In this session Celene will cover the relationships women have with one another in competitive, male-dominated work spaces. The session will review concepts of female identities, gender stereotypes, how lateral violence manifests and coping mechanisms (harmful or helpful). The discussion will range from the theoretical and academic, to the realities of existing as a female in society’s current state and how we support or destroy one another.
This session will be transparent and bold, and require the audience to be willing and thoughtful in assessing and addressing some of their own biases, assumptions and behaviors.
For this session, please be aware that everyone in the room will have different experiences and be at different places in their learning. Be gentle with other’s perspectives, and also with yourself. Please note, if you need to leave or feel uncomfortable, you are not glued to your seat. Take any time and space you need to be healthy.
Celene Lemire
Celene Lemire has more than 20 years experience in community service, government relations, strategic design, operational planning and leadership. Over the last decade, she has focused on equity and inclusion work in large emergency service organizations, addressing systemic issues, supporting membership and operational teams by identifying inequities in policies, practices and programs. Celene has conducted internal cultural assessments, equity reviews and lead strategic plans focused on addressing barriers and identifying issues in accessibility. She has lead equity audits and systems change initiatives within recruitment processes, training design and curriculum content, promotional processes, infrastructure audits and policy reviews.
She is a member of the Municipal Equity Council, the UN Safe Cities working group and the National DEI Community of Practice for Fire Rescue Services. Celene was a Top 40 Under 40 award winner, a graduate of the University of Calgary, has a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology and is currently a Deputy Chief with Vancouver Fire Rescue Services. Celene and believes strongly in the power and impact of lived experiences, and much of her work is in connection and collaboration with the communities she serves. Celene has facilitated session with the BC Association of Fire Chiefs, the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs and with multiple municipalities across Western Canada.
