WOMEN GENERAL COUNSEL CANADA QUASI-QUARTERLY Issue No. 3, July 2024

We can’t believe that summer is already here...the first half of 2024 has flown by! We are so grateful for the valued contributions, active participation, and engagement by members at all of our events and programming so far. While there will still be opportunities to connect locally and nationally over the next couple of months, we hope all of our members will take some time away from the everyday. Wishing you a safe and relaxing summer!

WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO LATELY

The last few months were jam-packed with opportunities to connect, celebrate one another’s achievements and learn from each other and industry experts!

Breaking Barriers: Women in Legal Leadership
Jointly Hosted by Robert Walters & McMillan LLP
April 25, 2024

This past April, a small group of senior women from the legal community enjoyed breakfast and candid conversation about the unique gender-related challenges faced by women. This thought-provoking discussion led to brainstorming ideas to overcome these obstacles and offered an intimate opportunity to celebrate one another’s successes in the industry as we strive to eliminate these barriers in pursuit of gender equality.

Panel Discussion – Good to Exceptional: GCs as Business Leaders
Generously hosted by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP | May 13, 2024

(Left Photo - Left to right: Lara Speirs - CLO & EVP, Public Affairs, Randstad Canada, Barbara Zvan - President & CEO, University Pension Plan, Christine Chen - General Counsel, University Pension Plan, Joyce Bernasek - Financial Services Partner, Osler, Laura Fric - Litigation Partner, Osler & Clare Smith - VP & General Counsel, PepsiCo Beverages Canada)

In May, we had the privilege of hearing from WGCC members Christine Chen, General Counsel, University Pension Plan, and Barbara Zvan, President and CEO, University Pension Plan, on fostering a trusting and transparent GC/CEO relationship. They provided great insights into how to position and manage the general counsel office to support the effectiveness and success of the business leadership team. Hearing Christine and Barbara speak about their journey in building a pension plan from scratch was both fascinating and inspiring. With the help of our generous sponsor, WGCC plans to host similar events in Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver this fall. Watch your calendars to learn more about fostering this unique relationship from other GC/CEOs near you!

Blakes 10^th Anniversary of Stepping Up | May 29, 2024

(Top Photo - Left to right: Catherine Fagnan - Associate General Counsel, Green Infrastructure Partners Inc., Bindu Cudjoe - EVP, CLO and CIEO, Laurentian Bank of Canada, Maryann Besharat - VP, Claims Legal, Intact, Cheryl Satin - Partner, Blakes & Lara Speirs - CLO & EVP, Public Affairs, Randstad Canada)

We are so very proud and honoured to have had several members of WGCC participate in a significant milestone in the history of Women@Blakes programming - the 10th anniversary of Stepping Up: Preparing to Be a GC.

Fun fact: Several of our WGCC members were past participants of the
program!

WLAO President's Gala | May 30, 2024

(Left Photo - Left to right: Heather Mullen - VP, Law (Canada) & US Legal Lead, Customer Development, Kenvue, Jennifer Good - VP & General Counsel, CRH Canada Group Inc., Clare Smith - VP & General Counsel, PepsiCo Beverages Canada, Lara Speirs - CLO & EVP Public Affairs, Randstad Canada, Cinda Serianni - WGCC Director and Industry Forum Chair, Andrea Fellows - Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Amica Senior Lifestyles & Ratika Gandhi - Head of Legal and Compliance, Alcon Canada | Right Photo - Left to right: Heather Mullen - VP, Law (Canada) & US Legal Lead, Customer Development, Kenvue & Lara Speirs - CLO & EVP Public Affairs, Randstad Canada)

The WLAO 2024 President's Awards Gala took place on May 30th, 2024 at the elegant Sassafraz Restaurant in the heart of Yorkville in Toronto. This highly anticipated event brought together esteemed WLAO members, distinguished guests, and emerging women leaders in law for a truly celebratory occasion. The WGCC board was so thrilled to attend in support of our own Lara Spiers, this year’s recipient of the General Counsel Award. Congratulations Lara!

