Discussion Panel:
Navigating The Barriers to Progress for Women in Technology
Lesley Parrott, Jennifer Liu, Kristen Hipson, Vanessa Martin
Presentation Synopsis: Women face unique challenges in the workplace - the result of longstanding systemic bias, cultural norms, societal expectations and individual circumstances. And, with the share of women in tech across Canada stagnated at less than 30% for the last 10 years, it is clear that these unique challenges are at play in the ICT industry. We know that gender diverse organizations perform better, financially and operationally, and we know that recruiting and retaining women in the tech pipeline is vital to keep pace with the demand for digital skills. So, how do we best support women as they navigate the barriers to progress in tech? In this panel we will shed light on what these unique challenges are through conversation with women at various career stages in tech. We'll take an intersectional approach by diving into the personal factors that have a compounding effect on those barriers. We'll then talk about how these barriers can be mitigated - how organizations, leaders and allies can begin or optimize their journeys to gender equity in the workplace. |
Lesley Parrott
Panelist Biography: Lesley is an experienced Gender Equality Strategist with cross-sectoral experience in tech start-up/scale-up, corporate development and go-to-market strategy. She is passionate about unleashing the untapped/under-utilized potential of women in entrepreneurship and leadership and has devoted the past 10+ years to advancing women's access to capital, growth supports and leadership development opportunities. Lesley engages in work with local, national and global impact. She currently leads sales, marketing and partnerships with Women in Communications and Technology - a national NGO with 30+ years of success in advancing women in digitally driven workplaces. She is also the Business Manager of Shape Talent Ltd., a global gender equality consulting organization serving complex multi-nationals who are serious about gender equity. At a local level, Lesley volunteers her time as a mentor to many women-led/women-founded start-up and scale-ups. Lesley holds an MBA from the Copenhagen Business School (Denmark), a Bachelor of Commerce (hons) from Memorial University and a certification in Leadership and Inclusion from Centennial College. |
Jennifer Liu
Panelist Biography: Jennifer Liu is the Oracle Business Solutions Manager at Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA), where she specializes in business process optimization, program management, and technology enablement. With extensive experience in delivering enterprise-wide business transformation projects, Jennifer brings a unique blend of industry and advisory expertise to her role. Prior to her current position, Jennifer served as a management consultant at a top-tier professional services firm and held the position of IT project manager at a Fortune 500 company. Her diverse background has equipped her with a deep understanding of how IT solutions, coupled with well-defined business policies and processes, can effectively address organizational challenges and enhance efficiency. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management from Saint Mary’s University, as well as a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Alberta. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). Beyond her professional endeavors, Jennifer is passionate about fostering personal and professional development opportunities for others. As one of the founding volunteers with Canada Learning Code - Halifax Chapter, she actively contributes to making coding education more accessible, particularly for women and children across Canada. |
Kristen Hipson
Panelist Biography: Kristen is a graduate of Saint Mary’s Bachelor of Commerce in Computing and Information Systems and a Consultant at CGI in Halifax. At CGI, Kristen is a Systems Business Analyst and Scrum Master with a focus in Banking. After joining CGI, Kristen and a few of her new graduate colleagues created a group for early professionals called CGI Next. With the goal of supporting the next generation at CGI, the group facilitates career development of the next generation of CGI consultants through mentoring programs, professional development events and networking. |
Vanessa Martin
Panelist Biography: A seasoned Director of Consulting at CGI, Vanessa renowned for her analytical prowess, meticulous organization, and results-driven approach that have consistently propelled development and data analytical teams towards triumphant agile transformations. With an extensive career spanning over two decades in the IT sector, Vanessa has honed her expertise in leadership, software development, testing, and software life-cycle management. Her adeptness has been pivotal in orchestrating successful outcomes for a diverse array of clients, including prominent US retail giants, esteemed pharmaceutical companies, governmental agencies, and thriving medium-sized enterprises. Beyond her professional endeavors, Vanessa is deeply passionate about championing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the tech realm. She spearheads the Women of CGI initiative in Atlantic Canada, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive environments and empowering all individuals. |