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B.C.’s 25 most powerful women leaders in 2018

The Women's Executive Network (WXN) has named 25 B.C. women to its 2018 Top 100 list

By Felicity Stone /

WXN has named Kathy Kinloch, Valerie Mann and Christy Clark to its Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada Hall of Fame

The B.C. achievers on WXN’s 2018 Top 100 list of Canada’s Most Powerful Women

The Women’s Executive Network (WXN) has named 25 B.C. women to its 2018 Top 100 list. The awards recognize outstanding women across Canada who have advocated for diversity in the workforce and who serve as an inspiration for the next generation of leaders.

Top 100 season traditionally launches in Toronto the week of American Thanksgiving, when the 100 winners from across the country are celebrated on the same stage. This year‘s gala gala was November 22. B.C. winners will be honoured at an awards luncheon in Vancouver on January 17, 2019.

Since 2003, the Top 100 Awards have recognized 1,115 women, including Roberta Bondar, astronaut; Arlene Dickinson, CEO of Venture Communications; Michaëlle Jean, former governor general of Canada; and Christine Magee, president of Sleep Country Canada.  

Launched in 1997, WXN promotes the advancement, development and recognition of professional women. It delivers this advancement through training, events, mentoring, networking, and award and recognition programs for members and partners. WXN has more than 25,000 members in Canada and Ireland.

B.C. winners by category

Accenture Corporate Directors
Alice Laberge, corporate director, RBC, Nutrien and Russel Metals
Sarah Morgan-Silvester, corporate director, CWB Financial Group, Canadian Western Bank

BMO Arts, Sports & Entertainment
Charmaine Crooks, president, NGU Consultants
Tricia Smith, president, Canadian Olympic Committee

CIBC Trailblazers & Trendsetters
Natalie Dakers, president and CEO, Accel-Rx Health Sciences Accelerator Society

HSBC Corporate Executives
Judi Hess, CEO, Copperleaf Technologies
Laurie Schultz, president and CEO, ACL Services
Sophia Tsui, senior vice-president and chief auditor, HSBC Bank Canada
Marilyn Tyfting, chief corporate officer, Telus International

Entrepreneurs
Renee Merrifield Wasylyk, CEO, Troika Management Corp.

KPMG Professionals
Catherine Gibson, managing partner, Vancouver office, DLA Piper (Canada)
Catherine Roome, president and CEO, Technical Safety BC
Georgia Stavridis, senior vice-president and head of financial crime compliance, HSBC Bank Canada

Mercedes-Benz Emerging Leaders
Genesa Greening, president and CEO, BC Women’s Hospital Foundation
Kim Hallwood, head of corporate sustainability, HSBC Bank Canada
Genevieve Pinto, partner, Renewal Funds
Amanda Shatzko, president, AS Consulting
Maili Wong, first vice-president, investment adviser and portfolio manager, CIBC Wood Gundy

PwC Public Sector Leaders
Amanda Hobson, CFO and vice-president, finance and corporate services, British Columbia Lottery Corp.

RBC Champions
Shannon Byrne Susko, serial entrepreneur, business coach, keynote speaker, author
Jill Earthy, head of growth, Female Funders, powered by Highline BETA
Sarah Morgan-Silvester, corporate director, CWB Financial Group, Canadian Western Bank

WXN Hall of Fame
Christy Clark, former premier of British Columbia
Kathy Kinloch, president, British Columbia Institute of Technology
Valerie Mann, partner, Lawson Lundell