2013 Ranking of Top 25 Women of Influence Revealed

Prestigious annual ranking showcases the most influential Canadian women by sector

TORONTO, Sept. 12, 2013 /CNW/ - Women of Influence today announced the 2013 ranking of its Top 25 Women of Influence. Now in its third year, the ranking is designed to celebrate and showcase the achievements of the most influential Canadian women in business, health, non-government organizations, professional services, and the public sector over the course of the last year.

These women have not only made a significant difference in their chosen fields but they are exceptionally influential. This is an important criterion because such women also serve as important role models for Canadian women and girls. The Top 25 includes women from many backgrounds, educational levels, skill sets, personality types, sectors, professions, regions and interests. Some extend influence across Canada, across a sector or internationally. Some have been celebrated leaders for many years and are already well known.

The women who made this year's ranking are not judged or selected based on accomplishment alone, but on the sheer size of their reach and influence over the last 12 months. Candidates are selected based on previous award recognitions and asked to complete a questionnaire about their work including: presence on boards, number of employees managed, funds raised, business deals initiated/led, and published work.

"Women of Influence is driving an important cultural shift in the workplace by celebrating these exceptional 25 women. Women of Influence is dedicated to the advancement of professional women across North America," explained Carolyn Lawrence, President and CEO of Women of Influence. "This includes celebrating the accomplishments of this year's Top 25 Women of Influence who are driving an important culture shift in the workplace by acting as role models for women in every sector and at every stage of their careers."

All 25 women will be profiled in the winter issue of Women of Influence magazine, with the public selecting the five women who will appear on its cover via online voting at http://www.womenofinfluence.ca/top-25-cover-contest/ from September 12^th - September 18^th. In honor and celebration of the Top25 WOI, we will be shining the light and giving them the profile they deserve at the following events:

• Release of the social media campaign on September 12^th
• Cisco magazine launch party: To unite the Top25 women of Influence, their mentees, their champions and the media on November 20, 2013
• Special winter issue Women of Influence magazine profiling the Top25 winners: On sale November 21^st
• Deloitte Women of Influence Luncheon: The December 3 luncheon to celebrate the Top25 winners and speaker Kirstine Stewart, President of Twitter Canada who was a past Top25 winner.

Below is a summary of this year's Top 25 Women of Influence by category:

NGO

1. Rosemary McCarney, President and CEO, Plan Canada
2. Annette Bergeron, P.Eng. President, Professional Engineers Ontario
3. Mitzie Hunter, CEO, The Greater Toronto Civic Action Alliance - "CivicAction"
4. Claudia Hepburn, Executive Director, The Next 36
5. Janice O'Born, Chairman, The Printing House Charitable Office

BUSINESS

1. Karen Sheriff, President and CEO, Bell Aliant Regional Communications Inc.
2. Kimberley Mason, Regional President, Atlantic Provinces, RBC Royal Bank
3. Tracy Redies, President and Chief Executive Officer, Coast Capital Savings Credit Union
4. Sue Paish, President and CEO, LifeLabs Medical Laboratories Inc.
5. Amiee Chan, President & CEO, Norsat International Inc.

PUBLIC SECTOR

1. Wendy Cukier, Vice President Research and Innovation and Founder and Director, Diversity Institute, Ryerson University
2. Ann Buller, President and CEO, Centennial College
3. Janice MacKinnon, Professor/Doctor, University of Saskatchewan
4. Beatrix Dart, Associate Dean, Executive Degree Programs, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
5. Deb Matthews, Member of Provincial Parliament for London North Centre, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Deputy Premier of Ontario, Legislative Assembly of Ontario

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

1. Cheryl Reicin, Partner, Torys LLP
2. Sharon Geraghty, Partner, Torys LLP
3. Beth Wilson, Managing Partner, GTA and Canadian Managing Partner, Community Leadership KPMG LLP
4. Jane Allen, Partner, Chief Diversity Officer, Global Renewable Energy Leader, Deloitte
5. Evelyn Jacks, President, Knowledge Bureau

HEALTH

1. Janet Rossant, Chief of Research & Senior Scientist, The Hospital for Sick Children
2. Christine Power, President and CEO, Capital District Health Authority
3. Daniela Crivianu-Gaita, VP IMT & CIO, The Hospital for Sick Children
4. Marla Shapiro, Associate Professor, Medical Consultant CTV News, Medical Contributor Canada AM, Marla Shapiro Inc.
5. Connie Clerici, President & Chief Executive Officer, Closing the Gap Healthcare Group

About Women of Influence
Women of Influence Inc. is North America's leading organization dedicated to the professional advancement of women. It offers solutions to women through corporate consulting on Gender Intelligence, professional coaching, events, and media.  It produces and hosts the renowned Deloitte Women of Influence Luncheon Series, RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards and the Top 25 Women of Influence, in addition to the publishing the Women of Influence quarterly magazine. Women of Influence has a community and reach of 120,000 in nine cities across North American including Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Waterloo, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, New York City, and Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.womenofinfluence.ca.

SOURCE: Women of Influence Inc.

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