Illuminations Luncheon
presented by RBC Wealth Management
Connect. Inspire.
Advance Women’s Health Research.
11:00am Research Spotlight + Welcome Reception
12:00pm-2:00pm Lunch + Speaking Program
Join us on Friday, February 27, 2026, at the Westin Bayshore Vancouver for BC Women’s Health Foundation’s 25th Annual Illuminations Luncheon presented by RBC Wealth Management.
Dedicated to leading change in women’s health, Illuminations Luncheon champions the groundbreaking work of the Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI). This signature event unites community, corporate, government, and medical research leaders, all committed to transforming the future of women’s health in British Columbia and beyond.
Join leading changemakers for a three-course lunch and discover breakthrough innovations that are transforming women’s health—today and with your support, for generations to come.
Keynote Speaker
Jeanne Beker
For almost five decades, Jeanne Beker has been at the forefront of arts and culture. She earned her position as one of Canada’s most recognizable celebrities as a founding member of MuchMusic and the iconic host of Fashion Television. A media trailblazer and successful entrepreneur, Beker is also the daughter of Holocaust survivors and a breast cancer survivor.
Read Full Bio
For almost five decades, Jeanne Beker has been at the forefront of arts and culture. She earned her position as one of Canada’s most recognizable celebrities as a founding member of MuchMusic and the iconic host of Fashion Television. A media trailblazer and successful entrepreneur, Beker is also the daughter of Holocaust survivors and a breast cancer survivor. In her inspirational talks, she shares how she cultivated the drive, resiliency, and tenacity needed to fuel her incredible career, as well as the courage to face life’s challenges while empowering audiences to do the same.
Beker’s incredible broadcasting career began with CBC Radio when she became an arts reporter in St. John’s, Newfoundland. After three years, she returned to Toronto to work at CHUM radio and was soon co-hosting Citytv’s ground-breaking music magazine series, The New Music. In 1983, she helped launch “the nation’s music station”, MuchMusic, before becoming the host of the legendary Fashion Television, which ran for 27 years and aired in 130 countries, establishing her as Canada’s face of fashion.
A seasoned newspaper and magazine columnist and features writer, Beker was editor-in-chief of FQ and SIR magazine from 2003 to 2008. She has also been a frequent guest on myriad lifestyle shows and at the creative helm of numerous fashion lines under her own eponymous label. Since 2015, Beker’s been the style editor at The Shopping Channel (TSC) where she hosts the popular series, Style Matters, and the podcast Beyond Style Matters. She is also the co-producer of Kingdom of Dreams, a four-part documentary series examining fashion’s golden age, and the bestselling author of six books, including her recent memoir, Heart on My Sleeve: Stories from a Life Well Worn.
A breast cancer survivor, Beker’s journey has provided her with a rich, eye-opening experience. Her candour in discussing the peaks and valley of her journey has inspired people around the world. She’s now on a mission to help normalize the conversation surrounding cancer and help eradicate the fear associated with the disease.
Active with several charitable organizations, Beker has received honourary doctorates from St. Mary’s University and OCAD University. She’s also the recipient of numerous awards, including a Special Achievement Award from the Canadian Academy of Cinema and Television and a Crystal Award from Toronto Women in Film and Television. She’s also been named to the Order of Canada, inducted into the American Marketing Association’s Hall of Legends, and honoured with a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Women’s Health Research Month
Illuminations launches Women’s Health Research Month. Throughout March, BCWHF, in partnership with BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre and the WHRI, spotlight groundbreaking research and inspiring stories that drive investment in world-leading innovation. Join us in creating lasting impact—an ideal way to extend your International Women’s Day activities.
Fund-A-Need
During the Fund-a-Need portion of the event, attendees will have the opportunity to invest in a variety of financial research awards. Offered through the Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI), these awards provide a launch pad for the brightest minds and most cutting-edge ideas — improving care and changing lives for decades to come.
Research Panel
Digital Health:
Meeting Women Where and When They Are
Discover groundbreaking innovations in digital health, born from donor-funded research, that is transforming how care reaches women—anytime, anywhere.
