2025 Bright Run Pender Team - in honour of Lisa Pender
This September, Lisa Pender's family will be participating in the annual Bright Run in support of breast cancer research and the Juravinski Cancer Centre, an event that was close to Lisa's heart.
2025 Bright Run - Saturday, September 6
To join their team and/or to donate visit TEAM PENDER - 2025 BRIGHT Run.
About Lisa Pender
Lisa was considered a trailblazer by many.
As a champion of mental health and wellness, she cultivated a culture of digital wellness on campus, empowering both her students and colleagues to prioritize balance, self-care and healthy habits around the use of technology.
She pioneered Mohawk College's first-ever Digital Wellness course, equipping students with tools to reflect upon and manage their use of technology in ways that positively impacted their academic and personal lives. This course will continue to encourage students to adopt healthier digital habits in the future.
Through her corporate workshops, she extended her expertise beyond academia, fostering digital wellness in local organizations and institutions, creating a ripple effect in the community. As a sought-after speaker on digital wellness, she represented the college at conferences, workshops, and corporate events for Bell Canada, Sick Kids, and St. Joseph's Hospital among others, boosting the college’s reputation as a leader in the emerging digital wellness field.
As the founder of her own successful and reputable digital wellness business, Digitally Well, Lisa linked the importance of professional development and life-long learning to real-world impact.
For over 15 years, Lisa consistently championed student engagement and wellness. Ever the sociologist, she was committed to challenging the status quo and dismantling stereotypes. Not only did her Aging in Society course accomplish this in every module, but she empowered her students to do the same.
Lisa was a connector. She inspired her colleagues and fellow educators to consider innovative approaches to teaching. She set the teaching bar high in the name of personal growth and expansion. In her classes, Lisa was an adored and respected professor and mentor to her students. She empowered her students to make deliberate choices that aligned with their values and goals. She was brilliant, positive, and always willing to lend a listening ear or provide support and advice to her friends, colleagues and students.
Lisa's lasting impact is immeasurable.