Women Leaders

In every domain touched by TheFutureEconomy.ca, there are exemplary female leaders who are transforming Canada’s economy, inspiring young women and girls, and breaking down barriers towards gender equality. Here are a selection of insights from female leaders on women in the workforce in Canada, in celebration of International Women’s Day.

Op-Ed Canada’s Growth Strategy Must Support Women-Led Businesses Sonia Prashar President & Founder spPR Inc
Women LeadersEntrepreneurshipWork
Op-Ed Why the Road to the Boardroom Starts in Girlhood Jennifer Flanagan Co-Founder and CEO Actua
EducationWomen LeadersWork
Op-Ed From Curiosity to Career: We Must Start Early to Build the Future of Women in STEM Cindy Adams Executive Director Scientists in School
EducationDiversityWomen Leaders
Op-Ed The Future of Gender Equality in Corporate Canada Caroline Codsi Founder & CEO Women in Governance
Women LeadersCompetitivenessWomen LeadersWork
Op-Ed A Strengthened Care Economy is the Future of Gender Equality in Canada Sarah Kaplan Distinguished Professor Rotman School of Management Susan Prentice Professor of Sociology University of Manitoba
Women LeadersGender EqualityWork
Op-Ed The War on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a War on Human Rights Tamara Thermitus Distinguished Boulton Senior Fellow McGill University’s Faculty of Law
DiversityGender EqualityWomen LeadersWork
Op-Ed Mind the Gap: The Motherhood Penalty and the Future of DEI in Canada Harmy Mendoza Executive Director WomanACT
Women LeadersDiversityWork
Op-Ed AI Advantage: Why Women Entrepreneurs Are Key to Canada’s Tech Leadership Sonia Sarrami Director of AI Innovation NAAAP Toronto
Women LeadersEntrepreneurshipTech
Op-Ed Canada’s Moment to Lead: Advancing Gender Equality Mitzie Hunter President and CEO Canadian Women’s Foundation
Women LeadersDiversityWork
Op-Ed Intersectionality at Work: Why Gender-Only Approaches Aren’t Enough Golnaz Golnaraghi Founder and President Accelerate Her Future
DiversityWomen LeadersWork
Op-Ed The Future of Impact Venture Capital in Canada: Spotlighting Women’s Health Annie Thériault Managing Partner Cross-Border Impact Ventures (CBIV)
Women LeadersHealthTech
Op-Ed It’s Time for Feminist Entrepreneurship to Be the Powerhouse It Can Be Andrea Gunraj Vice President of Public Engagement Canadian Women’s Foundation
Women LeadersEntrepreneurshipSMEs
Op-Ed Five Generations in One Workforce: Are Intergenerational Teams Chaotic or a Competitive Advantage? Chantelle Little Founder and CEO Tiller
WorkEntrepreneurshipWomen Leaders
Op-Ed Empowering Women: Supporting Menopause in the Workplace Helena Pagano Executive Vice-President, Chief People and Culture Officer Sun Life
Women LeadersGender EqualityWork
Op-Ed How to Better Support Women Entrepreneurs in Canada Wendy Cukier Founder and Academic Director The Diversity Institute at the Ted Rogers School of Management, Toronto Metropolitan University
Women LeadersEntrepreneurshipGender Equality
Op-Ed Embracing Inclusive Leadership for a Better Tomorrow Sonja Volpe CEO BNP Paribas Paulette Senior Senator Senate of Canada
Women LeadersGender EqualityWork
Video Interview Leadership, Diversity, and Investment: Scaling Canadian Startups Kayla Isabelle CEO Startup Canada Janet Bannister Founder and Managing Partner Staircase Ventures Sasha Krstic President Mastercard Canada
EntrepreneurshipInvestment AttractionSMEsWomen Leaders
Op-Ed Less Talk, More Walk: Empowering Women Requires Bold Actions Lara Zink President and CEO Women in Capital Markets
Gender EqualityPeople EconomyWomen LeadersWork
Op-Ed How to Overcome Tall Poppy Syndrome and Create a Culture of Inclusivity Rumeet Billan CEO Women of Influence+
