Carolyn Levy

CAROLYN LEVY

President Technologies and Chief Diversity Officer, Randstad Canada

Women of Inspiration –Women Driving Change Book™ Contributor

Career progression for women into senior leadership roles can be challenging when stereotypes and biases about commitment or ability are at play. How have you overcome these obstacles? I had the opportunity to evolve in an environment where men at the top are aware of these issues. For example, my CEO, realizing there were not enough women in the boardroom, made an extra effort to find and hire a female CFO. It was critical for me to choose a work environment where I felt there was a commitment and openness to empower women. Through two maternity leaves, I was promoted twice into executive positions, President of Engineering and President of Technologies. Last year, I was also appointed Chief Diversity Officer. May my passion, my skills and my ambition have an influence on building more inclusive workplaces in the Canadian market. How do your describe your role as a leader? Before I stepped through the doors at Randstad on my first day, I vowed I would bring my whole self to work every day—no matter what! I was committed to stay authentic on a daily basis and strive to be my best self even if that gauge wasn’t at 100% every day. I knew I was human and could get through anything with an agile mindset. With a few months under my belt, I started to dream bigger. I am always looking for the next step supporting others or searching for new opportunities to move closer to setting and leading strategy. I went with the mindset of, “tell me how high the bar is and I will push it higher!”

What do you admire most about other female leaders? Every woman has her own story and it’s always incredible when they share their journey. I admire the community that most female leaders create to lift and inspire others. What is your go-to hack for getting unstuck or staying motivated? Breathing, wine and a quick break! Also, connecting with peers to challenge my perspective. What has been the single biggest thing to help you achieve success? Not allowing my fears to get in the way of my opportunities.

You hold the key to your happiness. Top three things before making a life changing decision? Know your purpose, stay connected to

Unlock that gift your values and dream big.

Tell us about your male SupportHERs™ and how they have supported you. My Dad, brother, husband and many coaches have championed everything I have ever done. I have always known that limits are just something you manifest yourself.

Tell us about a Woman of Inspiration who inspires you. I have had a transformational coach through my leadership journey for the last four years. I always have renewed energy after connecting with her. Coaching can be most important to get through the complexities of life!

Knowing what you know now, what would you have changed about your career path? Nothing! The journey—the glory, the pain, the celebrations and setbacks—I took led me to where I am today. I will always share my learnings and stories to help other women avoid some of the setbacks I faced. 2020 was life changing in so many ways. What is your sauce for staying focused or innovative? Practicing mindfulness, a meditation technique through which you are purposely focusing your attention on the present moment, has helped me alleviate the tension and stress that comes with the incredibly packed and busy daily life of an executive and mother of two. It clears my mind and provides me with the headspace that I need to come up with solutions and new ideas!

What is your motto? Adapt like water.

What is the biggest lesson you learned during your career? Being authentic and making a commitment early on to evolve through continuous learning, instead of striving to obtain expertise in all facets of business, allowed me to make more meaningful connections and unlock innovative ideas. Also, let vulnerability, humility and empathy shine through!

Where do you see your business in the next five years? As talent architects in the world of work, we will not only reflect the communities that we serve to drive opportunity and innovation, but we will also embed our human-forward brand as technology continues to expand. We will be a leading support in global economic recovery as we drive to build a diverse and sustainable workforce.

What is one favorite thing you do for self-care? Walk away from my screens—all of them! It is nonnegotiable. I take vacations and spend time with family and friends. It means I take time off so I can be fully present for everything else that is important outside of work! What is your definition of success? To me, success is achieved when you are authentic —when you give yourself the space and time to clarify your goals, whatever they are, to devise a plan to get there, to be proud of your accomplishments, to acknowledge the setbacks and learn from them, to overcome fear and to believe in yourself.

What is your definition of a Woman of Inspiration? A woman who strives to inspire others to be their authentic selves through work with her business and community, has the courage to share her story and is comfortable being vulnerable. Most importantly, she embraces the craziness of life without looking to be perfect!

What makes recognizing the achievements of women critical? Research has shown me that women are less likely than men to self-promote their abilities, which contributes to a disparity in promotions and pay. Recognizing women’s achievements can definitely inspire them to pursue leadership opportunities.

What words form your guiding light? I will close by saying to anyone glancing at this quick synopsis of me: love without boundaries, live without regrets, commit to a continuous learning journey for the rest of your life and embrace all of the little moments in life! You hold the key to your happiness. Unlock that gift for yourself and watch it spread joy to everyone that surrounds you.

COVID-19 is filled with lessons. What was one of the biggest lessons for you? Practice gratitude curious, courageous, confident daily. Say I love you more often and slow down to appreciate the little things. 65 | UWOMEN