CIWB Awards

The Calgary Influential Women in Business (CIWB) Awards

The Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards was established to champion the women (and men) in our city who have achieved professional excellence while also championing diverse leadership in our community. Through their leadership and influence on our corporations and boards they provide advice and counsel on strategy, policy and profitability that benefit some of Canada’s largest companies.

Honourees are chosen based on the criteria of professional accomplishments, community involvement, promotion and advancement of women and overall influence and impact on the Alberta business community and its representation of diverse leaders in the following categories: Lifetime Achievement, Social Enterprise, Small/Medium Enterprise, Large Enterprise, Professional Services and Male Champion. Five women and one man were profiled in Business in Calgary and The Calgary Herald and honoured at the 4th annual awards gala at the Telus Convention Centre on April 13th, 2023.

Become involved in our most coveted and commemorative Axis Connects event; the fourth annual Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards is our inaugural gala that attracts over 1,000 Calgary community visionaries and leaders. Connect, clink glasses and share your story with the movers and shakers in Calgary’s business community.

For sponsorship inquires please click below.

Highlight reel from the 2023 Awards Gala

2023 CIWB Award Recipients

We are pleased to announce the 2023 CIWB Award Winners!

Lifetime Achievement
Presented by TD Bank Group

Sue Riddell Rose

President and Chief Executive Officer of Perpetual Energy and Rubellite Energy

Sue Riddell Rose is President and Chief Executive Officer of Perpetual Energy and Rubellite Energy, both of which are junior oil and gas exploration and production companies listed on the TSX. In 2002, Sue assumed the role of President and has led the organization for close to 20 years. Sue graduated from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario with a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering (1986), began her career as a geological engineer with Shell Canada and has over 35 years of experience in the Canadian oil and natural gas industry. Sue has been a Director of Paramount Resources Ltd. since 2000 and is also a Director of Secure Energy and AltaLink, L.P.

Sue is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta, the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists, and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. She is currently serving as a Governor of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and a member of the Business Council of Alberta.

Sue is actively involved with a number of not-for-profit organizations including UNICEF Canada, Fulbright Canada and Canada Powered By Women. Sue is past Chair of the United Way of Calgary and Area, and previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Queen’s University, Mount Royal University and Alberta’s Promise.

Small and Medium Enterprise
Presented by TC Energy

Manjit Minhas

Co-founder and Co-owner of the Minhas Breweres, Distilleries and Wineries

Manjit Minhas, is the co-founder and co-owner of the Minhas Brewery, Distillery and Winery.  She started her companies at the ripe age of 19 in Alberta with her business partner and brother. They currently have over 90 brands of beers, spirits, liqueurs and wines.  Her products are sold in 5 provinces (Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia), as well as 47 states throughout the USA and 16 other countries. A Petroleum Engineering student turned beer baroness is a Dragon on the hit TV show Dragons' Den on CBC for the past 8 seasons/years, invested in 31 businesses.

Manjit has won several business industry awards and been featured in many publications and launched her own podcast in 2020. She also co-owns Spotlight TV and Film Production. She currently serves as a Board of Director for ATB Financial, YYC Calgary Airport Authority and several other boards. She donates time and money to philanthropic causes in Calgary that benefit women and children.

Manjit was recently appointed as the new Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Queens Own Rifles. She is born and raised in Calgary and still calls it home with her husband, and two young daughters.

Large Enterprise
Presented by RBC

Kelly Schmitt

Chief Executive Officer, Benevity Inc.

Kelly is the CEO of Benevity, a leading provider of global corporate purpose software, providing the only integrated suite of community investment and employee, customer, and nonprofit engagement solutions.  Powering the goodness programs of many iconic brands such as Apple, Google and Nike, Benevity has processed over $12 billion in donations and 55 million hours of volunteering to 350,000 nonprofits worldwide.

Prior to taking on the CEO role in February 2021, Kelly was Benevity’s President and Chief Financial Officer, overseeing the company’s go to market activities and industry-leading risk, vetting and donation disbursement services. Kelly has over 20 years of experience in growth company finance and operations, and was recently named an AACSB Influential Leader for her impact in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging area. Benevity is very unique in the technology industry in that its executive team, as well as the company as a whole, are comprised of over 50% women.

Kelly is passionate about childhood learning and development, serving on the board of the Calgary Science Centre and supporting causes that empower women and children.

Professional Services
Presented by Nutrien

Sippy Chhina

Partner, Director & Vice Chair, Deloitte Canada LLP

Sippy has over 23 years of leadership experience in professional services with international firms, including 9 years in various management and operational roles.  Her experience includes companies operating in sub sectors such as oil and gas, power, renewables, and related infrastructure across North America, South America and Africa.

