uLead2026 - The Summit of Educational Leadership: Full Schedule

This is the Sched site for the uLead 2026.

Welcome to uLead 2026. We are thrilled you will be joining us at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel for our annual school leadership conference hosted by the Council for School Leadership of The Alberta Teachers’ Association.

If you have any questions during the event, we will have uLead team members throughout the venue wearing red and black plaid. The registration desk will also have our team available throughout the conference. This table can be found just outside of the Van Horne Ballroom, where all of our keynote presentations are taking place.

If you need a digital map of the facilities, you can click here

In order for our team to best determine room allocations for breakout sessions would ask that delegates log in (top right corner of this page) and select sessions that they are interested in attending.

Finally, if you are interested in earning University credits for attending uLead, please visit the uLead website

2:45pm MDT

Mission Possible- Stories of Witness and Faith Formation in Catholic Education

Sunday April 19, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Ivor Petrack Room (Main Building)

Catholic teachers are more than instructors â€” they are evangelizers through their witness and relationships. In this TED Talkâ€“style session, educators will share powerful stories of how they live their vocation as a calling from God. These short, impactful talks will challenge participants to see their daily practice as an opportunity for evangelization.

Speakers

Stefan Johnson

Stefan Johnson is the Director of Student and Staff Formation for Elk Island Catholic Schools, serving in the areas of Curriculum, Faith, and Wellness. This is the most recent posting in a twenty-five year career in which Stefan has served as high school teacher, English department... Read More →

Darby Murphy

Darby Murphy has served as both a teacher and administrator with Elk Island Catholic Schools for the past decade and is currently the Principal of St. Martin's Catholic School in Vegreville, Alberta. Growing up in and eventually aging out of Foster Care shaped Darby's deep passion... Read More →

Sunday April 19, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Ivor Petrack Room (Main Building)

Catholic

4:00pm MDT

Women in Catholic Leadership: Journeys of Faith and Service

Sunday April 19, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Ivor Petrack Room (Main Building)

Description: This panel of Division Leadership staff will share their journey in Catholic Educational Leadership. They will share their experiences of moving from the classroom to school leadership to Division leadership and how faith served as the common thread. The key takeaways include: a personal witness from women in Catholic leadership roles, strategies for mentoring and empowering women leaders, and insights into balancing leadership and vocation.

Speakers

Victoria Cornick

Superintendent, Holy Family Catholic Regional Division

Victoria Cornick is the Superintendent of the Holy Family Catholic Regional Division (HFCRD), serving approximately 2,000 students across the communities of Peace River, Grimshaw, Manning, Fairview, High Prairie, Valleyview, and McLennan. Over her more than 20 years with HFCRD, she... Read More →

Lisa Hilsenteger

Deputy Superintendent-HR, Fort McMurray Catholic Schools

Lisa Hilsenteger serves as the Deputy Superintendent of Fort McMurray Catholic Schools, specializing in Human Resources. A proud graduate of the University of Alberta,Lisa returned to Fort McMurray, embarking on a 37-year career dedicated to Fort McMurray Catholic Schools..
Her professional journey began in the elementary classroom before she discovered a profound passion for teaching students in Grades 7 and 8. She successfully served as Vice Principal and Principal across both the elementary and high school levels prior to assuming her current position... Read More →

Chantel Axani

Chantel Axani is the Chief Superintendent of Holy Spirit School Division, where she leads 16 schools and one outreach centre that support approximately 5700 students across the region. She approaches her role with a deep commitment to modeling the Catholic faith and to fostering excellence... Read More →

Dr. Andrea Holowka

Superintendent for Christ The Redeemer (CTR) Catholic Schools, serving approximately 10,500 students in Okotoks, High River, Brooks, Strathmore, Canmore, Drumheller, and Oyen. Since 1995, she has led as teacher, principal, associate and chief superintendent, including system leadership... Read More →

Sunday April 19, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Ivor Petrack Room (Main Building)

Catholic

10:45am MDT

Walking the Broken Hearted Home: Responding to Critical Incidents in School Communities

Monday April 20, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT

Ivor Petrack Room (Main Building)

Mental health is integral to whole-person formation. This session will highlight how Catholic leaders respond to staff and student mental health needs â€” and even critical incidents â€” with strategies rooted in faith, compassion, and resilience. Participants will leave equipped with practical tools and a renewed focus on wellness in Catholic schools. Key Takeaways include: Strategies for critical incident response, tools for building staff/student wellness, and how the Catholic faith informs responses to mental health challenges.

Speakers

Dr. Kevin Warriner

Area Director, NE Schools, Calgary Catholic School District

Dr. Kevin Warriner currently serves in the role of Area Director, NE Schools for Calgary Catholic School District. Previously, he served as Supervisor, Religious Education and Family Life for 5 years. He completed his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership at the University... Read More →

Aileen Taylor

Aileen Taylor currently serves as the Coordinator of Mental Health Services for Christ the Redeemer Catholic School Division. She has 26 years of experience in school-based mental health, having worked as a teacher, school counsellor, and district leader. Her career began in the Rocky... Read More →

John Wasch

John Wasch serves as the Director, Catholicity for the Calgary Catholic School District. He has worked in Catholic education in Alberta for 31 years as a teacher, principal and district administrator. John currently supervises the work of Calgary Catholic's Critical Incident Response... Read More →

Walking the Broken Hearted Home DRAFT 3 pdf

Monday April 20, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am MDT
Ivor Petrack Room (Main Building)

Catholic

2:45pm MDT

Being an Influencer in Catholic Education - Fanning the Flames of Joy - Attracting and Growing Catholic Education

Monday April 20, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT

Ivor Petrack Room (Main Building)

A session on how to share the JOY of Catholic Education with shareholders utilizing social media and other communication tools to share the Good News of publicly funded Catholic Education. Participants will leave with tangible examples of best practices in use of social media and sharing the Good News of Catholic Education.

Speakers

Lisa Kleparchuk

Lisa Kleparchuk is the dedicated Principal of St. Gabriel Education Centre, the Outreach High School for Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools. With 12 years of experience as an administrator and a deeply held belief in the mission of Catholic education, Lisa is an influential advocate... Read More →

Shanlynn Cunningham

Monday April 20, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm MDT
Ivor Petrack Room (Main Building)

Catholic

10:30am MDT

Building Bridges!

Tuesday April 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am MDT

Ivor Petrack Room (Main Building)

"Building Bridges!" Description: Catholic education thrives when home, parish, and school work together in unity. This panel conversation will highlight successful models of collaboration, identify challenges, and provide strategies to strengthen these partnerships in support of student faith development.

Speakers

Jo-Ann Kelly

Jo-Ann Kelly is an accomplished and dedicated Catholic school leader currently serving as the Religious Education and Curriculum Support Lead Teacher at Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS). With over two decades of experience in education, Jo-Ann specializes in fostering spiritual... Read More →

Liisa Honish

Liisa began her teaching career with the Calgary Board of Education in 2000 and joined the Calgary Catholic School District in 2014. Since entering the Catholic Church in 2006, she has served her parish, St. Albert the Great, through roles with the CWL, as a lector, youth camp coordinator... Read More →

Fr. Troy Nguyen

Fr Troy Nguyen is a priest of the diocese of Calgary. He discovered his faith and vocation at the Benedictine Monastery in Mission BC. He went on to study for the priesthood and completed his BA in Philosophy. Fr Troy left seminary for a period of time to decide if the priesthood... Read More →

Tuesday April 21, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Ivor Petrack Room (Main Building)

Catholic

2:45pm MDT

4:00pm MDT

10:45am MDT

2:45pm MDT

10:30am MDT

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