WOMEN GENERAL 
PAST EVENTS
See below the exciting initiatives hosted by WGCC.
2019 (16)
2018 (7)
2017 (6)
2016 (5)
2015 (2)
Looking for events in your city? Use control+F to search the city name!
2021 EVENTS
2021 WGCC NATIONAL CONFERENCE
"2020 ... What Was That?" Disruption: Embracing Ambiguity, Leading with Agility and Fireside Chat with Leaders of Frontline workers – Personifying Performing with Persistence "
JANUARY 28, MARCH 4, JULY 8, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 - VIRTUAL
Our world looks different this year and the WGCC conference does too!
Instead of hosting our typical day-long conference, this year’s conference was delivered in four exciting and topical ONLINE sessions that reflect what we’re all feeling: “2020 …. What Was That?” We were thrilled to welcome members of WGCC from across Canada to these virtual sessions. This flexible conference format allows our valuable members from coast-to-coast to participate!
Thank you for joining us as we unpacked the Disruption of 2020 while addressing how to Embrace Ambiguity, Lead with Agility, and Perform with Persistence in 2021!
Disruption — Thursday, January 28, 2021, 11:30 - 1:30pm EST
Embracing Ambiguity — Thursday, March 4, 2021, 12:00-1:30pm EST
Leading with Agility — Thursday, July 8, 2021, 12:00-1:30pm EST
Fireside Chat with Leaders of Frontline workers – Personifying Performing with Persistence — Thursday, September 23, 2021, 12:00-1:30pm EST
Canadian Law Awards 2021
Presented by Lexpert and supported by Canadian Lawyer and InHouse magazines
MAY 20, 2021 - Virtual
The Canadian Law Awards is proudly returning as a virtual event on May 20, 2021 to celebrate the nation’s leading law firms, in-house legal teams, individuals, deals and cases. It’s a true reflection of excellence in the legal profession over the past year.
The event will start at 12:45 pm ET with live virtual panels featuring some of the excellence awardees, who will share their inspiring insights, best practices and success stories. This is followed by the winner announcements hosted by CBC news anchor Suhana Meharchand. The virtual platform also offers a live chat option and a peer-matching function for online networking with peers in the wider legal profession.
The full list of excellence awardees is available here.
WGCC Community of Mentors and Mentees Launched
Presented in partnership with Blakes Cassels & Graydon LLP
MARCH 18, 2021
WGCC is excited to announce the successful launch of our inaugural WGCC Executive Mentorship Program, which took place on March 18, 2021. Dorothy Quann (Emeritus Director) and Hilda Wong (Treasurer) co-hosted the virtual event, in partnership with Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, to welcome our mentors and mentees to the Program. To further our commitment to help women in general counsel and legal executive roles succeed, we have paired 13 Senior General Counsel (mentors) with 13 General Counsel new to the role (mentees) to share career challenges and leverage experiences. Together they create a WGCC Community of Mentors and Mentees.
In this first of three group Program sessions, 22 participants were divided into groups to share a positive experience from the COVID lockdown and to discuss any changes in one’s ability to respond to ambiguity as a result of the COVID disruption. Our mentors and mentees each received a Guide for the WGCC Mentorship Program 2021, which includes a sampling of topics relevant to General Counsel. In between the group sessions, mentee-mentor conversation will continue.
WGCC Executive Mentorship Program is distinguishing itself from other mentoring programs by exploring, in a safe space, issues that are directly applicable to a General Counsel new in the role. We will continue to connect women General Counsel to uplift and empower women in legal executive roles.
5th Annual Women GCs on Boards Program - Optimizing Your Performance
Presented in Partnership with Blakes, Cassels & Graydon LLP and Women Get On Board Inc.
MARCH 11, 2021 - 12:30pm-2:30pm EST
We are delighted to invite you to our 5th Annual Women GCs on Boards event, a cornerstone program in our ongoing mission to help women general counsel secure opportunities on boards by honing their board-value proposition and broadening their networks. This year, our event coincides with International Women’s Day celebrations in honour of the strides women have made in the boardroom and to recognize that much work remains to be done. With women holding only 21.5 per cent of board seats of TSX-listed companies, now more than ever, we must work together to #ChooseToChallenge the status quo.
