UWaterloo community members on list of Canada’s most powerful women

Eleven leaders in education, business and community who have ties to the University of Waterloo are named among the 100 most powerful women in Canada.

Women’s Executive Network (WXN) recently released the 2022 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winners, and Waterloo faculty, alumni and parents figure prominently. The list celebrates women across Canada for their leadership and accomplishments.

“I’m immensely proud of the influential people who are part of the UWaterloo community and the University’s role in supporting strong leaders who make meaningful contributions to society,” said Dr. Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo. “I wish to acknowledge the accomplishments of these women and offer my congratulations to them for this honour.”

Dr. Charmaine Dean, vice-president, research and international, appears in the Executive Leaders category, which recognizes women who exemplify leadership and champion others. She is also a professor in the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science and earned her master’s and PhD from Waterloo.

WXN recognized two professors from Waterloo’s Faculty of Science. Dr. Xiaowu (Shirley) Tang, professor of chemistry and associate dean of science, research was honoured for her groundbreaking scientific research, including a tool to diagnose heart failure. Dr. Anne Innis Dagg, an alum and professor emeritus from the Department of Biology, is included in the Women of Courage Category. It honours those who demonstrate courage and compassion, sometimes at great personal risk. Dagg is recognized as the first western scientist to study giraffes in the wild.

Two alumni and a Waterloo parent were named among Canada’s Most Powerful CEOs. Kathy Hay (BA 1998) is president and CEO of Kids Help Phone and a member of the Board of Governors for the Mental Health Commission of Canada. Malgosia Green (BASC 2002) is the CEO of Plenty of Fish. Laura Money is the chief information and technology officer at Sun Life Financial.

Three more alumni were recognized in the Emerging Leaders category. Simone Harrington (BSC 2006), Jane Hung (BMATH 2008, MAcc 2008) and Shelly-Ann Rampersad (BSC 2011) were noted for successive leadership positions and a passion for learning and innovation. Harrington is vice-president at Trillium Health Partners’ Institute for Better Health. Hung is assistant vice-president of the corporate development team at Definity Financial Corporation. Rampersad serves as vice-president of clinical operations at Maple, a virtual healthcare company.

Another alum honoured is Stephanie Thompson (BASC 2001), who leads engineering teams at General Motors Canada and is a mentor and advisor in STEM. She was recognized in the CP Skilled Trades category for excellence in skilled trades, innovation and community involvement. And Laura Kennedy (BASc 1996), appears in the BMO Entrepreneurs category. She is president and co-owner of Global Power Technologies, which supports a shift to greener operations in industry.

The Top 100 Awards span the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, with the winners selected by WXN's Diversity Council of Canada. The awards cover 12 categories and will be presented at a gala in Toronto on November 17.