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Join Report on Business magazine for Women Lead Here, our fifth annual event dedicated to discussing and advancing gender diversity in corporate Canada’s leadership ranks. Learn from some of the most innovative leaders of companies on this year’s Women Lead Here list (as published in the April issue of Report on Business magazine), as well as influential experts on leadership, workplace culture, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Come prepared to learn, to share ideas, and to help Canada’s business community move closer to gender parity.
IF YOU HAVE REGISTERED TO ATTEND TODAY'S EVENT, CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW TO JOIN THE WEBCAST. YOU CAN JOIN AS EARLY AS 12:15 P.M. ET.
Event registration is now closed. If you need assistance with registration, please contact us at marketing@globeandmail.com.
For the fifth year, Report on Business magazine has evaluated the gender diversity of the leadership teams of Canada’s largest public companies and Canada to produce our Women Lead Here benchmark. In this presentation, we’ll reveal key highlights, notable trends, and identify the work that still needs to be done.
Kish Kapoor
President and Chief Executive Officer,
RF Capital Group
Rashid Wasti
EVP & Chief Talent Officer,
George Weston Limited
Sarah-Jane Martin
Managing Partner, Chief Talent Officer & Associate General Counsel, Sprott Inc.
Dawn Calleja
Editor, Report on Business magazine,
The Globe and Mail
When it comes to advancing gender equity, women are only half the equation. In this timely and necessary discussion, a panel of executive leaders will discuss how men can, and should, support and advocate for women leaders in their organizations—and how to keep themselves, and their organizations, accountable to drive change.
Trish Barbato
Co-Founder, Menopause Foundation of Canada
Andrejka Massicotte
Senior Director, Group Insurance at RBC Insurance
Alyssa Araujo
Human Resources Director, Choice Properties
Fiona Collie
Program Manager, Business and Financial Products, The Globe and Mail
Most organizations employ women at various stages of life – those starting families, caring for elderly parents, navigating menopause, or transitioning to retirement. Yet few employer benefits and support programs comprehensively meet these needs. In this panel, experts will share examples of women-friendly work policies and offer advice on how to implement them effectively.
Meghan Roach
President and CEO, Roots Corporation
Samira Sakhia
President, CEO and Director, Knight Therapeutics Inc.
Robyn Doolittle
Corporate Law Reporter,
The Globe and Mail
The experiences of women moving up through the corporate ranks are invaluable for informing diversity and inclusion programs at work. This interview will bring notable Canadian women together to share their stories and anecdotes and reflect on the paths they are forging for women coming up behind them.
Sprott, a global leader in precious metals and critical materials investments, has an established foundation in physical metals and minerals, with deep relationships and expertise in the mining industry. We offer investments in precious metals, including gold, silver, platinum and palladium. Our critical materials investments include the world’s largest physical uranium trust and mining equity ETFs focused on the global transition to clean energy. We are specialists. Our knowledge, experience and relationships separate us from our peers. Our innovative investment strategies include: exchange listed products, managed equities and private strategies. Today, Sprott is a global asset manager providing more than 250,000 clients with focused investment strategies, with approximately US$25.4 billion in assets under management (as of 9/30/2023). We serve our global client base from offices in Toronto, New York, California and Connecticut.
Chartwell is in the business of serving and caring for Canada's seniors, committed to its vision of Making People's Lives BETTER and to providing a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life experience for its residents. Chartwell is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate trust which indirectly owns and operates a complete range of seniors housing communities, from independent living through to assisted living. Chartwell is the one of largest operators in Canada, serving over 25,000 residents in four provinces across the country.
BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.3 trillion as of October 31, 2023. Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to over 13 million customers across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society.
Choice Properties is a leading Real Estate Investment Trust that creates enduring value through the ownership, operation, and development of high-quality commercial and residential properties.
We believe that value comes from creating spaces that improve how our tenants and communities come together to live, work, and connect. We aspire to strengthen communities to prosper through our dedication to social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
ATCO Ltd. and its subsidiary and affiliate companies have approximately 19,000 employees and assets of $25 billion. ATCO is a diversified global corporation with investments in the essential services of Structures & Logistics (workforce and residential housing, innovative modular facilities, construction, site support services, workforce lodging services, facility operations and maintenance, defence operations services, and disaster and emergency management services); Utilities (electricity and natural gas transmission and distribution, and international operations); Energy Infrastructure (energy storage, energy generation, industrial water solutions, and clean fuels); Retail Energy (electricity and natural gas retail sales, and whole-home solutions); Transportation (ports and transportation logistics); and Commercial Real Estate.
