Innovation in Action: Building the Future at Branksome Hall

Welcome back to PrincipalED! We’re launching Season 2 with a powerful live episode, recorded at the University of Toronto’s stunning new Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus—and the second event in Branksome Hall’s Innovation in Action series.In this episode, we explore how education must evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world—and how Branksome Hall is boldly leading that change through its groundbreaking Innovation Centre and Studio Theatre (iCAST) building, opening in 2026. We’re thrilled to share highlights from the panel discussion, expertly moderated by Shannon LEWIS’96, President of the Canadian Media Directors’ Council. Our guests discuss Canada’s growing digital and STEM skills gap, the gender divide in innovation sectors and how Branksome Hall is helping to close both—not just with talk, but with action.Featured on the panel are:Shelby AUSTIN Cooper’99 – Co-founder and CEO of Arteria AI Inc.Eva Lau – Founding Partner of Two Small Fish VenturesDr. Mara Lederman – COO and Co-Founder of Signal 1Megan McKellar – Associate Director, Curriculum Innovation, Branksome HallGrace McCallum – Principal, Branksome HallTogether, their expertise spans healthcare, law, HR, education, AI, media, advertising and retail, offering crucial insights into the future of work, innovation and leadership. This episode is a rallying call for the future of girls’ education, where girls and women don’t just participate in the future of tech, innovation and leadership. They define it.Follow us on Instagram at @principalEDpod and listen to the PrincipalED podcast Spotify playlist at bit.ly/PrincipalED.Follow and subscribe to the Branksome Hall YouTube channel, where you can see the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@branksomehall.The PrincipalED podcast is produced by Branksome Hall, Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. www.branksome.on.caEpisode keywords: STEM, digital skills gap, future of work, leadership, women in tech, innovation gender gap, Shannon Lewis, Shelby Austin Cooper, Eva Lau, Dr. Mara Lederman, Megan McKellar, technology, artificial intelligence, AI, education innovationShow keywords: Branksome Hall, Grace McCallum, podcast, education, girls’ education, leadership, school leadership, independent schools, private schools, girls, teens, women, academic success, social-emotional learning, resilience, well-being, future of education, university preparation, women in leadership