IT World Canada president and CEO Fawn Annan is one of seven new board members of Women in Communications and Technology (WCT), the organization announced Wednesday.
WCT is a not-for-profit organization that works across Canada to advance women in information and communications technology careers through industry support and recognition, leadership and skills development and mentoring.
With the new board appointments, WCT is seeking new input into the organization’s activities and direction by engaging women in a variety of industries whose work roles involve information, communication and technology.
As president and CEO of Canada’s leading digital media and content marketing services company for Canada’s technology leaders, Annan leads a company whose titles include Computing Canada, Canadian CIO, Computer Dealer News (CDN), ITBusiness.ca and Direction Informatique. She has also been a long-time advocate for women in IT careers. Under her leadership, CDN launched the popular Women in the IT Channel recognition program, an annual event that recognizes women in channel leadership roles and brings together women beginning their IT careers with experienced mentors.
“I am honoured to join the board of an organization who’s mission I believe in so passionately, and I look forward to working with these amazing women,” said Annan. “The opportunities for women to pursue meaningful and fulfilling careers in our industry are significant, but barriers still remain. Together, we can break them down.”
Also joining Annan as new WCT board members are:
- Kristine Emmet, Vice President, Organizational Development, Bell Canada
- Sandra Pasquini, Vice President Human Resources, IT & Network, Rogers Communications
- Denise Shortt, Vice President, Industry Development, Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC)
- Staci Trackey Meagher, Vice President, Enterprise Canada, Microsoft Canada
- Nilufer Erdebil, Founder and CEO, Spring2 Innovation
- Robyn Heaton, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Media and Design, Algonquin College
“With directors from different backgrounds and sectors, our board can more effectively support our commitment to reach more women who are doing knowledge-base jobs and include them in the innovation process,” said Joanne Stanley, WCT’s executive director, in a statement.
The WCT board also has a new chair in Lynda Partner, vice-president of marketing with The Pythian Group Inc.
“I’ve been privileged to be a part of the WCT community for several years and have seen firsthand how passionately and effectively it works to advance all women in the digital economy,” said Partner, in a statement. “I am honoured to lead the board as WCT enters into this next phase, expanding our community so that even more women can benefit.”
