International Women’s Day is a lot like a milestone birthday, meant to be stretched out and enjoyed well beyond a single day. In fact, it easily deserves a full month of celebration, something Ottawa—Vanier MPP Lucille Collard seems to understand, given that she hosted her IWD gathering this past Tuesday.

Collard offered something for every woman in the room, whether their interests lie in arts and culture, health and wellness, Francophone issues or making a positive impact on their community. She organized a panel discussion featuring Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) director and CEO Alexandra Badzak; motivational health speaker, author and entrepreneur Mia St-Aubin; French-speaking host, speaker and producer Claude Andréa Bonny; and community builder and heritage developer Leanne Moussa.

From left, Leanne Moussa participated in a panel discussion with Alexandra Badzak, Claude Andréa Bonny, moderator Lucille Collard and Mia St-Aubin at a women’s networking event hosted by Collard, MPP for Ottawa—Vanier, at the Ottawa Art Gallery on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

The women’s networking event took place in the OAG’s Jackson Café, where live harp music, fresh tulips and the novelty of an after-work gathering with the sun still shining all served as reminders that spring really is just around the corner.

Badzak, who was the first speaker, helped lead the OAG through its ambitious expansion, marking one of the most important developments in the local arts scene in years and creating better and more inclusive spaces for artists and visitors. The expansion was completed in 2018.

She spoke about the gallery’s collaborative approach with other organizations, understanding “that our power is in working together, not working in silos and not necessarily working in competition,” said Badzak, a 2024 Order of Ottawa recipient.

The cultural leader also touched on the role she and the OAG play in being fully present while taking risks and breaking new ground. “It’s important that we don’t rest on our laurels; there’s still a lot of work to be done out there,” she said.

Badzak shared some of the exciting projects ahead for the OAG, from contributing to the revitalization of the downtown and participating in the all-night arts festival Nuit Blanche, to marking Ottawa’s 200th anniversary. She made a point of acknowledging the Anishinabe Algonquin people who were here long before the city’s founding.

Alexandra Badzak, director and CEO of the Ottawa Art Gallery, spoke about the gallery’s role in revitalizing downtown Ottawa and its involvement in projects tied to the city’s 200th anniversary. Photo by Caroline Phillips

St-Aubin was able to speak to the stressed-out and overwhelmed working mothers in the audience, introducing the concept of the self-determination theory.

“We’re trying to make sure we’re eating enough protein, getting enough steps, taking our creatine. We’re trying to be the best partners, the best parents and trying to empty our inboxes every single day,” she said, calling the daily routine “exhausting”.

She encouraged women to add something else, as counterintuitive as it seems. “Add to your plate the things that make you feel fulfilled, that bring you alignment, that make you feel most like yourself.”

Spending most of one’s time catering to other people’s needs isn’t healthy, she said. “That is so stressful on your system. Your body and your mind actually see that as a lack of control, not having any agency over your day-to-day life.”

By adding “that one thing that lights you up,” St-Aubin promised the women they “will gain more energy, more motivation.”

Mia St-Aubin, an author, speaker and entrepreneur, addressed the topic of burnout, alignment and resilience during a panel discussion hosted by Ottawa MPP Lucille Collard at the Ottawa Art Gallery on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Moussa is president of All Saints Developments. She led the community purchase of the former All Saints Anglican church in Sandy Hill and proceeded to renovate and restore the historic building before turning it into an events space and Working Title restaurant.

Historic fact: Robert Borden was a parishioner of All Saints, and was prime minister when most women in Canada earned the federal right to vote in 1918.

Collard praised Moussa for reimagining how space can bring people together. “Leanne’s work is a strong example of adaptive reuse and how thoughtful redevelopment can preserve heritage while revitalizing neighborhoods.”

Moussa has also created the nonprofit The Other Hill, which plays off Parliament Hill. It hosts Canada’s leading authors, artists, musicians and historians to inspire grassroots conversations that she believes need to happen.

“I hope that my little space in the city can have an impact beyond our walls and on how we live in the capital,” she said.

All Saints Developments president and The Other Hill chair Leanne Moussa spoke about the work she’s doing to revitalize the community through urban engagement and grassroots conversations during a panel discussion hosted by MPP Lucille Collard at the Ottawa Art Gallery. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Bonny shared her experience as an immigrant and why she chose Ottawa for its strong Francophone community.

Guests went home with gifts. Seeded paper, which promised to grow into flowers when planted and watered, was among the giveaways. The Lucille Collard–branded lip balm was a hit, with one guest confessing she was relieved to be invited back because her stash from last year had run out. She insisted, however, that the gift wasn’t the only reason she attended.

Claude Andréa Bonny, speaking in French, shared her experience as an immigrant and why she chose Ottawa for its strong Francophone community. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Ottawa—Vanier MPP Lucille Collard and Chloe Hillier, director of philanthropy for Ottawa Riverkeeper, at a women’s networking event that Collard hosted at the Ottawa Art Gallery. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ottawa MPP Lucille Collard (seen speaking) moderated a panel discussion with her four guests, Alexandra Badzak, Mia St-Aubin, Claude Andréa Bonny and Leanne Moussa. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Amanda Jackson, who’s in charge of events and community outreach for MPP Lucille Collard, and Nila Matthews, a home realtor at Royal LePage Performance Realty, at a women’s networking reception that Collard hosted at the Ottawa Art Gallery on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Julienne Kotto (Nouvel Elan Francophone), Claude Andréa Bonny (Animatrice), Aminata Traoré (Promotuel Assurance) and Ange-Amandine Aka at a women’s networking reception hosted by Ottawa—Vanier MPP Lucille Collard at the Ottawa Art Gallery on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Jess Vaillancourt, shop owner of Bee You Creative Styles on Somerset Street East, at a women’s networking event hosted by Ottawa—Vanier MPP Lucille Collard at the Ottawa Art Gallery. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Cassandra Olsthoorn, co-leadership at Arts Ottawa, was seen hanging out with Tara Shannon, who’s the executive director of Ottawa Festival Network, during a women’s networking event hosted by Ottawa—Vanier MPP Lucille Collard at the Ottawa Art Gallery. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Larissa Beznaczuk-Smyrnew (co-owner of Lollo Salads & Coffee and a manager at La BOTTEGA Nicastro), Ottawa Art Gallery board member Alik Angaladian, senior principal and strategic growth lead at Maple Leaf Strategies, and OAG director and chief executive officer Alexandra Badzak at a women’s networking event hosted by Ottawa—Vanier MPP Lucille Collard at the Ottawa Art Gallery. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Micheline Shoebridge, executive director of arts charity MASC, with Leanne Moussa, president of All Saints Developments and chair of the nonprofit The Other Hill, at a women’s networking event hosted by Ottawa—Vanier MPP Lucille Collard at the Ottawa Art Gallery. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Magali Maillet (Centre espoir Sophie) in conversation at a women’s networking event hosted by Ottawa—Vanier MPP Lucille Collard at the Ottawa Art Gallery. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Aileen Leo, director of  communications at The Ottawa Mission, and Véronique Couillard, public and media relations manager at the Ottawa Art Gallery, in conversation at a women’s networking event hosted by Ottawa—Vanier MPP Lucille Collard at the OAG. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Guests of a women’s networking event hosted by Ottawa—Vanier MPP Lucille Collard seen supportively applauding during a panel discussion. Photo by Caroline Phillips

While there wasn’t an official green dress code, several guests wore the color in honour of St. Patrick’s Day. Event host Lucille Collard (middle) resisted, insisting it’s just not her colour. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Syntax Strategic, RBC, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, Welch LLP, and Brazeau Seller Law.

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