MaRS CEO Dr. Ilse Treurnicht named one of Canada's Most Powerful Women

TORONTO, Dec. 4, 2012 /CNW/ - MaRS Discovery District congratulates Dr. Ilse Treurnicht on receiving the prestigious 2012 Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100™ Award.

The award, in the "Xstrata Nickel Trailblazers and Trendsetters" category, is Dr. Treurnicht's third Top 100 recognition; she was previously honoured in 2009 and 2011.

Created by the Women's Executive Network (WXN) in 2003, the Top 100 Awards celebrate the professional achievements of women across the country in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. The Awards are co-presented by Scotiabank and KPMG.

"I am delighted that Ilse's significant contribution to innovation in our country is being recognized and celebrated for the third time since 2009," said Gordon Nixon, president and CEO, RBC. "This award shines a light on a visionary woman whose work will generate economic and social benefits in Canada for years to come."

Dr. Treurnicht joins a community of 653 women who have received the Top 100™ Award over the last decade, recognizing the highest achieving female leaders in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors in Canada. Winners are selected based on their strategic vision and leadership, their organization's financial performance, and their commitment to their communities.

A former entrepreneur with senior management roles in a number of emerging technology companies, Dr. Treurnicht joined MaRS as CEO in 2005, overseeing both the development and operations of the MaRS Centre and its broad suite of entrepreneurship and innovation programs. She is an active member of Canada's innovation community and has served on the boards of private companies, industry associations and research organizations. Dr. Treurnicht holds a DPhil in chemistry from Oxford University, which she attended as a Rhodes scholar.

"On behalf of the WXN community of 18,000 women, we congratulate each of this year's winners who we honour as part of the 10^th year of the Top 100 Awards," said Pamela Jeffery, Founder, Women's Executive Network. "This is an extraordinary group of female leaders who join our community, and they truly embody the qualities WXN strives to recognize; they are dynamic, inspiring and engaging leaders blazing new trails for the next generation."

Dr. Treurnicht will be celebrated on December 5 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto, where the Top 100 Award Winners will lead WXN's afternoon leadership summit.

The complete list of 2012 Top 100 Award Winners and partners can be found at top100women.ca.

About the Women's Executive Network (WXN)

At WXN, we inspire smart women to lead. WXN creates and delivers innovative networking, mentoring, professional and personal development to inform, inspire, connect and recognize our community of 18,000 smart women and their organizations in the pursuit of excellence. WXN enables our partners and corporate members to become and to be recognized as employers of choice and leaders in the advancement of women.  Founded in 1997, WXN is Canada's leading organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of women in management, executive, professional and board roles. WXN is a Founding Member of the Canadian Board Diversity Council, dedicated to increasing the diversity of Canada's corporate boards. In the fall of 2008, WXN launched in Ireland, a first step in creating an international community of female leaders.

About MaRS


MaRS Discovery District (Twitter: @MaRSDD) is a mission-driven innovation centre located in Toronto. MaRS works with partners to catalyze, accelerate and amplify innovation. MaRS supports entrepreneurs building Canada's next generation of growth companies.

SOURCE: MaRS Discovery District

Melissa Hughes

Manager, Media & Community Relations
[phone] ext. 2710
[email protected]

Jennifer Britton
North Strategic (for WXN)
[phone]
[email protected]