Toronto – The founder of the Initiative for Women in Business along with two alumni from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management are among the one hundred prominent women named to the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) list of Canada’s Most Powerful Women for 2016.
Professor Beatrix Dart, Executive Director of the Rotman School’s Initiative for Women in Business will receive the RBC Champion award, which recognizes women who are making a distinct and describable difference to the advancement of women in the Canadian workplace. Professor Dart will be recognized during a gala at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre this evening.
“I’m honoured to win this award. What started as an idea in 2008 to provide leadership programs for women has evolved into a personal mission to play a facilitative role in bringing businesses, academia and policy makers together to create gender equality across Canada. We’ve made strides but there’s still more work to be done by all female and male leaders to advance women,” said Professor Dart.
Two Rotman alumni are also being recognized as talented leaders in WXN’s Top 100 Awards.
Kathleen O’Neill (BCom ’75), will receive the Accenture Corporate Directors award. She is Corporate Director of several companies including, ARC Resources Ltd.; Cadillac Fairview Ltd.; Finning International Inc.; Invesco Canada Funds; Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. A CPA by training, she has successfully transitioned from partner and corporate executive at PwC and BMO Bank of Montreal respectively to experienced corporate director. The three-time WXN Top 100 award winner has also been involved in the non-profit sector as a board member of several organizations for the last 30 years.
Catherine Wood (MBA ’08), will receive the Scotiabank Corporate Executives award. She is SVP, Head of Online Brokerage, Insurance Products & Marketing at Qtrade Financial Group. A team motivator with exceptional communication and problem-solving skills, she is a member of the company’s senior executive team, building strategies to strengthen the Qtrade brand and bolster the financial health of the organization.
Several graduates of the Rotman School’s Judy Project, a forum for senior executive women and Executive Programs were also recognized in WXN’s 2016 list including:
- Georgina Black, Partner & National Industry Leader, Health & Life Sciences, KPMG LLP
- Lisa Borsook, Executive Partner, WeirFoulds LLP
- Mary Deacon, Chair, Bell Mental Health Initiative, Bell
- Melissa Kennedy, EVP & Chief Legal Officer and Public Affairs, Sun Life Financial
- Sherry Peister, Board Chair, Green Shield Canada
- Janice McDonald, President, The Beacon Agency
- Sandy McIntosh, EVP, People & Culture and Chief Human Resources Officer, TELUS Communications Inc.
- Sarah Qadeer, General Counsel, Home Depot of Canada Inc.
- Kerri-Ann Santaguida, VP & General Manager of Merchant Services, American Express Canada
- Sandy Sharman, EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer, CIBC
- Jennifer Tory, Group Head, Personal and Commercial Banking, RBC
- Benita Warmbold, Senior Managing Director & CFO, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
- Anne Whelan, President & CEO, Seafair Capital Inc
Launched in 2003, the Top 100 Awards celebrate the incredible accomplishments of Canada’s leading female executives who have raised their voices, overturned obstacles, empowered the voiceless and paved a path for the next generation. The Awards also applaud the organizations and networks that support them.
The full list of WXN’s 2016 Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winners can be found at https://www.wxnetwork.com/top-100/top-100-winners/.
About Rotman’s Initiative for Women in Business
The Rotman School of Management is the only business school in Canada to have an Initiative dedicated to strengthening the female talent pipeline. Founded in 2008, the Rotman Initiative for Women in Business is a proven force for change that empowers women to advance in their careers. From the classroom to the boardroom, the Rotman Initiative provides leadership development opportunities, new ways of thinking and vital connections with like-minded professionals. With trusted forward-thinking corporations and organizations, the Rotman Initiative helps to create a business landscape that is prosperous and equitable. For more information, visit www.rotman.utoronto.ca/ProfessionalDevelopment/InitiativeForWomenInBusiness
About the Rotman School
The Rotman School of Management is located in the heart of Canada's commercial and cultural capital and is part of the University of Toronto, one of the world's top 20 research universities. The Rotman School fosters a new way to think that enables our graduates to tackle today's global business and societal challenges. For more information, visit www.rotman.utoronto.ca.
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Amy Fong
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Rotman School of Management
University of Toronto
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Email amy.fong@rotman.utoronto.ca
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