2025

The 14th annual Daughters Day celebration took place on September 2oth at Edmonton City Hall. The Board of Canadians for a Civil Society and the Daughters Day Committee are grateful for all who attended, volunteered, performed, and supported the celebration.




 

Daughters of the Year Award Recipients

 

Carrie Anne Doucette (Carrie the Connector)

Carrie Anne Doucette, known as Carrie the Connector, is a dynamic entrepreneur passionate about building relationships and helping businesses grow. With a natural gift for networking and strategic marketing, she has become a trusted bridge-builder who connects professionals, creates opportunities, and amplifies brands.

Carrie is the driving force behind countless initiatives that bring people together, from business showcases and fashion events to community fundraisers and wellness summits. She is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs, local organizations, and charitable causes, ensuring they receive the visibility and connections they need to thrive. Her ability to pair creativity with strategy has earned her a reputation as someone who not only makes introductions but helps others achieve lasting impact.

In addition to her business and community work, Carrie is a mentor, collaborator, and advocate for women in leadership. She has been recognized as a Womanition Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year nominee and has led campaigns that spotlight and celebrate others’ successes.

At the heart of everything Carrie does is generosity, authenticity, and a belief in the power of people helping people. Being named a 2025 Daughter of the Year is a reflection of her commitment to building strong, connected, and thriving communities.

Kyla Fisher

Kyla Fisher (she/her) is passionate about building community and making Edmonton a welcoming place for all. Descended from settlers who made their homes on both the east and west coasts of Canada, she has lived in Edmonton for the past twenty years, earning two degrees from the University of Alberta, enjoying all aspects of the arts (often singing in choirs), and learning more about what draws people to this area. 

Kyla has more than a decade of experience working in the non-profit sector, working with newcomer communities, housing and houselessness, and heritage. Currently, Kyla is the Manager of Partnerships and Investments with the Edmonton Heritage Council where she has the pleasure of working with the grants team, Indigenous initiatives, and on projects like the Edmonton Living Rooms virtual exhibition, telling the stories of seven newcomer and refugee communities. 

Kyla is currently the Past-President of the Braille Tones Music Society of Edmonton, the Sports Director for the Highlands Community League, and the Highlands representative for the Community Grassroots Soccer Association where she lives her values of accessibility and equity in both music and sport. You can find her exploring Edmonton with her partner and two little boys.

Saniya Ghalehdar

Saniya works as a facilitator and coordinator for an inclusive leadership team. She holds an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Certificate from UBC and is currently working towards completing a Women’s and Gender Studies degree. She is also certified to deliver Human Rights advocacy training through the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights. Her dedication to learning goes back to her need and desire to support her community and to infuse all that she does with the knowledge she acquires. 

Outside of work, Saniya enjoys her work on the Women’s Advisory Voice of Edmonton Committee (WAVE). She and her fellow committee members advise City Council on issues that impact women and gender-diverse people in our city. 

She is also the Founder of a project called She Said (Instagram: @1800shesaid and on LinkedIn). Saniya and her team are working on collecting the stories and advice from women across the country, and from small pockets across the globe, to help combat gender parity issues that were highlighted in the most recent UN Women Gender Snapshot reports. They hope to use the data collected to create educational materials to help women and girls from equity-deserving communities.

Stella Igweamaka

Stella Igweamaka is an award-winning researcher, storyteller, and strategist whose work is transforming how Canada understands equity and inclusion. Originally from Nigeria, Stella believes in the power of research and storytelling to challenge systemic inequities, elevate marginalized voices, and create communities where everyone can thrive.

Her groundbreaking leadership has gained national attention, including recognition by CBC News for her work with Black Canadian Women in Action on the research of the adultification bias of Black girls in Canada. She also co-led the national study Reframing Approaches to Justice for Black Women and Girls with Sisters in Sync, ensuring lived experiences are centered in justice reform. In 2022, she partnered with Pitch Better and the Canadian Women’s Foundation to deliver Canada’s first national survey of Black women entrepreneurs, uncovering the funding disparities that continue to shape their journeys.

Stella holds an MBA from the University of Lagos and is a Certified Analytics and Insights Professional (CAIP Canada), trained to apply data with integrity and ethical rigor. In 2024, she was appointed to the Women’s Advisory Voice of Edmonton (WAVE), where she champions women’s civic participation and equitable representation in municipal government. That same year, she was named a Young Impact Leader by Future of Good, honoring her dedication to amplifying marginalized voices and driving meaningful change.

Rehma Khan

Rehma Khan (she/her) is MSc Public Health student at University of Alberta specializing in Health Promotion. She has worked in social justice, health equity, gender equality, and youth engagement, and is a community advocate whose work is embedded in her values and cultural heritage. 

She has strengthened collaboration and contributed to health advocacy through her involvement in initiatives that amplify underserved perspectives, support women’s health, and advance community wellbeing such as Vice President of the Canadian Advisory of Women Immigrant, Youth Advisory Board member for the Abortion Care in Canada project, and Co-Founder for age-tech start up LifeTech Care Canada.

