Who We Are

Women in Communications and Technology is the only Canadian coast-to-coast non-profit organization that inspires and supports women to achieve their highest career potential in Canada’s digital economy through professional development, mentorship, advocacy and research.

Since 1991, WCT has worked to close the gender gap, promote female leadership and advance diversity across a range of industries including information, communication, media and technology.

Learn more about our work in our 2021 Annual Report.

VISION

Our vision is a global digital economy that is equitable, diverse and inclusive.

MISSION

Our mission is to change attitudes, remove barriers and equip and empower Canadian women to succeed and lead in the digital economy.  

• We help women develop career and leadership skills
• We advance diversity in digital industries through advocacy, research and thought leadership
• We connect women to the people who can promote, support and mentor them.

WHAT WE DO

With our extensive set of programs in professional and leadership development, mentorship and career support, as well as a suite of networking opportunities in chapters across the country, we enable women to achieve professional success.   

Supported by generous sponsorship from leading companies in the technology and communications industries, WCT provides leading programs to build strong careers for women and to strengthen the female talent pool.

Corporate partners benefit from accessing WCT’s continuously growing network of professional women, as well as leadership and skills development for their employees. 

The WCT network includes thousands of professionals in 10  chapters coast to coast: British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Greater Toronto Area, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, Ottawa-Gatineau, Quebec, and Atlantic. 

Become a member today and take advantage of WCT's networking, mentorship and professional development opportunities.   

WHAT WE ADVOCATE

WCT provides thought leadership for equity and gender parity in the digital age. Our Up the Numbers Program is providing a focus on the importance of knowing where women are in the digital economy, setting targets for improvement and reporting our progress. 

We have conducted a nationwide dialogue on reducing the obstacles to women in digital industries resulting in the writing of Closing the Gender Gap: A Blueprint for Women's Leadership in the Digital Economy. It is an advisory guide on building strong productive careers for women in our industry. 

We work with companies, governments and academic institutions to help shape best practices and strategies to recruit and advance women in the digital economy. 

WCT’s Regional Forums and Roadmap to Attract and Retain Women in the Digital Workplace provides leadership in companies on best practices to address the persistently low rate of participation of women in the digital workforce and in leadership positions. Our goal is to increase the economic security of professional women entering and working in the male-dominated digital industries.

OUR PROGRAMS

WCT is committed to advancing women in Canada by providing opportunities for our members to remain relevant and connected through strong relationships and continuous learning.  

WCT’s flagship programs include: 

• The Protege Project, Canada’s only cross-sector career executive sponsorship program; 
• The WCT National Mentorship program, which provides one-to-one mentorship and mentorship circles; 
• The WCT Annual Awards and Gala, which recognizes women, men, and companies who are working toward gender diversity;  
• Closing the Gender Gap, a white paper on best practices for women’s leadership in digital workplaces;  
• Up the Numbers, a research and advocacy program which tracks and reports the number of women working in ICTM industries year over year. ; and 
• The Jeanne Sauve and Dr. Roberta Bondar Career Development Programs for women in the broadcast/regulatory and science and technology industries 
• Professional development webinars on career planning and leadership skills 

OUR INDUSTRIES

WCT was established in 1991 to engage and advance women in media, broadcast and cable in Canada. As technology revolutionized these industries, WCT expanded its mandate to include technology-related industries to support women in the emerging digital economy.

Corporate partners benefit from accessing WCT’s continuously growing network of professional women, as well as leadership and skills development for their employees. 

Industries included in WCT’s mandate include:

OUR MEMBERS

Our members are women and men at all levels in information, communications, media, and technology:

• They work in communications and tech companies.
• They work in communications and tech roles in all sectors.
• They are entrepreneurs, consultants and service providers.
• They are public sector professionals who develop programs, policies and education.
• They are graduates and alumni entering or re-entering the digital workforce.

OUR SPONSORS

WCT is a not-for-profit organization that operates on funding from sponsors, grants from various governments, as well as revenue generated from member dues and events. 

Our sponsors are major players in Canada's digital economy, and their funding helps empower Canadian women to succeed and lead in the digital economy. 

• Amazon Web Services
• Bell
• Cogeco
• Corus
• IBM
• Rogers
• Symcor
• Shaw
• APTN
• Google
• Cisco
• Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE)
• Alberta Ministry of Labour
• Ryerson Diversity Institute

Sponsor WCT and empower women in telecommunications, media and technology sectors in Canada. 

OUR LEADERSHIP: NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

• Chair: Cheryl Fullerton, Executive Vice President, People and Communications, Corus
• Past Chair: Michelle Magwood, President, Magwood Consulting
• Corporate Secretary: Leslie Milton, Partner, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
• Treasurer: Pardeep Singh Gill, Partner, Audit Technology, Media and Telecommunications, KPMG

BOARD DIRECTORS

• Candice McLeod, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Business Solutions, Shaw Communications Inc
• Cheryl Fullerton, Executive Vice President, People and Communications, Corus Entertainment
• Christin Wiedemann, Director Quality Engineering, Slalom Build
• Dorothy Johnson, Services Practice Leader, Microsoft
• Irena Zhivov, Delivery Director, Likewize
• Julie Branscombe, Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Cogeco
• Kendall Milne-Bancroft, Senior Vice President of Sales - Home Division, Rogers
• Leslie Milton, Partner, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
• Pardeep Singh Gill, Partner, Audit Technology, Media and Telecommunications, KPMG
• Rekha Rao-Mayya, Country Leader, ISVs and Digital Native Businesses, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Saba Shariff, Head, New Product Development and Corporate Strategy, Symcor
• Safdar Mahmood, Managing Vice President, Pariveda Solutions
• Sonia Brar, Vice President, Customer Operations Strategy, Design & Delivery, Bell Canada
• Tammy Kelly, HR Lead, IBM Canada
• Wayne Mckenzie, Director of Operations, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network

BOARD OBSERVERS

• Chantal Davis, Director, Spectrum Regulatory Best Practices, Innovation Science and Economic Development
• Denise Shortt, Senior Vice President, Industry Development, Technation 
• Fawn Annan, CEI, ITWorld
• Jennifer Roynon, Director, Community Engagement, IGM Financial 
• Michelle Magwood, President, Magwood Consulting
• Renee Doiron, Chief of Staff and Special Advisor to the Chairperson, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)

DIRECTOR EMERITUS

• Robin Hildebrand, Vice President, Human Resouces & Regulatory Affairs, Golden West Broadcasting Ltd.