SARA AUSTIN

Director, President’s Office

WORLD VISION CANADA

In her 15 years in the non-profit sector, Sara Austin has gained senior leadership experience, along with program and policy skills through her work around the world. She is putting that experience to work at World Vision Canada leading strategic initiatives for the well-being of children, overseeing board governance and driving changes in workplace equity.

“The greatest highlight of my career was delivering a speech in front of the United Nations as a new international law that I had designed and campaigned for went into force, granting children access to international justice when their rights are denied.”

“I think the hardest barrier for women in the workplace is to overcome the notion that we have already arrived. There have been tremendous breakthroughs in so many areas, but discrimination still persists. Our unwillingness to acknowledge or address a gender bias makes it hard to confront it, whether it might be in hiring, promotions or day-to-day workplace interactions.”

“Build your academic credentials along with practical experience. During my undergraduate studies at Dalhousie, I took the opportunity to spend a semester at the University of Havana in Cuba. Immediately after I graduated, I got into an internship and then took contracts to get several years of international experience. I later did my master’s degree in international human rights law at Oxford, part-time, while I was still working. This combination of formal academic training and practical work experiences throughout my career has been so critical to my success.”

“June Callwood has been my inspiration. She believed that we are here in this world to help others, to be kinder and to do good, and she spent her life doing it; helping many causes, working on difficult and unpopular issues because it was the right thing to do. I think that is true leadership — compassion with courage. Meeting her and having the opportunity to get to know her was an enormous privilege.”

“I lead with compassion. Previously, I was compassionate but struggled to be a leader at the same time. I live and lead in possibility. My glass is always half full. I lead with what’s best for my organization and the people we serve. I believe my role in this sector is a privilege and public dollars must be managed wisely.” than 20,000 participants annually from coast to coast.

“I was the first co-ordinator sent to Nicaragua to set up a new project called Casa Canadiense. The centre continues to thrive 20 years later.”

“I’m saddened that when I am described as ambitious or driven, it is said as an insult or slight. When I interview women for positions, they always talk about what ‘we or the team achieved.’ I stop them and ask them to be specific about how their action made the team successful. Wanting to be successful, to have your organization be successful and those around you to succeed, can only be a positive. Women should not have to dull that side of their spirit. I always encourage women to boast about their achievements.”