Deirdre LaBassiere is a trailblazing governance specialist and survivor whose journey from homelessness and hardship to governance expert and civic leader embodies bold, transformative leadership. Chair of WAITS and the Legacy Centre of Excellence, Deirdre has pioneered frameworks like Governance with Soul and Self-Governance, embedding equity, dignity, and resilience into systems that serve society’s most vulnerable. With a legal background, a legacy mindset, and unshakeable purpose, she transforms trauma into strategy and lived experience into leadership.  Deirdre is a woman who not only breaks glass ceilings—she rebuilds the roof so others can rise.