Top 25 women of influence

Women of Influence, a Toronto-based organization, has announced its top 25 ranking for 2013. Now in its third year, the ranking is designed to celebrate and showcase the achievements of the most influential Canadian women in business, health, non-government organizations, professional services, and the public sector over the course of the last year.

The list includes Kimberley Mason, regional president, Atlantic Provinces, RBC Royal Bank, and Tracy Redies, president and CEO of Coast Capital Savings Credit Union.

Read: 8 ways women can advance in capital markets

These women have not only made a significant difference in their chosen fields but they are exceptionally influential. This is an important criterion because such women also serve as important role models for Canadian women and girls. The Top 25 includes women from many backgrounds, educational levels, skill sets, personality types, sectors, professions, regions and interests. Some extend influence across Canada, across a sector or internationally. Some have been celebrated leaders for many years and are already well known.

The women who made this year’s ranking are not judged or selected based on accomplishment alone, but on the sheer size of their reach and influence over the last 12 months. Candidates are selected based on previous award recognitions and asked to complete a questionnaire about their work including: presence on boards, number of employees managed, funds raised, business deals initiated/led, and published work.

This year’s Top 25 Women of Influence by category:

NGO

• Rosemary McCarney, President and CEO, Plan Canada
• Annette Bergeron, P.Eng. President, Professional Engineers Ontario
• Mitzie Hunter, CEO, The Greater Toronto Civic Action Alliance – “CivicAction”
• Claudia Hepburn, Executive Director, The Next 36
• Janice O’Born, Chairman, The Printing House Charitable Office

BUSINESS

• Karen Sheriff, President and CEO, Bell Aliant Regional Communications Inc.
• Kimberley Mason, Regional President, Atlantic Provinces, RBC Royal Bank
• Tracy Redies, President and Chief Executive Officer, Coast Capital Savings Credit Union
• Sue Paish, President and CEO, LifeLabs Medical Laboratories Inc.
• Amiee Chan, President & CEO, Norsat International Inc.

Read: How to help young women clients

PUBLIC SECTOR

• Wendy Cukier, Vice President Research and Innovation and Founder and Director, Diversity Institute, Ryerson University
• Ann Buller, President and CEO, Centennial College
• Janice MacKinnon, Professor/Doctor, University of Saskatchewan
• Beatrix Dart, Associate Dean, Executive Degree Programs, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
• Deb Matthews, Member of Provincial Parliament for London North Centre, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Deputy Premier of Ontario, Legislative Assembly of Ontario

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

• Cheryl Reicin, Partner, Torys LLP
• Sharon Geraghty, Partner, Torys LLP
• Beth Wilson, Managing Partner, GTA and Canadian Managing Partner, Community Leadership KPMG LLP
• Jane Allen, Partner, Chief Diversity Officer, Global Renewable Energy Leader, Deloitte
• Evelyn Jacks, President, Knowledge Bureau

HEALTH

• Janet Rossant, Chief of Research & Senior Scientist, The Hospital for Sick Children
• Christine Power, President and CEO, Capital District Health Authority
• Daniela Crivianu-Gaita, VP IMT & CIO, The Hospital for Sick Children
• Marla Shapiro, Associate Professor, Medical Consultant CTV News, Medical Contributor Canada AM, Marla Shapiro Inc.
• Connie Clerici, President & Chief Executive Officer, Closing the Gap Healthcare Group

Read: Briefly: Women now breadwinners