Sippy is currently serving her second term on the Board of Deloitte and is a Vice Chair of the Firm. In addition to her client responsibilities, Sippy co-chairs the board’s Strategy, Ethics & Risk Committee as well as the Audit Quality Committee and has previously served on the Compensation Committee.

Outside of Deloitte she currently serves on the board of Board Ready Women.  Sippy has her CPA designation and is currently enrolled in the Institute of Corporate Directors Director Education Program.

Sippy enjoys mentoring, reading, gardening, painting, culinary challenges and time with family and friends.  She is fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi. She currently resides in Calgary, Canada with her husband and has two adult children.

Social Enterprise
Presented by PwC Canada

Andrea Robertson

President & CEO, STARS

Andrea Robertson is the President and Chief Executive Officer of STARS, a role she has held for the past 12 years.  She is responsible for the overall direction of operations and works to build relationships with donors, governments, and key partners.  Andrea and her team have a singular focus – delivering critical care to the most vulnerable and sickest people wherever and whenever needed.  They achieve this goal by being values and purpose driven.

Prior to STARS, Andrea spent nearly 30 years in a variety of health care leadership roles at Alberta Health Services, the Foothills Medical Centre, and the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

She is a member of the board of directors for the Calgary Airport Authority and Canadian Pacific Railway. Andrea was named a Top 100 winner of the Women's Executive Network's Canada's Most Powerful Women in 2014 and, most recently, was honoured with the Distinguished Business Leader Award in 2022.

Andrea holds a Baccalaureate of Nursing and Masters in Health-Care Administration. She has received her ICD.D designation from the Rotman School of Business and completed an executive fellowship at Wharton University as well as an executive leadership program at Harvard University.

Male Champion
Presented by CIBC

Mark Brown

Vice President & General Manager, Fluor

Mark Brown assumed the role of Fluor Canada's general manager in June 2017. After a couple of years in the engineering industry in Calgary, Mr. Brown began his career with Fluor as a construction engineer 23 years ago. Over the course of his tenure with the company, Mr. Brown has served in various leadership roles in project management, business development, construction, fabrication and other corporate portfolios in North America, Europe and Asia.

Mr. Brown has a bachelor’s of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Victoria. He maintains his Professional Engineering (P.Eng) certification in Alberta, and participates in the Construction Industry Institute (CII), Construction Owners Association of Alberta (COAA) and sits on the board for Hull Services

He enjoys engagement in the community, coaching, spending time with his family and connecting in the industry.

2022 Award Highlights

CIWB Award Categories

Honourees are chosen based on the criteria of professional accomplishments, community involvement, promotion and advancement of women and overall influence and impact on the Alberta business community and its representation of diverse leaders, according to the following categories:

Five women and one man will be profiled in Business in Calgary and honoured at the awards gala on April 13th, 2023.

Lifetime Achievement

This award honours a female senior executive who has achieved significant career success and inspired those behind them. The honouree has dedicated their life to the advancement of others and paved the way for the next generation of leaders.

Professional Services

This award honours a senior executive female in a professional services firm (law, accounting, financial services and/or consulting) who is a trusted advisor to their corporate clients.

Large Enterprise

This award honours a female senior executive who is integral to a large-sized enterprise with over a $1B in market capitalization.

Small and Medium Enterprise

This award honours a female senior executive who is integral to a small to medium sized enterprise with less than $1B in market capitalization.

Social Enterprise

This award honours a female senior executive who is the driving force of a registered charity, not-for-profit, academic or industry association, or for-profit social enterprise, dedicated to social change and greater good. The honouree is a champion of philanthropy, volunteerism and the non-profit community.

Male Champion

This award honours a senior executive male who is an ally and supporter of corporate female executives. They advocate for men and women to work together towards gender parity and demonstrates a commitment to champion women in their workplace and in the community.

Selection & Advisory Committee

Rona Ambrose

Hon. Rona Ambrose, Deputy Chairwoman, TD Securities

Rona is a dynamic national leader who has received many awards for her advocacy and role in public policy. During her tenure as Leader of Canada’s Official Opposition, she gained the respect of parliamentarians of all political stripes, and led the Conservative Party of Canada to the highest membership in its history and set a new tone by becoming the first leader of the Conservative Party to back equal marriage and march in a gay pride parade.

As a key member of the federal cabinet for a decade, Rona served as a minister across nine departments & agencies.  At the time of her appointment, Rona was youngest female cabinet minister in Canadian history. As a federal minister, Rona created and chaired the federal advisory council for women on boards.