This year, our program focuses on helping women who have begun their board journey succeed and advance. We will explore strategies and skills to help you optimize your performance at the board table with the help of an experienced group of women corporate directors.
Deborah Rosati, Corporate Director, Founder and CEO of Women Get On Board Inc., will kick off our virtual session with practical insights and tools on how to:
| Topics: | |
| • | Find your voice in the boardroom |
| • | Exercise emotional intelligence |
| • | Communicate your perspective |
| • | Lean into your power |
A panel of women corporate directors, including both current and former women GCs, will build on Deborah’s presentation with personal stories and experiences to bolster your skills and confidence to serve and lead on corporate boards. Directors will facilitate virtual breakout groups following the panel discussion, answer questions and offer opportunities to network with other members of our Women GCs on Boards community.
The results of the most recent edition of Blakes Board Report: Opportunities for Women General Counsel can be viewed here.
For further information, please contact Joanne Archibald at joanne.archibald@blakes.com
This program has been approved for Mandatory Continuing Education credit. Please contact for more information.
2020 EVENTS
Bring Your CEO Event: What Your GC Can Do For You
NOVEMBER 25, 2020 - VIRTUAL
Presented in partnership with McCarthy Tétrault
Part of the Savour the Moment series with McCarthy Tétrault.
The specific role of the General Counsel and their relationship with their CEO differs widely depending on the organization. However, the overall contribution to governance and growth that a great GC can make are universal. Using the WGCC competency framework as a model, we will delve into the elements of a synergistic CEO/GC relationship that takes an organization to the next level.
Panelists include: Linda Seymour, Group General Manager, President and Chief Executive Office, HSBC Bank Canada, Lilac Bosma, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, HSBC Bank Canada, Cleo Kirkland, Managing Partner, Toronto and Montreal, Korn Ferry, and Jody Aldcorn, Partner, McCarthy Tetrault LLP, former Director of Legal Affairs, Vancouver Airport Authority.
ESG Disclosure: Be Prepared to Walk the Talk
November 25, 2020 - VIRTUAL
Presented in partnership with McCarthy Tétrault
Part of the Savour the Moment series with McCarthy Tétrault.
With changing investor preferences and the challenges posed by climate change, persistent socio-economic disparities and other pressing existential issues, many companies and other organizations feel a moral imperative to communicate their values by describing publicly their commitment to ESG principles. How important are ESG disclosures? What should organizations keep in mind when crafting their ESG disclosures? Our panel of legal and communications experts will provide an overview of the considerations and some how-too.
Panelists include: Bindu Cudjoe, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Canadian Western Bank, Gillian Smith, Managing Partner, National Public Relations, Patrice Walch-Watson, Senior Managing Director, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Caroline Zayid, Partner, Practice Group Leader, Litigation McCarty Tétrault LLP.
Canadian General Counsel Awards 2020
NOVEMBER 2, 2020 (POSTPONED FROM JUNE 4, 2020) - TORONTO, ONTARIO
Now in its 16th year, the CGCA will take place at the Fairmont Royal York in June 2020.
The CGCA is Canada’s national programme designed exclusively to recognize excellence in the In-House Counsel community.
This special evening honouring the best counsel in Canada brings together the senior members of the Canadian private bar and the leading In-House Counsel in the country in a celebration of the accomplishments of the Canadian legal profession over the past year.
For more information, please visit their website or contact Dan Malamet at dmalamet@zsa.ca or 416-368-2051 x 235.
Stepping Up: Preparing to be a GC
OCTOBER 30 & NOVEMBER 6, 2020 - VIRTUAL
Presented in partnership with Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
This three-part virtual leadership development workshop was designed to provide women with the necessary skills, knowledge and direction to step up to the role of general counsel (GC). The GC nomination process is now open.
