About Women Leading Philanthropy
Women Leading Philanthropy (WLP) is far more than a giving circle – it’s a movement of passionate, community-minded women committed to transforming health care for women and their families at Royal University Hospital (RUH). Together, donors’ champion innovative initiatives that push boundaries and redefine what’s possible.
Donors to the program combine their high-impact financial commitments in order to create a $100,000 annual WLP grant. Each year, female physicians, practitioners and researchers at RUH compete for funding and from a short-list of three grant applicant finalists who “pitch” their project at the annual WLP voting meeting – donors will select one transformative project to receive the annual $100,000 grant.
How WLP Works
Designed to challenge conventions, WLP focuses exclusively on groundbreaking women’s health projects. This unique model fosters engaged, collective philanthropy, empowering members to take an active role in funding decisions.
Donors commit $600 per year (under 40 years) or $1,200 per year (40+ years), with convenient monthly giving options available. Once enrolled, donors engage in three annual meetings where they listen to project proposals, vote to select which initiative to support, and receive updates on the project’s progress. These events also offer excellent networking opportunities, bringing together influential women and visionary leaders driving change in Saskatchewan.
Join WLP to make a meaningful impact, lead change, and help transform women’s health care in Saskatchewan.
How to Join | Renew | Sponsor
Become a member of RUH Foundation’s Women Leading Philanthropy by clicking the New Member button below and email the completed form to info@ruhf.org. Already a WLP donor? You can easily renew your commitment by clicking the Renew Your Membership button below or by calling 306.655.1984. Interested in sponsoring the WLP program? Learn more below.
Dr. Mary Kinloch, WLP Program Chair, Area Department Lead, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Saskatoon
Heather Morrison, 2025–2026 WLP Honourary Chair, Public Speaking Coach & Broadcaster
2025 Grant Recipient
Congratulations to the recipient of the 2025 Royal University Hospital Foundation Women Leading Philanthropy $100,000 grant, Dr. Sabira Valiani!
We are excited to invest in you and your project Connect-ICU – Using Human-Centred Design to Transform Patient and Family-Centred Care in the ICU and we look forward to seeing the positive change that will come thanks to your commitment and hard work.
Past WLP Grant Recipients:
Dr. Candice Jackel-Cram (2018)
Universal Testing of Endometrial Cancer: Reaching an Under-Served Population
Dr. Soo Kim (2019)
Aftermath of Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction: Sorting out Shoulder Dysfunction through Biomechanical Analysis
Dr. Laura Hopkins (2020)
Enhanced Recovery for Gynecologic Oncology (ERGO) – Improving the Surgical Experience of Women with Cancers of the Reproductive Tract
Dr. Jennifer Brown Broderick (2021)
HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) Self-Sampling for Primary Cervical Cancer Screening in Underserved Saskatchewan Women
Dr. Sarah Donkers (2022)
New Hope in MS: Promoting Functional Neurorecovery Through Early Intervention
Dr. Mita Manna (2023)
Mainstream Genetic Testing: A Pilot Program in Saskatchewan
Drs. Mina Niazi and Gudrun Caspar-Bell (2024)
Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoporosis in Women with Chronic Liver Disease
Apply for the WLP Grant
For information or to apply for a Women Leading Philanthropy $100,000 grant, please click here.
Upcoming Events
WLP donors, please watch for your invitation to register for the January meeting.
More Information
For more information about Women Leading Philanthropy at Royal University Hospital Foundation please read our Fact Sheet and/or contact:
Sydney Ednie
Major Gifts Officer at
306.655.477 or sydney.ednie@ruhf.org
Women Leading Philanthropy Brochure
Photo Gallery
Images by D & M Images
