15 minute read
Women-Led Spotlight
Women-Led™ Spotlight
DESIRÉE BOMBENON
CEO & Chief Disruption Officer, SureCall | Universal Women-Led™ Certified | 2019 Women of Inspiration™ Game Changer | Women of Inspiration™ Women Driving Change Book Contributor | surecallcc.com Desirée is a purpose driven entrepreneur. Awarded RBC’s Women’s Entrepreneur for 2020, Ernst & Young 2019 Entrepreneur of the year for the Prairies in Communication Technology, she is a bold innovator, futurist, and purpose driven leader. Her portfolio includes business strategy, social enterprise, and culture building. Desirée was named WXN Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women for 2020, 2017, & 2016. She is an active member of a number of organizations including YPO and International Women’s Forum and has chaired several industry boards and focus groups. She is a past director of the National Music Centre, is a past Chair of YPO Alberta Chapter, and a past Chair of YPO Canada Region. Desirée currently serves as Chair for the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chair for Children First Canada, and Chair with CAMX, the Canadian Call Management Association. She is an Executive Committee member of the
Women have proven YPO Sustainable Business Network, a to be tenacious entrepreneurs and cohort for Singularity University and a Harvard University Alumni for the Advanced Leadership Initiative. She contribute enormously is involved in mentorship programs in to the economy. her community and through Women’s Executive Network. Desirée is a CIAC Certified Strategic Leader, and is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and has a Queen’s University Executive MBA through Smith School of Business. She has also earned her Certificate in Social Impact from Queens University. She is the recipient of the 30% Club Scholarship for Queens.
Awarded one of Canada’s 2022 Sustainability Leaders, and B Lab’s Best for the World in Community Giving for 2022 as a certified B Corporation, Desirée continues to lead using her business as a force for good. Why is it important to support women led companies? Women have proven to be tenacious entrepreneurs and contribute enormously to the economy. They also have major impact when serving in leadership roles, that bring equity and creativity to both the boardroom and the operational workings of organizations. By supporting womenled organizations we are supporting future growth and prosperity of not only our businesses but the community as a whole.
About SureCall SureCall Contact Centers Ltd. serves as a leading Contact Center and BPO based in Calgary, Alberta. We’re a team of professionals who tackle everything from complex large projects to smaller-scale jobs. Fueled by our commitment to excellence, we go the extra mile to ensure clients and partners alongside their customers are taken care of! We are much more than a contact center. We are a purpose-driven business process optimization company, that provides global services to SMEs and large corporations alike. Our frontend and back-office solutions cover the full range of applications so we can offer multiple options to get all your processes handled through one partner, who has your best interest at heart. Our world-class facilities are set up to create a culture of learning and transparency.
Women-Led™ Spotlight
CAREY ARNETT
President and CEO,. Arnett & Burgess Pipeliners | Universal Women-Led™ Certified | abpipeliners.com Carey Arnett Carey has over 20 years of diversified experience in the energy industry. Since 2017 she has served as President of Arnett & Burgess Pipeliners, a company that has been building our energy highway since 1957. Arnett & Burgess is one of Canada’s largest small and medium diameter pipeline construction firms with an industry leading position in the pipeline integrity sector. Previously she served as Vice President of Corporate Development for over a decade. Focused on managing sustainable growth, she leads the development of several business lines and innovative growth.
Carey is a third generation pipeliner who began her career in 1997 with GreenPipe, a pipeline engineering and environmental services company. She gained experience as Manager of Business Development with Ensight Information Services, a geomatics pipeline data provider. Carey was a partner in the Energy Investment Handbook for an independent research firm, the Ross Smith Energy Group. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the Haskayne School of Business where she earned the Laurence Decore award for Outstanding Student Leadership.
Recognized for corporate accomplishments and civic leadership, Carey was the recipient of Canada’s Top 40 under 40 Award in 2019. Carey serves on the Board of Governors for the Calgary Petroleum Club as President, and on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association Foundation as Past Chair. Carey has two bright and very active elementary age kids. She is a born Calgarian, and most weekends can be found riding her quarter horses in some of the most beautiful backcountry in the world.
Why is it important to support women-led businesses? Differing perspectives contribute to well-rounded decision making, which therefore supports the success of businesses. From a business standpoint it’s about having the right person for the job, without focus on gender, all the while embracing diversity.
Tell us how your company is driving change equity, diversity and inclusion? We continue our focus on breaking down barriers for women in the industry through our involvement with Women Building Futures and Calgary Women in Energy. Today women represent 33% of our core employees and 49% of office employees. A&B actively advocates for an environment of respect, inclusivity, and trust, and by doing so we help to create a healthier, more diverse, and productive workforce. In 2021 we introduced A&B Indigenous Awareness Culture Training, and we continue to advance our equity, inclusion, and diversity strategies.
