WXN (Women’s Executive Network) and its partners proudly announce this year’s winners of the 2024 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards. The WXN Top 100 Awards opens doors for women to achieve higher levels of excellence by proving that opportunities are increasing for female leaders to have an impact at the highest organizational levels. Being recognized as WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award is an opportunity to send a message to young female leaders that ceilings are shattering and possibilities are endless.
Waterloo Pharmacy alum Dr. Danielle Paes (Rx2014) joins the ranks of remarkable and inspiring women across Canada in the WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award, Professionals category.
"Being recognized with this award is special to me because it sends a message to young female leaders that not only is there a place for you at the highest levels of organizations in this country, but that your voice matters and that the perspective you offer is powerful. I know the women I represent will see me and realize that the possibilities for what they can achieve are endless,” Paes says.
Paes completed her Bachelor of Science in Applied Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Guelph, which led her to work in the pharmaceutical industry. Driven by her desire to connect science to people and the opportunity to more directly impact the lives of patients, she went back to school to earn her pharmacy degree at the University of Waterloo.
During her time at the School, Paes was the vice president of the University of Waterloo Society of Pharmacy Students and also successfully pitched the idea for a health-tech solution that connected her to Velocity. Her dedication and leadership to the profession was rooted in her early days as a pharmacist student. She received the National Commitment to Care and Service Award for Student Leadership in 2013. Paes graduated from the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy program in 2014 and completed her PharmD through the bridging program in 2018.
In my leadership role, I have the privilege of hearing about what pharmacists across Canada are doing with their degrees and I am reminded daily of the power that each one of us holds within us to apply our education in meaningful ways. Do not underestimate the potential you have to make a mark on this planet. We need young leaders to step up with confidence and courage and to be catalysts for change. It’s never too late to take action, and it’s never to early to take the lead.
After graduating Paes took on a series of roles with McKesson Canada including manager of pharmacy operations. She went on to work at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital as a clinical pharmacist and is now the Chief Pharmacist Officer (CPO) at the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA), where she is driving strategic efforts to advance the profession of pharmacy with a focus on pharmacy practice, workforce sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion.
As the inaugural CPO, Paes is part of the senior management team at the association. She is responsible for providing leadership and guidance on the issues facing pharmacy and health care in Canada. In her role as a spokesperson for CPhA, she represents the pharmacy community and the association on advisory committees, at conferences, in the media and with a variety of other stakeholders and decision makers.
Paes was involved in the first cohort of the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy’s Women in Pharmacy Leadership program in 2022, designed to build leadership capacity and empower women in pharmacy to achieve their full potential.
Most recently, Paes gave the keynote address at the Fall 2024 Faculty of Science convocation.
Danielle Paes gives the Fall 2024 Faculty of Science keynote address.
"Though women make up the majority of the pharmacy workforce, we continue to be underrepresented in management and decision-making roles. This pattern mirrors the general inequities seen in society, which is why it’s so important that we acknowledge our biases and actively work toward overcoming them," Paes says. "I’ve come to appreciate what taking on the position of Chief Pharmacist Officer truly means, not just for me, but to the community of young women I represent. The significance of being in this leadership role and the symbolism it holds for BIPOC women in pharmacy is undeniable."
In addition to her role at CPhA, Paes practices using her full pharmacist scope as a part-time independent consultant in the community. She is passionate about providing care to patients and caregivers during transitions of care within the healthcare system and has interest and experience in the areas of pediatrics, specialty compounding, mental health and addiction support.
Congratulations Danielle Paes!