Celebrating Canadian Women in Leadership
In honour of International Women’s Day, we are proud to highlight some of the innovative and ground-breaking Canadian women making change in the world today. These women have important leadership roles which contribute to outcomes in a local, national and international context.
Manon Dumas
Position:
Deputy High Commissioner for Canada to Australia (with concurrent accreditation to 7 Pacific Island Countries)
What does your role involve?
I have essentially two hats: managing the Foreign Policy and Diplomatic Section of the High Commission, and supporting the High Commissioner in ensuring cohesion among the various programs of the mission. The first role is largely classic diplomacy: building networks, making links between people and issues, ensuring analysis and comprehension of the region for Canada, pursuing Canadian political, cultural and other interests in the region. The second is akin to a corporate role, ensuring that the supporting administrative functions are working smoothly and fairly for everyone throughout the mission, and that there are governance mechanisms to ensure the sharing of information and resources among all the sections.
What is one thing you know now about women and work you wish you had known earlier in your career?
I wish I had not been so naive about the reality of gender power and gender sexual dynamics and the role they often play in the workplace and diplomacy. I am glad that we are evolving in being more open about these dynamics as they are too often at the root of discrimination or worse.
Have you drawn professional inspiration from other women? Tell us about someone who has inspired you.
There have been so many. One recent source was my colleague Beth Richardson who was working with me on a special project to help prevent harassment in our department. Beth was also completing a Degree in Psychology (Counselling) at the time. Beth is fearlessly ruthless in her rigour and efforts to understand human behaviour and challenge power dynamics. Her ability to provoke conversations between us about our own working relationship as a way of moving forward in our efforts to promote positive change in the workplace were really thought provoking and stimulating.
Amy Smith
Position:
Senior Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Officer, Reconciliation Australia
What does your role involve?
I help organisations from across the country draft their Reconciliation Action Plans, otherwise known as RAPs, which are strategic documents that help advance reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. I am part of the Strategy and Innovation team and I also conduct research and lead projects to make continuous improvements to the RAP program.
What is one thing you know now about women and work you wish you had known earlier in your career?
Women come up with some of the most creative solutions to complex problems, however, our voices are not always heard because these ideas come from side conversations and casual chats outside of spaces where decisions are being made. I wish I had known earlier in my career to not be intimidated to speak my truth. It took people advocating for me, to advocate for myself. Now I’m trying to pay it forward.
Have you drawn professional inspiration from other women? Tell us about someone who has inspired you.
The incredibly strong Métis women in my family inspire me. My mom’s kindness that’s she’s shown in over 25 years in customer service in the airline industry. My cousin’s passion for the LGBTIQ+ advocacy and training work she does in the Canadian public service. My grandma’s tenacity and dedication to learning, still taking Cree classes to learn her language. I’m not sure they realise the strength they give me to do the work I do. Their encouragement and love can be felt even from the distance that separates us.
Amanda Hawkins
Position:
Deputy Principal, Bonython Primary School, ACT
What does your role involve?
Leading professional development and strategy, building partnerships with our families and community, and managing school operations. But, the best part of the job is working with children and supporting their growth as informed and active citizens.
What is one thing you know now about women and work you wish you had known earlier in your career?
Have people in your network who support and challenge you. You need people to talk things over with, that will tell you the truth no matter how challenging, who will be a shoulder to cry on or laugh with you until it aches. And once you find these people, do not let them go. They are worth more than gold.
Have you drawn professional inspiration from other women? Tell us about someone who has inspired you.
My mom was a teacher for over 40 years. She is my personal and professional inspiration. I remember all the hours and extra effort she put into planning, providing feedback to students and caring for those who needed a little bit more. All of this while being there for our family and supporting our dreams. From a young age, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher just like her. Proudly I tell people, I have been in teacher training since the day I was born! My mom is a woman who embodies grit and grace. A true inspiration.
Melissa Wharton
Position:
CEO Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce
What does your role involve?
I lead the Canadian Australian Chamber of Commerce. The CACC’s aim is to bring businesses together to facilitate a strong environment for economic trade and investment between Canada & Australia.
What is one thing you know now about women and work you wish you had known earlier in your career?
- Representation matters.
- Having a mentor early in your career will have a significant impact on your career & life path.
Have you drawn professional inspiration from other women? Tell us about someone who has inspired you.
Unfortunately, I did not have representation of women early in my career to draw upon. 30 years on, I try to support other bla(c)k women to see their value and potential within themselves and help them create impact in this economy.
Dr. Alexandra Fisher
Position:
Research Fellow at the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership and SSHRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow of Canada
What does your role involve?
My role involves teaching and mentoring students, researching and writing papers, and working with organisations to address gender inequalities. Right now, I’m researching how women’s romantic relationships can both help and hinder their leadership pursuits.
What is one thing you know now about women and work you wish you had known earlier in your career?
Progress toward gender equality is a community effort. Women need mentors and colleagues who look out for them, who help them get to the next stage in their careers. We also need supportive friends, family, and partners who believe in us and keep us going. My research suggests that supportive personal relationships rooted in equality are especially important for the career success and satisfaction of women leaders.
Have you drawn professional inspiration from other women? Tell us about someone who has inspired you.
Having recently moved to Canberra, I feel really lucky to be surrounded by inspirational women at the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership who are all so passionate, brilliant, and dedicated. My supervisor, Prof. Michelle Ryan, in particular, is someone I draw inspiration from daily. She’s an incredible leader, connector, community builder, and changemaker. She has a way of doing academia that I didn’t think was possible but is so heartening to be a part of.
