Virginia Dybenko

2011 winner, MMath 1972 Pure Mathematics

Ginny Dybenko comes to the role of Executive – Strategic Initiatives for Wilfrid Laurier University with five successful years as the Dean of the Wilfrid Laurier School of Business & Economics and over 30 years of corporate experience. As Dean, her leadership role set the strategic direction for one of the largest business schools in Canada including introducing a unique Management of Innovation curriculum platform, developing a strong international agenda, establishing Canada’s first MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a unique Executive Masters in Technology Management and introducing the Blackberry into the university classroom. Her new role focuses on strategic university directions, development, critical advocacy issues and high priority projects related to building the University of the 21st century.

Ginny previously held a number of senior executive roles in both Bell Canada and a high tech startup – including a five year period as president and CEO of Bell Advanced Communications. In that role she contributed to Bell Canada’s pursuit of Canada’s first broadband initiative, Canada’s Information Highway, CA*net; the formation of a Professional Services business unit within Bell Canada and the pioneering of Bell’s first successful Electronic Commerce service offering.

Ginny has been a champion for the promotion of technical programs for youth, serving on and chairing the Youth in Motion Educational Foundation, notable for its Top 20 Under 20^TM scholarship competition and is currently a member of Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario (ICAO), Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and the Waterloo North Hydro Boards.

Ginny is a long-standing adjudicator for Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, the Fulbright Scholarship Foundation and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards. She is one of the founding members of the Canadian Board Diversity Council – Women’s Executive Network. Ginny is also president and founder of the Waterloo Chapter of the International Women’s Forum and was recently named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women.

Ginny works hard to keep in physical shape. She bikes, golfs, skis, hikes, scuba dives, owns a motorcycle and loves spending time with her two amazing children.