FATEN ALSHAZLY

Chief Creative Officer & Co-Founder

WEUSTHEM

In her role as creative lead of the strategic communications firm, Faten Alshazly consults across sectors, industries and geographies. She is also an adjunct professor, business advisor, mentor and board member for small businesses.

“Being the driver of an initiative that ensures there is ready socioeconomic and health-related information in the hands of the most vulnerable of our population, our youth, across Canada and internationally, is both an awesome as well as humbling achievement.”

“The media as a business is designed to represent what its audiences value. Media does not drive female stereotypes; it is the consumption of us collectively as a community that does. Should we stop doing so, media, advertisers and others would follow suit. It is time we take ownership and forget the false notion of placing blame.”

With 15 years’ experience in executive management and R&D, Dr. Amiee Chan brings a rare blend of technical and corporate strength to Norsat. Her strategic vision has resulted in consistent revenue growth during her tenure.

“I am proud to say I have led Norsat from near insolvency to consistent revenue growth and profitability.”

“I’ve experienced culturally embedded micro-inequalities as a female leader. On a business trip to Korea, I travelled with a male colleague and everyone assumed he was the CEO and I was his executive assistant. On another occasion, a business partner asked if my father owned Norsat. These situations are frustrating, but it helps to understand that, most of the time, this comes from of a lack of awareness. People make assumptions because women are still underrepresented in the boardroom. These attitudes and stereotypes will only change as more women take on roles of increased responsibility, profile and leadership.” “While various forms of media still reinforce female stereotypes and marginalize the social, economic and political impact and contributions by women, there are numerous women in key influential and very senior roles throughout Canada’s broadcasting industry. We just need to continue to work to have art imitate life!”

“A career that has successfully spanned over 30 years in musical theatre, theatre, television, opera, concert and recital, never letting myworst or my best moments define me, all with the support of family, friends and my faith.”

“Maria Callas is the first singer who was an inspiration to me. I came from the theatre world and it was her commitment to the ‘play,’ not just the singing, which resonated with me the most. I found a photograph of her as Medea at a gift store near the Met when I was singing there. I bought it as a reminder of what I wanted to remain faithful to, as a singer. I also learned from her the cost of one’s personal life when the career overshadowed good judgment.”

“Our talent is definitely disproportionate to

An accomplished journalist, Lisa LaFlamme leads the country’s top newscast, cementing her role as the face of news in Canada, winning highest honours at the 2014 Canadian Screen Awards, with recognition for both Best National News Anchor and Best National Newscast.

“I am deeply proud to have been named chief news anchor/senior editor of CTV National News, a position of trust and responsibility that allows me the privilege of helping bring context to a complicated and often cruel world, and then deliver it!”

“I have been inspired by so many historical figures, especially whenbravery meets brains. One is Vera Brittain, an English writer who joined up as a nurse in World War I and went to the front lines. She later wrote the inspiring book which still resonates today. She worked all her life to make the future better for women and girls.”

Janice McDonald is a serial entrepreneur with expertise in strategic planning and the development and management of several multi-million-dollar businesses. Her latest venture taps into the excess capacity in under-used spaces and makes them available to mobile professionals in Toronto and Ottawa.

“I am most proud of my unique career path. I have forged my