About Women Leading Philanthropy
Women Leading Philanthropy (WLP) is more than a giving circle – it’s a movement of passionate, community-minded women committed to transforming health care and advancing innovation at Royal University Hospital (RUH). Together, donors champion bold initiatives that push boundaries and redefine what’s possible in health and research.
Through WLP, female philanthropists come together to empower women working in health care and research at RUH. The program provides a platform for female physicians, practitioners, and researchers to bring their visionary projects to life.
How WLP Works
WLP is designed to foster engaged, collective philanthropy. It empowers members to take an active role in supporting female leaders in health and research by helping fund projects with the potential to create meaningful impact across any area of health care.
Each year, donors combine their high-impact financial commitments ($600 annually for those under 40 and $1,200 for those 40 and over*) to create a $100,000 WLP grant. Members come together for three annual gatherings: the September voting meeting, where three shortlisted, female-led projects are pitched and one is selected to receive full funding; the January meeting, which provides an update on the funded project’s progress; and the June meeting, which includes a final update and celebration of the project’s achievements. These events also offer valuable networking opportunities, connecting like-minded, visionary women who are driving change in Saskatchewan’s health and research sectors.
*Monthly giving options available.
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
