Canada 150 Women_Conversations with Leaders, Champions, and Luminaries

by Paulina Cameron

As my good friend, the late Henry Elder, Dean of the UBC School of Architecture, once told me, human beings tend to set a lifelong pattern in their twenties; the rest of their lives are simply an elaboration or repetition. All of my defining moments occurred in my twenties: my mother died of bone cancer at forty-nine, I finished university, I discovered Canada and British Columbia (my future home), my planned career unexpectedly changed from journalism to arts management, and I developed the self-confidence that comes from successful adjustment to new communities.

  What advice would you give to young women starting out their careers?

  Seize the opportunity. I keep a coffee cup on my desk that sums it up: it’s a knight slaying a dragon with the words “NO GUTS, NO GLORY.” Believe strongly in what you are doing and often the perception of you as a leader follows.

  Choose to say “yes.” Take on projects, even if they stretch you. Challenge is good for all of us. Don’t be afraid to fail. Contribute your energy and talents to community organizations and causes, preferably in a field related to your own so that you can grow.

  What is your vision for Canada in twenty years?

  I hope Canada continues to be an open, compassionate society that reflects the values that have made it the strong, independent country it is today. We need to guard against becoming a society of those who have and those who don’t.

  What is the best investment you’ve made?

  A liberal arts education.

  Kim Baird

  “The ultimate feeling of joy is when you try your hardest and reach your goals.”

  Birthplace Langley, BC

  What age do you feel 30

  Occupation Consultant

  Favourite drink Americano by day, red wine by night

  Favourite place in Canada Tsawwassen, BC (home)

  How has your view of feminism changed over your lifetime?

  I’ve been subconsciously a feminist my whole life because I had three older brothers and I had to show I could do anything they could do. The older I get, the more nuanced my knowledge of feminism gets; from the fundamental issue of women being able to control their own lives and bodies, to being sensitive to the fact that Western notions of feminism don’t necessarily apply to other cultures, to looking at these issues as they apply to Indigenous women. These are all complex discourses that require further public exploration as feminism evolves.

  What will it take to achieve gender parity?

  Sadly, I think most rights come to people through activism, litigation, and lawmaking. Rights don’t usually come through benevolent granters. Ultimately I hope we are at a time in our society where lawmakers will intervene to force issues of parity. It will take a threshold of women in leadership to make the substantive structural change necessary in the fabric of our society.

  If you had the gift of a year off, in a paused world, what would you work on?

  I would write a book about my experience of leading my community to reconciliation through the negotiation and implementation of a modern treaty and self-government.

  Tell us about a time when you had to summon all of your courage.

  There have been many times where I have had to represent my community and required courage to confront racism, media scrutiny, and public controversy. I found strength knowing I was representing my community, and this provided me with a well of courage that I’m sure I couldn’t access if it were only for my personal benefit. I find that being respectful, or taking the high road, most often leads to reciprocal behaviour.

  Knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently when you were first starting out?

  I wish I had known that I could be an effective leader just the way I am. I felt inadequate because it was hard for me to emulate stereotypical traits of a First Nation chief or a strong negotiator. Being collaborative and soft-spoken turned out to be just as effective as other leadership styles.

  What has been a defining moment in your personal or professional life?

  My oldest daughter interviewed me this year and asked what was an early decision that led to my success. It took me a few minutes to conclude that deciding I would run for elected chief of my community enabled so many accomplishments. In my personal life it was deciding to have children. For me it is rewarding to have a family to share my successes and failures with.

  What message would you put on a billboard, and where?

  “If you know what needs to be done, quit waiting for others to do it—get it done!” I’d put it on the side of a busy highway.

  Where do you feel most powerful?

  I feel most powerful on my ancestral lands. There’s a strength in knowing my DNA comes from the soil I stand on.

  What does being Canadian mean to you?

  Being Canadian is a complex issue for me as a First Nations woman. I accepted being Canadian only after negotiating an agreement that lets my community participate in all Canadian institutions. I feel I only became Canadian when I had my rights recognized and my community had its jurisdiction recognized. But our entrance is recent. Canada is young, and I am hopeful that we are in a new chapter that will begin to address the injustices that the country was built on. Hopefully we are at the beginning of a tide change that will ensure Canada will be inclusive of everyone socially, politically, legally, and economically.

  If you were to get a tattoo of one word, what would it be?

  “Change.”

  Yaprak Baltacıoğlu

  “I’m proud to have played a role in shaping the next generation of public service leaders.”

  Birthplace Ankara, Turkey

  Occupation Secretary of the Treasury Board

  Book you gift most I Confess I Have Lived by Pablo Neruda

  Favourite drink Tea with lots of milk

  Favourite place in Canada At home in my kitchen!

