Catherine Williams doesn’t regret spending 17 months after graduation touring Europe instead of hitting the pavement to find a job.
Taking a different path than most, Williams says “I took charge of my own life” and in taking such a risk, she better understood who she was and what she wanted.
Catherine Williams
“To some people this was not the sensible thing to do,” she says, adding “this was when I did my growing up and when I gained a lot of self confidence.”
Williams was conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws from her alma mater, The University of Western Ontario (’71) in recognition of her accomplishments as a successful business woman and her community service.
She spoke to about 300 graduates from the Faculty of Social Science, including all BMOS programs, third-year BA, BA (ACS), and diploma in accounting programs at the June 11 morning session of Western’s 293rd Convocation.
Success in any field, business or otherwise, does not require a pilgrimage to Europe, she quips.
She advises graduates to remember four things when facing an uncertain future: know yourself; take charge of your own life; take risks; and with good curiosity, always keep learning.
“Make the most of your education and make the most of yourself,” she says. “If you do, we will all benefit from your endeavors.”
A London native, Williams graduated with a degree in political science from Western and received an MBA from Queen’s University in 1977.
She worked for The Bank of Canada before relocating to Calgary to serve as a financial analyst at Nova Corporation. Williams stayed with Nova until she joined Shell Canada in corporate finance in 1984.
She worked for Shell for 22 years in a variety of financial roles, including relocating to London, England twice to work for Shell International. In April 2003, she was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Shell Canada Limited, a position she retired from in June 2007.
Williams is a member of the Board of Directors of Enbridge Inc. and was appointed Chair of the Board of Governors of Mount Royal College. She is currently helping guide the college’s transition to a degree-granting university. Continuing her commitment to education, Williams is also a member of Queen’s School of Business Advisory Board.
She participated in the federal government’s advisory panel on Canada’s system of international taxation and was appointed director of the board of Tim Hortons Inc. in March.
Her business success has gained national acclaim, as Williams was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by Women’s Executive Network for three consecutive years (2005-07) and was admitted to the network’s Hall of Fame in 2008.
In his citation, Ted Garrard, Vice-President (External) says Williams has acted as a great role model for women in business.
“It has been said that through her many promotions at Shell, Cathy has helped raise the ceiling for women executives across Canada,” he says.
Throughout her career, Williams has always found ways to give back to her community.
Garrard noted her dedication as a volunteer to a variety of charitable causes, including spending seven years as a director of Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta and serving as a board member and chair of the United Way of Calgary.
“I would argue that the sum of Cathy’s achievements is substantial as she has paved the way for many future women in business while balancing the needs of raising a family and contributing to her communities both locally and globally,” he says.