2018 GenNext Summit - United Way Winnipeg

400 of Winnipeg’s brightest community leaders attend 3rd annual United Way Winnipeg GenNext Summit.

For the past three years, hundreds of people focused on creating a better city for everyone joined forces at United Way Winnipeg’s GenNext Summit. The one-day development and networking conference is an opportunity for Winnipeg’s next generation of leaders to gather, listen, discuss, challenge, and be inspired. It’s a chance to start a conversation about what we are doing well as a community, and what we can do better.

GenNext Summit: Momentum brought 400 of Winnipeg's brightest leaders to the RBC Convention Centre in October.

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The 2018 Summit theme was Momentum. It was built on the notion that Winnipeg’s young change agents have already started the movement towards building a better Winnipeg. They have the ambition and the ideas to take ownership and affect meaningful change in our communities. The GenNext Summit was an opportunity to bring those leaders together and give them space to join forces on this collective goal.

GenNext Chair Callan Davey: “We’re taking ownership of our city. We take a stand against injustice & inequality. Winnipeg is where we’ve chosen to live, to make our home.” #GenNextSummit2018 pic.twitter.com/eMVLLkmWLq
— United Way Winnipeg (@UnitedWayWpg) October 17, 2018

The Summit included a keynote from Mark Chipman, Chairman of True North Sports & Entertainment, who gave his insight on leadership and the power of taking action. Jane Helbrecht, past Chair of the GenNext Council, challenged people to think about what they would do if they knew they couldn’t fail during her workshop What’s Stopping You?

Very interesting hearing from #MarkChipman about his passion not only for hockey and bringing back the @NHLJets but for the @cityofwpg and fueling the #Momentum of change through @TNYouthFDN amoung other great initiatives! @GenNextWinnipeg @UnitedWayWpg #GenNextSummit2018 pic.twitter.com/zCNr7xHHkt
— korie (@koriedawn) October 17, 2018

During the GenNext Talks: 7×7 session, seven dynamic local individuals each spoke for 7 minutes. They shared their vision to ignite passions and inspire people to act towards a better Winnipeg. They included Evan Maydaniuk , MARL & Princess Auto; Dorota Blumczynska, IRCOM; Tessa Blaikie-Whitecloud, One Just City; Nils Vik, Parlour Coffee; Alexa Joy Potashnik, BlackSpace; Kristy Muckosky, Thrive Community Support Circle; and
Michael Champagne, AYO.

“It is all of our responsibility to take care of all the children, all the time.” - @northendmc #GenNextSummit2018
— Claire McCaffrey (@clairedycat3) October 17, 2018

“I am a human being. That is the gift I bring. I am forever indebted to this community and this country for letting us in and keeping those borders open. For seeing that we had something worth protecting,” Dorota Blumczynska, IRCOM. #GenNextSummit2018 pic.twitter.com/EhWQXd4b1X
— GenNext Winnipeg (@GenNextWinnipeg) October 17, 2018

Kristy Muckosky from Thrive Winnipeg says their organization's biggest challenge is "Fighting against isolation and hopelessness" is our city. Her challenge to #gennextsummit2018 is to get involved and volunteer
— CBC Manitoba (@CBCManitoba) October 17, 2018

The day ended with the first ever GenNext Impact Studio – a smart, interactive session that gave attendees the chance to work together on a common issue, and possible solutions. This final session left the audience with the understanding that together we can create change and unite our communities.

“It’s your job to inspire others.” —@DaveyAngus #GenNextSummit2018 pic.twitter.com/igwN0v2PYW
— United Way Winnipeg (@UnitedWayWpg) October 17, 2018

And just like that, many ideas become one. Share+Pair worksheet led by @DaveyAngus was clever and kept a group of 400 moving forward. Tangible steps + accessible visions. #GenNextSummit2018 pic.twitter.com/OoNP0jR6OW
— Lindsay MacKenzie (@laemackenz) October 17, 2018