Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes center stage at Queens
Queens University of Charlotte’s signature Learning Society event returned on Tuesday, Oct. 27, welcoming the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, the 23rd Prime Minister of Canada, to a sold-out crowd at the Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement.
Delivering a keynote address titled “Navigating Change, Empowering Progress: A Roadmap for Leaders Committed to Community and Democracy,” Trudeau shared insights from his time in office, emphasizing strategies for democratic resilience and inclusive leadership.
Made possible by a transformative gift from Bob and Susan Salvin through the Salvin Impact Fund, the event reinforced Queens’ legacy as a premier regional convener in Charlotte, serving as a hub of thought leadership, public programming, and civic engagement.
Elon University President Connie Ledoux Book served as the moderator for the main evening program, guiding a thought-provoking discussion on global governance and civic discourse.
Just prior to the evening lecture, Trudeau participated in a student-led discussion moderated by Queens student Sana Konar ’28, a biology major from Charlotte. Alongside three student co-panelists, Trudeau emphasized the importance of youth engagement in shaping the future of their communities.
“We don’t need you to be leaders tomorrow, we need you to be leaders today,” Trudeau said. “We need you to understand the choices you make now, how you choose to spend your time, how you choose to spend your money, how you choose to vote, how you choose to engage, matter deeply and can shape the world.”
Trudeau’s message struck a powerful, immediate chord with Konar, founder and president of the Queens Health Equity Alliance. The student group created a community resource map piloted across local organizations, connecting underserved populations directly with vital healthcare accessibility tools.
For Konar, Trudeau’s call to action gave fresh purpose to her own career path as she prepares to apply to medical school this coming spring.
“I don’t have to wait until I’m a doctor to help bridge healthcare equity gaps,” Konar shared. “I want to work right now to progress healthcare equity and bridge those gaps to make an impact today.”
Redefining True Leadership
Reflecting on his decade in office navigating international diplomacy and domestic policy, Trudeau challenged traditional notions of authority.
“Real leadership isn’t about being the boss and telling everyone how it’s going to be,” Trudeau said. “Real leadership is empowering everyone around you to be the very best version of themselves. Leadership is about lifting up all those around you to try and create the maximum impact.”
A Uniquely Transformative Experience for Queens
For Konar and her fellow student panelists, the opportunity to sit down with a former head of state highlighted the unique value of the Queens student experience. Reflecting on the event, Konar emphasized how moments like these inspire students to think bigger about their own potential.
“It’s incredibly important to have global leaders come and speak in Charlotte. It helps us imagine what is possible, how big our dreams can be,” Konar said. “It gives us an opportunity to interact with global leaders that we wouldn’t be able to otherwise if it weren’t for the Learning Society.”
In closing, Trudeau left the Charlotte audience with an empowering note of hope for the future of global democracy and youth engagement.
“I remain optimistic because I’ve seen just how many good people throughout political systems around the world are leaning in on trying to do right by their people and right by the future that we borrow from our grandchildren rather than inherit from our parents.”