WCT’s Groundbreaking Protégé Project Aims to put More Women in the C-Suite
OTTAWA (PRWEB) November 30, 2015 -- Women in Communications and Technology (WCT) announced the second year of its unparalleled Protégé Project today. The first of its kind, the WCT Protégé Project is intended to propel rising female stars into top decision-making roles. Only 5.1 per cent of Canadian CEO’s and company leaders are women, and women sit in less than 16 per cent of the seats around board tables, which works out to just two women at a table of 12. The WCT Protégé Project, with presenting sponsor Shaw Media, and partners Status of Women Canada and Catalyst Canada, matches strong women leaders with executive champions to advance women into roles of power and influence in the knowledge-based economy.
WCT, a 25 year old national grassroots professional association is addressing the problem of a lack of women in senior positions in communications, media and technology. After a successful pilot year, the WCT Protégé Project is designed to pick up where mentorship relationships end. Senior executives leverage their networks to give their protégés a leg up into the top ranks.
“The WCT Protégé Project is like no other career sponsorship program, with senior executives acting as all-out champions, guiding and connecting their protégés, cross-company and cross-sector,” says Lynda Partner, National Chair of WCT and Vice President at Pythian. “We are pleased to welcome 12 new executive sponsors, and we know that their involvement will accelerate the careers of their protégés. They are helping to create a needed diversity balance at the executive level in the information, communications and technology industries.”
Executive champions joining the Protégé Project for 2016 include:
- David Jamieson, CIO, OpenText
- Kirsten Chapman CMO & EVP Digital,!ndigo Books & Music Inc.
- Mark Henderson, Chairman, Ericsson Canada Inc
- Fawn Annan, President and Group Publisher, IT World Canada (ITWC)
- Vanda Vicars, COO and Deputy CEO, Infrastructure Services Americas, Capgemini
- Paul Vallée, Founder and CEO, Pythian
- Karla Congson, CMO, Dundee Corporation
- Deirdre Horgan, Partner, Customer & Marketing Strategy Practice Leader, Deloitte
- Paul Bertin, President & Board Chair, No Limit Technologies/RIC Center
- Dean Burgess, Executive Coach, DKMC Consulting Inc
- Lisa Kimmel, President, Edelman
- Sangeetha Chandru, Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Sobey's
Returning champions include:
- Namir Anani, President & CEO, Information and Communications Technology Council
- Denise Amyot, President and CEO, Colleges Institutes Canada
- Corinne Charette, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Spectrum, Information Technologies and Telecommunications, Industry Canada
- Dr. Sara Diamond, President & Vice Chancellor, OCAD University
- Wendy Freeman, President, CTV News
- Elmer Hildebrand, CEO, Golden West Radio
- Goldy Hyder, President and CEO, Hill + Knowlton Strategies
- Mitch Joel, President, Mirum
- Janet Kennedy, President, Microsoft Canada
- Raja Khanna, CEO Television & Digital, Blue Ant Media
- Jean LaRose, CEO, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network
- Craig H. Muhlhauser, Advisor to the Board, and former President & CEO, Celestica Inc.
- Grace Palombo, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, Great-West Lifeco Inc.
- Michael Strople, President, Allstream
“The Protégé Project was a catalyst for accelerating my career,” says Christin Wiedemann, Co-CEO and Chief Scientist at Professional Quality Assurance Ltd. “Working with my executive champion Namir Anani, CEO of ICTC, I gained valuable insights and was able to extend my network in a way that would not have been possible otherwise.”
“Continuing as an executive sponsor with the Protégé Project is another opportunity to meet a talented and fast tracked star in the Canadian landscape, and help her advance to the next level in her career,” says Goldy Hyder, President and CEO of Hill & Knowlton Strategies. “Strong female leaders are important for the next generation of Canadian talent, and for the future of innovation and growth in Canada, and I love being a part of that change and reform.”
Learn more and apply to the WCT Protégé Project
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About WCT
Women in Communications and Technology (WCT) is a national association committed to helping women in Canada learn, build strong relationships and advance in communications, media and technology. WCT provides opportunities for its members to network, be mentored, get access to targeted educational opportunities and be recognized for their contributions to Canada’s digital economy.
Mathea Stevens, WCT, http://www.wct-fct.com, +1 (613) 707-0725, [email protected]
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