Women in Academic Leadership

Gina Grandy, Dean and Professor (Strategy and Leadership), Hill and Levene Schools of Business, University of Regina

Previously, Gina Grandy held the role of Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies and was holder of the RBC Women in Leadership Scholar. She also serves as the lead for the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) in Saskatchewan.

Gina is the co-editor of two books. Her research on leadership, gender and women’s experiences at work, and stigmatized work has been published widely. She is active in the community with various initiatives and bodies that work to redress gender disadvantage, has facilitated in CHERD’s Women in Academic Leadership, and was the co-organizer of the Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada (SWAAC) 2020 Conference hosted by the University of Regina.

Sheila Cote-Meek, Vice-President, Equity, People and Culture, York University

Sheila Cote-Meek is Anishinaabe from the Teme-Augama Anishnabai.

In her current role, Sheila leads a number of strategic initiatives to advance York University’s priority of Living Well together. She was also the Associate Vice-President, Academic and Indigenous Programs at Laurentian University where she played a critical leadership role in advancing Indigenous education. She will be transitioning to a new role as Program Director of the Indigenous Educational Studies Programs at Brock University in August 2023.

Sheila is the author of Colonized Classrooms – Racism, Trauma and Resistance in Post-Secondary Education and two co-edited books: Decolonizing and Indigenizing Education in Canada and Critical Reflections and Politics on Advancing Women in the Academy. She is well-known provincially and nationally for her work in advancing equity and inclusion in higher education.

Jacqueline Ottmann, President, First Nations University of Canada

Jacqueline Ottmann is Anishinaabe (Saulteaux) from Fishing Lake First Nation in Saskatchewan.

Jacqueline became President of First Nations University of Canada in September 2021. After spending 13 years at the University of Calgary where she held various scholarly and leadership responsibilities including Director of Indigenous Initiatives and Co-Chair of the Indigenous Strategy, she became the inaugural Vice-Provost Indigenous Engagement at the University of Saskatchewan.

She is the first Indigenous person to become President of the Canadian Study for the Society of Education, and the founder of Thrivance: Journal of Indigenous Ways of Being, Knowing, and Doing. Her research interests include leadership, change management, organizational theories and practices, and strategic development.

Jacqueline has been recognized as an international researcher, advocate, and change-maker whose purpose is to transform practices inclusive of Indigenous leadership, methodologies and pedagogies. She is driven to create schools, organizations, and communities that foster a deeper sense of belonging and appreciation for Indigenous peoples and their histories, stories, philosophies, knowledges, intellect, traditions, and lived experiences.

“It’s not just a lecture. Meeting with executive women, learning from their stories, challenges and experiences, putting our heads together to collaborate further empowered me. It was an excellent experience, an opportunity to really reflect on your leadership practices and take it to the next step of excellence.

“It inspired me to apply for the position of dean…I am now confident there is a place for me.” 

Andhra Goundrey
Wilson School of Design, Kwantlen Polytechnic University

“I am leaving here with more of a spark than when I arrived. This is an opportunity for learning and reflection, with an incredible added bonus. You develop a network with women you may have no chance of otherwise meeting.

“Leadership is believing in yourself. Do what you need to do to accomplish this.”

Keltie Jones
Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University

“It was broad and diverse, an enriching experience. The peer sharing as well as the quality of the mentors and the facilitators really contributed to the experience. The mentor groups were smaller, and everyone was very honest about their challenges, strategies and tools.

“Do you want the title or do you want the job? That question stuck with me. Don’t be afraid of change and challenges. Continue your growth journey.”

Susan Tighe
University of Waterloo

“My dean/boss told me and my two female colleagues we needed to come. There are only three women in our faculty council. It was a great event, fantastic. It gave me framework for high-level thinking and practical tools. It showed me how to find a vision from the bottom up, to get people to walk in each other’s shoes.

“I am from Brazil. I came to Canada for my job. It gave me the opportunity to get to know people from other provinces, to learn about cultures and values.”

Ana Campos
School of Interdisciplinary Science, McMaster University