If you take a scan of organizations in Saskatchewan today, it is a tough feat to find women of colour in leadership positions. According to StatsCan (2021), women who reach executive roles often hold lower-level positions, earning roughly 56% less than men. Drilling down further, about 1 in 10 women executives belong to a visible minority group.
Moderated by Prabha Mitchell, CEO of WESK, this EDI topic will be explored by a diverse panel of powerhouse women who will discuss their experience, opinions, and the importance of diversity in leadership.
Meet the Panelists
Ashala Naidu
Founder of Naidu Legal
Ashala is the founder of Naidu Legal, a boutique law firm located in Saskatoon. Her primary practice area and focus is family law. She is very proud to identify as a female lawyer of mixed ethnic background, including the participation in two very separate cultures and belief systems. Ashala is a wife, mother to two young children. She enjoys to travel, run, and participate in her children’s various activities, including being very involved in the dance community as a dance mom!
Mubarka Butt
Founder and CEO of BoardBe; CEO of HireProfile Consulting; Former Chief Strategy and People Officer at SaskTel Centre
Mubarka Butt is an experienced people and corporate strategist, activist and founder recognized as one of the most prominent voices advocating for gender and racial diversity, equity and inclusion in leadership positions. With a background in people strategies, strategic planning and corporate governance, her experience spans across several industries including, transportation & logistics, municipal government, events & entertainment and numerous non-profit causes. As a woman of colour Mubarka overcame daunting barriers to earn her seat at the C-Suite table as Chief Strategy and People Officer. She is passionate about helping boards adopt change leadership strategies to create a diverse and inclusive board of directors – one that is representative of its stakeholders. In addition to her BBA, Mubarka holds her SPHRi (Senior Professional in HR International) and GPC.D (Governance Professionals of Canada) designations. Her experience leading HR and strategic planning coupled with the principles of good governance, position her uniquely to help accelerate diversity at the leadership level.
Véronique Loewen
Owner, Verolingo Communications
Véronique owns Verolingo Communications, an English/French translation and communication services consultancy founded on her 25 years of experience as a mining sector lead communicator. She holds an MBA from Royal Roads University, BC, and a BA in Applied Foreign Languages from University Montpellier III, France. She is a certified Communications Management Professional and holds the ICD.D corporate director designation. Véronique is a founding member of Women in Mining/Women in Nuclear Saskatchewan, a member of the boards of Saskatoon Prairieland Park and SaskEnergy Inc. Véronique is a past recipient of the YWCA Saskatoon Women of Distinction Award in Leadership and of the Women in Nuclear Canada Leadership Award.
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