AOA President Ann Van Heest, MD, FAOA, connected with Canadian Orthopaedic Association (COA) Past President, Laurie Hiemstra, MD, PhD, FRCSC, to discuss her unusual path to leadership, her plan for improving diversity in orthopaedics, and the most pressing critical issues affecting the COA. While waitlisting and licensure issues between provinces continue to be a challenge within the orthopaedic specialty, Dr. Hiemstra made it her goal to advocate for underrepresented groups, unify the community, and help develop competent young orthopaedic leaders.