Prior Events, Speaking Engagements & Honours
Order of Canada, Governor General of Canada
I was recognized as a Member of the Order of Canada for my innovative leadership in the oil and gas industry, and for her transformational philanthropy in Canada and abroad.
The order was created in 1967 and has recognized over 7,600 people for incredibly varied contributions to the country. I’m deeply humbled to be in the company of so many incredible folks from all walks of life.
June, 2023
Moderator - Frictionless Philanthropy in Action, Giving Summit at Banff Centre
I had the privilege of moderating an engaging conversation on strengthening communities through the power of the collective and “big bets” that lead to greater impact. I was joined on the panel by Anne Marie Burgoyne, Managing Director Philanthropy at Emerson Collective and Marika Anthony-Shaw, CEO of Plus1.
May 30, 2024
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity | Banff, Alberta
Women Moving Millions Annual Summit
It was very inspiring to once again attend a Women Moving Millions Summit, which brought with it the opportunity to meet many new members and reconnect with members I have known for many years.
Women Moving Millions believes that if women step into their leadership and make big, bold investments, we can accelerate progress to realize gender equality. To support this vision and mission, WMM curates transformational learning opportunities where members can build a supportive peer network and grow within their philanthropy and leadership. By leveraging the collective resources, expertise, and influence of our community, along with working in partnership with frontline movement leaders, we believe we can build a more equitable world for all.
May 1 - 3, 2024
Brooklyn, New York
Speaker - PhilanthroTHINK - Nonprofit Founders and Organizational Succession: Joys and Challenges
Put on by the Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership (MPNL) program at Carleton University, the PhilanthroTHINK event brought together panelists from a diverse range of backgrounds to discuss the joys and challenges of leading nonprofits. I enjoyed participating on the panel with Dr. Susanna Kislenko, Marc Hull-Jacquin, and Dr. Paloma Raggo, moderated by Dr. Susan Phillips.
March 25, 2024 | 4 pm
Speaker - École Olds High School, Diversity Day
It was a pleasure to speak alongside my niece, Jana Kemmere, at École Olds High School for the return of their Diversity Day. The purpose of the day was to help increase understanding of people’s perspectives and differences, and 15 incredible sessions were put on covering a range of important topics.
March 24, 2024
Honoree - Breakfast with Grace 2023, Grace Institute
I was grateful to be recognized as Honoree at the Grace Institute’s 2023 Breakfast with Grace.
The Grace Institute works to empower low-income women to achieve employment and economic self-sufficiency by providing job-skills training, counselling, placement services, and continuous learning opportunities. To learn more about them and to support their work, visit:
October 26, 2023
Commencement Speaker - Growth Catalyst Program, Mount Royal University
The Growth Catalyst program is designed for entrepreneurs, business owners & their leadership teams to create and execute strategic growth plans & scale up their businesses. Built from proven methodologies and approaches that result in impactful growth strategies. Value is achieved by educating and coaching a cross-functional company team using practical tools in an accelerated and disciplined way.
Guest Faculty, Fund Development - Rozsa Arts Management Program
The Rozsa Foundation has partnered with the University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business Executive Education in providing this professional development program for arts managers to help ensure Alberta’s vibrant arts and culture sector continues to enrich us all.
Mary was guest faculty at the program in 2022 and 2023, speaking on Fund Development.
Tokens Lecture Series - University of Calgary
Join local philanthropist/entrepreneur Mary Tidlund and UCalgary Chancellor Jon Cornish in an intimate discussion to kick-off Haskayne's new "Tokens Lecture Series". This series will flip the idea of tokenism on its head and investigate how the things that "other" us actually develop us into great leaders. This event is open to all people interested in supporting EDIA initiatives.
February 9, 2023 | 5:30 p.m. MST
Event Centre, 3rd floor Mathison Hall, UCalgary Main Campus
Keynote Speaker - International Women’s Day - “The Power of Diversity and Innovation”
The Leadership Development for Women Group at the College invites you to join us to mark International Women's Day on March 8, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. as we hear from Mary Tidlund in an address titled “The Power of Diversity and Innovation”.
Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technolgy (Virtual)
March 8, 2022 | 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST
Indie Author Book Fair
Join us for an Indie Author Book Fair as we celebrate local authors and their books from the Foothills and surrounding areas. Mary Tidlund will be a featured author at the event.
November 5, 2022 | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. MST
Mary Tidlund and Cheryl Foggo in Conversation
Join us for a conversation between Mary Tidlund, author of Memoirs of a Wildcat and Cheryl Foggo, author of pourin' down rain with Morenike Olaosebikan acting as moderator. Free, online.
April 22, 2021 | 7:00 pm MST
An Evening of Memoir with Mary Tidlund & Sharon Wood
Join us for readings and an interactive conversation with memoirists Mary Tidlund and Sharon Wood. Mary is best known for her global philanthropic impact and for being the first black woman to be CEO of a public energy corporation, and Sharon as the first woman from the Americas to climb Mount Everest. Common ground brings these two engaging women together to share their pivotal experiences in finding their authentic paths and rocking their worlds.
March 8, 2021 | 7:00 - 8:30 pm MST
Calgary Black Achievement Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
February 7, 2021 | Available online here. Watch Mary’s interview starting at 2:02:15.
Mary Tidlund - Memoirs of a Wildcat with Cheryl Foggo
How often do two former Miss Black Alberta Beauty Queens from Bowness and Montgomery publish books in the same year? Join us online for the virtual launch of Mary Tidlund’s book "Memoirs of A Wildcat: Unadoptable, Unstoppable, Unconditional Love," as celebrated playwright, novelist, and screenwriter Clem Martini hosts this lively conversation!
November 25, 2020 | 7:00 - 8:30 pm MST
SHEInnovates: Stay Connected. Stay Inspired.
Join Mary Tidlund, Suzanne Tough, and Jacquelyn Cardinal for a talk during this virtual event to be inspired by remarkable women leading innovation in Alberta and to engage with a dynamic community taking on our biggest challenges.
This event, originally live on November 24, 2020, is now available for viewing through TELUS OPTIK TV! You can find it through the VOD Storefront, Community Connections Channel 345 during the month of March, and under Free Movies.
SheInnovates Alberta
November 24, 2020 | 4:45 pm - 6:30 pm MST
Podcasts & Interviews
Unstoppable You! with Christine Patton
Voice America
What if businesses lead by ‘power with’ instead of by ‘pocketbook’?
Businesses are People Too
The Homestretch with Doug Dirks & Jenny Howe
CBC Listen
Articles
Tidlund's autobiography a tale of unconditional love
Rocky Mountain Outlook
Calgary Herald Best Sellers List
Calgary Herald
Calgary Black Achievement Awards | Calgary Black Chambers