New Forum Focuses on Women in Technology
In her welcoming comments, Dr. Ilse Treurnicht, CEO of MaRS and Chair of the nascent Toronto chapter of the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance — Women in Technology Forum answered her own question: “Why bother” with an effort like the CATA WIT Forum? One of the reasons for her own involvement is that she sees the Forum as crucial to the “bigger picture” as Canada becomes more focused on competing in the global knowledge economy. To do this, it will have to ensure it uses its human assets to the fullest, which means ensuring that women are more integrated into technology and innovation for the future of the country.
Eighty-five participants attended the inaugural lunch for the Toronto chapter of the CATA WIT Forum at the MaRS Centre. The oversubscribed lunch featured a panel of three impressive women business leaders in technology who spoke candidly about their careers in technology and business.
The featured speakers were Kerri Golden, Managing Partner of Primaxis Technology Ventures, Charlotte Burke, Senior Vice President of Bell Canada, and Lisa Crossley, President and CEO of Nysa Membrane Technologies. Dr. Cindy Gordon, CEO of Helix Commerce International, kicked off the discussion by asking each woman to give the group the “top three” insights they’ve learned during their varied careers.
A number of interesting and useful ideas recurred during the discussion, emerging as common elements in the successful careers of the speakers. Lisa Crossley encouraged the audience to “take jobs that terrify you” and get broad exposure across business, to build both experience and confidence.
Another common element for all the speakers was their appreciation of mentors and their focus on mentorship of others. Whether the mentor is a family member or a boss, Charlotte Burke recommended that women “seek out mentors and use their experience and ideas to guide and support you.” Each of the speakers now actively mentors others through both formal programs and informally.
“All three women were quite open and offered many insights into their careers that made me think about my own,” said Michelle McBane, a Senior Associate with VenGrowth. “I’ll be very interested to see what direction this new Forum takes and what impact it has as a new network for women in the industry.”
For more information on the CATA WIT Forum, visit www.catawit.ca
Eighty-five participants attended the inaugural lunch for the Toronto chapter of the CATA WIT Forum at the MaRS Centre. The oversubscribed lunch featured a panel of three impressive women business leaders in technology who spoke candidly about their careers in technology and business.
The featured speakers were Kerri Golden, Managing Partner of Primaxis Technology Ventures, Charlotte Burke, Senior Vice President of Bell Canada, and Lisa Crossley, President and CEO of Nysa Membrane Technologies. Dr. Cindy Gordon, CEO of Helix Commerce International, kicked off the discussion by asking each woman to give the group the “top three” insights they’ve learned during their varied careers.
A number of interesting and useful ideas recurred during the discussion, emerging as common elements in the successful careers of the speakers. Lisa Crossley encouraged the audience to “take jobs that terrify you” and get broad exposure across business, to build both experience and confidence.
Another common element for all the speakers was their appreciation of mentors and their focus on mentorship of others. Whether the mentor is a family member or a boss, Charlotte Burke recommended that women “seek out mentors and use their experience and ideas to guide and support you.” Each of the speakers now actively mentors others through both formal programs and informally.
“All three women were quite open and offered many insights into their careers that made me think about my own,” said Michelle McBane, a Senior Associate with VenGrowth. “I’ll be very interested to see what direction this new Forum takes and what impact it has as a new network for women in the industry.”
For more information on the CATA WIT Forum, visit www.catawit.ca
BROWSE PAGES
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- MaRS Convergence: Fall 2007
- MaRS Convergence: Winter 2006/07
- MaRS Convergence: Fall 2006
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- Creative Cities Initiative Launched at MaRS
- MaRS - Year One
- MaRS Puts India on Centre Stage
- New Award Recognizes Ontario's Top Medical Researchers
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- New Forum Focuses on Women in Technology
- MaRS Director Awarded Prestigious Fellowship
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