Join us for an inspiring intergenerational discussion with two extraordinary Branksome Hall Head Prefects. Current Head Prefect Emmi Murphy Ives meets up with former Head Girl, acclaimed attorney and media legal analyst CK PURKS Hoffler’80, as they share what it means to be part of this legacy of leadership.

In this episode, we're debunking everything you think you know about girls’ schools. Hear how Branksome has fostered an unparalleled sense of empowerment for Emmi and CK, from tackling their biggest fears like public speaking to discovering they had the final say. Tune in for laughs, real talk and stories about finding your voice.

Follow us on Instagram at @principalEDpod and listen to the PrincipalED podcast Spotify playlist at bit.ly/PrincipalED.

Follow and subscribe to the Branksome Hall YouTube channel, where you can see the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@branksomehall.

The PrincipalED podcast is produced by Branksome Hall, Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. www.branksome.on.ca

Episode keywords: CK Purks Hoffler, Emmi Murphy Ives, head prefect, public speaking, student leadership, boarding schools, girls' schools, girls’ empowerment

Show keywords: Branksome Hall, Grace McCallum, podcast, education, girls’ education, leadership, school leadership, independent schools, private schools, girls, teens, women, academic success, social-emotional learning, resilience, well-being, future of education, university preparation, women in leadership

Get ready for an engaging and intimate look at life within Branksome Hall's Boarding community! In this special PrincipalED episode, Grace sits down with Kaitlyn, Arham, Angel, Titoluwa and Yuning, five of our Branksome boarders, who offer a genuine glimpse into their world.

Hear their first impressions of boarding life and how their perspectives have evolved, the sisterhood that makes Branksome Boarding truly special and how having a roommate can really elevate your communication skills!

Listen in as they discuss being role models for younger students, what they wish more people understood about boarding, and offer their best advice for students who might be interested in joining this unique community.

Thinking about boarding? They share how they knew they were ready and why you should consider it, making this episode a must-listen for prospective students, parents and educators alike.

Tune in for inspiration, insight and lots of laughs with this fun-loving group!

Follow us on Instagram at @principalEDpod and listen to the PrincipalED podcast Spotify playlist at bit.ly/PrincipalED.

Follow and subscribe to the Branksome Hall YouTube channel, where you can see the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@branksomehall.

The PrincipalED podcast is produced by Branksome Hall, Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. www.branksome.on.ca

Episode keywords: Boarding, Branksome Boarding, boarding students, boarding impressions, student experience, boarding misconceptions, student growth, boarding advice, prospective students

Show keywords: Branksome Hall, Grace McCallum, podcast, education, girls’ education, leadership, school leadership, independent schools, private schools, girls, teens, women, academic success, social-emotional learning, resilience, well-being, future of education, university preparation, women in leadership

Welcome back to PrincipalED! We’re launching Season 2 with a powerful live episode, recorded at the University of Toronto’s stunning new Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus—and the second event in Branksome Hall’s Innovation in Action series.

In this episode, we explore how education must evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world—and how Branksome Hall is boldly leading that change through its groundbreaking Innovation Centre and Studio Theatre (iCAST) building, opening in 2026.

We’re thrilled to share highlights from the panel discussion, expertly moderated by Shannon LEWIS’96, President of the Canadian Media Directors’ Council. Our guests discuss Canada’s growing digital and STEM skills gap, the gender divide in innovation sectors and how Branksome Hall is helping to close both—not just with talk, but with action.

Featured on the panel are:

• Shelby AUSTIN Cooper’99 – Co-founder and CEO of Arteria AI Inc.
• Eva Lau – Founding Partner of Two Small Fish Ventures
• Dr. Mara Lederman – COO and Co-Founder of Signal 1
• Megan McKellar – Associate Director, Curriculum Innovation, Branksome Hall
• Grace McCallum – Principal, Branksome Hall

Together, their expertise spans healthcare, law, HR, education, AI, media, advertising and retail, offering crucial insights into the future of work, innovation and leadership. This episode is a rallying call for the future of girls’ education, where girls and women don’t just participate in the future of tech, innovation and leadership. They define it.

Follow us on Instagram at @principalEDpod and listen to the PrincipalED podcast Spotify playlist at bit.ly/PrincipalED.

Follow and subscribe to the Branksome Hall YouTube channel, where you can see the video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@branksomehall.

The PrincipalED podcast is produced by Branksome Hall, Toronto's leading independent International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls. www.branksome.on.ca

Episode keywords: STEM, digital skills gap, future of work, leadership, women in tech, innovation gender gap, Shannon Lewis, Shelby Austin Cooper, Eva Lau, Dr. Mara Lederman, Megan McKellar, technology, artificial intelligence, AI, education innovation

Show keywords: Branksome Hall, Grace McCallum, podcast, education, girls’ education, leadership, school leadership, independent schools, private schools, girls, teens, women, academic success, social-emotional learning, resilience, well-being, future of education, university preparation, women in leadership