Updated Sept.16, 2016 at 1:00 pm EST
We wrapped another successful Twitter chat yesterday! This time around, we put women in the workplace front and center and brought awareness to issues ranging from pay equity to mentorship programs in a lively conversation. We were joined by our guest experts and leaders, Jennifer Hollett of Twitter Canada, Fawn Annan, President of ITWC and Heather Schaan of Microserve.
Even in the age of flying drones, virtual reality and robots, being a woman with a family and full-time career has its challenges in a male-centric environment. But creating a space where we’re free to discuss the hard realities of the world and workplace are exactly why we host our Twitter chats.
Thanks again to everyone who joined the conversation. Read on for some of the most memorable Tweets from the discussion, and learn more about our guest experts:
Jennifer Hollett, Twitter Canada
Jennifer Hollett is the Head of News and Government at Twitter Canada and a key member of Twitter’s media team. Prior to her arrival at Twitter Canada, Jennifer was an award-winning journalist, producer and digital expert, Jennifer has over a decade of experience at CBC, CTV and MuchMusic covering stories across Canada and around the world. She won a Canadian Online Publishing Award for her work hosting CBC’s G20 Street Level blog during the G20 Summit in Toronto, and was recognized by Amnesty International Canada with a Media Award for her CBC radio reporting from Israel and Palestine.
Jennifer studied public policy at Harvard University, obtaining her MPA. She co-founded a startup and developed “Super PAC App,” which debuted #1 in its category in the App Store, helping make political TV ads more transparent. More recently, Jennifer was the federal NDP candidate in University-Rosedale and an associate with the Atkinson Foundation, focused on civic technology.
Heather Schaan, vice-president, Microserve
As Microserve’s Vice President & General Manager since 2014, Heather’s primary mandate is to advance the overall direction of the company through strategic and operational leadership. Some of her key areas of focus include overall business planning, marketing, communications, talent management, strategic contract acquisition, and key initiatives.
Since joining Microserve in 2003, Heather has worked across many areas of the business including sales, service management, proposal management, IT Staffing and recruitment.
Heather is passionate in her belief that businesses have a responsibility to make a positive contribution to society, the environment, family, and access to education. She is especially proud to have helped establish and grow Microserve’s many scholarship and bursary funds with leading post-secondary institutions including Douglas College, BCIT, the University of Victoria and the University of Alberta.
Fawn Annan, president, ITWC
Fawn Annan is the president, chief marketing officer and group publisher of IT World Canada/IDG Canada. She is also partner and CMO for Haliburton’s Digital Reno, a new storytelling agency created to use the power of brand journalism to bring innovative video, podcast and written content to companies seeking to increase their online audience. Ms. Annan is Chair of the Canadian Channel Chiefs Council, sits on the Ontario Board of the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) and serves on the national board of Canadian Women in Communications and Technology (WCT). Ms. Annan has operated her own business and held senior positions in marketing and strategy with a variety of firms. In 2012 she received the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Award for her contribution to the IT industry.
