This event is the second of three regional summits funded by the Department of Women and Gender Equality.
There is one woman for every four men in digital workplaces in Canada. This gender gap adversely affects our ability to compete in the knowledge economy and contributes to the ongoing chronic shortage of skilled labour in this sector. WCT reports in their Closing the Gender Gap report that 56 per cent of women leave the ICT industry by mid-career. This forum will focus on real world Canadian case studies about strategies that have been measured, implemented and have repeatedly resulted in improving the growth and retention of women in their companies and organizations.
Join WCT and Simon Fraser University as experts explore winning strategies that help close the gender gap. This forum will focus on strategies for retention, inclusion and advancement of women in Canada's digital economy at the early and mid-career stages.
Who should attend:
- IT and digital sector representatives
- Leaders, Executives and Managers
- HR executives
- Team leaders
- Talent recruiters
Go beyond defining the challenges. Join us and learn about what really works to help organizations close the gender gap.
#upthenumbers
About: For nearly 30 years, Women in Communications and Technology has been a leader in advocating the benefits of gender equality in the workplace. WCT is Canada's only national organization with chapters coast-to-coast dedicated to keeping a persistent focus on the under-representation of women in digital industries.
When: April 29, 2020, 8:00am-10:30am
Where: Simon Fraser University
Joseph & Rosalie Segal Centre, Room 1400-1410, Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre
515 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 5K3
Agenda:
8:00 am breakfast and networking
8:30 am Presentations and discussion
10:00 am coffee and networking
10:30 event ends
Panel:
Sarah Paquet, Executive Vice-President, Shared Services Canada
Sarah Paquet started her federal public service career in the Department of Justice (DoJ) in 1997. She held various positions within DoJ, before becoming Executive Director and General Counsel for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Executive Director and Senior General Counsel for Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). In April 2017, Ms. Paquet became the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategy Branch, at Shared Services Canada (SSC). In February 2018, Ms. Paquet was appointed the Executive Vice-President (EVP) at SSC. As the first EVP at SSC, Ms. Paquet is providing leadership to SSC as it modernizes the Government of Canada enterprise IT infrastructure, enabling digital services to Canadians. Ms. Paquet is also the Deputy Minister Champion for the University of Ottawa strengthening their relationship with the Government of Canada, focussing on student mental health and recruitment. She is a strong advocate for women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Christin Wiedemann, President, Radical I/O
A Ph.D. particle physicist by training, Christin uses her scientific background and analytical skills to dissect complex problems involving large computer software systems. As the President of Radical I/O, a technology consultancy and lab, Christin applies her creativity and innovativeness to act as a catalyst, facilitating organizational growth and performance, and she is passionate about initiatives that aim to move the technology sector forwards. Christin is an outspoken advocate for women in STEM, a passion she pursues through work and volunteering. She served on the Board of Directors for SCWIST, the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology, for three years, and in 2017 she took on the role of Co-Chair of the BC Chapter of WCT, Women in Communications and Technology.
Joy Johnson, Vice President, Research and International, Simon Fraser University
Joy Johnson leads Simon Fraser University's strategic research initiatives and facilitates international opportunities that foster research collaborations and student exchange. Her work focuses on facilitating research excellence and helping the university respond to new opportunities. Building on her long-standing leadership and research experience, she works with faculty, students and staff to secure research partnerships within the community and industry. Johnson is a leader for SFU Innovates-the university's innovation strategy to inspire, develop and support impact-driven innovation and entrepreneurship. As part of SFU's commitment to innovation, she is responsible for developing initiatives that support students and faculty members to harness new ideas and innovations for the benefit of society. Johnson championed the designation process for SFU to become the first Ashoka U Changemaker Campus in British Columbia. She also chairs a committee of the executive to advance SFU's work in matters of equity, diversity and inclusion.