What gives you courage?
My past experiences, which provide me with knowledge, and my parents, because of how they raised me: be honourable, be calm, and do the right thing even when it’s not popular or it is extremely difficult.
If you were to get a tattoo of one word, what would it be?
“Fortitude.”
Marianne McKenna
“Most courageous acts have been born of necessity.”
Birthplace Montreal, QC
What age do you feel Age is a construct. We need never get (or feel) old.
Occupation Architect
Book you gift most The Opposable Mind by Roger Martin
Favourite drink Water
Favourite place in Canada The remoteness of Georgian Bay, ON
If you could have dinner with any woman, alive or dead, who would it be?
Dame Zaha Hadid. Throughout history there have always been women who have challenged traditional roles and achieved great things. Dame Zaha reshaped the architectural imagination of the twenty-first century. She was the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize, and was the recipient of the UK’s most prestigious architectural award, the Stirling Prize. The New Yorker praised her as “a woman in the most masculine of arts, and an Iraqi no less.”
What will it take to achieve gender parity?
Vive la difference, non? Women and men are different, and we simply need to respect and appreciate the benefits of complementarity. Yet genius has no boundaries—and we need to see it and cultivate it, regardless of gender, race, social, or economic status. As an architect, working with men and women, I have witnessed how shared passion—for a project or a purpose—has the power to dissolve differences and fuel imagination and creativity.
What gives you courage?
I was lucky to be raised to be courageous. I honestly feel quite fearless.
If you had the gift of a year off, in a paused world, what would you work on?
I would create an architectural policy for Canada, with the objective of engaging the broader population in a conversation around smart design-led initiatives for city-building. I would focus on shaping and sharing real stories about how investment in design excellence has proved to have long-term benefits for health, well-being, and prosperity for the greater community.
Tell us about a time when you had to summon all of your courage.
My most courageous acts have been born of necessity. Establishing a business takes a lot of blind faith. When Barton Myers closed his architecture firm in Toronto to move his practice to Los Angeles, he left a small group of associates and staff. As one of his associates, I saw an incredible opportunity and encouraged my colleagues (and future partners) to take on the contracts Barton was leaving behind and launch Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects (now KPMB Architects). We also consciously rejected the paternalistic model of the star designer and created an alternative hybrid practice. We have been incredibly successful, beyond our original expectations. I am particularly proud of the fact that I have worked for a number of Canada’s iconic cultural institutions, including the Royal Conservatory, Massey Hall, and the Banff Centre for the Arts and Creativity.
What does success mean to you?
Connecting the dots and seeing how the key decisions I made—the actions I took—made a difference. For me, success means projects like the Royal Conservatory in Toronto, twenty years in the making, and Koerner Hall, continuously acknowledged as an exceptionally beautiful and superb acoustic venue. Deep success is my marriage of thirty-two years to my husband, and my children—who are now contributing adults who continue to inform and enrich my life.
What is your vision for Canada in twenty years?
Beautiful, walkable, liveable, healthy, sustainable cities across Canada, connected by new modes of transit. Imagine if we could get to the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa from Toronto for a Sunday outing—or to the new Remai Modern in Saskatchewan to see the collection of Picasso prints for the day?
If you were to write a book, what would its title be?
A Life of Architecture: A Unique Marriage.
Nancy McKinstry
“Use your success to lever the resources and talents of the people who support and encourage you.”
Birthplace Vancouver, BC
What age do you feel 57 (10 years younger than I am)
Occupation World traveller, mentor, rower
Favourite drink Water
Favourite place in Canada My lake cottage in the Cariboo, BC
How has your view of feminism changed over your lifetime?
I was brought up in a household of five women: my mother, my three sisters, and myself, the oldest. When I was thirteen, my mother got ill and my father worked six days a week, which forced all of us to quickly assume our independence, work as a cohesive unit, and make our own decisions. When I transitioned into the workplace, I just assumed, perhaps naively, that I would continue in a leadership role as I had done within the family, until one of my bosses sat me down one day and cautioned me that he, in fact, was in charge. Fortunately, he finished with, “You have a lot to learn, but I think you can be a leader, and I am going to mentor you.” Throughout my career, I have had great mentors and sponsors, but have faced the reality of gender bias in my male colleagues many times. Never one to accept defeat, I navigated this territory by working smarter and harder and I ultimately earned their respect. I vowed that I would do whatever I could to pave the way by teaching and mentoring other women to achieve their goals with confidence in their skills, resilience in their attitudes, and a desire to influence a change within their professions about the role of women.
What will it take to achieve gender parity?
