The Future of Women in Politics
Excited to host this panel of women in leadership with Madame Premier!
Learn more about the speakers below:
Meet the Speakers
Kourtney Penner
Calgary Councillor
Kourtney Penner has roots and chose to live in Ward 11 with her family. As a community-minded leader she believes it is important to support community-building initiatives. With a strong value in relationship building, she knows projects succeed when we choose a mindset of working together, approaching challenges to find balanced, positive outcomes, and by using data to support decision making.
As a mom with school aged children and parents and grandparents in the city, Kourtney knows neighbourhoods need to balance the needs of residents across the stages of their lives. As a leader in the technology sector, she knows a thriving economy is vital to the city and creating a sustainable future is important to our global position.
Gabrielle Blatz
Wetaskiwin Councillor
Gabrielle Blatz is a second-term City Councillor in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. In addition to being a city councillor, she graduated in 2015 from Red Deer College from the Medical Laboratory Assistant program. Since then, she has worked at the Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre, Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre, as well as the Centennial Centre for Brain Injury and Mental Health. Gabrielle wants young, Indigenous women and girls everywhere to see that there is space for them in politics. She is committed to sparking positive change and growth in her community with fresh eyes and ideas. As a Métis woman, living in a city that has deep roots in Indigenous culture and history gives her pride in her heritage. Gabrielle is hoping to continue the line of strong leaders in her family, and bring honour to her ancestors, as well as the future generations of female powerhouses that she hopes to inspire.
Grace Lore
BC NDP MLA
Grace Lore was elected the MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill in 2020. She is the Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity.
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She has been a dedicated anti-violence advocate, University of Victoria instructor and community organizer.
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Prior to the election she sat on the Fernwood, North Park, and Quadra Village neighbourhood planning group, was a member of a national advisory panel for the Canadian Women's Foundation, and an Affordable Fernwood organizer. She has worked closely with the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre and other anti-violence organizations to support inclusive, accessible, and survivor-centred sexual assault response.
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At the UVic she taught Canadian politics, gender and politics, and research methods. Her research focused on social media harassment and online violence.
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Grace resides in Victoria with her partner and two young children.