Ericsson has been helping make a Connected Canada possible for 70 years. We partner with leading telecommunication companies and academia to accelerate R&D, build 5G infrastructure and bring connectivity to all Canadians. We are committed to advancing the country’s digital agenda through turning point technologies such as 5G. This means enabling Canada’s industries to lead on the world stage, supporting major service providers on their path to nationwide 5G rollout and collaborating with leading players from both academia and wider industry. It’s all part of our long-standing dedication to drive innovation and ensure digital inclusion for all Canadians. Ericsson is a $27B global company, operating in 180 countries with over 100,000 employees. Ericsson has more than 170 5G commercial agreements or contracts with unique service providers globally. In Canada, Ericsson provides 5G infrastructure products and services for Bell, EastLink, Rogers, TELUS, Videotron and Xplornet and live 5G commercial networks across the country. We enable private network solutions as well as transport and critical infrastructure to remote mines and utilities across the country through client partnerships with Ambra, Hydro BC, Hydro One, Hydro Quebec and more.
First National Financial Corporation (TSX:FN, TSX:FN.PR.A, TSX:FN.PR.B) is the parent company of First National Financial LP, a Canadian-based originator, underwriter and servicer of predominantly prime residential (single-family and multi-unit) and commercial mortgages. With more than $141 billion in mortgages under administration, First National is one of Canada’s largest non-bank originators and underwriters of mortgages and is among the top three in market share in the mortgage broker distribution channel.
Scotiabank’s vision is to be our clients’ most trusted financial partner, to deliver sustainable, profitable growth and maximize total shareholder return. Guided by our purpose: "for every future," we help our clients, their families and their communities achieve success through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With assets of approximately $1.4 trillion (as at January 31, 2024), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS).
Hydro One is Ontario’s largest electricity transmission and distribution service provider. We distribute electricity across Ontario to nearly 1.5 million predominantly rural customers, or approximately 26% of the total number of customers in Ontario. Our history dates back over 110 years to 1906 when the Ontario Legislature passed the Power Commission Act establishing the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario (HEPC). Since then, we have worked to energize life for people and communities, helping Ontarians live a better and brighter future.
Room is a Canadian-headquartered, global network for women leaders of today and tomorrow. Room brings together a diverse collective of women leaders and high-potential pipeline women, and empowers them to grow together to innovate, lead and drive future advancement. Almost sixty million women have left the global workforce since 2020. While the number of women in senior roles is gradually starting to climb, the pipeline has essentially dried up. Without support for women leaders of the future, gender parity in leadership roles will remain out of reach. Room provides a supportive network, and the career development tools women need to get back on track to filling leadership roles. Gender balance is a big business opportunity, with huge implications, and Room is committed to giving women the resources and support network they need to magnify their influence, expand creativity, and work together to elevate women leadership.
Rashid Wasti is EVP & Chief Talent Officer of George Weston Limited. In this role he is focused on helping all the businesses in the Weston Group of companies develop their current and future senior talent, culture, diversity and management team effectiveness. The Weston Group is Canada’s largest private employer with over 200,000 employees and $60 billion in revenues, consisting of well known consumer businesses such as Loblaw, Shoppers Drug Mart, Joe Fresh, President’s Choice Financial as well as Choice Properties which is Canada’s largest REIT.
Prior to joining George Weston in 2013, he had a 25 year career in Marketing, Strategy Consulting, Recruiting and Talent Management at Procter & Gamble, Boston Consulting Group and Egon Zehnder International, at various points based in Europe, Middle East, US and Canada. At Egon Zehnder he consulted with clients all over the world on senior talent management strategies, assessments, coaching and executive team effectiveness.
Andrejka Massicotte leads a team with responsibility for the product development, strategic direction, and overall performance of RBC Insurance’s Group Benefits business. The team is committed to differentiating RBC Insurance through a progressive and collaborative approach to group benefit solutions – to ensure every business and its employees get the support they need to lead a healthy lifestyle, manage their benefits, and return to health if faced with a serious medical condition.
Prior to RBC Insurance, Andrejka spent eight years with RBC’s Human Resources Pension and Benefits group where she was responsible for the oversight of RBC’s Canadian and US benefits programs covering 80,000 active employees and 20,000 retirees. She also led RBC’s Wellness+ program offered to 90,000 employees worldwide. Under her leadership, the Wellness+ program saw engagement grow to over 30% annually.
