Richard Ivey School of Business Dean Carol Stephenson, along with five Western alumnae, have been named among Canada’s most influential women, according to Women of Influence Magazine.
Released in its Winter 2012 issue, the Canadian publication’s 2nd annual Top 25 Women of Influence list celebrates women who have demonstrated, over the last year, strong and unyielding leadership in one of five distinct sectors. The women listed have an unparalleled reach and influence, today.
“Creating access to role models is the most compelling reason why these achievers must be celebrated,” said Carolyn Lawrence, Women of Influence president and CEO. “The women we profile have made an important impact in their chosen fields and they are all using their influence to change the world, for the better. It is important that they are recognized because they serve as role models for Canadian women and girls.
“It was how I got inspired at the start of my career, and we’ve been returning the favor every day since.”
STEPHENSON
Stephenson, named to the list for the second time, was named in the Public Sector category for her work developing Ivey’s new $110 million building, including fundraising, site selection, design details and construction plans, bringing the school’s current dispersed programs under one roof.
Western’s alumnae also made a huge splash on the list, occupying a fifth of the list all to themselves.
CHROMINSKA
Sylvia Chrominska, BA’73 (Economics), HBA’75, Scotiabank, Global Human Resources and Communications group head, was named in the Business category. She was recognized for re-launching the bank’s Advancement of Women initiative, making executives more accountable for the advancement of female employees.
HANSELL
Carol Hansell, BA’81(History), Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, senior partner, was named in the Professional Services category. She was honoured for creating a reliable corporate voting system for the benefit of the issuer and their shareholders.
MCCARNEY
Rosemary McCarney, LLB’77, Plan Canada, president and CEO, was named in the NGO category. She was recognized for the Because I Am A Girl campaign, a global initiative to end gender inequity, promote girls’ rights and lift millions of girls, and everyone around them, out of poverty. This campaign led to the United Nations designating Oct. 11, 2012 the inaugural ‘International Day of the Girl.’
SCHMIDT
Bonnie Schmidt, BSc’86, Dipl’88, PhD’93 (Physiology), Let’s Talk Science founder and president, was named in the NGO category. She was honoured for her program’s ability to transform the thinking of young people who see science as an important part of society, but not relevant to them. She gets kids to see so many job opportunities will be closed if they don’t have an open attitude toward these fields.
STINTZ
Karen Stintz, BA’92, Dipl’93 (Political Science, King’s), Toronto City councilor and TTC chair, was named in the Public Sector category. Stintz was honoured for her ultimate vision to see a TTC – and community – improved by 2014, better than when she found it.
