Presented by the Canadian Labour Congress
In recognition of International Women’s Week and aligned with the 2026 International Women’s Day theme “Give to Gain,” this FCM Collective webinar will convene women leaders from Canada and abroad to explore how generosity, mentorship and shared experience strengthen women’s leadership in local government. The theme resonates strongly with the mission of FCM’s Partnerships for Municipal Innovation – Women in Local Leadership (PMI-WILL) program, which is built on the principle that women’s leadership grows when women support one another—across borders, sectors, and lived experiences.
This session will bring together two international elected officials and a Canadian elected official who has volunteered on PMI-WILL exchanges to reflect on the realities of women’s leadership in municipal governance. The conversation will be moderated by the Canadian Labour Congress, the presenting partner for this event.
Moderator
- Siobhán Vipond, Executive Vice-President
Siobhán Vipond serves as the Executive Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), a position she was first elected to in 2021 and re-elected for a second term in Montreal in 2023.
As a committed trade unionist and intersectional feminist, Siobhán has spent her career championing the rights of workers and advocating for a fairer, more equitable world. With a deep belief in the power of collective action, she fights for the rights of workers across all sectors, focusing on issues such as pensions, gender and racial equity, and ensuring that workers' voices are heard at every level of government and industry.
Her leadership extends beyond national borders. Siobhán chairs the CLC Women’s Advisory Committee and serves as vice-chair for the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Women’s Committee, where she advocates for women's rights and labour justice on a global scale. Additionally, she is an active board member of the Canadian Health Coalition and Union Savings. She also serves on the Executive Council of the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA), where she continues to push for policies that protect workers' health and well-being.
Panelists
- Edith Allan Ablormeti, Assembly Member for the Akome Electoral Area (Volta Region), Ghana
Edith Allan Ablormeti serves as the Assembly Member for the Akome Electoral Area in the Ho West District of the Volta Region. Through this position, she contributes to grassroots governance and champions community development initiatives that improve livelihoods at the local level.
She is the Volta Region Women Caucus Rep. of NALAG, Financial & Admin. Sub-Committee Chair and an Alumni of Sweden International Centre for Local Democracy where she participated in Women Political Leadership program. She's deeply passionate about women empowerment and advocates for increased representation of women in leadership roles. Her work and speaking engagements focus on sustainable development, financial empowerment, inclusive leadership, and the advancement of women in decision-making spaces.
- Kanungwe Chota, Council Chairperson of Kanchibiya District, Zambia
Kanungwe Chota is the Council Chairperson of Kanchibiya District, Zambia, and a local government leader advancing inclusive governance, decentralisation and community-driven development. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Zambia and currently serves as Vice President of the Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ), Chairperson of AWCAN, Zambia Representative for CSCC UFAG, and CLGF Africa Youth Representative. She is also an Amujae Leader and a graduate of the ICLD Women in Political Leadership Programme.
Her work focuses on strengthening local governance systems, enhancing accountable and responsive service delivery, and expanding the participation of women and young people in public decision-making. Through policy engagement, institutional leadership, and grassroots mobilisation, she promotes sustainable development approaches rooted in local realities and citizen participation.
Kanungwe continues to advocate for resilient local institutions as a cornerstone for democratic governance and national development.
- Kathy Valentino, City of Thompson Councillor, FCM Second Vice-President
Kathy Valentino, a city councillor from Thompson, Manitoba and President of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, believes strongly in the power and importance of local governance. With over 10 years of experience on the City of Thompson Council, including six years as Deputy Mayor, Valentino advocates for focusing on the basics that truly serve communities. In addition to her political background, Valentino has worked in the financial industry for the past 29 years.
Valentino emphasizes that local governments are the best equipped to address fundamental issues such as improving public safety, investing in infrastructure and fostering stronger relationships with Indigenous Peoples in the spirit of Reconciliation.
Valentino stresses the need for stable and long-term funding for local governments to fully address the growing needs of municipalities across the country.