Today Rona is involved in bilateral trade and competitiveness issues. In addition to serving as an independent corporate director on several boards, Rona has also recently partnered with TD Securities. She is a Global Fellow at the Wilson Centre Canada Institute in Washington DC, and serves on the advisory council of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute.

Rona is a passionate advocate for women in Canada and around the world and led the global movement to create the “International Day of the Girl” at the United Nations.  Earlier this year, she was featured in the UN Women’s “She Innovates” campaign. Rona launched “#SheLeads”, a non-profit foundation in Alberta focused on encouraging women to run for office and participate in public life.  She also created and co-chairs the Women’s Economic Council of Alberta, a high-powered group of women corporate leaders who provide non-partisan economic advice to high-ranking government and political officials.

She has spent her life passionately fighting for disadvantaged women and girls. She was one of the champions responsible for ensuring that aboriginal women in Canada were finally granted equal matrimonial rights. She successfully fought for the creation of a Canadian refugee program to bring Yazidi women and girls who have been sexually enslaved by ISIS to safety in Canada, working alongside Nadia Murad who recently won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Rona Ambrose

Hon. Rona Ambrose, Deputy Chairwoman, TD Securities

Nadeem Velani

EVP & CFO, CP Rail

Nadeem Velani joined Canadian Pacific in March 2013 and served as Vice-President Investor Relations before becoming Chief Financial Officer in September 2016. Prior to CP, Nadeem spent 15 years at Canadian National (CN) where he worked in a variety of positions in Strategic and Financial Planning, Investor Relations, Sales and Marketing and the Office of the President and CEO.


As CP's Executive Vice-President and CFO, Nadeem is a key member of the senior management team responsible for helping plan the long-term strategic direction of the company. Other responsibilities include financial planning, investor relations, reporting and accounting systems as well as pension, treasury and tax.


Nadeem holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Western University and an MBA in Finance/International Business from McGill.

Nadeem Velani

EVP & CFO, CP Rail

Deborah Yedlin

President of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce & Chancellor, U of C

Community leader and Calgary journalist Deborah Yedlin was elected the 14th chancellor of the University of Calgary, effective July 1st, 2018. Yedlin has been observing, commenting and writing about business and politics for more than two decades. With an undergraduate degree from the University of Alberta in Economics and English in 1984, coupled with her business experience that was augmented with an MBA from Queen’s University in 1991, Deborah built a resume that includes working on Wall Street and Bay Street.

Yedlin has been very active in the Calgary community. She was co-chair of the 2016 United Way Campaign, has served on the board of a number of arts and community organizations, including the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Calgary Opera, YMCA Calgary, United Way Calgary, and Winsport. She was previously a member of the President’s Advisory Council at the University of Alberta and served on the Deans’ Advisory Council for the Faculty of Science at the University of Calgary.

Deborah Yedlin

President of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce & Chancellor, U of C

Arun Chandrasekaran

Head of Energy Investment Banking at National Bank Financial

Arun Chandrasekaran has 17+ years of experience in industry. Mr. Chandrasekaran re-joined National Bank as Head of Energy, Investment Banking in August 2016. Prior to re-joining National Bank, Mr. Chandrasekaran worked as a Principal with Stream Asset Financial Management. Mr. Chandrasekaran graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Commerce Co-operative Education degree where he graduated with Distinction.

Arun Chandrasekaran

Head of Energy Investment Banking at National Bank Financial

Dawn de Lima

Executive Vice-President, Corporate Services & Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer, TC Energy


As Executive Vice-President, Corporate Services, Mrs. de Lima provides strategic and functional leadership for human resources, information systems, aviation and facilities services. She also serves as the Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer for the Company. 

Prior to joining TC Energy, Mrs. de Lima served as Chief Shared Services Officer on the executive leadership team with TransAlta Corporation, responsible for leading Business and Operational Services, Information Technology, Data & Innovation, Supply Chain Management, Corporate Security and Facilities. Mrs. de Lima has also held progressively senior positions in Human Resources, overseeing Executive Compensation, Talent and Culture, Leadership Development, Corporate Communications and Stakeholder Relations. 

Mrs. de Lima currently sits as the Chair of the Board for Junior Achievement Canada and the Co-Chair for SHEInnovates Alberta, a United Nations project to advance the progress of women in innovation. 

She holds a Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Calgary.

Dawn de Lima

Executive Vice-President, Corporate Services & Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer, TC Energy

Byron Neiles

EVP, Corporate Services, Enbridge

Byron Neiles was appointed Executive Vice President, Corporate Services in May 2016. Mr. Neiles has oversight of the Company’s Information Technology, Human Resources, Real Estate & Workplace Services, Supply Chain Management, Safety, Environment, Land & Right-of-Way, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability teams.