Women LeadersEconomyEmpowermentWork
Op-Ed How Sponsorship Helps Women Advance Their Careers Andrea Gunraj Vice President of Public Engagement Canadian Women’s Foundation
Women LeadersGender EqualityTalent WarWork
Op-Ed How Canada Can Do Better for Working Mothers and Caregivers Paulette Senior President and CEO Canadian Women’s Foundation
Gender EqualityEmpowermentWomen LeadersWork
Video Interview Lessons in Entrepreneurship with Arlene Dickinson from Dragons’ Den Arlene Dickinson Executive Chair of the Board Believeco:Partners
EntrepreneurshipCompetitivenessWomen Leaders
Video Interview Canada Needs a Network for Crisis Response Véronique Lecault Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer AbCellera
BiotechTechWomen Leaders
Op-Ed Sustainability and Fashion in 2023: Harnessing Community Engagement Ashley Freeborn Co Founder and CEO Smash + Tess
SustainabilityClimate PlanningWomen Leaders
Video Interview How Canada can Implement the National Indigenous Economic Strategy Tabatha Bull President and CEO Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
IndigenousReconciliationWomen Leaders
Op-Ed The Future of our Economy Hinges on Valuing Women’s Care Work Paulette Senior President and CEO Canadian Women’s Foundation
Women LeadersEconomyGender Equality
Op-Ed The Economic Necessity of Improving Qualified Immigrant Settlement in Canada Alka Kumar Research Affiliate with the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration program Toronto Metropolitan University
ImmigrationPolicyWomen Leaders
Op-Ed A Positive Step Forward for Economic Reconciliation Tabatha Bull President and CEO Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
Aboriginal BusinessIndigenousWomen Leaders
Spotlight Interview Support Networks for Social Innovators Carol Lee Chair Vancouver Chinatown Foundation
InnovationWomen Leaders
Spotlight Interview How to Improve Canada’s Culture of Innovation Teresa Marques President and CEO Rideau Hall Foundation
InnovationCompetitivenessWomen Leaders
Op-Ed Canada Needs More Urgency on Digital ID Iliana Oris Valiente Managing Director and Canada Innovation Lead Accenture Joni Brennan President Digital ID and Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC)
Digital TransformationPolicyTechWomen Leaders
Video Interview The Future of Impact Investing in Canada Geeta Sankappanavar CEO Akira Impact
ImpactWomen Leaders
Video Interview Tech Adoption for Canada’s Advanced Manufacturing SMEs Irene Sterian President and CEO ReMAP Network
ManufacturingInnovationTechWomen Leaders
Spotlight Interview Collaboration to Strengthen Canada’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Andrea Johnston Assistant Deputy Minister Innovation Canada
ManufacturingInnovationTechWomen Leaders
Video Interview The Future of Medtech and Life Sciences in Alberta Breanne Everett CEO and Co-Founder Orpyx Medical Technologies
TechInnovationWomen Leaders
Spotlight Interview Carbon Capture and Hydrogen in Edmonton and Canada Kate Chisholm Senior Vice-President and Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer Capital Power
CleantechInvestment AttractionWomen Leaders
Spotlight Interview Edmonton’s Immense Hydrogen Potential Rachel Smith Vice President and General Manager Canada Air Products
CleantechInvestment AttractionWomen Leaders
Video Interview Alberta and Canada’s AI-Driven Future Nicole Janssen Co-Founders and Co-CEO AltaML Cory Janssen Co-Founders and Co-CEO AltaML
AIInnovationTechWomen Leaders
Video Interview Shifting to Long-term Sustainability Chett Matchett Associate VP of Strategy, Operations, and Social Economics ATB Financial
SustainabilityCleantechInnovationNatural ResourcesWomen Leaders