Prior to joining RBC in 2014, Andrejka spent over 10 years as a group benefits consultant at two Canadian consulting firms, working with large clients on a broad range of issues including active benefit plan design, pricing and financial management as well as post-employment and post-retirement benefit valuation and design.
Trish Barbato is the Co-Founder of the Menopause Foundation of Canada. The Foundation was created to raise awareness of the impact of menopause on women and society, ultimately eliminating the social stigma and taboo associated with this important women’s health issue. Trish is currently President and CEO of Arthritis Society Canada. Her former roles include Senior Vice President, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships and Senior Vice President Home Health and Business Development at Revera, President and CEO of COTA Health, CFO and VP Corporate Services for Providence Healthcare and Managing Director Bayshore Healthcare. A graduate of the University of Waterloo, Trish is a Fellow Chartered Professional Accountant. She is Co-Founder and Director of Community Meditation and is a published author and international speaker on topics such as design thinking, innovation and leadership. Trish received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award for her 25+ year volunteer commitment to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Kish Kapoor currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of RF Capital Group (TSX: RCG) Mr. Kapoor is also currently a director of Richardson Financial Group Limited (and a member of its Audit Committee) and Richardson Wealth.
He also serves as a director of EQB Inc. (chair of its Audit Committee and a member of the Risk and Capital Committee).
Until 2011, he was President of Wellington West Holdings Inc., the parent company of a number of subsidiaries that provided wealth management and corporate finance services to retail and institutional clientele in Canada. Previously, Mr. Kapoor was Executive Vice-President of Corporate Development at Loring Ward International Inc. He co-founded Assante Corporation, previously one of the largest wealth management firms in Canada, and served as its Executive Vice-President, Corporate Development from 1994 until 2003. He also served as a director of Manitoba Telecom Services and Chair of its audit committee from 2006 to 2017.
Mr. Kapoor has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba and is a Chartered Professional Accountant and former tax partner with KPMG LLP.
Sarah-Jane Martin serves as Managing Partner, Chief Talent Officer & Associate General Counsel of Sprott Inc. In this role, Sarah-Jane is responsible for key processes related to people management, including professional development, organizational culture and recruitment. Sarah-Jane also leads Sprott’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) program.
Prior to joining Sprott in 2011, Ms. Martin was an associate at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, a leading Canadian law firm. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and Bachelor of Arts Degree (Honours) from Queen’s University. Ms. Martin is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and was called to the Ontario bar in 2007.
Mahima Poddar is known for her strategic ability to take big ideas and turn them into successful realities. Bringing her experience in business management together with a vision for transformation in the banking sector, Mahima's respected and credible leadership has made her a sought-after voice in the broader scope of Canada's banking evolution.
As the Senior Vice-President & Group Head of Personal Banking at Equitable Bank, Mahima leads EQ Bank, Canada's leading digital bank, the Single-Family mortgage businesses, the decumulation lines of business in Reverse Mortgages and CSV Lending, Marketing, and the distribution of deposit products through the Financial Planning channel. Mahima joined Equitable in 2016 to lead the Corporate Development team, grew her mandate to include digital banking and marketing in 2019, and eventually to lead the Personal Banking division in 2020. Under her leadership, Equitable has acquired both Bennington Financial and the Maple Bank portfolio and introduced the decumulation lines of business; while EQ Bank surpassed $8 billion in total deposits, and successfully introduced a suite of new products and features.
Previously, Mahima was a long-time management consultant with the Boston Consulting Group. She holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and an HBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at Western University.
Ms. Sakhia joined Knight as President in August 2016, was named President & Chief Operating Officer in June 2020 and assumed the role of President & Chief Executive Officer on September 1, 2021. Additionally, Ms. Sakhia served as CFO from October 2017 to March 2020. Prior to Knight, Ms. Sakhia served as the CFO at Paladin from 2001 to 2015. At Paladin, Ms. Sakhia was responsible for the finance, operations, human resources and investor relations functions. During her employment with Paladin, Ms. Sakhia was instrumental in executing in-licensing and acquisition transactions of Canadian and international pharmaceutical products and businesses. Ms. Sakhia led several M&A and strategic lending transactions as well as equity rounds on the TSX and completed the sale of Paladin to Endo International for $3.2 billion. Ms. Sakhia serves on the board of directors of Dollarama Inc., on the board of the International Advisory Board of McGill’s Desautels Faculty of Management and is a member at large of the Board of Governors of McGill University and an independent Board member at the McGill University Health Center. Ms. Sakhia holds an MBA, a Bachelor of Commerce and a Graduate Diploma in Accountancy from McGill University.