The Juggling Act: Career Success in Turbulent Times
October 21, 2020 - VIRTUAL
Presented in partnership with McCarthy Tétrault
Part of the Savour the Moment series with McCarthy Tétrault.
The latest study prepared by the Prosperity Project indicates that, due to the impact of COVID-19, women are disproportionately quitting their jobs or turning down promotions to focus on their families. How can we be better allies for those of our women colleagues who are currently struggling so they do not experience significant career setbacks? Our panel will engage the group in a discussion on organizational policies and approaches to help manage the imbalances as well as the insights and empathy leaders need more than ever in these difficult times.
Panelists include: Nan DasGupta, Managing Director & Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group, Anita Dusevic Oliva, Vice President, Legal, Inter Pipeline, and Shana Wolch, Partner, McCarthy Tetrault LLP.
Canadian Law Awards
OCTOBER 6, 2020 (POSTPONED FROM MAY 7, 2020) - TORONTO, ONTARIO
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION
Canadian Law Awards 2020, presented by Lexpert and supported by Canadian Lawyer and InHouse magazines is proudly supported by Women General Counsel Canada.
The virtual event on October 6 will recognize the nation’s leading in-house legal teams & individuals as well as law firms and landmark deals and cases. Featuring the livestream of the awards ceremony, exclusive panel discussions with the finalists and online networking, the virtual event will bring the celebration of an awards gala directly to your screen.
For more information about nominating and awarding excellence please visit https://www.lawawards.ca/.
Tackling Structural Racism in Your Organization
JUNE 25, 2020 - VIRTUAL
Presented in partnership with McCarthy Tétrault
Part of the Savour the Moment series with McCarthy Tétrault.
Recent events have shone a spotlight on the persistence of structural racism in our society and the need to eradicate it in all its forms in every environment. The panel will focus on how organizations can lead the charge through enhanced policies, programs and training in areas ranging from recruitment to retention to cultural competency. Combatting unconscious bias, creating opportunities for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) lawyers and supporting a culture of authenticity and belonging are key. There will be an opportunity for participants to share what their organizations are doing to tackle racism to inspire and inform action.
Panelists include: Sarah Qadeer, General Counsel, The Home Depot, Canada, Hilda Wong, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, First National Financial LP, Junior Sirivar, Partner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP, and Nikki Gershbain, Chief Inclusion Officer, McCarthy Tétrault LLP.
'Intentional, Connected, Present': Building Your Leadership in a Time of Disruption
June 23, 2020 - VIRTUAL
Presented in partnership with Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Women's distinctive strengths and behaviours provide them with many advantages, yet the habits that help us advance early in our careers can hold us back as we seek to rise. In this webinar, women’s leadership coach and author Sally Helgesen draws on 30 years of helping women recognize, articulate and act on their greatest strengths to provide concrete actionable practices to position ourselves for the next level of leadership and address the habits that get in our way. Sally will share three habits that can undermine talented women seeking to rise and examine how, in this time of disruption, addressing how these habits offers us an opportunity to expand our contribution as leaders.
Back to the Future: Returning to New Office Life
June 12, 2020 - VIRTUAL
Presented in partnership with McCarthy Tétrault
Part of the Savour the Moment series with McCarthy Tétrault.
As we gradually return to work, everything is familiar again but also unfamiliar. Will we ever shake hands? Will we be able to collaborate effectively from 6 feet apart? Will a new model of collaboration emerge? How do we manage the anxiety and fear of a second wave of COVID-19 outbreaks?
A panel of experts will provide insights on how their organizations are thinking about the new rules and cultural shifts needed to successfully navigate this next phase. They will then guide a discussion on how GCs, as prominent business leaders within your organization, can lead the way successfully transitioning to the new normal. The panel includes: Lilac Bosma, Senior Vice-President and General Counsel, HSBC Bank Canada, Susan Marsh, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Morneau Shepell, John Silverthorn, Senior Vice-President, CIBC Human Resources & Advisory Services, and Kate McNeill-Keller, Labour and Employment Partner, McCarthy Tetrault
Leading in Sweatpants
MAY 22, 2020 - VIRTUAL
Presented in partnership with McCarthy Tétrault
Part of the Savour the Moment series with McCarthy Tétrault.