Mr. Neiles had previously held the role of Senior Vice President, Major Projects, Enterprise Safety and Operational Reliability at Enbridge, and had been Senior Vice President of Major Projects since November 2011, after joining Enbridge’s Major Projects group in April 2008.

Mr. Neiles is co-Chair of the annual Global Business Forum at Banff, and a trustee of the Makadiff Sports Foundation and Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation. Additionally, he has been an active volunteer with numerous community organizations.

Byron Neiles

EVP, Corporate Services, Enbridge

Katherine Emberly

President, Business at Shaw Communications

Katherine Emberly has over nineteen years of fast-paced telecommunications experience and has worked across a wide variety of progressive leadership roles into her current role of President, Business at Shaw Communications.  Katherine is responsible for the divisional performance and leads a powerful team across the country who support business of all sizes from Small/Medium to Enterprise. With a strong background inMarketing, Katherine has pivoted to lead Operations, Focus toDeliver/Transformation, Corporate Communications and Public Relations functions at Shaw.

Prior to joining Shaw, Katherine worked at several top Advertising Agencies in Canada and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta, completed the CTAM Executive Leadership program at Harvard Business School, is aCertified Advertising Agency Practitioner by the Institute of CanadianAdvertising, and a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD)Directors Education Program (DEP).  Katherine sits on the boards of Alberta Blue Cross (ABC) and CalgaryEconomic Development (CED) and chairs the Performance and CompensationCommittee at CED.

Katherine is passionate about women in leadership and spends time speaking to and mentoring the next generation of female leaders in Canada.

Katherine Emberly

President, Business at Shaw Communications

John Kousinioris

President & CEO, TransAlta

John Kousinioris is responsible for overseeing operations, shared services, commercial, trading, customer solutions, hedging and optimization at TransAlta. He is also the President of TransAlta Renewables Inc.

Prior to joining TransAlta, John was a partner and co-head of the corporate commercial department at Bennett Jones LLP. He has 30 years of experience in securities law, mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance matters, and has represented clients in some of Canada’s largest public offerings and merger transactions.

John has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario, a Master of Business Administration degree from York University and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. John has also attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.

John Kousinioris

President & CEO, TransAlta

Judy Fairburn

Co-Founder & Co-CEO, The51

Judy is a corporate board director and Creative Destruction Lab Fellow who successfully bridges the worlds of tech venture finance, industry, ESG, and public policy. She has C-suite business experience, recently as Chief Digital Officer and EVP Business Innovation. A pioneer in corporate/ entrepreneurial open innovation, she co-founded a $100 million digital/cleantech venture fund. Judy also led substantial change as the first Chair of the consolidated Alberta Innovates, enabling innovation across the health, energy, agriculture and digital sectors.

Recently named as the Lifetime Achievement Award winner at our inaugural Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards, she is also a previous Canadian Clean16 award winner. Judy has a proven track record in building "ahead of the curve", low carbon economy business ventures and providing sage advice to CEOs as a board director (energy, tech, public policy). As a director / investor and avid CEO mentor/angel (The51, Creative Destruction Lab Fellow), she enables businesses to maximize value and be "future-relevant". Judy is also a Board Director for MEG Energy Corp., VEERUM, and Tundra Oil & Gas.

Judy Fairburn

Co-Founder & Co-CEO, The51

Curtis Stange

President & CEO, ATB Financial

If there's one thing that 30-plus years in the financial industry in Canada has taught Curtis Stange, it's that people are at the heart of everything. It's with courage, disciplined thought and precise action that Curtis leads 5,500 team members at ATB Financial as President & CEO. ATB is Alberta’s largest financial institution and provides personal, business, agriculture, corporate, investment banking, and wealth management services to more than 775,000 customers.

Curtis has led teams across diverse geographic markets and through various economic cycles. He has touched every major province in Canada—always with an inquisitive nature and a desire to get to know the people and places around him.

Alberta, with its broad diversity in both people and landscapes, is where Curtis calls home. Here, at ATB, he created a new line of business focused on Alberta entrepreneurs and played a key role in the transformation of ATB's banking systems—the company's biggest technology challenge in a generation.

Curtis is piloting ATB into Alberta's banking future—a future where he sees people and technology as equally as important. Because he believes behind every new technology disruption is a person with a bright idea to grow and develop and a customer who is expecting a remarkable experience.

