Canadian Women in Communications and Technology ANNUAL REPORT 2015 Contents 1 Message from our Executive Director 2 Who We Are 3 What We Offer 11 Our Bottom Line 13 Our Sponsors 14 Our Leaders 2015 IN REVIEW Message from our Executive Director By any account, 2015 was a blockbuster year for WCT, thanks to the many volunteers and members who make up our community. The mentorship program had the largest The annual WCT Gala was sold out again, around board tables. So while it’s 2015, as number of applications ever. There were 32 as 450 attendees celebrated 15 extraordinary someone recently said, we still have a long new mentor-mentee partnerships, thoughtfully women who are making waves in the way to go to “up the numbers.” matched and facilitated by WCT. digital economy. In 2016, therefore, WCT will continue its solid The pilot of our groundbreaking Protégé Our ten active WCT regional chapters programming and events to facilitate women’s Project connected 14 rising star women in ICT held 45 networking and professional career advancement. We will increase our with executive sponsors. This program, with development events which attracted 975 efforts to inform government and company presenting sponsor Shaw Media and partner attendees across the country. In the fall leaders on the importance of diversity and Status of Women Canada, matches strong of 2015, WCT launched the Public Sector inclusion particularly at leadership levels in women leaders with executive champions Network for women in ICT in government in Canada. And most importantly, we will continue to advance women into roles of power and Canada. It’s a forum for professional women to build a national network of women and influence in the knowledge based economy. in technology and science to learn from each men who work together to ensure gender other and seek leadership positions. parity at all levels in Canada’s digital economy. Status of Women Canada became a partner of WCT, funding a project to support women’s And last but not least, WCT welcomed 2016 is WCT’s 25th anniversary. Together leadership in knowledge based companies. Microsoft and Cisco as key national sponsors. we will go faster, further, and higher. The Blueprint for Women’s Leadership in the Our vision is to be the leading organization Digital Economy will, over the next three years, that inspires and advances women as leaders create collaborations with corporations, and contributors to Canada’s digital economy. universities and financial institutions to This vision is important now more than ever. help women advance into executive-level The numbers speak for themselves. Less leadership positions in telecom, technology, JOANNE STANLEY than 25% of the Canadian workforce in ICT cable and digital media. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR is female. Only 5.1 per cent of Canadian CEO’s and company leaders are women. Women occupy fewer than one in six seats Canadian Women in Communications and Technology | ANNUAL REPORT 2015 1 Who We Are Canadian 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 VISION OUR PARTICULARS members to network, be mentored, get To be the leading organization that inspires Years in operation access to targeted educational opportunities and advances women as leaders and 24 (founded in 1991) and be recognized for their contributions contributors to Canada’s digital economy to Canada’s digital economy. Members 1100 across Canada from all sectors MISSION Since our inception in 1991, we have of the communications and technology provided programs and support to women We will achieve our vision through sectors including broadcasting, cable, to achieve professional success and be leadership and skills development, telecommunications, print, IT, new media recognized for their achievements. mentorship, recognition and by building and allied fields. and promoting a national community for women in communications and technology Regions There are ten WCT Regions across Canada: Goals British Columbia, Edmonton, Calgary, To be the catalyst for women’s Manitoba, Greater Toronto Area, London, leadership in the technology, media Kitchener-Waterloo, National Capital Region, and telecommunications sectors Quebec and New Brunswick. To facilitate women’s career advancement National Office location through programs of mentorship, skills Ottawa, Ontario and leadership training, networking and recognition Funding WCT is a not-for-profit organization that To help companies access female talent operates on funding collected from sponsors as well as revenue generated from member dues and events. 2 Canadian Women in Communications & Technology | ANNUAL REPORT 2015 What We Offer To assist our members with career advancement, we offer professional development workshops, networking events, scholarships to key industry events and industry-focused training programs, as well as prestigious industry awards, a well-established mentoring program and a groundbreaking executive career sponsorship program. Our ongoing services include: PROGRAMS AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS Jeanne Sauvé Career Woman of the Year WCT/UBC Continuing Development Program Studies Scholarship Digital Company of the Year Content & Communications Mentorship Program Leadership Excellence Awards and Digital Strategy The Protégé Project Executive WCT/Rotman MBA Essentials Sponsorship Program for Managers Scholarship Blueprint for Women’s Leadership Banff World Media Festival in the Digital Economy Senior Executive Strategy Series Canadian Women in Communications and Technology | ANNUAL REPORT 2015 3 OUR MEMBER BENEFITS WCT offers its members numerous tools and resources to help them thrive in today’s challenging industry environment. WCT provides its members with the opportunity to learn how to take charge of their career development, expand their networks and accomplish their career goals. WCT member benefits include: Access to year-round programming Discounts on WCT events and industry in the communications, digital media WCT members have access to all of our programs, services and events and technology sectors. WCT regional board programs, including Mentorship, Jeanne Members receive significant discounts members are given the opportunity to build Sauvé Career Development, The Protégé on over 45 WCT events presented by key skills such as collaboration, communications, Project, Senior Executive Strategy Series, our Regions each year. Through the event and project management. Professional Development Webinars, strong alliances we have formed with Online Career Development Resources and leadership recognition through our universities, industry organizations and To support women’s career management in Annual Awards Gala. professional associations, we are able the digital age, Women in Communications to offer our members discounts on Professional Development Webinars and Technology (WCT) partnered with OCAD numerous professional development Our monthly webinars provide our members University and developed digital business events, services and programs. with knowledge expert speakers that training aimed at women in the technology, present cutting-edge information, industry E-Bulletin – monthly electronic newsletter media and telecommunications (TMT) sectors. trends and career advancement strategies We keep our members up to date on Access to over 10,000 experts for professionals in technology and the information they need to advance in and professionals communications. their careers, such as industry news, key Belong to a leading edge national community professional development events, career of like-minded professionals and executive opportunities and WCT initiatives, through champions dedicated to paying it forward our monthly electronic newsletter. and helping women lead and succeed in Volunteer Opportunities today’s digital economy. WCT regional board members plan and organize networking, mentorship and educational events for women 4 Canadian Women in Communications and Technology | ANNUAL REPORT 2015 OUR PROGRAMS JEANNE SAUVÉ CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Since 1996, the program has provided over 2015 Participants: 100 private and public sector participants Allison Carroll with the opportunity to broaden their Senior Program Analyst, Aboriginal Affairs Directorate, understanding of Canadian communications Citizen Participation Branch, Department of Canadian Heritage regulation and policy. Caitlin Carrol These intensive learning experiences Manager, Research and Analysis, Canadian Wireless do more than educate and empower; they Telecommunications Association (CWTA) provide participants with new perspectives, insights and direct access to some of Brenda Grunau the industry’s most influential policy and Station Manager, CiTR 101.9 FM regulatory decision makers, as well as Dr. Omneya Issa new ways to think, work and springboard Senior Research Scientist at the Communications Research Centre, their careers. SITT, Industry Canada The program is a chance for participants – Kristina Milbourn from Innovation, Science, and Economic Senior Manager – Copyright and Regulatory Projects, Development (ISED), Canadian Heritage Rogers Communications and the CRTC, as well as from private-sector organizations – to take part in a two-week Tracy Speigel program, which includes visits to public and Senior Policy Analyst, English and third-language private sector organizations as well as key programming, CRTC industry events.