  How has your view of feminism changed over your lifetime?

  When I was younger, I was told that to be a feminist, particularly in the working world, a woman had to be strong and tough above all. I was never convinced. Over the years, I’ve learned that strength comes in many different forms; while there are times to be tough, there are many more times—and ways—to play a leadership role in the workplace.

  Tell us about a time when you had to summon all of your courage.

  I recently told a very personal story in a very public domain about a family member who had struggled for many years with a mental illness. Like many others, I had felt the stigma that is often associated with this form of illness. It was not easy to open up and tell my story; however, the overwhelming response made me realize I had done the right thing. Many—too many—have similar stories. And several people told me that hearing mine made them feel less alone.

  What has been a defining moment in your personal or professional life?

  I came to Canada from Turkey in 1980. (I arrived in August, wearing a heavy winter coat!) I was well-educated, spoke English, had studied French, and was young and energetic. I thought I had the world by the tail! But the transition was much more difficult than I had thought it would be. I felt like an outsider. A Turkish criminal law degree didn’t open many doors for me in Canada. I lost my self-confidence. I decided to return to school to do a master’s in public administration. That first day of classes was probably the most frightening day of my life. I didn’t think I’d be good enough. But I survived that first day...and the day after that. One day at a time, I told myself. I graduated, got my first government job and the rest, as they say, is history.

  Where do you feel most powerful?

  In my current job, which I have been doing for five years, I regularly sit in the Cabinet room on Parliament Hill, where I can see the words carved on the wall: “Love, justice, you that are the rulers of the world.” Reading those words, I feel the great responsibility and honour of advising the decision-makers who run our country. It’s not power. In fact, it’s distinctly humbling. But I love being part of democracy at work.

  What does succes
s mean to you?

  Seeing people close to me—either personally or professionally—excel. I have had the honour of mentoring many talented young public servants. Success is being able to watch their careers blossom and their contributions make a difference in the lives of Canadians. I’m proud to have played a role in shaping the next generation of public service leaders.

  What does being Canadian mean to you?

  As an immigrant, it has meant both challenges and opportunities. Fortunately for me, the opportunities have far outnumbered the challenges. It has meant understanding better than most what a welcoming, inclusive, and warm country it is. I cried throughout the citizenship ceremony when I became a Canadian—it was one of the happiest days of my life.

  What advice would you give to young women considering a career in the public sector?

  It’s a great place to be! There’s no other employer in Canada that can offer the range and diversity of fascinating jobs we have in the federal public service. And, on an international scale, we consistently rank high. Just this past summer, a UK study named Canada’s public service the most effective in the world, praising our well-educated workforce and strong representation of women, and of ethnic and religious groups. In a single public service career, you can have many, many different jobs. And those jobs have a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of your fellow Canadians. You’ll be doing something that truly matters.

  What is your favourite dessert to bake?

  I love to bake (and cook) many different things. It’s a bit of a stress reliever for me, and a way to be creative. If I have to choose just one thing, I’ll go with baklava. I bake a huge batch every year to help raise money for our workplace charitable campaign. So a sweet treat for everyone in the office that also does a little good.

  Janet Bannister

  “We raise ourselves by lifting others.”

  Birthplace Brampton, ON

  What age do you feel When I am playing with my son I feel about 12 years old

  Occupation Venture capitalist

  Book you gift most Give and Take by Adam Grant

  Favourite drink Tea latte

  Favourite place in Canada The Rockies

  What will it take to achieve gender parity?

  I think the most important thing is to change gender biases that are ingrained in us, starting at a very young age and continuing throughout our lives. These biases are ingrained in us from advertisements, the media, movies, TV shows, books, and many other sources.

  We all need to shed these biases and understand that women and men can be successful in any role and, more importantly, that women’s presence in boardrooms, operating rooms, and fire stations should be not only accepted but expected.

  What has been a defining moment in your personal or professional life?

  Running long distances competitively from the age of eleven definitely shaped my personality and approach. It taught me the importance of working hard, setting goals, overcoming obstacles, and being independent and strong. I learned that the personal satisfaction of knowing that I had done my best was the greatest reward and I do not expect or need external validation to feel satisfied.

  What message would you put on a billboard?

  “Be Kind.”

  What does being Canadian mean to you?

  I feel extremely fortunate to be a Canadian and to have been lucky enough to be born and raised and now live in Canada. We live in a beautiful country that is welcoming, rich in resources, and very diverse. Opportunities are endless; our institutions and governments respect our citizenship and rights; we have some of the best educational and research institutions in the world; we have abundant natural resources, clean parks, clean water and fresh air; and our citizens are generally kind, generous, and accepting of others.

  What advice would you give to young Canadian female entrepreneurs?

