Medora Uppal (she/her) has dedicated her career to advancing social justice and gender equity.
Medora is a dynamic leader, a creative problem-solver, and a tireless advocate for women, gender-diverse people, and families. From 2011 to 2022, she served as the Director of Operations at YWCA Hamilton, focusing on the development of high-quality programs and services, strengthening organizational capacity, and adapting YWCA Hamilton’s programs and services to best meet the community’s needs.
Medora has played an active leadership role at community planning tables across a variety of sectors. She has served on the boards of Today’s Family, the Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton & Area, and has chaired the Equity Advisory Council of the Greater Hamilton Health Network, the City of Hamilton’s Early Years Equity and Engagement Advisory Group, the Women’s Housing Planning Collaborative Hamilton, and the Women Abuse Working Group.
Medora was appointed as CEO of YWCA Hamilton on December 1, 2022. Her transformational leadership has led to the expansion of YWCA Hamilton’s housing and gender-based violence services; programs to advance economic opportunities for women; and the development of improved gender-based healthcare, , new capital projects, and a new child care centre.She has been recognized for her tireless work with YWCA Canada’s esteemed Carolyn B. Bray Award in 2019, and before joining YWCA Hamilton, she was a recipient of a YWCA Hamilton Woman of Distinction Award in 2010.
Website: https://www.ywcahamilton.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ywca-hamilton-on-canada/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ywcahamilton/
Twitter: https://x.com/YWCA_Hamilton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YWCAHamilton/
Session: ENRICH Leadership Panel
Leadership isn’t just about climbing the ladder—it’s about navigating challenges, making bold decisions, and staying true to yourself along the way. Join us for a thought-provoking and unfiltered conversation with senior leaders as they share insights on what it really takes to succeed at the top.
This honest and engaging panel will cover:
- Success secrets & leadership lessons—What they wish they knew earlier in their careers.
- The Glass Cliff & Gender Bias—What happens when women are put in high-risk leadership roles, and how to overcome systemic challenges.
- Balancing leadership & life—How to lead effectively without burnout and set boundaries for sustainable success.
- The Future of Women in Leadership—How AI, hybrid work, and evolving workplace dynamics are shaping new opportunities (and new challenges).
- The Power of Influence—Building presence, making an impact, and advocating for yourself and others in leadership.
Whether you’re a rising leader or an executive looking to refine your approach, this session will leave you with practical takeaways, candid advice, and renewed confidence in your leadership journey.