Looking at history and the painfully slow rate of change on gender parity, I think it will have to be legislated. Quotas in the short term appear to be the only solution.
What are Canada’s best traits?
When I travel, I am always careful to identify myself as a Canadian, and I marvel at the positive reaction I get. Most frequently, the feedback I get is that we are polite, respectful, and tall, and we have a very handsome prime minister.
What message would you put on a billboard?
The Japanese proverb “Vision without action is a daydream, and action without vision is a nightmare.”
If you had the gift of a year off, in a paused world, what would you work on?
Diversity and inclusion have been, and continue to be, a passion of mine. Not just gender diversity but diversity in ethnicity, sexual orientation, and advocacy for persons with disabilities. As human beings, we all just want to live a fulfilled life safely, without bias, and with some joy.
If you were to get a tattoo of one word, what would it be?
“Joy.”
Tracey McVicar
“Success means having the luxury of helping others because all of your needs are met.”
Birthplace Vancouver, BC
What age do you feel 32
Occupation Private equity investor
Book you gift most Ordinary Resurrections: Children in the Years of Hope by Jonathan Kozol
Favourite drink Water—I mean, wine
Favourite place in Canada Howe Sound, BC
If you could have dinner with any woman, alive or dead, who would it be?
My mom, who passed away in 2004. I would hug her tightly, introduce her to her grandson, fill her in on the last thirteen years and tell her how much I love and miss her.
What will it take to achieve gender parity?
Less seeking data to prove or disprove that diversity brings value to the decision-making table, and just a little leap of faith and willingness to try by those who have influence. In many cases, there is far less to lose than to win!
If you had the gift of a year off, in a paused world, what would you work on?
How to better set up foster children for success while they’re in the system and as they age out.
Knowing what you
know now, what would you have done differently when you were first starting out?
I wish I had committed early to closely managing my own savings—every time I had a “back the truck up” investment idea, I wish I had used a bigger truck!
What does success mean to you?
Having the luxury of helping others because all of your needs are met.
What is the best investment you’ve made?
In 2011, I left my job and spent six months helping others in need. Today, my friends include several of the kids I met—how amazing to watch them succeed from extreme adversity!
What gives you courage?
Knowing that I stand on the shoulders of the many strong women in my family who faced down tougher challenges than I will likely ever face.
What is your vision for Canada in twenty years?
A key architect and proponent of global free trade, a global peacekeeper and a prosperous nation that takes care of its least fortunate. A country that welcomes immigrants, leads in diversity and has become an innovation and entrepreneurial powerhouse.
What message would you put up on a billboard, and where?
I would put this billboard inside the washrooms at every business school in the land:
To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children,
to leave the world a better place,
to know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived,
this is to have succeeded.
RALPH WALDO EMERSON
If you were to get a tattoo of one word, what would it be?
“Relax.”
Anne-Marie Mediwake
“Success means our kids are at peace. Kids are like barometers. When things are off kilter, they react to that.”
Birthplace Kandy, Sri Lanka
Occupation Co-host, CTV’s Your Morning
What age do you feel 32
Book you gift most East of Eden by John Steinbeck and The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
Favourite drink Coffee. My favourite summertime drink is Prosecco.
Favourite place in Canada Ottawa
How has your view of feminism changed over your lifetime?
Becoming a mother really changed my feminist view. You ask yourself, “How do I want them to view themselves? How do I want them to view other women in their lives? How do I want them to view the world?” When you see inequality or unfairness, do you choose to carry on on your own route or do you speak up? I speak up more now that I’m a mom.
What will it take to achieve gender parity?
Salary payment is a big issue. Often in a corporate environment, the monetary wage literally puts a value on people. If you’re constantly paying women less to do the same job, you’re saying, “I value your work less.” What will really move that forward is when we start paying women the same salaries as we do men. There’s no power tripping because it’s really a level playing field.
What message would you put on a billboard?
Part of a scripture: “Do justly, walk humbly, and love mercy.” I teach this to my kids, too, in another form: “Love one another, protect one another, and respect one another.”
What does Canada need more of?
We need more of an honest acknowledgement of all of our history, and all viewpoints on our history. Recently I went through the Canadian Museum of History and they’ve just revamped it. What I really loved was their honest portrayal of, for example, John A. MacDonald, who was a controversial figure in Canadian history. To some, he is the father of the railway that tied this country together. But to others, he is the father of genocide in Indigenous communities. It was very powerful to see how the museum did not shy away from that. On one side they have the last spike, and the declaration and the map of the railway. On the other side, they have this beaded dress of a child who starved to death when the Crowfoot people were forced off the land needed for the railroad. These are things that can be taught. I felt a little ripped off that I didn’t learn this stuff until I was in my thirties.
