The 2025 President’s Gala was a night to remember, as over 300 guests gathered at Gasoline Alley in Heritage Park to celebrate International Women’s Day, support women in leadership initiatives, and raise funds for student success priorities like scholarships and bursaries.
The annual signature event, hosted by St. Mary’s University, brought together alumni, faculty, staff, donors, and community leaders for an evening of inspiration and connection. Thanks to their generous support, more than $103,000 (net) was raised. An anonymous donor has matched every dollar, bringing the total raised after expenses to $206,000.
A Transformational Gift
At the heart of the event was the launch of the Leadership Excellence Fund, a groundbreaking initiative that underscores St. Mary’s commitment to empowering the next generation of women leaders. The fund was established with a generous $50,000 donation from the Catholic Women’s League Foundation, which committed $150,000 over three years, marking a significant step toward fostering professional development opportunities for women across the St. Mary’s community—community members, students, alumni, staff, and faculty alike. With continued support, this fund will create pathways for women to lead with confidence, purpose, and impact.
The Women in Leadership Panel
The highlight of the evening was an engaging and thought-provoking panel discussion featuring five trailblazing women leaders who shared their personal journeys. Each panelist shared their personal story, insights, and wisdom on navigating leadership, overcoming challenges, and championing the next generation of women leaders. “Tenacity,” was the one word that Dr. Vanderpool used to describe her leadership style and what she hopes many women will exhibit in their own opportunities.
Brielle Schoorlemmer, a first-year psychology student at St. Mary’s University shared how the panel and evening impacted her:
“During the panel discussion, I was inspired by their stories. I realized that what made these women stand out was their faith in God’s plan. After this Gala, I can recognize that at St. Mary’s, I have gained support in many areas. Through my professors, I have gained personal feedback and advice. Through other members of staff, I have been offered many opportunities to work within my school community.”
A Message from our President & Vice-Chancellor:
“It was an honor to celebrate the achievements of women leaders in Calgary and the power of community support from our donors and partners. St. Mary’s University is poised to make a lasting impact through the Leadership Excellence Fund, our scholarship and bursary programs, and initiatives that ensure our students have what they need to thrive in their educational pursuits. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this incredible evening. Your presence and investment remind all of us at St. Mary’s that we are in great company as we move towards our goal of becoming the pre-eminent Catholic university in Canada.”
Be a Part of the Impact
If you would like to be a part of the momentum happening for students at St. Mary’s University, donate on our website at https://stmu.ca/giving/ Your support opens doors for our students to continue to thrive and maximize their potential.