Noelle MontcalmOlympic hurdler Noelle Montcalm is the keynote speaker at the Lancer Leadership Conference, Feb. 11 and 12.

Lancer Leadership Conference soaring to Olympian heights

Olympic athlete and UWindsor alumna Noelle Montcalm (BScN 2012) will deliver a keynote address at the Lancer Leadership Conference, Feb. 11 and 12.

The conference will provide students, faculty, and staff opportunities to participate in online simulations, virtual meeting spaces, and interactive presentations by leaders connected to the UWindsor community. Organizers recommend early registration.

A hurdler who represented Canada at the Rio and Tokyo Olympics and a five-time national champion in the 400m hurdles, Montcalm knows how to manage competition. Since beginning her nursing career, she has taken a special interest in health promotion and mental health initiatives.

“As a kid, I had high ambitions, I still do. But I never could have dreamed what emotions would come with being a two-time Olympian,” Montcalm says. “The journey, the process, the hurdles — always the hurdles — to overcome, all add up to one amazing experience to be so very grateful for.”

During her Lancer career, Montcalm was named female MVP in track three times by Ontario University Athletics. She was inducted into the University of Windsor Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.

She will deliver her address to open Saturday sessions of the Lancer Leadership Conference; find the current schedule on the conference website. Among the planned activities are:

  • a simulated climb of Mount Everest,
  • student panels on aspects of leadership, and
  • presentations by well-known UWindsor alumni, faculty, and students.

Tim Brunet, co-ordinator of leadership development in the Student Success and Leadership Centre, encourages campus supervisors to send their student staff.

“Participating in the conference is a great opportunity for their personal development,” says Brunet. “Attendees will have a chance to win Amazon gift cards, meet new friends, and learn about time-tested leadership strategies.”

Admission is free and open to anyone over the age of 16. Register here to attend.