Meet our Presenters:
Dr. Gina Ogilvie
Dr. Gina Ogilvie
Canada Research Chair | Global Control of HPV related diseases and cancer
Associate Director | Women’s Health Research Institute
Senior Public Health Scientist | BC Centre of Disease Control
Dr. Gina Ogilvie is a globally recognized leader in women’s reproductive and sexual health, with a particular expertise in cervical cancer prevention. Her research has shaped global policy as the world strives to eliminate cervical cancer, including guiding policies on HPV vaccine dosing and at-home cervical screening.
Dr. Lori Brotto
Dr. Lori Brotto
Executive Director, Women’s Health Research Institute
Dr. Lori Brotto is a renowned psychologist, researcher, and public speaker specializing in women’s sexual health and well-being. Her innovative research into mindfulness practices for improving sexual health have earned her recognition as a leader internationally. Dr. Brotto is also a dedicated advocate for advancing research that addresses health inequities and empowers individuals to live fuller, healthier lives.
Dr. Catherine Allaire
Dr. Catherine Allaire
Gynaecologist | Medical Director BC Women’s Centre for Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis
Dr. Catherine Allaire (MD, FRCSC) is a gynaecologist with special expertise in endometriosis, pelvic pain, and surgical education. She is the Medical Director of the BC Women’s Centre for Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis. Dr. Allaire was one of the first in Canada to adopt minimally invasive surgical techniques (MIS) for the treatment of gynaecologic problems, such as laparoscopic hysterectomy and laparoscopic excision of complex endometriosis. She is the creator and director of the MIS rotation, is the Director of the UBC Fellowship in Endometriosis, Pelvic Pain, and Advanced Laparoscopy, and is known across Canada and internationally as a teacher and mentor in MIS.
Zeba Khan
Zeba Khan
PhD Student | Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre
Zeba Khan’s research focuses on barriers and facilitators of seeking care for moderate to severe dysmenorrhea among Canadian youth. She has received the prestigious Killam Doctoral Scholarship and has published several notable papers.
Zeba is the Founder and Director of Free Periods Canada Foundation – a grassroots non-profit organization focusing on research, and education to address menstrual inequity in Canada. She is one of the six members of the Period Poverty Task Force (PPTF) in British Columbia, convened by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction to support the Province’s goal to end period poverty.
Dr. Paul Yong
Dr. Paul Yong
Canada Research Chair in Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain
Dr. Paul Yong is a gynaecologist and researcher at the BC Women’s Centre for Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis. His clinical practice is focused on pelvic pain, with a particular interest in endometriosis, painful periods, sexual pain, co-existing bladder and bowel problems, and pain related to the musculoskeletal system. His clinical research interests are in endometriosis and pelvic pain, and his translational research interests include bio-banking of endometriosis, gene sequencing in endometriosis, and investigating nerve formation in the pelvis as a cause of pain.
Sarah Moreheart
Sarah Moreheart
Director Mental Health + Substance Use Programs at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre
A passionate advocate and value-driven researcher for people affected by structural violence and barriers. Harm reduction and social justice is at the forefront of Sarah’s work.
Research Spotlight
Discover groundbreaking research made possible by BC Women’s Health Foundation donors during this pre-luncheon breakout session.
Research Topic: Global Cervical Cancer Elimination: Community-Based Screening in Rural Uganda
Research Topic: Global Cervical Cancer Elimination: Community-Based Screening in Rural Uganda
Research Topic: Online Screening for Postpartum Anxiety
Research Topic: Investigating Pain at its Source: Nerve Growth in Endometriosis
Laurie Smith
Global Control of HPV Related Diseases, Program Manager | WHRI and BC Cancer
Gentille Musengimana
PhD Student UBC School of Population and Public Health
Holy Ghaly
Family Medicine Resident
Mahfuza Sreya
PhD Student Researcher
WHRI Skidmore-Goodman Laboratory at BC Women’s Hospital
UBC Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Laboratory
Thank you to our Illuminations Luncheon advisors
Dr. Lori Brotto
Dr. Geneive Burley
Dr. Kathryn Dewar
Dr. Monica Li
Dr. Gina Ogilvie
Nicole Prestley
Jody Quine
Presenting
Keynote
Research Panel
Gold
Silver
Bronze
MANCHULENKO FAMILY
FOUNDATION
Media
Audio Visual
Lighting
Photography
We acknowledge that we carry out our work on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nations.
When we refer to “women”, we are referring to women in all their diversity, inclusive of LGBTQ2SAI+ individuals.