Published by Kristen Edmunds | REALTOR® & Associate Broker | Calgary & Southern Alberta

Saturday: Expanding Leadership in a Room Steeped in History

Saturday began with another inspiring session in the Library at the Fairmont Empress — a room that’s seen over a century of conversations between world leaders, authors, diplomats, and visionaries. Originally a private reading and meeting space for VIP guests, the Library was designed to embody the same grace and intellectual power Queen Victoria was known for. Sitting in that space, surrounded by strong, driven women, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of history — and the rising sense of our own.

We explored themes of visibility, authority, and embodiment — not as buzzwords, but as lived experiences. How we lead. How we show up. How we soften. This retreat wasn’t about doing more. It was about being more — with less hustle and more clarity. With structure to anchor us, but space to rise.

Sunset Views & Supper at Vista 18

After a full day of digging deep into identity and leadership, we wrapped up the evening at Vista 18, a rooftop restaurant at the Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites. The panoramic view of the city and harbour at sunset was nothing short of stunning.

We talked about life, business, and everything in between — laughing over perfectly grilled steaks and clinking glasses filled with sparkling non-alcoholic rosé wine. There’s something powerful about good food and great company after a day of soul work. It’s like everything settles in a little deeper.

And I couldn’t help but take a moment to appreciate how far I’ve come: from running non-stop in my business, to making space for this kind of reflection and connection. Being able to pause, take in the view, and truly enjoy it? That’s the kind of wealth I’m building now — the kind that nourishes more than just the bank account.

Reflection

I went to Victoria expecting strategy and structure. I got that — and so much more. I left Saturday feeling a little taller, a little softer, and a lot more aligned. Not because everything was perfect, but because I let myself be fully present in the process. And that shift? That’s where leadership lives.

To be continued…

Related Topics:

• From Harbour Views to Inner Shifts: Day One at the Elevated Mastermind

• Sunday in Victoria: Water Taxis, Rose Gardens & Whale Watching

• Slow Mornings, Sweet Endings: My Final Day in Victoria

Let’s Stay Connected

If you're navigating a season of change — buying, selling, or realigning your lifestyle with what matters most — I'd love to support you. I specialize in helping clients in Calgary and Southern Alberta make smart, strategic real estate moves with heart and clarity.
📩 Reach out any time, or follow me on Instagram @kristenedmunds.realestate

Kristen Edmunds is a Calgary-area REALTOR® and Associate Broker with KIC Realty, specializing in acreages, luxury homes, and smart buy/sell strategies. With expertise in rural properties (water wells, septic, equestrian facilities) and a client-obsessed approach, Kristen helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals with confidence and ease.

Friday morning, Brenda and Kiara came by to check out my room (I was still soaking in the harbour views) before we walked over together to the Fairmont Empress, where we’d be staying for the rest of the retreat.

Let me just say — changing hotels with a backpack and a water bottle clipped to it made me feel like a schoolgirl on a field trip, especially with my little loafers on. We had a good laugh about it, but in that moment, it felt symbolic. I was arriving not just physically but mentally, ready to learn, to stretch, and to grow.

Walking into the Fairmont felt like stepping into a new version of myself — one that was ready to take up space, make bold moves, and lead with intention.

Our mastermind sessions that day were held in the iconic Library at the Fairmont Empress — a room steeped in over a century of history. Originally created as a private reading and meeting room for VIP guests, it’s hosted royalty, authors, world leaders, and visionaries since the hotel opened in 1908. Queen Victoria herself, known for her intellectual presence and quiet authority, embodied the energy of this space — and being there, surrounded by powerhouse women, felt incredibly aligned. It was a reminder that leadership doesn’t always have to be loud to be powerful.

Our conversations inside that library were deep, raw, and beautifully expansive. We talked about alignment, vision, and releasing the narratives that no longer serve us. Phones and laptops were tucked away. We were fully present, fully human — laughing, crying, and connecting on a level that went far beyond business.

Later in the day, our coach Elise Montgomery treated us to High Tea at the Fairmont. It was elegant, yes — the tea towers, the linens, the view — but more than that, it was intentional. Elise encouraged us to simply receive. As women, and especially as leaders, we're often the ones pouring into others. Sitting down and letting someone else pour the tea was symbolic of the deeper work we were doing: softening, surrendering, and remembering that we’re allowed to be held, too.

After tea, Nancy Ball, a local luxury real estate agent, graciously gave us a private tour of three stunning multi-million-dollar homes in the area. Each property offered something different — thoughtful design, coastal elegance, and the kind of inspiration that sparks new vision. Nancy then took a few of us over to the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, where we shared a meal at The Snug, their cozy ocean-view restaurant. It was the perfect place to pause, breathe, and take in just how expansive this retreat was becoming — not just in what we were learning, but in how we were feeling.

To be continued…

Related Topics:

• Elevated Reflections: A Real Estate Mastermind Retreat in Victoria, BC

• Saturday in Victoria: Leadership Lessons & Ocean Views

• Sunday in Victoria: Water Taxis, Rose Gardens & Whale Watching

Let’s Stay Connected

If you’re someone who values clarity, connection, and confidence in your real estate journey — I’d love to work with you. I specialize in helping clients across Calgary and Southern Alberta buy and sell with strategy, heart, and ease. Reach out anytime, or follow my journey on Instagram @kristenedmunds.realestate.

Kristen Edmunds is a Calgary-area REALTOR® and Associate Broker with KIC Realty, specializing in acreages, luxury homes, and smart buy/sell strategies. With expertise in rural properties (water wells, septic, equestrian facilities) and a client-obsessed approach, Kristen helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals with confidence and ease.