pivotal moment in Canadian women’s professional sport. Drawing on her experience as a CEO, former athlete and community leader, she sees this chapter as both a culmination of her life’s work and an opportunity to create lasting impact for the next generation of female leaders, on and off the pitch.

Looking back, what’s something you’ve learned about leadership that you wish more women felt empowered to embrace earlier in their careers?

Two things:

One: Finding their voice, while helping others find their voice. Often, for me, I felt others knew so much more, understood so much more, so why would my view matter? Realistically, different views and perspectives will always make a decision or action better. It is up to us to ensure that all those different voices are heard by advocating for ourselves and others.

Two: Have a plan, but hold it loosely and don’t be afraid to take a leap. You can always go back to what you know, but you may never get a chance to do something new or great again.

As you reflect on International Women’s Day this year, where do you see meaningful progress? And where is there still work to be done?

More women have found their voices. More women have a seat at the table. All this is positive — I know the different perspectives brought to those tables make for better decisions, actions and outcomes.

The next step is to ensure that all voices and perspectives are heard and considered, not just our own. As an executive and the mother of a multiracial family, I know we need to ensure that different voices, not just our own, are comfortable sharing their authentic views. With that achieved, it is important we help broker conversations where people at the table consider all those perspectives. We will be stronger for it.

Women’s professional sport in Canada feels at a pivotal moment. From your perspective, what feels different now than it did even five or 10 years ago?

People are beginning to treat it as “for real pro” — fans, broadcasters, sponsors, partners and investors. The fans love to watch the game, engage with the stories, represent their team and dream about being on the pitch.

Passionate people took a leap to make this happen, knowing the love and impact would be there. That leap allowed broadcasters, sponsors, partners and investors to see that it is “for real pro” — a real business with real upside. Now they are starting to go all in.

As someone helping build professional women’s sport at the ownership level, what responsibility and opportunity do you feel in this moment?

Two things:

One: Ensuring we never forget our commitment to make an impact on the community. Remembering our purpose is bigger than sport or soccer — it is about showing young girls they belong on the professional pitch. When they see they belong, they aspire to get out there and reap the benefits of sport, just like their brothers.

Two: Bringing financial sustainability to Wild FC so it is in the community for good, supporting the dreams of young female athletes in our own backyard. A big focus is finding corporate partners and sponsors who believe in and support what we are building, and fans to fill the seats watching amazing athletes.

Outside of work, what’s bringing you energy or joy these days?

Always my family and now a new stage of life — one where I am blessed to be able to think about where I spend my energy making a difference for my family, for my community and for the future.

The Storyteller

Rosa Marchitelli, BA’95

Journalist, CBC News

As a nationally recognized investigative journalist and co-host of CBC’s Marketplace and Go Public, Rosa Marchitelli has built a career rooted in accountability and public trust. With a national platform and decades of experience across newsrooms, she reflects on the responsibility that comes with visibility and the evolving landscape for women in journalism.

In the past few years, what has felt like meaningful growth or change in your work?

The ability to reach more people on all platforms — TV, radio and online, including social media. We talk about “meeting people where they are,” and that has never been more important with so much conflicting information out there. We are mandated to follow very rigorous rules around how we do our jobs, around fairness and transparency.

Looking back, what’s something you’ve learned about leadership that you wish more women felt empowered to embrace earlier in their careers?

Not to be afraid to speak truth to power, as journalists and as people. Often truth telling can be misconstrued as aggressive, especially for women, but those stereotypes need to be discarded. As women, we need to have the courage to insist we deserve to be heard and to do so in a confident, professional and genuine way.

As you reflect on International Women’s Day this year, where do you see meaningful progress, especially in your field? And where is there still work to be done?

I see real progress in journalism. Women are now well represented across beats and platforms that were once male dominated. We also hold leadership roles at major outlets, including CBC.

Coverage is more inclusive. Issues like domestic violence, body-autonomy and the MeToo movement are reported as serious issues that require thorough investigative journalism.

Having said that, there is still work to do. Leadership at the highest levels, at some outlets, can still be dominated by men. Pay gaps persist, and women journalists continue to face disproportionate online harassment. In some newsrooms, age bias also affects women, particularly those who serve as the public face of organizations.

You’ve built a respected national platform through your work. How do you think about the responsibility that comes with having that voice, particularly as a woman in journalism?

It is a huge responsibility. When you have a national platform, you’re not just telling stories — you’re shaping conversations and, in some cases, influencing public understanding and policy.

The audience may not always see the work behind it, but every story has to be thoroughly researched and airtight — both factually and legally. That means asking hard questions, verifying every detail and ensuring fairness. Credibility is everything.

There’s also the responsibility that comes with being a woman in journalism. Visibility matters. How you conduct interviews, how you lead a newsroom, how you respond under pressure — all send a message about who we are and what we are capable of. We are helping to shape perceptions about women in leadership, credibility and authority in the field.

I also feel a responsibility to younger women entering the profession. Journalism can be demanding and, at times, challenging to navigate. It’s important to help them understand the landscape, advocate for themselves, negotiate confidently and continue developing their skills and voice. Supporting the next generation is about mentorship and helping to build a more equitable industry.

Have you noticed changes over the course of your career in how women journalists are perceived or supported?

Absolutely. It used to be a very sexist business — inappropriate comments, unwanted touching and a constant fight for respect. If a woman fought back or complained, she would be seen as the problem — a troublemaker. That reality has diminished. There are official protections in place.

I also have to credit younger women who are starting their careers and are fearless when it comes to demanding the respect and opportunities they deserve.

Outside of work, what’s bringing you energy or joy these days?