Judy Lederer

I was born Judy Ann Lederer in 1947, and raised in a working class family in Edmonton, where I lived for all but three years of my life. My entire working life has been in libraries in publicly funded institutions, beginning with the Edmonton Public Library, then at Grant MacEwan College, followed by three years at Carleton University, and finally ending my career after 32 years at the University of Alberta Library.  

Throughout these years, I was active in my union, also supporting and volunteering in the work done by various advocacy organizations like Public Interest Alberta, Friends of Medicare, and the Parkland Institute. Since my retirement from work in 2010 I assumed more formal roles and responsibilities in these organizations, currently serving as President of the Edmonton Area Council of the Congress of Union Retirees and representing this organization on the Board of Friends of Medicare, where I now serve as Treasurer. I also serve as Co-Chair of the Alberta Pharmacare Working Group where I plan and participate in campaigns and Town Halls to advance the expansion of our health care system to include coverage of prescription medication.  

As a senior, I now represent the Alberta Federation of Union Retirees on the Public Interest Alberta Seniors Task Force, actively working on issues to advance the betterment of the senior population in Alberta. Pension security, continuing care, and the enhancement and protection of our universal public health care system are all issues that help make life more affordable for seniors as well as all Albertans. 

It was an  honour of a lifetime to be recognized in 2019  for the work I have been doing, when I received the volunteer of the year award at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Friends of Medicare. As a child, I fully recall growing up in a family prior to medicare, where we faced challenges accessing health care. Now, as a senior, I fully support and continue to advocate for our universal public health care system.

Kathryn Luu

Kathryn Luu is a passionate community builder and dedicated advocate for the revitalization of Edmonton’s Chinatown. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Chinatown Business Improvement Area (BIA), where she works to strengthen local businesses, create opportunities for growth, and enhance the cultural and economic vitality of the neighbourhood.

Believing strongly in the power of community, Kathryn devotes her time to organizing events for three communities and supporting many other events that bring people together, celebrate heritage, and create lasting memories for families. She takes pride in advocating for businesses  while showcasing Chinatown as a welcoming destination for all.

In addition to her leadership role with the Chinatown BIA, Kathryn serves on multiple boards where she contributes her expertise to event planning and community engagement. Her collaborative and hands-on approach have made her a valued partner in initiatives that strengthen her communities.

Outside of her community work, Kathryn supports her husband in growing Kim Fat Market, their family-owned butcher shop in Chinatown since 1989. Together, they are committed to both preserving the legacy of the neighbourhood.

Tatiana Meneses-Sab

I am a passionate community leader and the founder of Sab Connections, an organization dedicated to building stronger, more connected communities through collaboration, inclusivity, and mutual support. With years of experience organizing impactful community events, social programs, and outreach initiatives, I have seen firsthand the power of bringing people together to share resources, stories, and opportunities for growth.

My work is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances. As a proud Filipino-Canadian, the values of hospitality, resilience, and community are central to everything I do. These cultural foundations inspire me to create spaces where people can build genuine relationships, access support, and work collectively toward shared goals.

In North East Calgary and beyond, I’ve led initiatives that break down barriers, encourage civic participation, and empower individuals to become active contributors in their communities. Through Sab Connections, I continue to advocate for equity, connection, and sustainable change. My mission is not only to respond to immediate community needs but also to cultivate long-term partnerships that uplift and strengthen the fabric of our society, one connection at a time.

Anurika Onyenso

Anurika Onyenso is a proud graduate of the University of Alberta with a degree in Business Management, driven by a deep passion for advocacy and creating meaningful social change. Her journey has been shaped by a commitment to connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and advocating for marginalized communities. Over the years, she has built a career that spans business development, non-profit marketing, and community service where she had the privilege of supporting individuals in navigating their educational and professional paths.

These experiences have not only strengthened her strategic thinking and leadership skills but have also taught her the value of collaboration, empathy, and resilience. She remains dedicated to amplifying voices that are often unheard, fostering inclusive opportunities, and contributing to a society where everyone feels valued and empowered.

Theresa Stanley

The dynamic Theresa Stanley is one of the senior coaches and Executive Director of the Phoenix Martial Arts Club, proudly training 800 athletes at 7 different locations within Edmonton. With her husband Craig, they have one of the largest martial arts clubs in Alberta. 

Theresa is a 6th Degree Black Belt, a full contact Muay Thai Fighter and a 13-time international Taekwon-do athlete. Finding much of her confidence in training martial arts, she uses her platform as a female leader and coach to teach girls self defence and self confidence. Her innovative Girls On Fire Confidence Conference and Mentorship Programs have spread like wild fire and have impacted hundreds of girls in Alberta. Her mission is to reach a million girls between the ages of 8-13 with her message of building confidence and learning combat training. This program started in 2018 with 25 girls in Edmonton. In 2025, the Girls on Fire Confidence Conference has hosted six conferences in Edmonton, three conferences in Red Deer and now for the first time, in Calgary in September 2025, impacting thousands of girls! 

When Theresa is not out leading the girls or training in martial arts, she spends time with her husband Craig and daughter Pepper, along with their two Rottweilers, Talon and Reaper. She loves to run, cook, and read.

 

 2025 Sponsors and Supporters