In-person Training
Aspiring to Lead: Navigating Government for Women in IT
Empowering the Next Generation of Female IT Leaders
October 7, 2025
9:00 AM to 4:30 PM ET
Next intake: October 7, 2025 | 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM ET
Overview
Only 28% of technology leadership roles in government are held by women, despite women making up the majority of the public sector workforce.
This isn’t just a gap. It’s a call to action.
Aspiring to Lead: Navigating Government for Women in IT is a one-day, in-person leadership training held in Edmonton, designed exclusively for women in public sector technology roles who are ready to step into their next chapter of influence, innovation, and impact.
Government organizations today face a complex mix of pressures: digital transformation efforts that too often fall short, innovation hindered by risk-averse cultures, and a looming leadership vacuum as seasoned IT professionals near retirement. These challenges demand more than operational fixes. They call for a new generation of visionary leaders who are ready to step forward, shape the future, and lead with purpose.
Led by CJ Ritchie, former Chief Information Officer for the Government of British Columbia and a nationally recognized leader in digital transformation, this immersive training will equip participants with the mindset, strategies, and tools to lead with confidence, drive organizational change, and help build a more inclusive and future-ready public service.
This is your moment to rise, lead, and redefine what’s possible for women in government technology.
Who Should Attend?
Whether you're a mid-level IT professional aiming for senior leadership, an aspiring female leader looking for confidence and strategic insight, or a technology specialist shaping the future of government IT, this masterclass is designed for you. This masterclass would be perfect for the following:Learning Outcomes
In-person Training
Aspiring to Lead: Navigating Government for Women in IT
Session details
If you are an early to mid-career woman looking to move from an individual contributor role to management, or a mid to late career leader looking to move into senior management, you will benefit from this training.
- Empower Leadership: Develop executive presence, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills tailored to IT roles in the public sector.
- Enhance Technical and Strategic Acumen: Understand current government IT trends and learn how to leverage emerging technologies for effective public service.
- Foster Professional Growth: Gain practical advice on career progression, networking, and mentorship to support long-term leadership goals.
- Promote Inclusive Practices: Learn best practices for building diverse and inclusive teams that drive innovation.
Download the course brochure for full details.
View course modulesLevel: Fundamentals
No previous experience necessary
Key Sessions
This interactive, full-day session provides a comprehensive overview of the future of IT leadership in government. Participants will explore key trends shaping the public sector, develop executive presence and strategic thinking, and learn how to lead digital transformation with confidence. Through real-world case studies and expert insights, attendees will gain practical skills in change management, crisis response, inclusive team leadership, and career advancement. The session also includes a dynamic Q&A and action planning segment to help participants apply learnings, overcome gender-specific barriers, and grow their impact as emerging IT leaders.
- What is executive presence, and why does it matter
- Communicating with clarity and confidence
- Managing visibility and perceptions in tech environments
- Workshop: Leadership Purpose/Personal Impact Audit + 2-minute leadership purpose pitch
- Frameworks for strategic thinking
- Making high-impact decisions in uncertainty
- Public sector constraints & opportunities
- Group exercise: Real-world case scenario—make and justify a strategic decision
- Working in the public sector matrix: reporting lines, influence without authority
- Collaboration across departments, politics, and priorities
- Activity: Influence management exercise
- Assigned seating to ensure cross-sector connection
- Table prompts: “A pivotal leadership lesson I’ve learned,” “Biggest challenge I’ve overcome”
- Myths about innovation in government
- Tools for fostering a culture of innovation
- Examples of successful public sector innovations
- Activity: Identify one “innovation block” and develop a disruption plan
- Self-assessment: Strengths and development areas
- Leadership growth framework: mindset, skillset, and network
- Activity: 90-day personal development plan
Meet Your Facilitator
CJ Ritchie
Former Chief Information Officer for the Government of British Columbia
CJ Ritchie is a former Chief Information Officer for the Government of British Columbia and a nationally recognized leader in public sector digital transformation. Over her 27-year career in government, CJ led major initiatives across ministries, most notably launching BC’s Digital Plan and establishing the Exchange Lab to help modernize public services. She introduced innovative tools such as digital credentials, improving access, trust, and security for citizens and professionals online.
CJ co-chaired the Canadian Public Sector CIO Council (2021–2024), serves on the board of the Digital Identity and Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC), and was named CIO of the Year in 2020. Her work has received international recognition from the United Nations and the Government Innovation Awards in Singapore.
Register Today
Join this training for professionals working within the Public Sector
Pay for individual courses
Extra Early Bird
Ends 25 Jul
$1295 CAD
per person + tax $400 saving
Early Bird
Ends 22 Aug
$1495 CAD
per person + tax $200 saving
Regular
Ends 7 Oct
$1695 CAD
per person + taxAdditional discounts are available for group registrations of 10 or more. For group or payment enquiries or custom training solutions, please contact [email protected]
Customised in-house options available for teams
Interested in any of our online trainings?
You can also choose to have them delivered in house. We will work closely with our inspiring session facilitators to tailor the content around the key development areas your team are prioritising, shape the learning outcomes around your core departmental challenges and make the most of your L&D and upskilling budget.
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