Curtis Stange

President & CEO, ATB Financial

Dr. Elizabeth Cannon

Board Director and President Emerita, University of Calgary

Dr. Elizabeth Cannon is an expert in Geomatics Engineering and President Emerita of the University of Calgary. She served as the university's eighth president and vice-chancellor, the first alumna to hold that position. Prior to her appointment as president, Cannon was the dean of the Schulich School of Engineering. Her research has been on the forefront of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) since 1984 and she has commercialized technology to over 200 agencies worldwide. She previously held the NSERC/Petro-Canada Chair for Women in Science and Engineering for the Prairie Region. Her support for advancing women has spanned decades and taken many forms including raising public awareness about science and engineering careers for women and developing programs to encourage women to explore careers in STEM fields (Women in STEM), mentoring programs and as a community role model.  She is a business leader, independent board member and vested in Calgary’s economic diversification.

Dr. Elizabeth Cannon

Board Director and President Emerita, University of Calgary

Marcos Lopez

Principal, Alpenglow Capital

Marcos began his career by teaming up with a fellow UofC alumni and starting his own company, Bitonic, shortly after graduating. Calgary-based Solium acquired Bitonic in 2002; with Marcos taking on the role of Chief Technology Officer, and what had begun as a bit of contract work became the beginning of a lifelong passion. Over the past 19 years, he has been on the Board of Directors and has held several leadership roles at Solium, most recently the role of CEO.

Under his leadership Solium’s Shareworks platform has evolved into a world class suite of products and services, used by more than 3,000 companies spanning the globe – heavy hitters like Uber, Levi’s, Shopify, RBC, SpaceX, GM all use the Shareworks platform and it’s many features to simplify their equity plan management.

Marcos holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Calgary, and was the winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for the technology sector, Western Canada.

Marcos Lopez

Principal, Alpenglow Capital

Angela Avery

Group EVP, Chief People, Corporate & Sustainability Officer, Westjet

Angela is a member of the senior executive and is responsible for all aspects of Westjet's legal and compliance functions. With more than 25 years of experience in progressively senior leadership roles in law and business, Angela has significant transactional, regulatory and compliance experience. Angela is called to the bar in Alberta and New York.

Angela’s international experience includes an appointment to the United Nations Compensation Commission where she worked in Geneva, Switzerland to prepare and present war reparations claims to an international court. Having served on several boards including the Canadian Energy Law Foundation, the Calgary YMCA, Arts Commons and the Calgary Zoo, Angela is an active member of her community.

Angela Avery

Group EVP, Chief People, Corporate & Sustainability Officer, Westjet

Sean Brown

Senior Vice President & CFO, Gibson Energy

Sean Brown is Gibson Energy's Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer. In his role, he oversees the financial management of the company including, finance, accounting, tax, treasury and capital market financings as well as corporate planning and development, investor relations and enterprise risk management. Prior to joining Gibsons, Sean spent fifteen years in investment banking where he provided strategic, financial and capital raising advice to companies in the energy infrastructure sector across North America. Most recently he was a Managing Director in the Power & Energy Infrastructure Group at BMO Capital Markets, based in Calgary, and prior to that was with J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., based in New York. Sean holds a Business degree from Acadia University, an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business and is a CFA charterholder.

Sean Brown

Senior Vice President & CFO, Gibson Energy

Dianne Wilkins

Chair, Critical Mass

In her 21 years with Critical Mass, Di has held many influential positions—managing director, coach, entrepreneur and leader for teams and clients. During her tenure, Critical Mass and its affiliate organizations have grown from 25 people in Canada to 950 employees working in numerous locations around the globe. The vision and values that define her leadership have likewise propelled Critical Mass to continued and consistent success. Today, Critical Mass is widely recognized for its breadth and depth of services, its vibrant agency culture, its purpose-driven mindset, and its unwavering commitment to client service.

Di started with Critical Mass in Stockholm, leading Saab on a global basis. Prior to that, she received an MBA while pursuing a career as a golf pro. Her passion for the game is one of the things that attracted her to Critical Mass in its early days.

Under Di’s leadership Critical Mass has been recognized across its industry as an A-List Agency, Best Engagement Agency, Top UX Design Agency, Best Agency to Work For, and Employer of the Year. Di herself was recently included among Campaign’s 40 Over 40 list and named Top Boss in the Digiday Worklife Awards. Industry comments and POVs from Di have been published in The New York Times, Forbes, Ad Age, Adweek, The Drum, and Campaign. Di is also currently Chair of the Board at Fast & Female, a charity whose mission is to empower girls through sport. She is also a past board member at the House of Anansi Press. In addition, Di is the co-founder and Managing Partner of a private activist investor fund that has set out to prove that public companies with a female CEO are inherently more diverse and achieve stronger financial performance as a result.