Video Interview Geothermal Energy’s Potential in Alberta and Canada Alison Thompson President and CEO Borealis GeoPower
RenewablesCleantechEnergyNatural ResourcesScienceSustainabilityWomen Leaders
Video Interview Vancouver’s Clean Transportation Ecosystem Elicia Maine Special Advisor on Innovation to the VP, Research Simon Fraser University
TransportationCleantechInvestment AttractionStrategyWomen Leaders
Spotlight Interview Collaboration in Hamilton’s Life Science Sector Karen Mossman Vice President, Research McMaster University
ScienceAcademiaInvestment AttractionTalentWomen Leaders
Video Interview Transparency and Support for FDI in Canada Kathy Jenkins Group Chief Executive Marshall of Cambridge
Investment AttractionTechWomen Leaders
Spotlight Interview Launching Businesses in Montreal Rachel Labbe-Bellas Founder O’land Stations
CleantechInnovationInvestment AttractionTechWomen Leaders
Spotlight Interview Montreal’s Cleantech Innovation Ecosystem Catherine Bérubé Vice President of Sustainability, Investor Relations, and Public Affairs Cycle Capital Management
CleantechInnovationInvestment AttractionTechWomen Leaders
Video Panels Panel: Disrupt the Dialogue on Diversity Angela Mondou President & CEO TECHNATION Melissa Chee President and CEO ventureLAB Angela Brown President & CEO Moneris Mary Ann Yule President and CEO HP Canada Jaime Leverton CEO Hut 8 Mining Corp Coreen Bouchard Founder Purologic IT Susan Bowen CEO and President Aptum
Women LeadersCompetitivenessTech
Video Interview How Industry Can Help Canada Lead Globally Penny Wise President and Managing Director 3M Canada
CompetitivenessCoronavirusInnovationTechWomen Leaders
Interview Evidence-Based Decision Making for Government Policy Rachael Maxwell Executive Director Evidence for Democracy
PolicyNot-For-ProfitWomen Leaders
Video Interview Steps to Growing the Canadian Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Mary Jane Leslie Chief Growth Officer LifeRaft
EntrepreneurshipStrategyWomen Leaders
Video Interview Supporting Canada’s Entrepreneurs Janet Bannister Managing Partner Real Ventures
Women LeadersEntrepreneurshipStrategy
Video Interview A Post-COVID Industrial Strategy Monique Leroux Chair Canada's Industry Strategy Council
Women LeadersCOVID-19StrategyTalentWork
Video Interview Canadian Entrepreneurship and Private Capital Kim Furlong CEO Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (CVCA)
Women LeadersEntrepreneurshipStrategy
Spotlight Interview Toronto’s Thriving Talent-Rich Tech Ecosystem Jodi Kovitz CEO #movethedial
Women LeadersInvestment AttractionTech
Video Interview Canada’s Financial Landscape Through and Post-COVID Christine Bergeron Interim President & CEO Vancity
Women LeadersCOVID-19FinanceImpact
Interview Breaking Gender Equality Barriers in Renewable Energy Joanna Osawe President & CEO WiRE
EnergyCleantechWomen Leaders
Video Interview Supporting Canada’s Startups Now and Post-COVID Kayla Isabelle CEO Startup Canada
Women LeadersCOVID-19EntrepreneurshipSMEs
Interview The Trends and Shifts Impacting Canada’s Future Economy Maureen Jensen Former Chair & CEO Ontario Securities Commission
Women LeadersCapital MarketsFinanceInnovation
Video Interview Backing Canadian Businesses Through COVID-19 and the Recovery Minister Mary Ng Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade Government of Canada
Women LeadersCOVID-19EntrepreneurshipPolicySMEs
Interview Collaboration at Every Level to Boost Canadian Competitiveness in the Future Economy Yvonne Pilon President & CEO WEtech Alliance
TechEducationEntrepreneurshipWomen Leaders
Interview Qualitative Digital Transformations in Canada’s Banking Industry Claudette McGowan CIO, Enterprise Technology Employee Experience BMO
Women LeadersBanking