Alan Booth, Advisory Partner, Leadership at Deloitte Canada with responsibility for learning and leadership development, provides insights on authentic leadership through empathy, story-telling and yes, athleisure wear. Joining him, providing real-world practical tips, will be two prominent leaders who helped their organizations pivot in these challenging times: Lara Nathans, Industry Strategy Leader and Partner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP, and Jennifer Lee, Managing Partner, Growth Platforms and Value Creation Services, Deloitte.
Alan then facilitated a group discussion on how leaders and general counsels are practising authentic leadership on everything from video-conference etiquette, bringing teams together, commanding a virtual room, and forgiving ourselves and others for struggling in this topsy-turvy world.
Working on the Chain: Challenges in the COVID-19 Era
MAY 1, 2020 - VIRTUAL
Presented in partnership with McCarthy Tétrault
Part of the Savour the Moment series with McCarthy Tétrault.
COVID-19 has had, and will continue to have, profound effects on various aspects of Canadian supply chains. Where are the key pressure points? How can businesses adjust to this dynamic environment? What best practices can we adopt now to better weather the current storm and its aftershocks?
McCarthy Tétrault partners Martha Harrison, Christine Ing, Miranda Lam, Kate McNeill-Keller, Heather Meredith, Suzanne Murphy and Debbie Salzberger provide a birds eye view on what they are collectively seeing in the market and answer your questions on trade, competition, cyber-security, workforce, insolvency, contracts, disputes and beyond.
Living in the Future Now
april 17, 2020 - virtual
Presented in partnership with McCarthy Tétrault
Part of the Savour the Moment series with McCarthy Tétrault.
How has the COVID-19 crisis shaped our perception of governments and their role in protecting the world?
JANUARY 23, 2020 - TORONTO, ONTARIO
Join us in Toronto for the 2020 Women General Counsel Canada Conference on January 23, 2020. Open to members of WGCC from across Canada, this full day conference offers you conversation and networking opportunities with over 90 in-house counsel who are leaders within their organizations. Attendees come from the private, public and the not-for-profit sector. Organized by women legal leaders for women legal leaders, the goal of this unique Conference is to address issues of particular interest to General Counsel from a perspective not found elsewhere.
The theme of this year's Conference is You, Only Better – What You Need to Know to Kill it in Life and at Work.
The Agenda is packed full of inspiring sessions including:
- A workshop designed to help you develop the confidence needed to effectively network, negotiate and self-advocate
- A coaching session on innovative leadership with a globally recognized expert
- A fireside chat with industry leaders who will be sharing their “life-changing” book recommendations
- A panel discussion with prominent counsel who will be revealing their secrets to being happier at work
Hosted at Deloitte’s headquarters in downtown Toronto, registration includes breakfast, lunch and networking. Application for approval of CPD credits in those provinces where those are required is proceeding. The Conference cost is $150; WGCC Membership cost is $250.
To learn more about the conference, hover over the tab at the top of this page entitled "National Conference", and then hover over the "2020 Conference" tab for the full agenda, information on the speakers, accreditation details, and more.
2019 Events
A Deep Dive Into Issues Related to Workplace Investigations
DECEMBER 12, 2019 (POSTPONED FROM SEPTEMBER 11, 2019) - HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA
Presented in partnership with Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP
We are pleased to offer our members in Atlantic Canada this session on workplace investigations with speakers Sonia Regenbogen and Tara Erskine, QC.
General counsel, and the human resources professionals within their organizations, are spending an increasing amount of time guiding the conduct of formal and informal investigations of workplace complaints. This is in part a response to the increasing requirements of human rights and occupational health and safety legislation as well as internal workplace policies. The complaints that require investigation may relate to complaints of workplace harassment and discrimination, issues related to just cause misconduct, violations of workplace policies, or other difficult issues.
