Manufacturing the Pivot with Diane Richard
Learn how two Canadian plants turned risk, regulation, and responsibility into opportunity
Event Details
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Wednesday, March 11, 2026
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Online/Virtual
Cost: Free
Leadership Matters: Manufacturing the Pivot
Join us for an exploration of two case studies that challenge a common misconception about manufacturing as routine or disconnected from leadership theory. Drawing on the experiences of DuPont's Kingston facility and Quaker's Peterborough plant, this session reframes manufacturing as a collaborative, innovative, and socially consequential leadership context. Through two stories of strategic pivots in the context of regulatory uncertainty and calculated risk, this session illustrates how leaders in manufacturing operate at the intersection of people, policy, and market opportunity. Highlighting leadership as a process of influence, accountability and problem-solving, participants will find practical lessons for leadership in complex and uncertain environments.
Presenter:
Diane Richard brings more than 40 years of leadership experience at DuPont Canada and PepsiCo Foods Canada. She has guided large teams through periods of significant change, including times of business uncertainty and plant closures. Trained as a chemist, Diane credits outstanding mentors for shaping her approach to tackling complex challenges and fostering resilient teams. Today, she leads her own consulting firm, supporting organizations of all sizes as they navigate transformation and growth.
Leadership Matters: Connecting Knowledge & Action
This virtual lecture series is hosted in partnership with Trent’s Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership and the Leadership & Democracy Lab, along with the Frost Centre for Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies and the Department of Political Studies. The series highlights diverse perspectives on leadership with the goal of sparking dialogue, sharing knowledge, and bridging leadership research with practice. Join leadership scholars, experts, and practitioners who showcase a diverse range of leadership expertise. View the full schedule of upcoming webinars.
Contact Info
Trent University Library & Archives