Edition 2025

Every year since 2017, Women in Governance celebrates the organizations that have received its Parity™ Certification in recognition of their exemplary actions in favor of gender equity at its Recognition Galas in Montreal and Toronto. Join us at the 13th edition, on September 25, 2025, at the Palais des congrès in Montreal, to celebrate the largest cohort of certified organizations to date, in the company of business and political leaders.

The annual Women in Governance Recognition Gala, presented to a sold-out audience at the Palais des congrès in Montreal by AtkinsRéalis, and co-chaired by Deborah K. Orida, President and Chief Executive Officer of PSP Investments, and Denis Ricard, President and Chief Executive Officer of iA Financial Group, was a resounding success! The presence of dignitaries such as the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Ministers Anita Anand, François-Philippe Champagne, Jean Boulet, and Chantal Rouleau demonstrated the importance of this cause. Together, we celebrated more than 100 certified organizations for their remarkable efforts in favor of parity, recognizing their concrete commitment and continuous progress toward a more equitable and inclusive corporate culture.

In this video, Christa Dickenson, ICD.D, President and CEO of CPAC (Cable Public Affairs Channel), shares an inspiring message ahead of our 15th anniversary Toronto Recognition Gala. As a proud recipient of Parity CertificationTM, CPAC recognizes that women in leadership are not just a question of equity, but a matter of good governance. Christa is honoured to join us in celebrating this important milestone and invites everyone to be part of it.

We are thrilled to share this inspiring message from Nigel Branker, CEO of Securian Canada, the Presenting Partner of our Toronto Gala. In his message, Nigel Branker reminds us that achieving true equity requires intentional action to dismantle systemic barriers and that together, we can make meaningful progress. Thank you Nigel for your concrete commitment to advancing gender equality in the business community.

Today, we share the message of Jean-Claude Lasserre, President and CEO of Saint-Gobain Canada, Gold Sponsor of our 2025 Toronto Recognition Gala. Proud that Saint-Gobain Canada has achieved Parity CertificationTM, Jean-Claude highlights how the industrial and construction sectors have historically lagged behind on gender parity and equity. But times are changing and with change comes an opportunity to make real progress and build a more inclusive future.

Women in Governance celebrates 15 years of concrete action for inclusive leadership. The honored companies demonstrate that integrating equity, diversity, and inclusion means building a future that is more efficient, fairer, and more human.

An Van Gerven, President of Pfizer Canada, is very proud to participate in our Montreal Gala 2025 to celebrate an essential value: equity. She emphasizes that it is essential for every individual to be seen, heard, and fully considered. Pfizer Canada is also very proud to have obtained Parity Certification™, which reinforces its concrete commitment to this fundamental cause. Thank you, An, for your mobilizing message and your leadership in favor of a more inclusive future.

Geneviève Fortier, Chief Executive Officer of Promutuel Assurance, will serve as Honorary Co-Chair of our Montreal Gala 2025, presented by WSP, alongside Denis Thivierge, President and Chief Executive Officer of CIMA+, on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at the Palais des congrès in Montreal. While the values of equity and gender equality are still too often called into question, we salute the clear and inspiring commitment of leaders like Geneviève Fortier, who remind us that these principles are not a trend, but powerful levers for performance, productivity, and well-being, both for organizations and for society. Thank you, Geneviève, for your inspiring message, your unwavering support for parity, and your remarkable commitment.

Pascal Houle, Chief Executive Officer of Sollio Groupe Coopératif, reminds us with conviction that equity is a collective responsibility and a true lever for building stronger, fairer governance resolutely focused on the future. We are proud to count on the commitment of Pascal Houle, who actively supports the mission of Women in Governance and champions the principles of inclusive governance.

President and Chief Executive Officer of CIMA+, Denis Thivierge is a pragmatic, mobilizing leader deeply convinced that equity and diversity are essential levers for organizational performance. In this video, he discusses CIMA+'s concrete commitments to parity, the importance of inclusive leadership at all levels, and the decisive role of organizations in transforming workplaces. He will serve as Honorary Co-Chair of our Montreal Gala 2025, presented by WSP in Canada, alongside Geneviève Fortier, Chief Executive Officer of Promutuel Assurance, on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at the Palais des congrès in Montreal. An inspiring duo for a memorable evening, which will honor the most committed organizations in terms of parity, before a carefully selected audience composed of high-level decision-makers rarely gathered in one place.

Sonja Volpe, President and Chief Executive Officer of BNP Paribas Canada, reaffirms with conviction her commitment to parity and her support for the Women in Governance Gala. Congratulations to BNP Paribas Canada for achieving, for the second consecutive year, the Platinum level of Parity Certification™, a distinction that reflects their strategic vision and exemplary leadership. Thank you to Sonja Volpe for her unwavering support of our mission. Her message is a clear call for collective mobilization around these fundamental issues.

Kathy Baig, President and Chief Executive Officer of École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), will take part in our Montreal Gala 2025. Proud that ÉTS holds Parity Certification™, she reminds us that the cause of gender equality has made significant progress in recent years, but remains fragile in the current context. This is why it is essential to come together to protect our gains and continue to move forward together. Thank you Kathy for your mobilizing message and for your commitment to advancing parity in the academic environment and beyond.