Page 40 - CCCA 243725 Magazine_Winter 2015

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WomeN iN The Boardroom

A year has passed since securities regulators introduced the new
“comply or explain” policy regarding the number of women on
boards and within senior management at companies. What is the lay
of the land today for female lawyers looking to enter the boardroom?
How do you get on a board, and once there, how do you excel?

o address these questions and more, non-profts to fnd out about pro bono op-
the CCCA Diversity Committee, the portunities or joining your children’s school
TCCCA Ontario Chapter and the OBA council. By taking smaller steps like these,
Women Lawyers Forum hosted a discus- women will expand their networks and be
sion in October called “Pathways to Power: noticed. Hansell agreed, encouraging young
Women in the Boardroom.” Four expert women to get involved with their associa-
panelists with experience on boards were tion’s volunteer committees, whether it be
on hand to provide guidance, offer advice to help plan events, review new policies or
and answer questions. They were Profes- perform other work. Moving up the ranks
sor Anita Anand (University of Toronto, within an association looks great on a re-
Faculty of Law), Glenna Carr (Member, sume and distinguishes you from the pack.
Institute of Corporate Directors), Carol
Hansell (Hansell LLP), and Jane Pepino, 3. Network.
C.M., Q.C. (Aird & Berlis LLP). We’ve dis- Hansell highlighted that women support-
tilled their key insights and tips here: ing women is one of the most powerful
networks there is. Networking isn’t about
1. Start small. seeing an important person across the
Anand recounted that when she started room and trying to gain access to them;
looking for her frst board role, someone it is about spending time with the people
advised her to start small. She was initially you already know and building the conf-
offended by the assumption she would dence they have in you. Carr added that
need to learn before taking on a role at a it’s important to tell people in your net-
larger company. But this turned out to be work what types of opportunities you’re
good advice. A smaller organization was a looking for. The more people know, the
great learning experience, which prepared more likely it is they’ll share an opportu-
her for more prestigious roles later on. nity that’s right for you.

2. Volunteer at the committee level. 4. Understand the business.
Pepino advised younger lawyers to begin Once you secure a board position, it’s
their journey by volunteering. She sug- crucial that you understand the business
gested contacting the legal departments of of the board. Research the industry and

40 CCCA MAgAzine | Winter 2015 Hiver