A local conference focused on supporting women in leadership is being recognized by the City of Fort St. John as it marks more than a decade of professional development in the region.
City council unanimously proclaimed Oct. 5 to 9, 2026, as Spark Women’s Leadership Week at Monday’s council meeting.
Suzanne Young, a steering committee member with the Spark Women’s Leadership Conference Society, appeared before council to highlight the impact of the annual volunteer-run event.
Since launching in 2014, the conference has welcomed more than 3,000 participants, with about 90 per cent coming from the Peace Region.
Young said Spark was created to make high-quality professional development and networking opportunities more accessible to women in the North.
“Spark was created to give quality, world-class career development and networking opportunities to women who otherwise would have no access to it, prohibited by cost and travel to larger centers,” Young told council.
She said the conference has also generated an estimated $1.7 million in economic returns that have been reinvested into the community.
This year’s conference theme is “360 Ready: Thrive at Every Angle,” with keynote speakers including author and model Ashley Callingbull and executive coach Foteini Iconomopoulos.
Mayor Lilia Hansen, who previously served on the Spark committee, praised the conference before reading the official proclamation.
Councillors also highlighted the event’s growing reputation beyond the Peace Region and its role in supporting local entrepreneurship and professional growth.
The conference draws participants from across the Peace Region and beyond, with programming focused on helping leaders navigate workplace challenges, build connections and contribute to regional economic development.
Spark Women’s Leadership Week will run from Oct. 5 to 9.
