National Post - Financial Post Magazine
SUSAN MCISAAC
UNITED WAY TORONTO
A widely recognized leader with more than 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector, Susan McIsaac is a key architect of the United Way’s strategic transformation, from trusted fundraiser to catalyst for change.
“When I joined United Way Toronto, we built what was already a successful fundraising appeal into a broad community engagement approach with all sectors of our city. It helped in doubling the results of the campaign from $58 million to over $117 million last year and added new ways for us to work together in building a stronger city.”
“1. Inclusion. My approach is to bring together diverse perspectives, actively seek a range of opinions and arrive at strong, integrated solutions. 2. Focused on results. I am an optimist and that means I am convinced we can always achieve more than we think. 3. Valuesbased. I care very deeply about the work of United Way Toronto and about the communities and people we serve.”
“My organization has just completed a new strategic vision and plan. We are transforming in many ways. My management of this change is to embrace the change, engage all the great talent of my team in the transition, accept that there will be risks along the way, but that the benefits and long-term success will far outweigh and outlast any the bumps we experience and are part of growing.”
“Co-founding Webnames.ca, a multi-million-dollar domain registration and hosting company that serves many of the global Fortune 500, growing it for 14 years and still loving what I do.”
“1. Ability to inspire. I know as one of few women executives in technology, young women look to me for inspiration. I speak at numerous events to offer advice and mentorship to others. 2. Passion and commitment. Starting and running a business is hard work. Growing it for 14 years takes a lot of commitment and true passion. I have worked through broken bones and two to three hours’ sleep per night for months at a time. Passion is infectious. In our first year, our entire team worked seven days a week and slept in sleeping bags in the office working through the night. 3. Be solutions-driven. In business there are always new problems to deal with. I try to look at the problem as an opportunity to improve or even create a new product or service.”
A geotechnical engineering consultant and natural leader, Anne Poschmann was the first female associate in Canada before becoming Golder’s second female principal in 1994. Over the past 20 years, she has worked on a number of high-profile transportation projects, including the East Mission Valley Light Rail Transit (LRT) tunnel project in San Diego, Calif.
“Having become a successful consultant and geotechnical engineer who has possibly been somewhat influential in opening up the minds of the next generation of consulting engineers — perhaps opening up some doors/paths for some of them — and has enticed a few more to embark into the geotechnical engineering field.”