Award-winning Indigenous activist to be keynote speaker at Spark conference

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Fort St. John’s women’s leadership conference announced a major presence with a noted keynote speaker.

In a Facebook post on March 31st, the Spark Women’s Leadership Conference announced Ashley Callingbull will take the stage at the event, set to take place on October 7th and 8th in Fort St. John.

The annual event has been held in the city since 2014, and focuses on empowering professional development in the local women’s community.

Callingbull is an actress, model, host and First Nations activist as a member of Enoch Cree Nation, outside of Edmonton, Alberta.

The post says Callingbull’s “voice and visibility are reshaping what leadership looks like.”

Callingbull has been on stage to give keynote addresses at Harvard University and at WE Day, a former youth-empowerment international event hosted by the WE charity.

She was also the first Indigenous model to appear in the pages of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue, and was the first Indigenous person to win Miss Universe Canada.

In a statement, Spark board chair Suzanne Young told Energeticcity.ca they are “thrilled for Ashley to be joining us on stage,” at the event.

“Ashley has had an incredible journey to get where she is,” said Young. “We truly look forward to hearing her story and the wisdom she will bring.”

Callingbull’s stories of courage and cultural pride have seen her win international recognition, including Canada’s Top 10 Power Women by Optimyz, the Indspire Youth First Nation Award, the role model award from the United Nations for Global Dignity Day and the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. 

Callingbull joins a panel of speakers which includes negotiation expert Fotini Iconomopoulos, motivational speaker Yvette Raposo, motivational speaker Kimberly Lyall and mental health expert Dr. Shahana Alibhai, who was forced to cancel due to illness in 2025.  

Additionally, entrepreneur Trisha Miltimore will serve as the event’s emcee, something she’s done since the event’s inception in 2014.

The Spark Women’s Leadership Conference will take place on October 7th and 8th in Fort St. John. 

To register for the event and for further details, visit Spark’s website.