Dr. Catherine Aczel BoivieDr. Catherine Aczel Boivie

How can CanWIT Support Women in the New Economy?

How can CanWIT Support Women in the New Economy?

BiographyBiography

Dr. Catherine Aczel Boivie is the current CEO and Chair for Canadian Women in Technology (CanWIT) and Executive-in-Residence at the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University

Catherine has over 20 years of experience in the business leadership of information technology, including:

- Senior Vice President of Information Technology and Facility Management for Vancity Credit Union- Senior Vice President of IT and CIO at Pacific Blue Cross and CAA British Columbia- Founding President of the Chief Information Officer’s Association of Canada (CIOCAN)- University of Waterloo Mathematics Alumni Achievement Medal- Awarded Canada’s top 100 most powerful women by the Women’s Executive Network in the “Trailblazers and Trendsetters” category- Has served on several boards such as the Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC), Certified General Accountants Association of Canada, Burnaby Board of Trade, and the Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC).

CanWIT – a National volunteer organization to support the attraction and advancement of women in technology and technology related careers.

The facts are in our favour:

• More women in leadership position makes a measurable and positive difference to companies

• Companies with female leadership are more likely to succeed

The stats are against us:

• Women make-up only 21% of Canada’s technology sector workforce• Barely 1 in every 5 workers that work in an ICT occupation is a woman

(ICTC, 2012)• 52% of highly qualified females working in science, engineering and technology companies will quit their jobs within the first 10 years of their career (ICTC, 2005)

- Encourage women to consider a career in a technology field through mentorship, networking, and professional development - Help accelerate, retain, and support the careers of women already in the field

- Offer a platform for entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts to meet and build great women-led technology-based businesses through - Become a strong voice for Canadian women in technology who face barriers in advancing their careers - Provide professional development, mentoring, and networking opportunities for women in technology and technology-related roles

CanWIT is comprised of a network of over 1,000 women across the country who work together to break the glass ceiling in our sector.

The CanWIT Advisory Council is guided by a group of 17 talented women, including:

• Fawn Annan – CEO, IT World Canada• Victoria Lennox – Co-Founder, Startup Canada• Sarah Prevette – Founder and CEO, Sprouter/BETAKit• Sage Baker – CEO, Q5 Innovations• Mary Ann Yule – VP and General Manager, CDW Canada

The New Economy offers new opportunities through innovative programs (eMentorship Program) for more women to join leadership ranks within the technology sector.

CIOCAN represents the CIO Profession in Canada • Members are all senior IT leaders • Senior faculty from Canada’s top university business schools join us as academic members • Self managed, not for profit, vendor neutral

Networking• Exclusive IT Leader membership ensures open exchange of ideas and

best practices• Cross-industry membership provides diverse perspectives Advocacy• Speaks for CIOs on IT leadership issues (IT talent gap, privacy & security)• Promoting the CIO role as central to creating and executing effective

business strategy • Research on business trends for CIOs, internal and with external partners

Professional Development• C-level communication• Decision points on emerging trends

Growing the Next Generation of IT Leaders• Partnering in University-based leadership programs• Partnering in Mentoring programs

Cross-industry perspectiveCross-industry perspective

• Education

• Forestry

• Transportation

• Health Services

• Food & Hospitality

• Financial Services

• Technology & Manufacturing

• Retail

• Public Sector

• Construction

• Property Management

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The New Economy – Strength in Collaboration