On March 7, I had the opportunity to celebrate the start of International Women’s Day alongside some inspiring female leaders, as part of the YWCA of Toronto’s Women of Distinction awards. It was extra special because I was a recipient alongside one of the Ted Rogers School’s own – PhD candidate Charlie Wall-Andrews, who was recognized for her work to bring equity and diversity to the arts community.
While it is great that we have this one day to recognize women who inspire us, I’m lucky to have women like Charlie as part of the Ted Rogers School community every day to remind me of the amazing things women do, despite the challenges and obstacles too many women continue to face in academia and in business.
There are practical things leaders can do to close that gap. The Diversity Institute’s support of the 50/30 Initiative turns the rhetoric of wanting to increase representation of women and the diversity of corporate boards into practical steps and strategies for getting there. Thank you to another inspiring female leader, Wendy Cukier and her team, for their action on this important issue. And I’m so proud that the Ted Rogers School achieved the 50/30 challenge!
As individuals, there’s always a way to make a difference, through our actions and deeds. Martha Billes, who leads Canadian Tire and is a supporter of the Ted Rogers School, once told the Financial Post these wise words, which have inspired me in my leadership: “We are constrained only by our levels of ambition, imagination and goodwill. We women leaders have the will and the talent to turn our sights to preparing the next generations for success. Indeed, it is our obligation.”
As leaders, our ability to intervene and inspire and change the course of a life and a career should never be underestimated. When I was a student at York University, Prof. Naomi Black demonstrated to me, at a formative stage in my young adulthood, that a professor could be female, married, and have children. So every International Women’s Day, I look back on the inspiration Prof. Black provided me. It is so important that each of our students have role models that build their confidence. The Ted Rogers School has strong female leaders providing inspiration every single day. I look to the future to see what the next generation of female leaders will accomplish, with helping hands and encouragement from the women who cleared the way for them.
On March 7, I had the opportunity to celebrate the start of International Women’s Day alongside some inspiring female leaders, as part of the 