Dianne Wilkins

Chair, Critical Mass

Jim Davidson

Co-founder FirstEnergy Capital and Board Member, ATB and Topaz Energy

Jim is a founder, entrepreneur and highly respected Corporate Director, most recently acting as the Deputy Chairman of GMP FirstEnergy. He is the Co-Founder of FirstEnergy Capital, a G7 Founder of Creative Destruction Lab – Rockies, Board Director of ATB Financial and Topaz Energy, and a member of the Business Council of Alberta, the Economic Futures Council of Junior Achievement, the Fraser Institute and the Modern Miracle Network. Jim is an advocate for gender parity and a tireless supporter of women across all stages of their careers (board service, executive leadership and entrepreneurs). His leadership and conviction that women play an integral role in the success of companies and nonprofits is evidenced by his actions and the women whose careers Jim has made a direct impact on.

Jim Davidson

Co-founder FirstEnergy Capital and Board Member, ATB and Topaz Energy

Susan Jones

Corporate Director at CN Rail, TC Energy and Piedmont Lithium

Susan Jones is an experienced C-suite executive known for her visionary leadership, passion for diversity, and commitment to safety and the community.

Most recently Susan was Executive Vice President and CEO, Potash, and Executive Advisor to the CEO at Nutrien.  She worked in a variety of other roles at Nutrien from 2005-2019, including Executive Vice President and President of Phosphate; Chief Legal Officer; Business Development and Strategy; Managing Director of the European Distribution Business; and Vice President of Wholesale Sales, Marketing and Logistics.

Susan is a member of the Board of Directors for Gibson Energy where she serves on both the Audit and Environmental Health & Safety Committees. She served on the United Way, the agricultural subsection of the Canadian Bar Association and has been an active member and supporter of women’s leadership groups and diversity at both Nutrien and Gibson Energy. In 2017, Susan was named Deal Maker of the Year at the Canadian General Counsel Awards.

Susan has a law degree as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Hispanic Studies.   She holds a Leadership Diploma from the University of Oxford and a Director Certificate from the University of Harvard.  She is fluent in French, Italian, Spanish and English.

Susan Jones

Corporate Director at CN Rail, TC Energy and Piedmont Lithium

Trent Edwards

President, Canada Land and Housing, Brookfield Properties

Trent joined Brookfield in 2001 as corporate controller and took on various roles as the company grew. These included vice president of finance with Brookfield Residential Alberta (nee Carma) and chief operating officer in Australia. Trent is committed to taking an even more collaborative and informative approach with all stakeholders and is excited to be part of a vibrant industry in a growing, lively province.

Trent gained a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Alberta followed by his Chartered Accountant designation. He is actively involved on the boards of Calgary Economic Development, the Haskayne School of Business and Westman Centre for Real Estate studies.

Trent Edwards

President, Canada Land and Housing, Brookfield Properties

Janet Annesley

Chief Sustainability Officer, Kiwetinohk Energy Corp.

Janet Annesley is the Chief Sustainability Officer at Kiwetinohk Energy Corp., (TSX: KEC) an energy transition company focused on the development of low- and no-carbon energy.

A former senior executive at one of Canada’s largest energy companies, and a former chief of staff to Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, Janet has led ESG, investor relations, policy and communications on some of the most complex energy business matters in the last decade.

Janet holds a MBA from Queen’s University. She was named to The Hill Times Top 100 in Power and Influence List in 2017 and is a Public Policy Forum Fellow. An award-winning, accredited business communicator, she sits on the advisory board for Clean Prosperity and on the boards of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and the City of Calgary Green Line LRT Project.

Janet Annesley

Chief Sustainability Officer, Kiwetinohk Energy Corp.

Scott Munn

Partner, Hugessen Consulting

Scott founded the Calgary office of Hugessen. He has been a lead advisor to Compensation Committees across Canada as a Hugessen Partner and as a National Partner and leader at another national firm.

While advising boards and executive teams over the past 25 years, Scott has been involved in all aspects of executive compensation, performance goal setting /evaluation and governance. His clients include large and midsized publicly traded companies as well as larger private and public sector organizations. He is a frequent speaker and contributor of intellectual capital on a broad range of topics around governance, compensation program design, pay and performance linkage and measurement. Scott is a long-standing faculty member for the Institute of Corporate Directors’ Director Education Program.

Scott Munn

Partner, Hugessen Consulting

Kate Thompson

President & CEO, CMLC

Kate joined CMLC in January 2013 to lead the Construction & Development division in delivering the master plan vision for East Village and the Rivers District. Kate works closely with Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation and the Calgary Stampede, project consultants and stakeholders.