One of many ways, we provide inclusion to Indigenous Communities and introduce young participants to our industry is through the Featherstone Mentoring Program. Our program was implemented in 2013 and provides on-thejob mentorship and training for individuals who
want to work in the pipeline construction industry and possess the required tickets but cannot get that first job due to lack of relevant experience. Arnett & Burgess helps ease these barriers by providing hands-on work opportunities in order to gain greater local participation.
Tell us about the other initiatives your company demonstrates your commitment to advancing women in leadership? We demonstrate our leadership by growing capacity in our industry through our Featherstone Mentorship Program, which provides tangible training and work opportunities to Indigenous people in areas where we work. This program is a key component to how we engage with Indigenous communities on our projects. We have a direct working relationship with the Métis Nation of Alberta and various other First Nations throughout Western Canada. This past year A&B participated in Rupertsland Institute and The Tribal Chiefs Employment & Training Services Association virtual job fairs. We also developed Indigenous Awareness Culture Training. In 2021 Arnett & Burgess contributed over $10 million to the economy of Indigenous communities through the purchase of goods and services from Indigenous owned businesses and through employment.
Over 65 years strong, Arnett & Burgess Pipeliners (A&B) safely provides quality pipeline and facility construction, pipeline integrity, maintenance, custom fabrication, and related construction services to the energy industry. A&B is a service sector survivor in Western Canada known for honesty, capable pipelining, and integrity, and is possibly the oldest pipeline contractor in Canada. We are managed by many second and thirdgeneration employees, operate a large and well-maintained, fit-for-purpose fleet, have longstanding relationships with Stakeholders in our areas of operation, and we govern our teams with unparalleled safety, integrity, quality and project management systems. Our longevity is directly tied to our people, committed to do a good job from day one.
Focused on managing sustainable growth, and with development of several business lines and geographic expansions, A&B represents a dynamic segment of our sector that builds and maintains the energy highway we all depend upon.
Learn more about our ESG and Sustainability goal here: https://abpipeliners.com/wp-content/ uploads/2022/02/AB-ESG-Report-2021-FINALweb.pdf
PEER TO PEER JAM + ROLE MODEL TALK
Peer to Peer Jam & Role Model Talks for our youth (13-17) to connect with peers and learn from inspiring leaders from diverse industries sharing their inspiring stories, career paths and leadership wisdom.
This is a golden opportunity to build confidence, learn from inspiring leaders, and meet like-minded peers from all across Canada!
Peer to Peer Jam offers opportunities for young women to start their leadership journey, learn the value of building trusted relationships, setting goals, making healthy decisions overcoming barriers, aim for the stars and dreaming big!
universalwomensnetwork.com
Building our future leaders by connecting and engaging in conversation with peers and learning from inspiring leaders from diverse industries sharing their inspiring stories, career paths, and leadership wisdom in a safe environment. Register your youth to join to connect with peers and learn from role models.
Peer-to-Peer Jam: Inspiring discussion for peers with peers!
The Peer-to-Peer JAM creates an opportunity for young women to start their leadership journey, learn the value of building trusted relationships, setting goals, making healthy decisions overcoming barriers, aim for the stars and dream big!
Role Model Talks – Youth Perspective
Our Role Model talks are led by youth interviewing inspiring leaders from diverse industries sharing their career path, words of leadership wisdom, and insight into navigating their own career path and future.
The goal of our Peer-to-Peer JAM is:
• To build our next generation of leaders • To encourage young women to use their voice • To build confidence, use their voice and own their worth • To learn from like-minded peers • To participate in the discussion • To learn the career paths of role models from diverse industries • To learn valuable skills, moderating, networking, time management, goal setting, career path
Who attends? Youth 12 – 17
Do you remember what you wanted to be or achieve when you were young? We know that women learn from other women. The stories, paths to success are critical to overcoming barriers and providing support in business and in life.
How can we empower our future leaders to lead?
According to a study by KPMG. Childhood lessons and early exposure to leadership have a significant impact on a women’s perceptions of her ability to lead.
A women’s views of leadership begin to take share early in childhood, starting with the values when learn, her exposure to leadership skills and whether she has positive leadership role models.
• 84% of women real being taught to be nice to others growing up: 44% were taught to e a good leader; and 35% were taught to share their point of view* • 76% of women today wish they had learned more about leadership and had more leadership opportunities with growing up • 67% of women reported they’d learned the most important lessons about leadership from other women* • 82% of professional working women believe access to and networking with female leaders will help them advance in their career*
Confidence, the encouragement of positive role models and the presence of a strong professional network shape a woman’s professional view of leadership in the
workplace. *Source: KPMG Womens Leadership Study
ChangeMakeHER Plus Members include
Peer to Peer JAM events. https:// universalwomensnetwork.com/membership
Register for upcoming events for 2022/2023.
Visit: universalwomensnetwork.com/events
PEER TO PEER JAM +
INTERVIEW WITH OLIVIA DAY
UWN: How can we support our youth to lead?
