Category Archives: Meetings

Brantford news, Issues and Advocacy, Meetings, What's new

Jennifer Seberras speaks at CFUW Brantford’s 2026 May Banquet

We are excited to announce that Jennifer Seberras, P. Log, will be the guest speaker at this year’s May banquet, Jennifer began her career by founding, building and eventually selling a multi-million dollar transportation and logistics company in an industry dominated by men. She learned on the job what it really takes to build a business from the inside out. From her experience, she recognized a recurring gap: many women were capable, driven and ambitious, but lacked practical support and real-world guidance to navigate the perils of entrepreneurship. Jennifer has founded Leadership Hub to address that gap.
Jennifer now works with women across all stages of business, from start-ups to established high-growth companies run by women. She helps them develop clarity, confidence and sustainable strategies, skills she wished she had when growing her own business. In addition to this coaching work, Jennifer hosts Women Who Dared, a growing series of curated luncheons and events which bring together women entrepreneurs, leaders and professionals, whose conversations support and mentor other women who are developing companies. Through Leadership Hub and Women Who Dared, Jennifer creates spaces where women can connect, learn and support one another as they grow. Jennifer comes highly recommended, and we look forward to her talk to CFUW Brantford.
Brantford news, Club Projects, Events, Issues and Advocacy, Meetings

Afternoon Tea: Scholarship Fundraiser, Sunday October 25, 2026

purchase tickets via e-transfer to: cf**************@***il.com


Chantal Saldanha is a Professional Engineer and serves as the Software and Cybersecurity Manager at GD Land Systems – Canada. She leads a dynamic team responsible for delivering software that enables the capabilities of Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs) and developing cybersecurity features to protect and defend these vehicles.

Chantal grew up in the town of Simcoe in Norfolk County and attended elementary school there. She graduated from Assumption College High School in Brantford, excelling in STEM fields. She went on to earn an honours degree in Engineering, with a focus on Biomedical Engineering, from the University of Guelph.

In 2000, Chantal began her career at Honda of Canada Manufacturing as a plant ergonomist. In 2001, she transitioned to a Human Factors Engineering role at GD Land Systems – Canada. Over the years, she gained experience in Survivability Systems and Project Engineering. She briefly left engineering to implement a Software Management program for the Canadian family of vehicles before returning as the leader of the Software and Cybersecurity team.

In 2021, Chantal co-founded the GD Land Systems Women’s Employee Resource Group with two colleagues, creating a platform for mentorship, networking, and skill-building to support the career growth of women within the organization.

Brantford news, Meetings

Brian Wood, Our Speaker at the April 23 General Meeting


Brian Wood knows telephones! After more than 36 years as curator of the Bell Homestead Historic Site, there is not much that
he doesn’t know about the Alexander Graham Bell invention and its importance to the world. He has shepherded restoration of
the Bell Homestead to its original 1981 state, and has raised the profile of the site so that it is one of Canada’s important
museums, and a source of pride for residents of Brantford and Brant County. Brian will show and tell all about the
development of telephones from the very early versions to today’s advanced cell phones. Please join us for this fascinating presentation
Brantford news, Meetings

Laurie Macintyre, our March 25th speaker

Meet Laurie the Executive Director behind Jaycees Brantford Non-Profit Homes Corporation, a proud mom of four and a ‘Lolli’ of three adorable grandchildren.

Laurie brings a wealth of experience in juggling chaos with love. A dedicated Rotarian and social advocate, Laurie is passionate about building communities and empowering others.

With a knack for fundraising, team-building and a commitment to leaving things better than she found them, Laurie jumped into the housing sector just over 7 years ago, embracing the challenges and learning opportunities it brings. Excited for the journey ahead, she looks forward to making a positive impact with her new project.

Brantford news, Meetings

February speaker: Graham White

Graham White is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Toronto. He has been writing about
the politics and culture of Northern Canada since the late 1980’s, based on dozens of trips to the three territories
during his career. He has written a number of books about the north, including Made in Nunavit: An Experiment in
Decentralized Government (2015) and ‘We Are In Charge Here’: Inuit Self-Government and the Nunatsiavut
Assembly (2023). With the current threat to northern Canada’s freedom by foreign leaders, Graham’s White
knowledge of the north will help us think about the future of this part of Canada.
PS Please note that this is a change in speakers, due to a conflict in the schedule of the previously planned speaker
for February.

Brantford news, Events, Meetings

January meeting: Zoom only!

Our Speaker for the January 28th General Meeting (Note: This Meeting is on Zoom) 

We are pleased and honoured to have CFUW Brantford member, Theresa McClenaghan, speak to us at the next General Meeting on January 28. Theresa’s topic for this meeting is the future of environmental laws in Canada. Theresa’s expertise in environmental law comes from more than 35 years of experience as a lawyer working in the field of environmental health and environmental safety, both in private practice and for the Canadian Environmental Law Association, where she is currently the Executive Director. Theresa has been senior policy advisor to the Ontario Minister of the Environment where she oversaw the passage of the Clean Water Act, and was responsible for implementation of several Walkerton Inquiry recommendations. She has represented clients at the Supreme Court of Canada, at the Federal Court of Appeal and Trial Division, at provincial courts and at tribunals, as well as at the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, on topics such as pesticide by-laws, the Oncomouse Patent, environmental assessments and constitutional matters. At the 2025 Spring Convocation, Theresa was awarded an Honourary Doctorate of Laws from the Lincoln Alexander School of Law at Toronto Metropolitan University. We look forward to hearing Theresa’s insights on the important topic of the future of environmental laws in Canada.

Brantford news, Meetings

October speaker: Paulette Breau

Paulette Breau is a retired officer of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) whose thirty-year law enforcement career (1987-2017) culminated in the rank of sergeant. Her service was marked not only by her commitment to public safety, but by her determination to succeed in a profession historically dominated by men.

After her retirement, Breau turned to writing. Her memoir Never at Ease: Memoir of a Mountie (published in December 2019) recounts her experiences as the only woman in a 40-man RCMP detachment, the challenges she faced-including harassment, sexism, and the difficulties of undercover work-and her perseverance.

Paulette will join us on Oct 22, 2025 and talk about the history of women in the RCMP as well as sharing a few stories so her own career.

Women in Canada’s National Police Force
This presentation explores the history and impact of women in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police from its early days to the present. It begins with matrons and jailers in the Klondike era, moves through pioneers like forensic pathologist Dr. Frances McGill and the groundbreaking female troop of 1974. Milestones include the appointment of women commissioners, service with the United Nations and the changes brought about  by the Merlo-Davidson lawsuit.

Brantford news, Events, Meetings, What's new

September 24th speaker

Some members of CFUW Brantford may know Erin Byron from her years of operating Welkin Wellness Yoga Studio in Brantford,
or from her books related to yoga therapy. Erin is a registered psychotherapist who, over twenty years, has helped many
clinicians, business professionals and others enhance their personal health and wellness, and improve their corporate cultures.
Erin will explore the building blocks of wellness and, through a variety of activities and science-backed data, will give us some
tools to feel less stressed, be more present in our lives, and enjoy a greater sense of well-being. Erin’s three books: Yoga for the
Creative Soul ($20), Safety in the Body ($20), and Yoga Therapy for Arthritis ($30), will be available for purchase at our general
meeting on September 24. (Please arrive early if you are planning to purchase a book as books will be available during the
social period from 6:30 to 7:00.)
Colette W for the CFUW Brantford Program Committee