A registered member of the Alberta Architects Association (AAA) and active Member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (MRAIC), Kate manages architectural controls for East Village, ensuring all plans for new development align with CMLC’s vision for the neighbourhood. Kate is active in the community through her role as Board Chair of the YWCA Calgary Board of Directors and as a member of the Dean’s Circle of Environmental Design (EVDS) at University of Calgary, where she has been an Adjunct Professor since 2014. In both teaching and practicing architecture, she continues to highlight the importance of a well-built urban fabric and support projects that strengthen Calgary’s urban spaces.

Kate Thompson

President & CEO, CMLC

Keith Chiasson

Executive Vice-President, Downstream, Cenovus


Keith oversees Cenovus’s two wholly-owned U.S. refineries, three U.S. refining joint ventures and its Canadian upgrading and refining complex at Lloydminster. He is also responsible for Cenovus’s asphalt terminals, ethanol plants and wholly-owned Bruderheim rail terminal. Keith is also the executive sponsor of Cenovus’s Stronger Together with Women@CVE employee network. 

Keith joined Cenovus in 2016 to lead oil sands production operations. He’s a mechanical engineer with more than 25 years’ experience in the oil industry, primarily with Imperial Oil and ExxonMobil. Keith has led various operational teams both locally and internationally, focused on safely improving efficiencies and driving increased value. He also offers global perspective through his experience as Planning and Business Analysis Manager for ExxonMobil and has experience in project management and internal audit. 

Keith Chiasson

Executive Vice-President, Downstream, Cenovus

Michelle Sledz

Partner, Transfer Pricing & Deputy Business Unit Leader, Calgary Tax, KPMG

Michelle is a leader of KPMG’s Global Transfer Pricing Services practice in Calgary and has specialized in transfer pricing for over 20 years. Michelle is a CPA and holds a Bachelor of Commerce with distinction from the University of Alberta. Michelle is a passionate advocate for women in business and leads KPMG Calgary’s Women in Line for Leadership Program and Women’s Interchange Network. She also leads KPMG’s sponsorship in and is an active member of the Women’s Energy Council.

She was recently short-listed for Expert Guides’ America’s Woman in Business Law Awards and has also been recognized by the International Tax Review for numerous years as a Women in Tax Leader. Michelle is a frequent speaker at seminars and conferences including the Canadian Tax Foundation and is a former director of the Canadian Petroleum Tax Society.

Michelle Sledz

Partner, Transfer Pricing & Deputy Business Unit Leader, Calgary Tax, KPMG

Kevin Krausert

CEO & Co-Founder, Avatar Innovations Inc.

Entrepreneur. Dreamer. Scientist. Kevin has spent 20 years on the front lines of the energy transition in numerous executive leadership roles across the industry. Starting his career in as a roughneck on the oil rigs of Northern Alberta, he grew through the ranks until he was Chief Executive of Canada’s oldest drilling company. Accomplished incorporate strategy and governance, capital planning, marketing, technology and intellectual property management, Kevin’s leadership has led to the creation, financing and execution of the first fully computerized drilling rig in Canada, the first long-reach horizontal well in the Canadian arctic, numerous joint ventures with Canada’s Indigenous peoples fostering Economic Reconciliation in remote communities and the creation of the Calgary Energy Transition Center. Having led a major corporation through the disruption of the Canadian energy industry, Kevin is uniquely positioned to lead Avatar Innovations’ ambitious plan unlocking energy transition solutions inside oil and gas for investment, commercialization and scale. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science from McGill University and a Masters of Business Administration from the Haskayne School of Business and serves on the steering committees of both the Clean Resource Innovation Network(CRIN) and the Energy Futures Lab (EFL). His previous board experience includes Chairman of the Board of the Canadian Association of Oil well Drilling Contractors (CAODC) and the Alberta Ballet.

Kevin Krausert

CEO & Co-Founder, Avatar Innovations Inc.

Leslie O'Donoghue

Corporate Director, Pembina Pipelines, Methanex and Richardson International


Leslie O’Donoghue, Q.C. is a visionary leader who has been recognized for her business acumen, commitment to our community and passion for diversity and inclusion. 

Leslie is a corporate director (Pembina Pipelines, Methanex and Richardson International) and former Executive Vice-President, Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer of Nutrien, the largest globally integrated agricultural solutions provider. During her 20 years at Nutrien (and predecessor Agrium), Leslie held various executive roles leading global operations, strategy, business development, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, corporate governance, legal affairs, enterprise risk management and corporate social responsibility. 

Leslie sits on the strategic advisory committee to the President of the United Way of Calgary, having served the United Way as a board member for many years and as past chair of their Calgary campaign. 

