Emily Read

Dr. Emily Read, RN, PhD is a recognized speaker and researcher on resilient leadership, helping students, professionals, and leaders lead with clarity, confidence, and sustainability in the face of pressure, change, and complexity.

Dr. Read is a Full Professor in the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences and the Scientific Director of the Institute for Population Health at the University of New Brunswick, in New Brunswick, Canada. With an interdisciplinary background spanning nursing, exercise physiology, and leadership, her research focuses on healthy work environments, leadership capacity, career development, and the role of innovation and technology in supporting healthy aging and workforce sustainability.

An experienced mixed methods researcher, Dr. Richard brings deep expertise in survey design, measurement, and intervention research. Her work is widely valued for its ability to translate rigorous research into practical, real-world strategies that leaders and organizations can apply immediately. She frequently collaborates with experts across fields such as kinesiology, biomedical engineering, computer science, and business management to address complex, systems-level challenges.

In her keynote on resilient leadership, Dr. Read reframes resilience as a learnable skill rather than a personal trait. Audiences gain insight into why adaptability is no longer optional, how effective leaders learn from challenge, the importance of self-awareness and leadership impact, and why compassion—for self and others—is a critical leadership capability. Her approach blends evidence-based insight with relatable examples and actionable tools, making her message accessible across academic, corporate, and women’s leadership audiences.

Known for her empowering leadership style and engaging presence, Dr. Read creates meaningful learning experiences that leave audiences not only inspired, but better equipped to overcome challenges and lead with resilience.