The Honourable Minister Dr. Kellie Leitch, Google's Marie-Josée Lamothe among a prominent speaker faculty at The Canadian Institute's Women's Leadership Forum

TORONTO, May 12, 2014 /CNW/ - Prominent Canadian leaders assemble at the InterContinental Yorkville to attend The Canadian Institute's Women's Leadership Forum on May 13-14, 2014.  With nearly 20 presentations devoted to promoting leadership excellence, this year's conference features speeches from Marie-Josée Lamothe, Managing Director, Brand and Quebec at Google Canada, Luisa Girotto, Director, Public Affairs, Starbucks Coffee Canada and Major General Christine Whitecross, Canadian Forces, with a special keynote presentation from The Honourable Dr. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women Canada.

While the conference celebrates that women have more opportunities in senior leadership positions than ever before, it recognizes continued barriers to the achievement of equality in the workplace.  According to a recent census conducted by Catalyst, while women make up 47.3 percent of the labour force in Canada, only 29.3 percent of women hold senior management positions.¹  The disparity is particularly striking at the board level, where only 14.5 percent of board seats in corporate Canada are held by women.²

"Women leaders enrich Canadian society and contribute to the growth and competitiveness of our economy each and every day" says Minister Leitch. "When women put their skills to work at the top of an organization, their efforts have a positive impact that touches the whole community."

In addition to featuring practical sessions to enhance core competencies, the conference focuses on ways that women in the senior ranks can advocate for future generations of women and help them to thrive in leadership roles.  Discussions on implementing mentorship and sponsorship programs, building a strong personal leadership brand, and the importance of taking risks in one's career round out two days of lively presentations and networking.  The forum is sponsored by CN, HCMWorks, Pigeon Branding + Design and McMaster-Syracuse's Master of Communications Management Program.  

About The Canadian Institute

For over 25 years, events produced by The Canadian Institute have provided the business intelligence that Canadian decision-makers need to respond to challenges here at home, and around the world.  The Canadian Institute operates as a think tank, monitoring trends and developments in all major industry sectors, the law, and public policy, with a view to bringing together the people and ideas that inspire world-class solutions.

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¹ Catalyst. Quick Take: Women in Canada. New York: Catalyst, April 22, 2014
² Catalyst. Quick Take: Women on Boards. New York: Catalyst, 2014

 

SOURCE: Canadian Institute

Yasmine Mohamed, [email protected], Tel# [phone] Ext. 7321. Media passes are issued at the discretion of The Canadian Institute and must be arranged in advance. Contact Yasmine Mohamed for media accreditation.