Interview Canada Must Focus on Building Clusters of Expertise in Cannabis Jennifer O’Donnell Executive Director BioNB
CannabisBioeconomyWomen Leaders
Interview Canadian Hydropower: Rediscovering the Original Renewable Anne-Raphaëlle Audouin President WaterPower Canada
EnergyInfrastructure & ConstructionWomen Leaders
Interview Entrepreneurs Must Be Comfortable with Discomfort Rebecca Homkes Teaching Fellow London Business School
EntrepreneurshipStrategyWomen Leaders
Interview Canada’s Waste: An Opportunity for Entrepreneurship, Jobs and Economic Growth Solenne Brouard Gaillot Founder and CEO Polystyvert
CleantechPolicyWomen Leaders
Interview Making Exports and Diversification Central to Canadian Business Mairead Lavery President & CEO Export Development Canada (EDC)
TradePolicyWomen Leaders
Interview Unlocking the Value of Canadian Entrepreneurship Through Diversity Laura McGee Founder & CEO Diversio
EntrepreneurshipDiversityTechWomen Leaders
Interview It’s Canada’s Time to Close the Gender Parity Gap Nancy Wilson Founder & CEO Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce
Women LeadersPolicy
Interview Collaboration, Investment and Innovation for Canadian Global Leadership in Nuclear Medicine Kathryn Hayashi President & CEO TRIUMF Innovations
HealthInnovationWomen Leaders
Interview A Mentality Shift: From Humble Canadian Entrepreneurs to ‘Own the Podium’ Nicole Verkindt Founder & CEO OMX
TechPolicyWomen Leaders
Interview Equal Participation of Women Will Add $150 Billion to Canada’s Economy Minister Maryam Monsef Minister for Women and Gender Equality & Minister of International Development Department for Women and Gender Equality
Women LeadersPolicy
Interview Growth Strategy for the Future of the Canadian Mining Industry Christyne Tremblay Deputy Minister Natural Resources Canada
MiningNatural ResourcesPolicyWomen Leaders
Interview Advanced Manufacturing: Better, faster, lower cost, and more competitive products Linda Hasenfratz CEO Linamar
ManufacturingPolicyWomen Leaders
Interview Go Big or Go Home: The Mindset Canada’s Health Science Sector Needs Natalie Dakers President & CEO Accel-Rx
HealthPolicyWomen Leaders
Interview The Indigenous Economy is Canada’s Next Economic Powerhouse Carol Anne Hilton Founder & CEO The Indigenomics Institute
IndigenousPolicyWomen Leaders
Interview We Must Scale Our Country, Not Just Our Businesses Kirstine Stewart President & CRO TribalScale
TechWomen Leaders
Interview Canadian University Students Must be both Job-ready and Future-ready Suzanne Fortier Principal and Vice-Chancellor McGill University
EducationTechWomen Leaders
Interview Building a Canada That Wins: We need to start now to ensure a prosperous future Christiane Bergevin Chair of the Board of Directors Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Women LeadersFinanceNatural ResourcesPolicy
Interview Canada Needs a Clear Execution Plan to Reach its Cleantech Potential Andrée-Lise Méthot Founder and Managing Partner Cycle Capital Management
CleantechEnergyFinanceNatural ResourcesPolicyWomen Leaders
Interview Climate and Energy: Other countries are watching Canada Linda Coady Chief Sustainability Officer Enbridge
EnergyNatural ResourcesOil & GasPolicyWomen Leaders
Interview Regulation and Innovation in Cleantech: A Win-Win Scenario Audrey Mascarenhas President and CEO Questor Technology
CleantechEnergyOil & GasPolicyWomen Leaders
Interview Canada’s Clean Energy Transition: Win-Win for the Economy and the Environment Merran Smith Executive Director Clean Energy Canada
EnergyCleantechOil & GasPolicyTransportationWomen Leaders
Interview Hydrocarbons Industry: Looking at the full spectrum of options Joy Romero Vice-President, Technology and Innovation Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
