Leading Through Chaos
DIHYA INSIGHT presents 'Leading Through Chaos' a virtual panel about public service leadership in a time of chaotic disruption, part of the Policy Connect event series.
Join the expert panel and policy leaders from across Canada to discuss practical strategies on navigating chaos in the public sector.
Friday April 17, 2026
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. PDT
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. MST
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EST
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. AST
Speaker Bios:
Sarah Jacknife is a nationally recognized Métis policy expert, educator, and advocate for Indigenous inclusion. A proud member of the Elizabeth Métis Settlement, Sarah is the Founder and Managing Director of Jacknife Consulting Ltd., an Indigenous woman-owned firm specializing in Indigenous policy, research and education. Sarah holds a Master of Public Policy and is a sessional instructor at the University of Calgary's School of Public Policy, where she teaches Indigenous policy.
Willow Anderson (she/her) grew up in Labrador on the ancestral homelands of the Innu and Inuit and now lives in Halifax / Kjipuktuk. Through her company Social Fabric Institute Inc. she has been helping public service professionals deepen equity and foster a stronger sense of belonging for over a decade. Willow brings to this conversation many lenses including that of an academic, a consultant, a mother, a civically-engaged community member, and a white settler deeply rooted in Atlantic Canada and its contexts.
Rebecca Innes is an innovative leader in emergency management, disaster recovery, and resilience strategy who has spent nearly 20 years helping governments, businesses, and communities lead through chaos. As Founder of Rebecca Innes Consulting (RIC Disaster Management), she brings experience spanning frontline operations, executive leadership, and major disaster events across Western Canada, advancing practical, human-centred leadership and public policy approaches that strengthen trust, coordination, and recovery in times of crisis.
Kinya Baker (she/her) is an award-winning equity strategist, keynote speaker, and the Founder and Executive Director of Shades of Humanity Consulting. Based in Treaty 13 (Toronto/GTA), she leads a nationally respected practice with operations across Ontario and Alberta, working on the traditional territories of Treaty 13 and Treaty 7, and providing services across Canada.
With more than 18 years of experience at the intersection of equity, community development, and systems transformation, Kinya brings a powerful mix of strategic insight, cultural humility, and trauma-informed leadership. A registered social worker with a Master’s in Social Work and a background in psychology, DEI and Anti-racism, she has guided large-scale inclusion strategies for municipalities, healthcare networks, academic institutions, and national organizations across Turtle Island.
Kinya’s approach centers five core values: integrity, courage, collaboration,empathy, and community. Her leadership challenges institutions to move beyond performative gestures and build inclusive systems where equity is embedded into governance, policy, and everyday practice.