Leslie O'Donoghue

Corporate Director, Pembina Pipelines, Methanex and Richardson International

Jim Dewald

Dean of the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary

Jim Dewald is the dean of the Haskayne School of Business and a professor in the strategy and entrepreneurship. A business leader who can provide an effective bridge between strategy theory and on-the-ground practice, his research interests are related to the micro-foundations of strategy formulation and implementation. Specifically, his work has contributed to the constructs of cognitive resilience, entrepreneurial thinking and strategic response to disruptive innovations, most specifically business model innovations.

Jim Dewald

Dean of the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary

Reynold Tetzlaff

Vice-Chair and Managing Partner, PwC Canada

Reynold has been working at PwC for over 28 years, and is currently the Vice-Chair and Managing Partner for the Alberta and Prairies Region. As a current member of the PwC Canada extended leadership team, Reynold is active in setting and implementing the overall strategy and digital transformation for PwC Canada.

Reynold is known for his down-to-earth approach to leadership, and building relationships within his community. He believes in creating a positive impact by working together and encouraging diversity in all aspects.

Reynold Tetzlaff

Vice-Chair and Managing Partner, PwC Canada

Arlene Strom

Chief Sustainability Officer & General Counsel, Suncor Energy Inc.

Arlene Strom is chief legal officer, general counsel and corporate secretary at Suncor. Arlene is the Chair of the Suncor Energy Foundation as well as Chair of Suncor’s Inclusion & Diversity Council.

She is also a member of the board of directors of the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation and the Alberta Lieutenant Governor’s Arts Awards Foundation, along with being a member of the University of Calgary Management Advisory Council for the Haskayne School of Business. Arlene has a bachelor of arts degree in business administration from Trinity Western University, and a master of arts degree in public policy and an LLB from the University of British Columbia.

Arlene Strom

Chief Sustainability Officer & General Counsel, Suncor Energy Inc.

Ibrahim Gedeon

Chief Technology Officer, TELUS

Ibrahim Gedeon is one of the telecommunications industry’s eminent thought leaders. He has carved out an international career by combining insight and skill as an applied scientist with a collaborative lighthearted approach to leadership. As Chief Technology Officer for TELUS, a leading telecommunications company in Canada,Ibrahim is responsible for innovation, technology development and technology strategy. He has been awarded many accolades for his industry contributions, has developed TELUS’ Graduate Technology Leadership Program, and under his leadership, the TELUS broadband network has been independently awarded the fastest in the world.

Ibrahim Gedeon

Chief Technology Officer, TELUS

2022 Award Recipients

Calgary Influential Women in Business (CIWB) Award Recipients

Lifetime Achievement

Dawn Farrell

Independent Director and Chancellor at Mount Royal University

Professional Services

Cheryl Sandercock

Managing Director Co-Head Energy A&D Advisory, BMO Capital Markets

Large Enterprise

Jana Mosley

President, ENMAX Power

Small and Medium Enterprise

Eleanor Chiu

Chief Financial Officer, The Trico Group/ Trico Homes

Social Enterprise

Kim Ruse

CEO, Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter

Male Champion

Jim Dewald

Dean and Professor, Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary

2021 Award Recipients

Calgary Influential Women in Business (CIWB) Award Recipients

Lifetime Achievement

Dr. Elizabeth Cannon

Board Director and President Emerita, University of Calgary

Professional Services

Melinda Park

Partner, Securities and Capital Markets and Past Chair, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

Large Enterprise

Denise Man

Chief Technology Officer, ATB Financial

Small and Medium Enterprise

Alice Reimer

CEO, Fillip and Site Lead, Creative Destruction Lab - Rockies

Social Enterprise

Salima Stanley-Bhanji

CEO, Humainologie

Male Champion

Jim Davidson

Co-founder FirstEnergy Capital and Board Member, ATB and Topaz Energy

2020 Award Recipients

Calgary Influential Women in Business (CIWB) Award Recipients

Lifetime Achievement

Judy Fairburn

Serial Entrepreneur and Board Director (MEG Energy, VERRUM, Tundra), Co-Founder & Co-CEO, The51

Professional Services

Jill Angevine

Managing Partner, Palisade Capital Management Ltd. and Board Director (Tourmaline, Advantage Oil & Gas)

Large Enterprise

Kerry O’Reilly Wilks

Chief Officer, Legal, Regulatory & External Affairs, TransAlta Corporation

Small and Medium Enterprise

Milena Radakovic

President & Owner, Nexus Exhibits Ltd., and Canada Ambassador – Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO)

Entrepreneur

Dr. Breanne Everett

Co-Founder, President and CEO, Orpyx® Medical Technologies

Social Enterprise

Karen Young

President & CEO, United Way Calgary & Area

Emerging Leader

Amanda Hamilton

Founder and Creative Director, Amanda Hamilton Interior Design & Palette Archives

Male Champion

John Osler

Partner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP

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