Outside of work, I try to prioritize peacefulness. Yoga has been a big source of balance for me. It helps me slow down, reset and stay grounded — especially with a career that can feel fast paced and high pressure at times.

My family and my dog are a source of happiness. I’m thankful for those small, simple moments.

The History Maker

Jennifer Thompson, MBA’18

President, The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland

As president of The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland, Jennifer Thompson is leading a shift in how Calgary’s history is shared and interpreted. Her work centres on inclusion, community and cultural leadership, with a focus on ensuring that public spaces reflect the voices and experiences of those who have not always been heard.

In the past few years, what has felt like meaningful growth or change in your work?

Working at The Confluence for the past three years has constantly challenged me and has opened my understanding of our community and the way we understand the world around us. I don’t know if I can describe how meaningful it’s been, but I can say I have been really grateful for how it’s changed me on a personal level, and also the way I approach my work. At the centre of what I do every day is chipping away at systems and a colonized way of life. It’s really complex, messy and sometimes incredibly uncomfortable, but I am very much better for the experience.

Looking back, what’s something you’ve learned about leadership that you wish more women felt empowered to embrace earlier in their careers?

The one thing I’ve learned about leadership that I wish more women felt empowered to embrace earlier on is risk taking. I think women are often encouraged, consciously or subconsciously, to be practical thinkers and weigh every single outcome and how it impacts everyone around them before even considering a move. Women have been conditioned to think they can’t do something for 1,000 reasons before considering that they can.

I think taking risks is part of doing business. It’s really scary, but often necessary to change something or to get something done. Taking a big risk doesn’t have to equate to recklessness, but it can mean being uncomfortable.

As you reflect on International Women’s Day this year, where do you see meaningful progress and where is there still work to be done?

I have seen meaningful progress where there are more and more women using their voices to support other under-represented communities. I have also seen an acknowledgement of the gender gap across many sectors when it comes to representation at the leadership level.

However, there continues to be pushback against women’s success, often from places of power or with high visibility. This is where I think allies can really help create change and move towards greater equality.

You’ve led a shift in how Calgary’s history is interpreted and shared, particularly by raising voices that haven’t always been included. What has that process taught you about representation and belonging?

I have learned that in order to create spaces where people can feel safe, where they belong and where they can see themselves, all of that starts with building trust. Although trust takes time, it also shouldn’t take forever. It shouldn’t be transactional, and mistakes are part of the process.

Going through a process focused on building trust, which leads to creating safe spaces where truthful stories can be shared openly, is one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had the opportunity to share in. I love seeing the results of individuals walking through the doors at The Confluence feeling at home.

In your work shaping cultural institutions, how important is it to see women reflected not only as participants in history, but as authors of it?

Leaving women’s perspectives out of history has fed the narrative that women had no place in creating history, which is not only wildly untrue, but has influenced both genders in negative and harmful ways.

I’m not sure I can quantify how important it is to ensure that history isn’t just reflected from one perspective. I do know it’s ridiculous to think that one gender is responsible for all of the world’s important moments. It holds everyone back — in particular, it holds women back from seeing themselves in building a future.

Outside of work, what’s bringing you energy or joy these days?

There are so many things that bring me energy these days, but, in the spirit of IWD, what really brings me joy is the movement toward more women directing, producing and writing for film and television. Growing up, every great movie I watched or TV show I loved was centred around male characters or male perspectives. I love how women are inserting themselves into creating film, especially horror, and taking up a lot of space.

The Advocate

Anila Umar, BSc’06 (Psychology), BSc’06 (Biological Sciences)

Outreach Co-ordinator, Office of the Mayor of Calgary

Anila Umar brings lived experience, advocacy and executive leadership together in her work in public service and community building. Through her focus on inclusive spaces and mentorship, she continues to push conversations about equity beyond intention and into practice.

In the past few years, what has felt like meaningful growth or change in your work?

The most meaningful growth comes when I can give back to community in ways where the impact is noticeable. Sometimes that happens at the policy or systemic level, but more often it’s at the grassroots, helping community members hands-on with their real needs. That’s what matters most to me.

Looking back, what’s something you’ve learned about leadership that you wish more women felt empowered to embrace earlier in their careers?

That people will always find a reason not to like you when you’re in the public eye. Self-care and self-compassion aren’t luxuries, they’re essential. I wish more women gave themselves permission to embrace that truth earlier.

As you reflect on International Women’s Day this year, where do you see meaningful progress and where is there still work to be done?

The meaningful progress is coming from younger generations, across all genders, who constantly humble me with their emotional intelligence. Sadly, work still needs to be done everywhere. Women are still expected to behave in certain ways and face discrimination in both blatant and subtle forms.

Outside of work, what’s bringing you energy or joy these days?

I love spending time at the Wild Horses of Alberta Society near Sundre, where I help care for rescued wild horses. It fills me up in a way nothing else quite does.

You speak often about building inclusive and equitable spaces. What does that look like in practice, beyond intention?

In practice, it means making people uncomfortable. It means embracing the norms and values of the global majority. People born into privilege often mistake equity for a loss of power. It isn’t. It’s simply the first time they’re in a true meritocracy, and maybe they can’t cut it without the privilege of birth.

What has mentorship meant in your own journey, both receiving it and offering it?

I would be nowhere without the amazing role models in my life. Mostly women, and some men, who let me stand on their shoulders. From there I was free to experiment and experience life. If I failed, they were there to protect me with the might of their profiles. They still do. Most of my mentors have been with me for thirty years. Today, I mentor 10 to 15 young people in any given year, and I honestly gain more from them than I think I ever give.