Oil & GasCleantechEnergyFinanceNatural ResourcesWomen Leaders
Interview The Collective Vision of Canada’s Future Energy Leaders Meredith Adler Executive Director Student Energy
EnergyEducationNatural ResourcesPolicyWomen Leaders
Interview Canada and Alberta: We need to expand our views beyond our borders Laura Kilcrease CEO Alberta Innovates
TradeCleantechEnergyPolicyTechWomen Leaders
Interview Indigenous Business Success is Canada’s Success Carol Anne Hilton Senior Advisor to the Federal Finance Minister Advisory Council on Economic Growth
Women LeadersFinanceIndigenousNatural ResourcesPolicy
Interview Montreal: Life sciences, high-tech, aerospace, AI and clean tech hub Lidia Divry CEO TechnoMontréal
PolicyTechWomen Leaders
Interview The Future of Canada’s Economy and its Energy Sector Vicky Sharpe Corporate Director Sustainable Development Technology Canada
CleantechEnergyFinanceNatural ResourcesOil & GasPolicyTechWomen Leaders
Interview Environment and Sustainability: Drivers of opportunity Karen Clarke-Whistler Chief Environment Officer TD Bank Financial Group
EnergyFinanceNatural ResourcesPolicyWomen Leaders
Interview Canada’s Economic Goals are Tied to Environmental Goals Annette Verschuren Chair & CEO NRStor
CleantechEnergyPolicyTechWomen Leaders
Interview Asset-intensive Industries Need to Undergo a Transformation in Perspective Judi Hess CEO Copperleaf Technologies
Infrastructure & ConstructionNatural ResourcesTechWomen Leaders
Interview Changing our Mindsets to be Relevant in a Decarbonized World Suzanne West President & CEO Imaginea Energy
CleantechEnergyNatural ResourcesOil & GasWomen Leaders
Spotlight Interview How Immigration, STEAM Literacy & Gender Equity Enabled the Growth of a Leading Canadian Business Shahrzad Rafati Founder & CEO BroadbandTV
Women LeadersEntrepreneurshipTalent
Interview Educating Energy Leaders for Canada and the World Dr. Elizabeth Cannon President & Vice-Chancellor The University of Calgary
EducationWomen Leaders
Spotlight Interview Incentives and Disclosure for Greater Gender Balance in Mining Elena Mayer President & CEO Women Who Rock
Women LeadersMining
Interview Collaboration, Disclosure and Investment in Canada’s Oil & Gas Industry Alicia Quesnel Partner Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP
EnergyOil & GasWomen Leaders
Interview Goal: Canada as a World Leader in Energy Innovation Koleya Karringten President & CEO Absolute Combustion International
CleantechEnergyNatural ResourcesOil & GasWomen Leaders
Spotlight Interview The Power of Leading with Purpose Helle Bank Jorgensen Founder and CEO Competent Boards
Women LeadersImpactSustainability
Spotlight Interview Blockchain: The next evolution in the way the world connects Janine Moir Blockchain Assurance Leader Deloitte
Women LeadersBlockchainCybersecurityDigital Transformation
Spotlight Interview The Economy and the Environment Go Hand-in-Hand Minister Catherine McKenna Minister Environment and Climate Change Canada
Women LeadersSustainability
Spotlight Interview Gender Equality Benefits Everyone Isabelle Hudon Co-Chair G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council
Women Leaders
Spotlight Interview Eliminating the Gender Pay Gap Would Add $105 Billion to Canada’s GDP Monique Leroux Chair of the Board of Directors Investissement Québec
Women Leaders
Spotlight Interview Diversity Makes Good Business Sense Laura Didyk National Lead, Women Entrepreneur Strategy Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
Women Leaders
Spotlight Interview Getting Women on Boards: Focus on Workplace Inclusivity Instead of Quotas Qudsia Ahmed President of the Board of Directors Young Women in Business
Women Leaders