In light of this area of increasing responsibility, in our experience, General Counsel are welcoming the opportunity to continue to improve their skills and experience in order to be better prepared for the rigors of guiding workplace investigations and managing the litigation that flows from the investigation of workplace complaints.
A holiday luncheon will be provided by WGCC at the Bicycle Thief following the event. Space is limited, so please RSVP as soon as possible.
When:
December 12, 2019 | 9:00AM-12:00PM
Where:
Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP
1801 Hollis Street, 14th Floor
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Inaugural Meeting of the WGCC Prairies Chapter
DECEMBER 10, 2019 - CALGARY, ALBERTA
Women General Counsel Canada (WGCC) is an organization of dedicated, passionate, in-house women leaders whose mission is to help women in general counsel and executive leadership roles succeed as legal and business executives. WGCC has chapters in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada, and we are proud to announce the launch of a Prairies Chapter of WGCC!
Please join us for an inaugural event to celebrate our new chapter! We are planning an afternoon of inspiration, learning, and networking. The event will be comprised of a luncheon and keynote speaker, two personal and professional development sessions, and cocktails & tapas.
Click here to see the full agenda and to RSVP now!
Post-Election Analysis in Toronto
NOVEMBER 12, 2019 - TORONTO, ONTARIO
Presented in partnership with McCarthy Tétrault LLP
#ELXN43 : The new government’s impact on your business in a time of uncertainty
On November 12th, join McCarthy Tétrault’s Strategic Advisory Group and NATIONAL Public Relations, Canada’s leading public relations firm for a post-election analysis.
In a period of uncertainty, our panel will be from Jean Charest who led a minority government in 2007 and then gain a majority in 2008 in Quebec, Paul Zed who chaired several parliamentary committees and was also Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government under a minority government and Wayne Wouters who is a former Clerk of the Privy Council of Canada and Secretary to the Cabinet. They will be joined by experts from NATIONAL Public Relations and Shachi Kurl, Executive Director of the Angus Reid Institute.
This is an unique opportunity for you to receive insights from people who have been at the most strategic and highest levels of government and business. They will evaluate how the new House of Commons will impact government decision-making and your business. What’s the impact on Trade, Investment and Innovation?
I would be delighted if you could join other Toronto leaders in the business community at this exclusive event.
For questions about this event, please contact electionseries@mccarthy.ca.
Date:
November 12, 2019
Time:
12:00 p.m – 2:00 p.m (EST)
Lunch will be served
Location:
Toronto Office
66 Wellington Street West
Suite 5300, TD Bank Tower Box 48
Toronto ON M5K 1E6
Women GCs on Boards: Building, Leveraging and Accessing Powerful Networks
NOVEMBER 13, 2019 - TORONTO, ONTARIO
Presented in partnership with Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
We are pleased to invite you to our 4th Annual Women GCs on Boards workshop, a cornerstone program in our ongoing series dedicated to helping women GCs leverage their business and strategic skill sets and broaden and deepen their networks to better position themselves to secure opportunities on boards.
This year’s workshop will feature an interactive program on how to build and leverage your network led by Tiziana Casciaro, a professor of organizational behaviour at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. Tiziana will present cutting-edge research on the science of networks and unpack the way in which women network, lead and are perceived as leaders. The application of these learnings in your board pursuits will be explored in the second half of our workshop in facilitated table discussions led by directors.
The program will provide practical tools on how to build and effectively leverage your network and access other networks in support of your board aspirations and leadership opportunities.
We hope you can join us for this interactive program where we will also share the results of the Blakes Board Report: Opportunities for Women General Counsel.
A detailed agenda will be available in September. We look forward to seeing you at the workshop.
When
Registration/Lunch: 1:30PM-2:00PM
Program: 2:00PM-4:30PM
Cocktail Reception: 4:30PM-5:30PM
Where
Toronto Region Board of Trade
77 Adelaide Street West, 4th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
Mandatory Continuing Education
This program contains 1 hour and 45 minutes of Professionalism content.