Meghan Roach is the President and CEO of Roots Corporation (TSX: ROOT). Before becoming CEO of Roots in 2020, Ms. Roach served as the interim CFO. Prior to Roots, she worked at Searchlight Capital Partners, a private equity firm with operations in North America and Europe, at KPMG, and at Teachers’ Private Capital, the private equity arm of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan. In addition, Ms. Roach has held numerous board roles with public and private companies globally. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for Roots, which she rejoined in 2020 after serving from 2015 to 2017.
Ms. Roach also acts as a Vice Chair for the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, a member of the Advisory Board of Shift25, and a member of the Investment Committee for the Nature Conservancy of Canada. She holds an MBA from the University of Oxford, a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen's University, and an FCPA, FCA designation.
Ritu Bhasin is an award-winning speaker, consultant, author, and internationally recognized expert in DEI, leadership, belonging, anti-racism, and empowerment. Since 2010, Ritu has worked with hundreds of top organizations and senior leadership teams around the world and, as a professional speaker, she has presented to hundreds of thousands of people globally. She is a certified cultural competence coach and a certified neuroscience strategies coach who has personally coached over a thousand people, as well as a yoga and mindfulness teacher and practitioner, and very shortly she will complete a trauma professional certification program. Before founding bci, Ritu spent ten years in the legal profession – first as a civil litigator and then as the director of legal talent for the preeminent Canadian law firm, Stikeman Elliott LLP. Ritu also served as an instructor in the Executive Programs at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto for three years. She regularly appears on national television and radio in the U.S. and Canada as an expert on DEI, belonging, leadership, and empowerment. Ritu’s personal experiences with adversity and her desire to help others have led her to work as a social activist for over twenty-five years, volunteering with dozens of organizations and mentoring dozens of youths and young professionals. She has won numerous awards and distinctions for her work, including: Success Magazine’s Woman of Influence, The Women’s Center Leadership Award, the South Asian Bar Association Diversity Award, the Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce Female Professional of the Year Award, the City of Toronto’s William P. Hubbard Award for Race Relations, and Western University’s Young Alumni of the Year Award. Ritu’s second book, the bestseller We’ve Got This: Unlocking the Beauty of Belonging, was released in 2023 (June). Her first book, the bestseller The Authenticity Principle: Resist Conformity, Embrace Differences, and Transform How You Live, Work, and Lead, was released in 2017.
Robyn Doolittle is an award-winning journalist and author. She is The Globe and Mail's corporate law reporter, formerly a member of The Globe and Mail's investigative team. Since coming to The Globe in 2014, she has probed suspicious business contracts, political corruption and Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her “Unfounded” investigation, which explored the ways that Canadian police services handle sexual assault cases, prompted a national overhaul of policy, training and practices around sexual violence. Doolittle’s other notable projects include the “Power Gap,” an investigation of gender inequities in the workforce, and “Secret Canada,” which examines Canada’s broken freedom of information system. She is the author of two books, “Had It Coming – What’s Fair In The Age of #MeToo?,” which was shortlisted for the RBC Taylor Prize for non-fiction, and “Crazy Town: The Rob Ford Story,” both of which were national bestsellers.
Reach her here: rdoolittle@globeandmail.com, or @robyndoolittle on Twitter and Instagram.
As program manager, Fiona is responsible for the research and project management of Report on Business magazine’s ranking programs, including Canada’s Top Growing Companies, Women Lead Here and CEO of the Year. Fiona has more than a decade of experience in journalism and reporting on the wealth management industry.
Alyssa holds over 12+ years of experience within Human Resources. Currently serving as the Director of Human Resources at a prominent Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), Alyssa has built a reputation for her strategic vision, unwavering commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture, and her ability to align HR initiatives with the overarching business objectives.
Alyssa’s journey in the field of human resources began shortly after earning her Post Graduate Certification with a focus on Human Resources Management from Sheridan College. She quickly rose through the ranks, starting as an HR Coordinator and progressing into the role of Senior Human Resources Business Partner where she gained hands-on experience in recruitment, employee relations, and performance management across Loblaw and PC Financial. As the Director of Human Resources at Choice, Alyssa’s leadership, and dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment have not only contributed to the company's success but have also earned her the respect and admiration of her colleagues throughout the organization.