  Believe in yourself, and know that no matter your gender, there will always be obstacles to overcome. Be clear about what you are doing and why you are doing it. Seek advice, mentorship, and resources from your network. Surround yourself with people who help you achieve your potential; are honest, kind, and respectful; and believe in you.

  How is the venture capitalist industry doing in Canada?

  I firmly believe that there is no better place to start a company than in Canada. We have a large, diverse, educated talent base. We live in a safe, stable country. The Canadian government has made innovation and entrepreneurialism a priority and is following through with impactful spending, programs, and policies. There is more venture capital money going into Canadian businesses than ever before. And the ambitions of Canadian entrepreneurs are higher than ever. The future is ours!

  If you had the gift of a year off, in a paused world, what would you work on?

  I do often ask myself, “If I found out tomorrow that I had two or three years left to live, what would I do differently?” And, frankly, I would not do much differently. I love my work and feel that it has a meaningful impact, I prioritize my family, and I take time to do things that I love to do every day.

  What does success mean to you?

  Success is about finding happiness and balance in various aspects of life. How would I define happiness? To me, it’s about living my passions, such as spending time with family and friends, doing meaningful work, being physically active and spending time in nature. And it’s about being able to find balance in all those elements. It is also about being able to give back to the community and help people achieve their dreams, in the same way that others helped me achieve my goals. I find it extremely rewarding to spend time with entrepreneurs, mentor them, and help them reach their potential.

  What gives you courage?

  Two key things give me courage every day. First, I get up early and exercise. That always sets me up well and puts me in the right frame of mind to face whatever the day will bring. Secondly, my husband is a huge supporter. When I am feeling overwhelmed or uncertain, he is the “rock” that keeps me steady and confident.

  If you were to get a tattoo of one word, what would it be?

  “Smile.”

  Meg Beckel

  “Canada needs more substance and action, and less narcissism and rhetoric.”

  Birthplace Toronto, ON

  What age do you feel 50

  Occupation President and CEO, Canadian Museum of Nature

  Book you gift most Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson

  Favourite drink Smoothie

  Favourite place in Canada Prince Edward County, ON

  If you could have dinner with any woman, alive or dead, who would it be?

  Viola MacMillan. Mining pioneer and trailblazer. Brilliant, badass, and tenacious. I learned about her when visiting the Canadian Museum of Nature in the mid-’90s long before I started working here.

  How has your view of feminism changed over your lifetime?

  I learned that women’s place in society and the workplace depends on the time, the industry, the male leaders, the women leaders, and women’s self-awareness and confidence.

  What does being Canadian mean to you?

  Being part of a young country that is simple and complex, that is intimate and vast, that is beautiful and deadly, that is understated and bold, and whose citizens are obsessed with weather, hockey, natural resources, and our identity.

  When do you feel most powerful?

  When I am thinking and strategizing in the bathtub! I am constantly amazed at the power of critical and focused thought.

  What message would you put on a billboard, and where?

  I would borrow from Alice Walker: “Look closely at the present you are constructing. It should look like the future you are dreaming.” I would put it at the entrance to the House of Commons and the senate chamber.

  What inspired your love of art?

  My early Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) experiences in the Saturday Morning Club, enhanced by my mother’s collection and involvement in the art world. And now, by the
amazing work of my artist husband, S. Gordon Harwood.

  What has been a defining moment in your personal or professional life?

  Being appointed the COO at the ROM changed everything. Faith in mentors who believe in your potential and act on it. Knowing what it is like when someone “has your back” as you take a risk. Learning openly and critically from people you respect. Learning about betrayal. Learning to be humble and generous and compassionate. Making a real difference.

  Knowing what you know now, what would you have done differently when you were first starting out?

  I wish I had better understood the potential of the not-for-profit world for a leadership career and my own potential coming right out of grad school.

  What has become more important and less important to you in the last few years?

  Retirement funding and health is much more important as I get closer to that time of life. Collecting art and jewels much less so. Now I get to simply enjoy what I have collected.

  What will it take to achieve gender parity?

  A belief that gender parity is right, safe, and good on the part of men and women. Also, more time and focused, tenacious effort.

  If you had the gift of a year off, in a paused world, what would you work on?

  I’d work toward my PhD focused on the impact of philanthropy on capital formation in Canada and the role of international philanthropy in Canada past, present, and future.

  What gives you courage?

  My confidence in my ability to endure with the support of family and friends.

  Tell us about a time when you had to summon all of your courage.

  The ROM COO role. A mentor identified and believed in my potential for a new role. Stepping into a culture and financial quagmire in a place that I loved and believed in. Ten years later, we launched the Crystal Age and the museum has experienced double attendance, double memberships, tenfold increase in mega gifts, and a bold position on the civic, national, and international stage.