Questions we’ll be discussing at the chat:
1. “We’ve reached equality in the workplace in Canada.” To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement? #CDNwomen
A1 It's just not equal. Half of the top 100 companies on TSX don't have single female board member. Gap in $. Gap in power. #CDNwomen
— Brian Jackson (@brianjjackson) September 15, 2016
The gap is even larger for women who are minorities: Aboriginal, newcomers, or women with disabilities.#CDNwomen
— fawnannan (@fawnannan) September 15, 2016
A1 #CDNwomen Equality = equal pay, equal access to opps & equal # of women in leadership, not 70% of pay and 1/3 of leadership roles
— Microserve (@Microserve) September 15, 2016
2. What are some of the unique challenges you’ve faced as a woman in tech? #CDNwomen
Q2. Men not in tech, mansplaining tech to me. #CDNwomen
— Jennifer Hollett (@jenniferhollett) September 15, 2016
A2 Being asked if I really think I can successfully run a business and be a good mother #CDNwomen
— Microserve (@Microserve) September 15, 2016
3. Do you have a role model that serves as an example for your career ambitions? Who is it and why? #CDNwomen
Q3. I find new role models every day. Like @hidrees and @rebeccajharris Young women doing their thing, in tech. #CDNwomen
— Jennifer Hollett (@jenniferhollett) September 15, 2016
4. What role does mentorship play in career building? Have you been a mentor or a mentee? #CDNwomen
Mentorship gives people a huge leg up in their career success, and I think this applies to men and women #CDNWomen
— Microserve (@Microserve) September 15, 2016
I really enjoy mentoring. I mentor 3 people & really proud to say they are all successful. We all need to pay it forward. #CDNWomen
— Paolo Del Nibletto (@PaoloCDN) September 15, 2016
Q4. Mentorship is key. I meet, chat with young women frequently about these issues. Not just in tech. #CDNwomen
— Jennifer Hollett (@jenniferhollett) September 15, 2016
5. What can we actively do to create equitable opportunities for women in the workplace? #CDNwomen
A few things: start by getting engaged in STEM programs in your community to open doors for young #CDNwomen
— Leagh Turner (@LeaghTurner) September 15, 2016
A5 Equality in the workplace needs equality at home #peermarriage #sharedparenting/#sharedearning #SharedDishes #CDNWomen
— Microserve (@Microserve) September 15, 2016
6. Do you know if you make equal salary for equal work to your male colleagues? #CDNwomen
McMaster U took steps to fix this by adding $3,515 to female profs pay checks that couldn't be explained by rank or discipline #CDNwomen
— fawnannan (@fawnannan) September 15, 2016
7. Often sexism in the workplace comes down to simple interactions. What’s the best strategy to respond in these situations? #CDNwomen
Q7. On sexism (racism, homophobia, oppression) in the workplace; call it out. All of us. #CDNwomen
— Jennifer Hollett (@jenniferhollett) September 15, 2016
A7. Men have to step in when they see colleagues being sexist, even if there's no women present. Never acceptable. #CDNwomen
— Brian Jackson (@brianjjackson) September 15, 2016
8. It’s common to hear about balancing family life when discussions about women’s careers are raised. How do you feel about this? #CDNwomen
A8 Shouldn’t the question be about changing the work culture, so that men & women can have whole lives vs. work-life balance #CDNwomen
— Cheryl Sylvester (@csylvester) September 15, 2016
A8.I don't question my male counterparts abilities to balance a home life and career why is mine relevant? #CDNwomen https://t.co/zSOc34ysSc
— Desere Cowin (@DeZCowin) September 15, 2016
A8. Shouldn't balancing family life be important for everyone, not just women? Balance in general, for that matter. #CDNWomen
— Katie Schaan (@katieschaan) September 15, 2016
9. What is the best thing that can be done to encourage more women to pursue careers with tech companies? #CDNwomen
A9 My daughter doesn't know she can't be anything, the key is keeping mindset alive throughout their lives #CDNWomen pic.twitter.com/6XJEY4Hgaf
— Mat Pancha (@mpancha) September 15, 2016
A9 Retaining women & Developing as leaders is a big issue. Data shows women 45% more likely to leave teach. #CDNwomen
— Cheryl Sylvester (@csylvester) September 15, 2016
A9. Awareness, encouragement, education and equality at home. #CDNwomen
— Wolston Lobo (@WolstonL) September 15, 2016
10. a) Canada’s 30% club is working to see women make up at least 30% of board of director positions by 2020. #CDNwomen
b) What will it take to reach that goal? (A study put the number at 20.8% in 2014) #CDNwomen
Q10. Ask boards of companies & orgs you support to create a goal of 30% women. Bring up race & other aspects of diversity as well. #CDNwomen
— Jennifer Hollett (@jenniferhollett) September 15, 2016
A10. I honestly think it will take the passage of a law. Left to their own devices, companies have failed to make headway. #CDNwomen
— Brian Jackson (@brianjjackson) September 15, 2016