The star of CBC TV’s Dragons’ Den and one of Canada’s leading lawyers in tax and transfer pricing are among a dozen Queen’s alumnae who made this year’s list of Canada’s 100 most powerful women.
The list is produced annually by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN), an organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of women in business.
“This list shows that Queen’s is a university that helps develop Canada’s next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. I am proud to see alumnae taking charge in offices and boardrooms all across the country,” says Sue Bates, Artsci’91, president of the Queen’s University Alumni Association.
Making the list is CBC star Michele Romanow, Sc’07, MBA’08. Ms. Romanow launched the Tea Room as a student in 2006, and it is still running today in Beamish-Munro Hall. She went on to start four businesses by the age of 30, including Buytopia.ca and SnapSaves, which was purchased by popular online social-buying application Groupon in 2014.
Claire Kennedy, Law’94, is a partner at Bennett Jones LLP and specializes in domestic and international tax law. She was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Bank of Canada in 2012 and is also a professional engineer.
The other Queen’s alumnae to be honoured are:
- Julia Deans, Artsci’85, CEO Futurpreneur Canada
- Patricia Perras Shugart, Com’86, Managing Director & Global Head, Corporate Banking & Global Credit, RBC Capital Markets
- Robin Kovitz, Com’02, President & Owner, Baskits Inc.
- Katherine Cunningham , Com’90, Senior Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer, Sun Life Financial
- Valerie Mann, Com’86, Partner, Lawson Lundell LLP
- Dana McCauley, Artsci’89, Executive Director, Food Starter
- Sarah Saska, Artsci’07, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Feminuity
Three alumnae will be inducted into the WXN Hall of Fame:
- Samantha Horn, Law’91, Partner, Stikeman Elliott LLP
- Sandy McIntosh, MIR’92 (SIR), MBA’05, Executive Vice-President, People and Culture & Chief Human Resources Officer, Telus
- Jennifer Tory, Artsci’77, Chief Administrative Officer, RBC
Also being honoured is Accenture Inc. President William Morris, Com’82. He is receiving the Inclusion Vanguard Award which recognizes an individual (male or female) who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to a broader diversity agenda within their organization.
Last year’s 100 Most Powerful Women list also included 12 Queen’s alumnae.