WGCC 2024 National Conference Part Two | June 6, 2024

(Left Photo - Left to right: Conference Co-Chairs, Adrian Lang - Chief Legal & Privacy Officer, Staples Canada & Corinne Pruzanski - EVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Cadillac Fairview |
Middle Photo - Conference Speaker, Shanin Lott - Talent & Leadership Advisor, Russell Reynolds |
Right Photo - Dr. Deborah Rosati, Founder & CEO, Women Get On Board Inc.)

Part two of the WGCC National Conference continued our consideration of the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women in the role of general counsel. As part of our interactive and thought-provoking program:

We heard from Shanin Lott of Russell Reynolds on unconscious bias, how to recognize it and neutralize it. Attendees self-tested and identified their own unconscious biases and then learned effective strategies to manage and ensure they do not impair decision-making within their own organizations.
Dr. Deborah Rosati of Women Get On Board coached us on five ways to be real and true to our authentic selves, including (1) accepting yourself; (2) speaking your truth; (3) showing vulnerability; (4) listening intently; and (5) pursuing your passions. We also shared personal stories on how we have presented our authentic selves as a means of leveraging our own skills and exhibiting leadership.
Chantelle Courtney of Inflection Point Coaching and Consulting guided us through case studies and examples on how to leverage the “DiSC” tool to manage difficult colleagues and work relationships. We learned that we can contribute to a relationship, but we can’t control it.

Cocktails and canapes sponsored by our friends at Stikeman Elliott LLP was a fantastic way to end our 2024 annual conference. We are already excited for and working on next year’s theme - see you in 2025!

(Left Photo - Left to right: Conference Panel - Conference Co-chair: Corinne Pruzanski - EVP, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Cadillac Fairview, Danielle Royal - Partner, Stikeman Elliott LLP, Danielle Robitaille - Managing Partner, Henein Hutchison Robitaille & Rebecca Burrows - Partner, General Counsel, KPMG | Middle Photo - Conference Speaker, Chantelle Courtney - Inflection Point Coaching and Consulting | Right Photo - National Conference cocktail reception, sponsored by Stikeman Elliott LLP)

(Photos - WGCC members and partners of Stikeman Elliott LLP at the National Conference cocktail reception, sponsored by Stikeman Elliott LLP)

WGCC INDUSTRY FORUMS: Expanding Horizons

The WGCC Industry Forums have truly set a benchmark for success, sparking dynamic dialogues, and fostering connections across a diverse range of industries. Currently, we have dedicated forums in Healthcare, Technology, Financial Services, and Education which have fostered energetic exchanges and fruitful collaborations. Our Real Estate/REIT forum will be hosting a much-anticipated social gathering this September.

Buoyed by this positive wave, we’re excited to share our vision for growth. We’re poised to broaden our horizons and introduce new forums tailored for the following sectors:

Construction / Manufacturing
Food / Beverage / Retail
Regulators

Public Sector

If you are passionate about leading one of these new forums or want to help create a forum for your industry, we want to hear from you!

Please reach out to Cinda Serianni at info@womengc.ca for more details.

(Top Photo - Left to right: Cinda Serianni - WGCC Director and Industry Forum Chair & Anne Mayrand - Head of Legal & Compliance, Organon Canada | Bottom Photo - Left to right: Farah Ismail - Senior VP, Chief Legal, Privacy and Compliance Officer, SE Health & Heather Mullen - VP, Law (Canada) & US Legal Lead, Customer Development, Kenvue)

NETWORKING CIRCLES

In April and June, we hosted our 2nd and 3rd Networking Circles of 2024. April's circles considered self-promotion gaps and structural inequality and their impact on gender confidence differences. We discussed ways that these insecurities could be addressed through more inclusive corporate cultures to ensure women are able to succeed to their full potential.