Deepa Mehta
“Canada’s best trait is that we are a fair people. And in this puerile world and political climate, that counts for a lot.”
Birthplace Amritsar, India
What age do you feel My age—66
Occupation Filmmaker
Book you gift most Orlando by Virginia Woolf
Favourite drink Fresh lime soda with tons of fresh mint
Favourite place in Canada TIFF Bell Lightbox, Toronto
If you could have dinner with any woman, alive or dead, who would it be?
Toni Morrison. She is super bright, writes like a dream, and is self-aware and politically astute.
How has your view of feminism changed over your lifetime?
In order to be a feminist, I have learned, and am continuing to learn, that it’s important to be a humanist.
What will it take to achieve gender parity?
It starts with family. Then education. Equal pay. Really, it has to do with changing the mindset of men and women who continue to think that men are a superior sex and that transgender folks are an aberration. Patriarchal societies should be banned, in my opinion. Protests like the Women’s March in reaction to Trump’s misogynistic remarks should continue and be celebrated.
Tell us about a time when you had to summon all of your courage.
There was a huge, and rather ugly, protest against the making of our film Water in Varanasi. It took a lot out of me to control my anger at the absurdity of it all. My daughter was rather traumatized when she saw the crowd of Hindu fundamentalists burn my effigy. Seeing her hurt by politically hired goons who lacked the convictions of their supposed ideals was perhaps a terrifying glimpse into the beginning of the divisive, hyper-nationalistic, ultra-religious world we live in today. The film was shut down, but we survived to make it five years later. The lesson I learned, I guess, is that all art is political.
What does success mean to you?
You don’t have to stand in a queue.
When do you feel most powerful?
When my daughter actually listens to me.
What message would you put up on a billboard?
A quote from my hero, filmmaker Luis Buñuel: “The minute you are particular is the minute you become universal.”
What does being Canadian mean to you?
It means I am free to embrace where I come from.
What is your vision for Canada in twenty years?
That every second person is inter-married.
What has been a defining moment in your personal or professional life?
Migrating to Canada from India.
What is the best investment you’ve made?
I sold my jewellery to help finance our film, Fire.
In an interview about Anatomy of Violence, you said that you wanted to humanize the rapists, so that there could be space created to start a conversation about why these things happen and society’s role in it. How was the film received, and what are your reflections on these conversations since its release?
The film is continuing to do what we wished for it—that is, start a dialogue about the complicity of society, family, and culture in the making of monsters. That is, to include prevention in the dialogue.
If you were to get a tattoo of one word, what would it be?
I already have a tattoo of my name in Hindi.
Monique Mercier
“I’d like Canada to have more global corporate champions. We have a wonderful country, but we need to become leaders in innovation and attract brains to build world-class organizations.”
Birthplace Montreal, QC
What age do you feel 45
Occupation Executive Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, Chief Legal and Governance Officer at TELUS Corp
Favourite drink Wine
Favourite place in Canada Trois-Pistoles, QC
If you could have dinn
er with any woman, alive or dead, who would it be?
Golda Meir, because she was such a pioneer and a woman leader at a time when there were very few women leaders. She was so engaged, gutsy, and courageous.
How has your view of feminism changed over your lifetime?
I would say it has evolved, but we still have work to do. I started to work when I was twenty-six, in 1984, and I already had a baby at home. I was a young lawyer in a big law firm, and I was not taken seriously. Even my father had voted against the admission of women into a private club a few years before. At the law firm, I was the first woman to ever take a maternity leave. It was a totally different world. There was another woman who was a partner in the firm and during the second week, she told me, “Monique, you have to look like a woman, be sexy and elegant, but you need to act like a man—so don’t talk about your children.”
Today, women do not need to establish their credibility but we’re still dealing with unconscious biases. At TELUS, we provide training on the topic to leaders because we often tend to hire people with similar views, education, experiences. It creates some problems when it comes to diversity, and we recognize it and try to tackle it with training among other things.
Tell us about a time when you had to summon all of your courage.
TELUS bought the company that I was work-ing at in Montreal in 2008. I became the vice president of Legal Services and reported to the joint counsel in Vancouver. I was obscure and far from the centre. Suddenly, the counsel, younger than me, retired. They opened a search for Chief Legal Officer internally and externally, and I raised my hand. The person ultimately chosen for the role would have to move to Vancouver. My kids had just left the house and I asked my husband if he was ready to go to Vancouver and he said, “Yes. Let’s go for it.”
Canada 150 Women_Conversations with Leaders, Champions, and Luminaries Page 17
