Women+ and Trails: From Hesitation to Hiking
Date and time
7:00 pm
Location
Join Trans Canada Trail and Lean In Canada for Women+ and Trails, an empowering virtual event series celebrating women+ in the outdoors. Featuring inspiring speakers and engaging panel discussions, this series will highlight a diversity of experiences outdoors through stories, insights and advice.
This inaugural gathering, titled “From Hesitation to Hiking” celebrates women’s journeys into the outdoors and explores the profound connection between time spent on trails and thriving in work-life balance. This inspiring panel discussion features hikers of diverse ages and backgrounds, sharing their stories of overcoming hesitation and embracing the transformative power of nature. Together, we’ll explore how these experiences foster resilience, leadership, and a deeper connection to ourselves and others, emphasizing the importance of women+ supporting each other along the way.
Whether you’re an experienced trailblazer or new to outdoor adventures, this series is for you. Meet like-minded women+, gain confidence to explore, and discover how you can take your first (or next!) steps on Canada’s trails.
The panel discussion will be hosted on Zoom in English. Register here.
Panelists
Stacey Dakin
Moderator
Stacey is the Chief Program Officer at Trans Canada Trail, bringing over 20 years of experience in social change, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and social services. She leads efforts to enhance programs for partners and trail users nationwide. Her career includes leadership roles at the Community Economic Development and Employability Corporation, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, Mentor Canada, and the Canadian Red Cross. In addition to her work at Trans Canada Trail, Stacey serves as National President and Chair of Lean In Canada, a network dedicated to empowering professional women in their careers.
Katie Bell
Katie is a veterinarian and mother of four (soon to be five) based in Saint John, New Brunswick. After rediscovering running through an Intro to Trail Running group in 2023, she quickly became hooked — going from an 8 km race to completing a 110 km ultra at QMT in just over a year. While currently taking a break from running due to pregnancy, she remains deeply involved in the trail community and looks forward to returning to the sport. Passionate about the camaraderie and connection trail running brings, she’s eager to support and inspire others on their own journeys.
Frieda Baldwin
Frieda is a certified hike leader, as well as an urban poling and snowshoe instructor. She leads outings for the Midland Ganaraska Hiking Trail Club and serves as President of the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association. An active advocate for trails and outdoor recreation, she is also a member of the Hike Ontario Executive Committee, the Midland Trails and Active Transportation Committee, and the Penetanguishene Trails Committee. Previously, she served on the board of the Ontario Trails Council and played a key role in the development of the Trans Canada Trail in Simcoe County. In recognition of her 35 years of trail building and dedication to promoting active lifestyles for seniors, Frieda received an award of recognition from the County of Simcoe in January 2025.
Hala Bissada
Hala is a certified fundraising executive and event strategist with a career spanning the nonprofit and events sectors. She began at SickKids Foundation and later served as Chief Development Officer for Children’s Aid Foundation before founding her own firm, hala inc. Known for delivering strategic, creative and flawlessly executed events, she is a sought-after speaker and educator. In her spare time, she stays active through swimming, biking, and running; in 2004, she even completed an Ironman.
Karen Simpson
Karen is a former President of Lean In Toronto with a dynamic career in human resources, balancing professional growth while raising four children. In her late 40s, she embraced a healthier lifestyle by turning her love of nature into a passion for mountaineering, marathon running and cycling. Now in her 60s, she thrives as an impact entrepreneur, taking on Camino-style hikes and new mountain challenges. Known online as “karengeterdone”, she inspires others to embrace a no-limits mindset and discover the joy of pushing past boundaries.
Co-hosted by:
About Lean In Canada
Lean In Canada is a community of professional women empowering each other to build purposeful and fulfilling careers.
