Page 42 - CCCA61_2007

NATL61_058,059 03/08/2007 10:04 AM Page 59 No two days are ever the same — Profile which is exactly the way HP’s Georgia Sievwright likes it. to leave the company, the offer to“ The whole HP culture is a says Sievwright. “Being on the was very happy at IBM and hated anything and everything I need to form a new department was too perfect fit for me. It’s easy to leadership team, I have access to good an opportunity to turn stay engaged. make the best decision. Generally, down, she recalls. the challenge is to find a legal and Sievwright’s contributions to ” appropriate way to effect a com- HP’s development over the years mercially-reasonable solution.” extend beyond what is generally As if her days weren’t long termed “strictly legal.” She has overseen, among other duties, enough, Sievwright sits on HP’s Infrastructure Committee the editorial content of HP’s web pages, the company’s corpo- and mentors within the organization. She also volunteers on rate image (brand image and awareness), internal communica- the “Best Place to Work” Committee, a management team tions, and government and industry affairs. She’s also done a from across the country dedicated to enhancing the employee stint shepherding corporate philanthropy; she is immensely experience at HP. Externally, she is a sought-after public proud of the company’s continuing commitment and leader- speaker and an active participant in her profession; she is cur- ship in this regard. rently co-chair of the CCCA spring Conference to be held in Currently, Sievwright heads up a legal,contracts and govern- Toronto this April. ment affairs department composed of three lawyers (including Life is not all work,however;she’s created a work/life balance herself), eight negotiators, a director of government affairs, and that includes working “in my sweats at home at 8 p.m.” from a an executive assistant. totally-outfitted home office. Of prime importance is spending All of HP’s legal functions, contracts and negotiations that quality time with her husband J.M. Irving, a sales executive, son emanate from its Canadian operations report up through Campbell, 12, and her three dogs. Sievwright is an avid skier, Sievwright. Then there’s the spillover decision-making from mystery book fan (current favourite authors include Michael HP’s worldwide offices and their effect on the Canadian oper- Creighton, Ken Follett and James Patterson), and cottager, who ation that must be taken into consideration. treasures summer weekends with family and friends. Sievwright has also earned herself a berth as the sole lawyer Long hours, tough decisions, learning to delegate, yet on HP’s ten-member Canadian leadership team, which meets Sievwright — who compares her energy level to that of the monthly, working alongside the likes of the vice-presidents “Energizer Bunny” — couldn’t be any happier.“I feel like I’m who lead the human resources, finance and other portfolios. blessed,” says Sievwright.“The whole HP culture is a perfect “This is a great opportunity for me to participate in cross- fit for me. It’s so easy to stay engaged.” business alignment,sharing strategies to come up with the win- ning solutions for our internal clients and external customers,” Bev Cline is a history, legal and business writer in Toronto. MARS 2007 CCCA Canadian Corporate Counsel Association 59