This organization has been approved as an Accredited Provider of Professionalism Content by the Law Society of Ontario.
Blakes Board Opportunities for Women Senior Executives and General Counsel: Aligning Your Personal Brand to Support Your Board Aspirations
OCTOBER 23, 2019 – CALGARY, ALBERTA AND VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Presented in partnership with Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP and Women Get on Board
This fall, Blakes will be hosting their next Women on Boards event in Calgary, with a live webcast to Vancouver. This is a cornerstone program in their ongoing series dedicated to helping women senior executives leverage their business and strategic skill sets, as well as broaden and deepen their networks to better position themselves to secure opportunities on boards.
This program will include an interactive and practical session on the Introduction to the Art of Publicity Session: Becoming CEO of Me Inc., led by Mia Pearson, Co-Founder, North Strategic, where we will explore the evolution of personal brand communications and the role public relations and social media play in developing your personal brand to help support your board aspirations.
When:
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Where:
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
855 – 2nd Street S.W.
Suite 3500, Bankers Hall East Tower
Calgary, Alberta
This program will also be broadcast live to the Blakes Vancouver office:
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
595 Burrard Street
Suite 2600, Three Bentall Centre
Vancouver, B.C.
Agenda:
Registration and Lunch:
1:30PM – 2:00PM (MT)
12:30 – 1 p.m. (PDT)
Program:
2:00PM – 4:30PM (MT)
1 – 3:30 p.m. (PDT)
Networking Reception:
4:30PM – 5:30PM (MT)
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. (PDT)
RSVP
For more information about this event or to register, please contact Katrina Pilatos by email katrina.pilatos@blakes.com.
WGCC Speaker Series: Intimate Lunch with Anik Trudel, CEO of Lavery
OCTOBER 23, 2019 - MONTREAL, QUEBEC
[La version française apparaît ci-dessous]
We are pleased to announce an intimate lunch event in Montreal with Anik Trudel, CEO of Lavery. She will share the evolution of her career, lessons learned, and advice she would give women looking to optimize or make changes in their career path. The discussion will be moderated by WGCC Quebec Chapter Lead, Deborah Greenberg.
When:
Wednesday October 23, 2019
Registration: 11:30AM
Talk begins at 12:00PM.
Where:
1 Place Ville Marie, Suite 4000
Montreal QC, H3B 4M4
To learn more about Anik Trudel, please find her bio below.
After 20 years of experience in a renowned national and international law firm as partner in commercial litigation, Anik decided to move into the public relations industry. She held senior management positions within industry-leading international firms. Her desire to contribute to the transformation of the legal industry brought her, 11 years later, at the helm of the largest independent law firm in Québec, Lavery.
Anik is also a certified coach in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and has served for many years on several boards of directors.
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Série de conférences du WGCC : Déjeuner intime avec Anik Trudel, PDG de Lavery
LE 23 OCTOBRE, 2019 - MONTREAL, QUEBEC
Nous avons le plaisir d'annoncer un déjeuner-causerie intime à Montréal avec Anik Trudel, PDG de Lavery. Elle partagera l'évolution de sa carrière, les leçons apprises et les conseils qu'elle donnerait aux femmes désireuses d'optimiser ou d'apporter des changements à leur cheminement de carrière. La discussion sera animée par Deborah Greenberg, responsable de la section Québec du WGCC.
Quand:
Mercredi, le 23 octobre 2019
Inscription: 11h30
La conversation commence à 12h.
Où:
1, Place Ville Marie, Suite 4000
Montréal QC, H3B 4M4
Pour en savoir plus sur Anik Trudel, veuillez trouver sa biographie ci-dessous.
Après vingt ans d’expérience comme associée en litige commercial dans un réputé cabinet d’avocats canadien et international, Anik Trudel a décidé de faire le saut dans le monde des relations publiques où elle a occupé des postes de haute direction au sein de firmes internationales, reconnues comme chefs de file dans leur industrie. Son désir de participer à la transformation de l'industrie juridique l’a menée, 11 ans plus tard, à prendre la barre du plus important cabinet d’avocats indépendant au Québec, Lavery.
