On March 8, International Women’s Day, join the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) for the next Moving Forward webinar, “Women in Leadership,” taking place from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Hosted by Associate Dean, Students, Michele Johnson, this lunchtime webinar brings together women LA&PS graduates who are currently in leadership roles. Panellists will share their career journeys and discuss their paths to success. In addition to gaining valuable advice and insights, attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions during the Q-and-A session.
The event features a panel of six York alumnae:
Carolyn Clark (BA ’85, Sociology)
Clark’s extensive career as a human resources executive in the hospitality industry spanned over 40 years, holding various senior positions with hospitality leaders such as Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Accor until her retirement in 2018. She has been recognized with several awards, including Educator of the Year from the Ontario Hostelry Institute Gold Awards, a 2015 Human Resources Award from the Hotel Association of Canada, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cornell HR and Hospitality Conference in 2020. Clark is currently a member of the Advisory Board for the Women in Tourism and Hospitality Organization (WITH) and is also a volunteer member of Dress for Success Professional Women’s Development Group.
Diane Flanagan (BA ‘96, Sociology)
Flanagan is a senior public affairs and corporate communications professional with more than 30 years of experience in the public and private sectors. Flanagan is currently vice-president, corporate affairs and communications at Intact Financial Corporation, where she leads a team with a mandate for internal and external communications, government relations and social impact. Prior to Intact, she held several roles at Scotiabank. Flanagan has held senior roles in the Ontario government including as press secretary, director of communications, and chief of staff to the minister of finance. She also spent three years at Infrastructure Ontario as vice president of the nuclear procurement project and vice president, technology project delivery.
Erin Elofson (MA ‘08, Communication & Culture)
Elofson is head of Canada, Australia and New Zealand at Pinterest. Elofson and her organization are passionate about partnering with international business leaders to discover how Pinterest can help them meet their ambitious business goals. Prior to Pinterest, she held leadership roles at Facebook Canada and Microsoft Canada. Elofson currently serves on the WildBrain Board of Directors (formerly DHX Media Ltd.). WildBrain makes content for kids and families and has approximately 13,000 half-hours of filmed entertainment in their library – one of the world’s most extensive. She is also on the Visa Canada Advisory Board and the CAMH Foundation Cabinet Committee.
Laura Cannone (BA ‘04, Sociology)
Cannone is one-half of the social media dynamic duo “The GG Sisters” and co-founder and CEO of Glama Gal Kids Spa and GG Media Group. In 2006, Cannone started her entrepreneurial journey out of her parents’ basement. Today Glama Gal Kids Spa is a well-known brand, with multiple franchised and virtual locations across Ontario. In 2015, Cannone and her sister Josie created The GG Sisters social media channels, showing followers glimpses of their daily family and entrepreneur life. In 2019, she used her entrepreneurial knowledge, customer service acumen, and social media savviness to launch the GG Media Group, a multifaceted social media company.
Nimi Nanji-Simard (BSW ’93)
Nanji-Simard is founder and chief scarf lover at Niminimi Designs Inc. Founded with the belief that design can influence social behaviour and understanding of universal global issues, Niminimi Designs Inc (NND) created collaborations with organizations like the UNHCR and UNICEF to raise funds through scarf sales. In addition, a key area of focus is the development of corporate gifting, employee rewards and recognition gifts, as well as custom designs. Clients include Bombardier, TVOntario, TransUnion and Tourisme Montreal. Nanji-Simard was nominated for the Impact Award by the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards in 2018, and also received a nomination for the Rising Star Award by WBE, Women Business Awards.
Tina Powell (BCom ’89)
Powell is a nationally published journalist, an award-winning communicator, and a bestselling children’s author. She is currently a board member and the marketing and communications co-chair of the Zonta Club of Oakville, a group committed to the advancement of the status of women through advocacy and service. Powell is the recipient of many awards, including the Mississauga Emerging Literary Arts Award and a McMaster University Arch Award. Her picture book If You Could See What I See, was written in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and raised $58,000 for the Canadian Red Cross USA Appeal. This powerful book was illustrated by Canadian children and was accepted into the National September 11 Memorial Museum in New York City.
Register for the “Women in Leadership” webinar online.