Celebrating International Women’s Day: A Call to Champion Women Leaders in Canada
-By Christine Ball, Executive Director, CPC
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s a moment to honour the incredible contributions of women across all sectors. But it’s also a time to acknowledge the road ahead. This day holds a special significance for me. As a business leader, I’ve had the privilege of working with exceptional teams, shaping organizational strategies, and driving innovation. However, my journey, like that of many women in leadership, has been marked by challenges. These challenges, often rooted in bias, outdated perceptions, and systemic barriers, are still prevalent in many workplaces.
My leadership journey was shaped not just by professional ambition but by resilience. I’ve had my ideas dismissed, my voice overlooked, and my capabilities questioned — not because of my expertise but because of my gender. At times, I’ve had to work twice as hard to prove my worth, navigate male-dominated spaces, and advocate for my own advancement in rooms where few women were present. These experiences have been frustrating, but they’ve also been fuel for change. They’ve strengthened my commitment to ensuring the path for the next generation of women leaders is clearer and more accessible than the one I walked.
In Canada, we’ve made progress in advancing women into leadership roles — but progress has been slow. Women remain underrepresented in senior executive roles, on corporate boards, and in key decision-making positions across the public and private sectors. This is not due to a lack of talent, skill, or ambition — it’s a reflection of structural inequities, societal norms, and a corporate culture that still too often undervalues diverse leadership styles.
Career development professionals hold a pivotal role in reshaping this landscape. Whether they are directly assisting women clients, advising employers on inclusive practices, or influencing policies within their own organizations, these professionals can be instrumental in paving the way for more women to rise to leadership roles in Canada.
How to Champion Women Leaders in Canada
First, career development professionals can empower women to embrace leadership aspirations and confidently pursue executive and board-level roles. This means providing mentorship, creating tailored leadership development programs, and encouraging women to see themselves not just as qualified but as necessary contributors to strong governance and strategic decision-making.
Second, we must challenge employers to break down barriers to advancement. Career professionals can work with businesses to assess hiring, promotion, and retention practices through a gender lens — identifying and eliminating biases that prevent women from reaching leadership roles. This includes advocating for transparent recruitment processes, equitable pay structures, and family-friendly workplace policies that support work-life balance.
Finally, career development professionals can promote the value of diverse leadership by helping organizations recognize the tangible benefits of gender-balanced boards and executive teams. Research consistently shows that companies with diverse leadership outperform their peers—not just financially but also in innovation, employee engagement, and resilience. This is the power of diversity, and you can be the catalyst for this change.
International Women’s Day reminds us that progress for women is progress for everyone. Investing in women’s leadership — in business, government, and on boards — builds more substantial organizations and a more prosperous, inclusive society.
The adversity I’ve faced has become a source of strength. It’s deepened my resolve to support other women on their journeys — to break down barriers, open doors, and hold them open for others to follow. Today, I call on career development professionals across Canada to join me in this effort. Together, we can accelerate the pace of change, foster environments where women’s leadership thrives, and create a future where gender equality in leadership is not an aspiration but a reality.
On this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate — but more importantly, let’s act.