Anik Trudel est également une coach certifiée en programmation neurolinguistique (PNL) et siège depuis de nombreuses années sur divers conseil d’administration.
Patio Drinks with WGCC and McCarthy's!
JULY 10, 2019 - TORONTO, ONTARIO
Presented in partnership with McCarthy Tétrault LLP
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It’s that time of year again, when the weather is warm, the drinks are cold and some of our favourite women get together. We have booked a section of the lovely rooftop patio at Kasa Moto in Yorkville on Wednesday, July 10th. Please join us, along with a small group of women GC’s for an evening of great food, cocktails and conversation. Date: Wednesday July 10, 2019 Time: 5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Location: Kasa Moto 115 Yorkville Avenue Toronto, ON M4W 1C1
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An Honest Conversation: Challenges and Opportunities Facing In-House Women Lawyers of Colour
JUNE 27, 2019 - TORONTO, ONTARIO
Presented in partnership with Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Join us for a candid and insightful discussion with five inspiring women on the opportunities and challenges facing in-house women lawyers of colour today. Drawing on her 30-year career as a General Counsel and role as Former Chair of the ABA’s Commission on Women in the Legal Profession, Michele Mayes will kick-off the discussion with her insights on the need for new solutions and tools to interrupt bias and drive meaningful change across the legal profession. We hope you can join us for a networking reception after the program.
________________________________________
Keynote:
- Michele Coleman Mayes, Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, The New York Public Library; Former Chair, ABA’s Commission on Women in the Legal Profession
Panellists:
- Cecile Chung, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Samuel Group of Companies
- Kikelomo Lawal, Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary, Interac Corp.
- Sarah Qadeer, General Counsel, The Home Depot, Canada
- Rahat Godil, Partner, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (Moderator)
________________________________________
Agenda
Registration: 3 – 3:30 p.m.
Keynote & Panel Discussion: 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Cocktail Reception: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Where
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
199 Bay Street
Suite 4000, Commerce Court West
Toronto, Ontario
RSVP
If you would like more information about this program, please email katrina.pilatos@blakes.com.
________________________________________
Mandatory Continuing Education
This program contains 1 hour and 30 minutes of Equality and Inclusion Professionalism content.
Wellness at the Nordik Spa Event
JUNE 14, 2019 – MONCTON, QUEBEC
In association with the CBA-NB WLF Conference, “The Resilient Lawyer: Building Mental Wellness in Your Practice”, WGCC is offering a wellness break to all attendees following the Conference. No booking is required for the spa event, but Conference registration is separate.
McCarthy Tétrault CoLab: Addressing Legal Operations Pain Points
MAY 30, 2019 - MONTREAL, QUEBEC
Presented in partnership with McCarthy Tétrault LLP
The role of General Counsel is becoming increasingly challenging as budgets tighten and business environments become more complex. To succeed, you need to identify and address “pain points” – those issues and challenges that keep you up at night. These pain points might include risk management, workload balancing, and adding strategic value to your organization. McCarthy Tétrault and the Canadian Corporate Counsel Association (CCCA) through chapters in Canada, and the Women General Counsel Canada (WGCC), are pleased to offer you our design thinking lab to help resolve these pain points. Design Thinking is a methodology used to solve complex problems. Design Thinking uses empathy and creativity to explore possibilities and design desired outcomes to benefit the business. We are pleased to offer this program is to all in-house counsel and legal operations team members. For more information, please view the PDF here.
Women GCs on Boards: Board Opportunities for Women General Counsel - From Theory to Practice
MAY 21, 2019 – VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
Presented in partnership with Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP and Women Get on Board
This program will explore the opportunities presented to women general counsel who seek to secure board positions and will combine roundtable discussions, facilitated breakouts and insights from experienced corporate directors. Topics include developing your board-career plan, value proposition, résumé preparation and network mapping.