In June, WGCC members explored stakeholder relationships and how, through our roles as GC's and senior legal lawyers, we can and should utilize our sphere of influence to create a meaningful roadmap for success.

Participants earned CPD credits while sharing perspectives and ideas with colleagues in a safe and collegial environment. And similar to our past networking circles, participants were paired up at the end and invited to engage in a coffee connection with another member. Coffee Connections are a great way to take networking to the next level by getting to know a fellow WGCC member better one-on-one. It’s an opportunity to discuss pressing issues that you may be facing in your organization with a fellow GC - share best practices, trade war stories and forge new friendships.

Networking Circles this summer will focus on the difference between leading and doing - looking forward to seeing you there!

GCU COHORT 4 - Graduation Day

GCU continues to elevate women general counsel to the next level: Congratulations to Cohort 4 who graduated from the program in April! Graduates are now the proud recipients of a GCU.D, representing a commitment to excellence in legal leadership - WGCC congratulates all of you on this wonderful achievement!

(From left to right - Brenda Doig, Samantha Tom, Danielle Lavallée, Julia Gray, Danielle Young, Laurie-Ann Willett, Kerri Pope, Lindsay Ferguson, Tara Sastri, Sandra Montanino, Jillian Swainson
Virtual attendees not pictured include - Jonine McGregor, Anna Dell’Api, Jacqueline Penney,
Caitlin Norton)

LOOKING AHEAD - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

July & September Networking Circles (Virtual): For summer circle details, click here. Check your inbox for September dates and invitations coming soon! | Summer circle dates: July 25th & 30th (CPD)

BC Summer Social (In-Person): WGCC BC members - Join us on the rooftop patio at the Workshop Building for wine and appies at our Summer Social! | Date: July 30th. For more information, please email: info@womengc.ca.
Ontario Summer Social (In-Person): Watch your inboxes for more information on another sociable coming up this summer!

WGCC Panel (In-Person): This panel will take place this September and will address the PR challenges within in-house legal departments and focus on branding/raising the visibility of the legal team. More information and sign-up info to follow! (CPD).

Good to Exceptional: Women GC's as Business Leaders (In-Person): After a successful event in Toronto last May, Osler and WGCC are hosting panel discussions in Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver. Join us for an insightful session on how GCs can enhance their business impact, advising CEOs and boards, and transitioning from legal advisor to integral business leader. | Taking place in September – dates to follow! (CPD)

WGCC & Henein Hutchinson Robitaille Fall Cocktail Event (In-Person): Celebrate this Fall with industry colleagues and fellow WGCC members as you unwind and connect in a relaxed and inviting
atmosphere. | Stay tuned for further details!

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

We are thrilled to welcome our newest WGCC members to our community of talented, committed and future-focused women leaders! We look forward to learning more about you and from you!

Kathryn Borgatti Great Gulf
Kelly Brown Arterra Wines Canada
Carole Karbonik Edmonton Catholic Schools
Kim Kowalik Revera Inc.
Dyna Lou Canfor Corporation
Paula McMullan Great Gulf
Robyn Scott Calgary Sports & Entertainment Corp.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Lilac Bosma | VP of Legal, Canfor Corporation

Hear from our own Lilac Bosma on leading by controlling the controllables in your own leadership story!

One sunny Saturday morning in the fall of 2022, my mobile buzzed. When I saw my CEO’s name on the screen, I knew she was probably not calling for a social chat. The news she shared with me was news that few GCs want to hear; our parent company had decided to sell HSBC Bank Canada.

That phone call was the beginning of one of the most intense and challenging periods of my career. For 18 months I woke up every day worrying about the challenges that had arisen and bracing for the new challenges that would undoubtedly materialize. Daily dramas never ceased: leaks in the media, perplexing due diligence requests, the highs and lows of the Competition Bureau process. And behind the constant fire-drills loomed the overwhelming reality: my team was tasked with helping to unplug our very complex business from its even more complex international parent company, and then plug it back in to an equally complex domestic bank. To make things even more challenging from a leadership perspective, we needed to accomplish all of this while mired in the muck of significant personal uncertainty.

