CFUW - Ottawa upcoming events

CFUW-Ottawa Speaker Series: Brain-Heart Interconnectome (05 Oct 2026)

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Dr. Ruth Slack, Full professor in the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa

Dr. Ruth Slack and her research group’s long term goals are to promote the regeneration of the damaged brain after stroke or in neurodegenerative diseases. She and her team have shown that proteins that regulate cell replication can also play important roles in the regulation of neural stem cell self renewal and long term maintenance in the embryonic and adult brain. Dr. Slack’s group has also shown that mitochondrial dynamics and function have a major impact on adult stem cells and their differentiation, thus changes in metabolism or defects in mitochondrial function in the context of neurodegenerative diseases may have a major impact on neurogenesis, regeneration and neurological function. By exploiting new knowledge of these key regulatory pathways, they plan to activate the neuronal precursor and stem cell pools in order to facilitate regeneration of the damaged brain.

Dr. Ruth Slack

Dr. Katey Rayner, Chief scientific officer and vice president of research, University of Ottawa Heart Institute

Dr. Katey Rayner is globally recognized for her exceptional contributions to understanding the roles of inflammation in driving atherosclerosis and cholesterol metabolism. She is the director of the Cardiometabolic microRNA Laboratory at the UOHI and the assistant dean of research and special projects in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa, where she is also a full professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology. Dr. Rayner is a skilled leader of interdisciplinary research teams. She has guided biomedical scientists, chemists and clinician investigators, and is committed to translating basic discoveries to clinical application.

Dr. Katey Rayner

Topic: Brain-Heart Interconnectome

Drs Ruth Slack and Katey Rayner are both Researchers and Professors at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Rayner is Vice President, Research and Chief Scientific Officer at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Dr. Slack is the Director of the University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute.

Both are key members of the Brain-Heart Interconnectome (BHI), a research program dedicated to advancing the understanding of the intricate connections between the brain and heart. Research at the BHI indicates that these two vital organs do not function in isolation and likely contribute together to health and disease. Thus, can cardiovascular disease affect brain health? Do neurological conditions such as dementia and stroke affect cardiovascular health? How does this two-way relationship work? The BHI’s cutting-edge research explores these important questions. Based on their research, Drs Slack and Rayner will help us understand the brain-heart connection and how we can use this knowledge to implement benefits for our health.

Fashion Show and Luncheon (19 Oct 2026)

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

New Event- Fashion Show and Luncheon

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Enjoy a three course lunch while viewing beautiful fashions modelled by some of our very own members provided by one of Ottawa's most unique women's clothing boutiques-Three Wild Women

Join the fun and hopefully find clothes you would love to own

An on-site shop will be available after the lunch for your shopping pleasure

Monday, October 19, 2026

Check-in starting at 11:00 am

The Royal Ottawa Golf Club

1405 Aylmer Rd., Gatineau, Quebec

Your ticket includes:

An Elegant Lunch

Fashion Show

Trivia Game

Free Parking on site

The proceeds from the donation portion of the ticket will go towards the CFUW-Ottawa Scholarship Trust Fund. Official tax receipts will be issued.

Registration is open to all CFUW-Ottawa members and guests

Ticket for the Lunch $85.00- (includes tax, service charge and a donation to the CFUW-Ottawa Scholarship Trust Fund)

Registration:

Payment:

Please pay by cheque or by e-transfer

All cheques are to be made payable to "CFUW-Ottawa"

and mailed or dropped off at Alice Bolt's at 1531 Caton St., Ottawa, ON K1H 6J3

By e-transfer use the email gardenreception1@gmail.com

(Auto deposit has been set, so no security question is required)

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CFUW-Ottawa Speaker Series: Why Women Matter in Philanthropy (02 Nov 2026)

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Lisa Trefzger Clarke, Postdoctoral Researcher in the MPNL (Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership) Program, Carleton University

Lisa Trefzger Clarke is an educator, scholar and social justice advocate living on the Treaty 20 and Williams Treaties’ traditional lands of the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg. She’s the daughter of a German immigrant and German-Jewish refugee, and identifies as queer and disabled. With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit work and leadership, she now researches the intersections of feminist care work, policy, legislation and frontline practice. Her scholarship includes intersectional feminism, adult and transformative learning, public education, feminist psychotherapy, and the voluntary sector.

Lisa Trefzger Clarke

Topic: Why Women Matter in Philanthropy