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Darlene Bess Welcome New Cohort of Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circle Participants (view source)
Revision as of 13:52, 14 October 2025
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== '''<big>Lifting as you Lead 2024 Graduation: A Celebration of Leadership at all Levels</big>''' ==
== '''<big>Darlene Bess Welcomes New Cohort of Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circle Participants</big>''' ==
<big>On March 18, 2025, the Diversity and Inclusion Office (DIO), Materiel Group, National Defence held the graduation ceremony for the 4th cohort of the Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles program (LLMC). LLMC is a one-of-a-kind, free group mentorship program that is breaking down barriers across the Federal Public Service and Defence Team to build inclusive leaders at all levels. The program sets itself apart through its collaborative approach, offering small group mentoring Circles for an immersive learning experience, Masterclass sessions to gain real leadership skills from subject matter experts, and ongoing opportunities to build a network of supportive mentors. </big>
<big>September 9, 2025</big>
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<big>A healthy, thriving culture of excellence is one where everyone feels heard, acknowledged, and included, with access to opportunities for growth in a psychologically safe environment. Building this kind of culture requires collective effort.</big>
<big>Celebrating the 1000+ graduates from the program’s largest cohort yet, LLMC’s 2024 Graduation Ceremony was co-hosted by Samantha Moonsammy, Department of National Defence, and Suzan Richards, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. It featured testimonials from members, final remarks from Masterclass teacher Fotini Iconomopoulos, and a keynote speech from the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet John Hannaford.</big>
<big>That collective effort is at the heart of the Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles (LLMC) program, now entering its fifth cohort. Organized annually by the Diversity and Inclusion Office, Materiel Group, National Defence, LLMC has grown into the largest inter-governmental group mentoring initiative for members of the Defence Team and the Federal Public Service. The 10-week program connects participants across 60 organizations, creating a powerful platform for inclusive leadership, mentorship, and sponsorship.</big>
<big>'''The Clerk’s Keynote Speech'''</big>
<big>On September 9, 2025, LLMC officially launched with more than 1,400 participants in attendance. The event featured opening remarks by mentoring champion Darlene Bess, Assistant Deputy Minister, Resolution and Partnerships at Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) along with inspirational messages from three of the program’s five Masterclass teachers.</big>
<big>'''Participant Testimonials'''</big>
=== <big>'''Darlene Bess: The Power of Mentorship and Sponsorship'''</big> ===
<big>In her opening, Darlene Bess highlighted the transformative role of both mentorship and sponsorship in career advancement. “You can't just put your head down and do the most amazing work and think that that's going to be enough to advance your career. Take it to the next level,” she urged. She explained that while mentorship provides guidance, skill development, and confidence, sponsorship requires senior leaders to actively advocate for others, using their influence to open doors.</big>
<big>These sentiments echoed in the spoken and video testimonials from LLMC cohort 4 participants LCol Adam Emond, Adele Dacres, Dina Alansari, Lyrique Richards, Jean Gaultier, and Marcia Golding.</big>
<big>Her message reinforced LLMC’s purpose: to develop leaders who not only invest in their own growth but also lift others as they climb.</big>
<big>Each of these graduates shared how the LLMC program helped them find their voice, bounce back after a challenge, gain the confidence to pursue new opportunities, and be better leaders. Dina shared that the program gave her the tools she needed to successfully secure sponsorship, while Jean explained how LLMC gave him the confidence to provide a new management opportunity. Each of these perspectives demonstrated the power of people coming together and lifting each other up in the LLMC program.</big>
=== <big>'''Insights from Richard Sharpe: Values and Systemic Change'''</big> ===
<big>Richard Sharpe emphasized that diversity and inclusion efforts cannot stop at surface-level discussions. He acknowledged fatigue in the workplace around human rights conversations but stressed that these conversations must remain engaging and accessible. By weaving in popular culture, he makes them relatable while reminding participants of the mental health toll of discrimination.</big>
<big>'''Masterclass Wisdom'''</big>
<big>Sharpe pointed out that individual effort alone cannot dismantle systemic racism, ableism, or sexism. Instead, collective and structural change is required. He expressed his excitement about contributing to those systemic shifts through LLMC, inspiring participants to step into this work with courage and persistence.</big>
<big>Masterclass teacher and professional negotiator Fotini Iconomopoulos returned to the LLMC stage for the graduation. She made clear that negotiation skills are self-advocacy skills—and practicing self-advocacy makes you better able to advocate for others. All these skills are necessary to being a great, inclusive leader, no matter your level.</big>
=== <big>'''Insights from Jenny Chen: Sponsorship in Action'''</big> ===
<big>Jenny Chen brought her personal journey into focus, showing how resilience and sponsorship shaped her leadership path. Having immigrated to Canada in 1989 and rising through corporate finance into senior DEI leadership, Jenny shared how key leaders didn’t just mentor her—they actively championed her career.</big>
<big>'''What’s Next'''</big>
<big>She reminded participants that workplaces built only for the “average” or majority risk leaving talent behind. “When we design for equity, we design for everyone,” she explained. Jenny’s upcoming Masterclass on mentorship vs. sponsorship will give participants practical strategies to both support others and prepare themselves to be sponsored.</big>
<big>Throughout the event, Samantha and Suzan also shared all exciting changes coming in LLMC’s 5th cohort, including more in-person events and new Masterclass teachers and discussion topics.</big>
=== <big>'''Insights from Charles Achampong: Building Confidence'''</big> ===
<big>Charles Achampong, encouraged participants to shift their mindset around confidence. Drawing on his bold decision to pause his career for a year-long global sabbatical with his family, Charles showed that confidence is built through action, not innate talent.</big>
<big>He offered three “confidence shifts”: silence the inner critic by asking what unique contribution you can make; lead before you feel ready, because confidence comes from stepping forward; and embrace “healthy arrogance,” trusting that your perspective matters even in intimidating spaces. “Confidence isn’t about fearlessness—it’s about choosing to act despite fear,” he concluded.</big>
=== <big>'''Looking Ahead'''</big> ===
<big>The Fifth Cohort of LLMC is more than a program—it’s a movement toward a stronger, more inclusive Defence Team and public service. Participants will leave with mentorship connections, leadership tools, and a deeper understanding of how to sponsor others into opportunities.</big>
=== <big>'''Call to Action'''</big> ===
<big>For participants: lean into this program, attend every circle, and apply the lessons from the Masterclasses to your daily leadership. For leaders across the public service: consider how you can extend sponsorship, champion equity, and create spaces where everyone thrives. Together, we can lift as we lead and transform the culture of our organizations for generations to come.</big>
==<big>'''Recording'''</big>==
==<big>'''Recording'''</big>==
<big>{{Special:IframePage/YouTube|path=FXrOtb-8M-U}}</big>
<big>{{Special:IframePage/YouTube|path=FXrOtb-8M-U}}</big>