We can support much more youth to lead by being role models and examples. We should demonstrate the same level of commitment and dedication to our passions as you would like to see exhibited by developing youth leaders. A huge motivation killer is “do as I say, not as I do”. We need to push beyond that with a “let’s go get this”.
UWN: What are the barriers you
face as a young person? One of the largest obstacles I faced as a young person is the stigma around being a teenager. Most of the time we are perceived as lazy and unmotivated. Whilst that might be the case every once in a while, the majority of the time we are completing homework and doing extracurricular activities. Most days we will be up early and go to bed late to cram in school, homework, sport and part-time work. I feel a more accurate and supporting term might be “tired”.
UWN: How important is a support
system? My support system starts at home. My parents are clear on their expectations, coach me to achieve my goals and are my biggest cheerleaders. They drive me to school, sports, and medical appointments and each car ride often provides an opportunity to coach me on how to achieve my goals. Without this mentoring, I do not believe I would have achieved anywhere near what I have today.
UWN: Tell us about your support network? My support network consists of Martial Arts leaders, Ski Coaches, Doctors, Physiotherapists, and family friends. No matter what field these great and generous people are in professionally, they all have the common goal - to help me succeed. My Dad says it takes a village to raise a child,
Athlete | 2021 Women of Inspiration™ Youth Excellence Award | UWN National Ambassador | @Taloola_boo
Supporting Future Leaders to Lead
and I truly believe my parents have throughout my line ensured that I have been surrounded by many diverse and positive people. My mentors talk me through how to meet the challenges of growing up. Interestingly, each has a great ability to talk to me like an adult, yet bridge the gap in my limited life experiences. My doctors and physiotherapists keep my body healthy and capable. And My friends/family friends help keep me sane!
UWN: What is the benefit of the Universal Womens Network™ Peer to Peer JAM + Role
Model Talk? The Universal Womens Network Peer to Peer Jam provides me with the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals. The peer-to-peer jam has also helped me develop networking connections and skills crucial to my future career.
UWN: How can we encourage more young
leaders to get involved? We can encourage more young leaders to get involved by eliminating the fear of failure and providing a safe space to talk. Many people my age are constantly told they are wrong. I have been fortunate in learning from people who try and fail and try again. Their openness in talking about their struggles to succeed provides a more real and attainable version of success than you see on Instagram. Honest discussion about the struggle for success built my confidence when I had not met my goals, which gave me the strength to try again and succeed later. If we can provide a place for others who may not have had those real-life lessons, this can be attractive and let more youth leaders develop.
+ ROLE MODEL TALK
Olivia is one incredible 15-year-old. A former member of Banff Alpine [Ski] Racers, in 2020 she ranked highly in Slalom (3rd) and Super-G (7th) for girls born in 2007.In 2021 Olivia was awarded Ski Canada Magazine award scholarship and the Universal Womens Network, Women of Inspiration Youth Excellence Award.
Olivia is now a competitive Martial Artist, training and testing seriously in Karate, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with 5 Elements Martial Arts. She takes training seriously for all disciplines and still finds time to mentor younger students as a Senpai (assistant Karate coach).
Her sports demand strength and resilience, 2 key qualities for whichever profession she decides on. Never losing sight of the need to study hard, she attends the National Sports School where she believes she can achieve her goals to be the best she can be in sports and her chosen profession. Though undecided, she is considering pursuing corporate law.
INTERVIEW WITH KAIYA GAMBLE
UWN: What are the top challenges that you
have as a youth leader? The biggest challenge is being underestimated. People always assume because of my age, I won’t be as professional, be the same quality, or work as hard as an adult pursuing the same profession at the same level.
UWN: Do you find the Peer-to-Peer JAM with peers facilitating discussions helpful to build confidence with other like-minded
peers? Yes, they do! It’s a safe space to practice speaking confidently and fluently, and you learn a lot from hearing other well-spoken peers. It’s also hard to find peers as passionate about making a difference, but all of these young people are incredible, and new friends of mine.
UWN: Do you find value connecting with
role models to share their experience? I do find it valuable. I always come away from Peer-toPeer Jam’s feeling inspired and full of new information to look back on if I need it.
UWN: What would you like to see in a program to
elevate Youth Leadership? I would love to see youth with a whole variety of passions i.e. music, sports, academics, arts, tech, etc.
With a deeply soulful voice and wisdom far beyond her years, Kaiya is an international awardwinning pop singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Her music has been described as a beacon of light, containing an undeniable message of empowerment, positivity and hope. Kaiya released her first single in December called ‘Speak Out’. JUNO awardwinning artist, Brett Kissel, upon hearing ‘Speak Out’ said “I am so excited for KAIYA to take on the world’s stage. When I first heard ‘Speak Out’ I thought I was listening to a 25-year-old artist who has already won 2 Grammys.”
Singer Songwriter | 2019 Women of Inspiration™ Youth Excellence Award | Women of Inspiration™ Book Contributor | UWN Youth Ambassador | @KaiyaGambleOfficial