I had long coached my team to focus on what they could control; is the problem within your sphere of influence? If it isn’t, stop worrying about it! I was now in the situation where I needed to take my own advice…but my sphere of influence felt smaller than ever. As the GC for HSBC Bank Canada, I was acting for neither the seller, nor the buyer. It was challenging to focus on "controlling the controllables" when so much of what was happening was well outside of my control.

So, I asked myself the questions: “What are the controllables? And how can I help my team focus on the things they can control?”

In uncertain times, one aspect you can rely on is your own integrity, and the integrity of those you know and trust. I knew I had an incredible team of highly competent legal professionals, and that we had built deep relationships with our business colleagues. I knew it was time to draw on that deep reservoir of expertise, trust, respect, and authentic affection. One thing we could control was the way we did our jobs, and the way we treated each other. Holding firm to our own integrity was a top priority for me and my team.

I also knew that one thing you can always control is your own brand. In challenging situations, it is tempting to put your head down, do the work in front of you and hope for the best, but I encouraged my team to take a step back and make sure they had as much control as they could get over their own story. At an offsite, we took time to think about who we were as people, the skills we brought as lawyers, and the gaps we had in our own knowledge or network. We did personal branding exercises, got our headshots updated and brushed-up our skills on LinkedIn. It was refreshing, fun and empowering to take a break from the challenges of the legal work and take stock of ourselves and our potential.

By taking control of our own stories, and staying true to who we were as professionals, we were able to support our business colleagues and accomplish what had, at first, seemed impossible. And we came out of that experience wiser, stronger, and with even deeper admiration and affection for each other and our former HSBC colleagues. I am proud of what my team accomplished in those 18 months, and I have every confidence the technical experience and self-knowledge we gained will serve us well for the rest of our careers.

I am now almost two months in to my new role as VP Legal, Canfor, and as I look forward to the future, I am so grateful for all I learned in those challenging 18 months, and for the enduring friendships that only grew stronger during that time.

-- Written by Lilac Bosma | WGCC Board of Director, Regional Recruitment (BC)

Women Get On Board (WGOB) joins WGCC as a new affiliate partner!

We are pleased to welcome Women Get on Board Inc. (WGOB) as WGCC's newest Affiliate Partner!

WGOB and WGCC embrace and share a collective vision of fostering connectivity, advancing, promoting and empowering women to ascend to corporate boardrooms.

As part of our cooperative initiative, WGCC will receive exclusive discounts for WGOB Programs, Summit & annual individual memberships!

See below for the latest programs and membership details along with their respective discounts:

WGOB Summit Vancouver
October 29, 2024:
WGOBSVAN24AP
15% off
Click here for more details and to register

WGOB Membership Discount
$50.00 off
Click here for more details and to apply

Cohort 3 - WGOB Chairs Forum
September 11, 2024:
WGOBPAP (20% off)
Click here for more details
Click here to register

WHAT'S NEW IN THE WGCC SPOTLIGHT

We're thrilled to share that key portions of the WGCC website are now accessible in French, opening new doors for improved reach and inclusivity, made possible with the invaluable assistance of Alexa Translations. To find us en français, visit womengc.ca today!

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Nous sommes ravis de vous annoncer que des parties importantes du site web du GTCM sont désormais accessibles en français, ce qui ouvre de nouvelles portes pour améliorer la portée et l’inclusivité, grâce à l’aide inestimable d’Alexa Translations. Pour nous trouver en français, visitez womengc.ca dès aujourd’hui !

AMPLIFY YOUR NEWS!

Have you had an amazing speaker, service, podcast, resource or tool that your fellow GC's may benefit from? If so, please share and contribute to our curated recommendations page for WGCC members! Whether it's announcements, awards, or upcoming speaking engagements, allow WGCC to amplify your news and spread the word by emailing: info@womengc.ca!