Join other Minerva BC alumni on June 16 for an evening of cheer, camaraderie and fun conversation at John Fluevog Shoes Kitsilano! Whether you took a program ten years ago or just recently completed one, this is an opportunity to find community and connection with like-minded women and youth looking to uplift one another.
We are so grateful to partner with John Fluevog to host this event. Known for their unique shoes, the partnership is made all the more fitting with their Big Presence collection that takes inspiration from daring and influential women like Angela Davis, Viola Desmond, Malala Yousafzai, Boudica, Sahle-Work Zewde, and Emmeline Pankurst.
We caught up with Learning to Lead™ program alumna Madeleine Mah to hear how her Minerva experience has informed her leadership practice, and which story of leadership from the Big Presence line resonated with her.
Meet Madeleine Mah | Learning to Lead™ alumna, 2026
Maddy is a Grade 10 student who recently completed Minerva’s Learning to Lead™ youth program. As a young leader who strives to give back to her community, Maddy volunteers on the Lionsgate Hospital Youth Committee to organize events and plan fundraisers. Having also taken on leadership roles throughout high school, whether in group projects or extracurricular activities, Maddy wanted to build upon her existing skills and gain clarity on her values. This prompted her to join Learning to Lead™.
In taking the program, Maddy was able to take a step back to see what she valued and her strengths as a person. She learned that she loved to help out others, whether in a school project or in volunteering endeavors. Maddy reflected that the session on confidence motivated her to take a step outside of her comfort zone to try something new. She brought her closest friends together to start a school club called “Handsworth Takes Action,” which is dedicated to helping others through food and toy drives, and finding ways to donate books and supplies to other schools and communities.
For Maddy, meeting in an intentional space with other like-minded girls created a sense of community and belonging that she is excited to continue to build. Being able to hear different perspectives and find commonality in values and experiences was an empowering experience for her.
The story of Malala Yousafzai
Malala is a Pakistani female education activist who, at age eleven, was already advocating for the rights of women and girls. Malala risked her safety to be an outspoken proponent for girls’ right to education, and survived a targeted assassination attempt by the Taliban. She persisted and continued her activism, founding the Malala Fund with her father. By age seventeen, Malala became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her work.
Malala’s story resonated the most for Maddy, especially the work Malala does to advocate for young girls, beginning at such a young age. Maddy was inspired by Malala’s bravery, resilience and confidence to persevere through challenges that impacted her forever, and to continue to fight for what’s right. Maddy drew deep connections, insights and learnings when admiring the shoe’s black velvet and single pink strap, stating:
“Although darkness may encompass you… all it takes is that one beam of light, whether your motivations, dreams or ambitions, to push you to keep going to achieve what you want to, to block off the noise, and continue down your own path.”
Step into connection with other Minerva alumni
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet and forge new connections with Minera alumni like Maddy on June 16 from 6 – 8pm at John Fluevog Shoes Kitsilano. Get a ticket now!
If you’re interested in purchasing a pair of shoes from the Big Presence collection, or a different pair of Fluevogs, 50% of proceeds from shoe purchases that evening will go towards Minerva BC to help more women and youth find their leadership identity.
