The Dalhousie Tigers are pleased to announce the 2023 Women in Leadership Dinner, presented by RBC.
The 13th annual event will take place Thursday, November 30 with special guest speaker, women’s soccer alumna Melanie Clarke.
Clarke grew up in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island before attending Dalhousie University. A two-time AUS First Team All-Star, she was a member of the soccer team from 2001 until she graduated in 2006 with a BA in Political Science with a focus on North American colonial history. Since then, she has coached and competed in weightlifting and CrossFit at the National level.
Away from the playing field, Clarke works for the provincial government as a Workplace Resolution Consultant and assisted in the creation of the The Black Wellness Initiative, a cooperative of health and wellness professionals in HRM who are dedicated to introducing equity seeking communities to movement, breathing, and meditation with an Afrocentric lens. In all facets of her life, Clarke strives to create equitable and inclusive environments for all by creating opportunities and space for dialogue, coaching, and learning.
For the third year, RBC is the presenting partner of the Women in Leadership Dinner and remains committed to several impactful community initiatives such as this event.
“RBC is thrilled to once again be presenting sponsor of The Women in Leadership Dinner,” says Vinita Savani, Regional President, Atlantic Provinces, RBC. “This dinner is a great showcase for women student-athletes leadership skills off the court, and we are looking forward to another inspirational evening.”
This year’s event will also include a panel discussion with Dalhousie University’s President Dr. Kim Brookes and athletes from the women’s basketball, soccer, and volleyball teams discussing the impact of having female coaches lead their respective teams this year.
“We are excited to once again host this important event,” says Cindy Tye, Associate Director Athletics and Recreation and the women’s soccer head coach. “It allows us opportunity to celebrate our student athletes, the leaders they are in the classroom, community and in their sport. It highlights the importance of females in leadership roles and how their impact is felt by others. We are excited to have Melanie join us this year. She is a role model with an inspiring story, and we look forward to hearing her message!”
Melanie Clarke, Soccer
Melanie was born Antigonish, Nova Scotia and grew up in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Seeking out a sense of belonging, community, and representation is what inspired her to move back to NS when she was 18 to attend Dalhousie University. There, she completed a BA in Political Science and History with a focus on North American Colonial History while playing for the women’s soccer team.
Since graduation Melanie has coached and competed in weightlifting and CrossFit at a National level. The passion (and need) for health and wellness in her own life is what led her to assist in the creation of The Black Wellness Initiative, a cooperative of health and wellness professionals in HRM who are dedicated to introducing equity seeking communities to movement, breathing, and meditation with an Afrocentric lens.
Melanie joined the Provincial Government three years ago as a Workplace Resolution Consultant. In all her roles, from her profession, to sport, to family life she works to create an equitable, inclusive, and safe environment for all. This process includes teaching, coaching, and most importantly creating opportunities and the space for dialogue.
A proud mother of two, Melanie is also a breast cancer survivor.
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