Women GCs on Boards: Navigating the Path to Public-Sector Board Positions
MAY 14, 2019 – TORONTO, ONTARIO
Presented in partnership with Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP and Women Get on Board
Blakes Women GCs on Boards series is designed to both inspire and support the pursuit of board opportunities through the sharing of successful paths to boards, delivery of practical advice and resources, and access to a community of corporate directors and like-minded peers to help you expand your network. Federal, provincial and municipal levels of government each offer interesting and rewarding opportunities to gain valuable board experience on Crown corporations, agencies and commissions. With the help of experienced directors well versed in public-sector boards at all levels of government and an executive board recruiter specializing in Crown corporations, you will learn the “ins and outs” of the application and interview process and the issues that are unique to this sector that you will need to consider before making your decision to pursue a board opportunity.
Stepping Beyond: Future Opportunities for GCs
APRIL 18, 2019 – MONTREAL, QUEBEC
Presented in partnership with Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Developed for women general counsel, Stepping Beyond is designed to explore opportunities beyond the role of general counsel and the steps to position yourself to capitalize on those opportunities. This program will provide insights from an experienced panel of senior executives and directors who have leveraged their skills and expertise to step beyond the role of GC into new opportunities outside the legal arena.
Addressing Legal Operations Pain Points: CoLab(TM)
MARCH 28, 2019 – MONTREAL, QUEBEC
Presented in partnership with McCarthy Tétrault LLP & Canadian Corporate Counsel Association (CCCA)
As in-house counsel, you face tightening budgets while dealing with increasing business complexity.
To succeed, you need to identify and address “pain points” – those issues and challenges that keep you up at night. These pain points might include risk and knowledge management, workload balancing, and adding strategic value to the organization.
CCCA, through chapters in Canada, and McCarthy Tétrault are pleased to offer you our CoLab program to help resolve your pain points. Following a successful pilot of this program in partnership with Women General Counsel Canada, CoLabs is expanding across Canada.
The CoLab program includes:
- A survey to identify common pain points that GCs are seeking to manage.
- A half-day CoLab session - a solutions development workshop using Design Thinking. Design Thinking is a methodology used to solve complex problems and find desirable solutions to benefit business stakeholders. Attendees will draw from each other’s experiences to frame their organizations’ pain points from a “user” point of view, and prototype solutions.
Free Screening of 'On the Basis of Sex'
FEBRUARY 13, 2019 - TORONTO, ONTARIO
Please join Women General Counsel Canada and the OBA Women Lawyers Forum for a special screening of On the Basis of Sex on February 13, 2019 at 6:30PM. We will have a VIP auditorium to enjoy the movie and Anne Fitzgerald, Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President of Cineplex Entertainment, will introduce the film.
Come out to enjoy some time with your colleagues and friends, all the while enjoying the story of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and her fight for equal rights.
Please register in advance for this event as space is limited. This event is complimentary, courtesy of Universal Studios Canada, and Cineplex Entertainment. Food and drinks can be purchased on an individual basis.
2019 WGCC National Conference
January 24, 2019 - TORONTO, ONTARIO
Join us in Toronto for the 2019 Women General Counsel Canada Conference on January 24, 2019. Open to members of WGCC from across Canada this full day conference offers you conversation with over 90 in house counsel who are leaders within their organizations. Attendees come from the private, public and the not for profit sector. This Conference is unique because it is organized by women legal leaders for women legal leaders. The goal of the Conference is to address issues from a perspective not found elsewhere. This year's Conference focuses on Diversity and Inclusion. The Agenda includes discussions on Me Too investigations, Time Management, a presentation from a nutritionist, a panel involving leading General Counsel and concludes with a networking session. Hosted at Sun Life’s new global headquarters on the waterfront in downtown Toronto, registration includes breakfast, lunch and networking.
2018 Events
Champagne & Jewellery in the Distillery District
December 18, 2018 - Toronto, ONTARIO
WGCC and Boutique Rue Pigalle invite you to the Distillery District for an exclusive drop-in holiday shopping event! Toast the holidays with colleagues, learn about jewellery making, support a local artist, and visit the Toronto Christmas Market!
