Leadership should reflect GTHA’s diversity
‘As a Chinese-Trinidadian-Canadian woman, I do not fit the leadership mould,’ writes Leslie Woo
After more than two decades in my professional life, too often I still get subtle, confused glances when I take my seat at an executive boardroom table.
It doesn’t seem to matter that I have led multi-billion-dollar programs and projects from idea to investment; for too many, I am still seen as the aide and not the leader. As a Chinese-Trinidadian-Canadian woman, I do not fit the leadership mould.
Well, it’s almost 2022, and it’s long overdue that we break that mould.
The Diversity Institute, reports that 51 per cent of Toronto’s population identifies as non-white, yet racialized people only represent 15.5 per cent of board positions across all sectors Toronto. The same report also shows that only 39 per cent of members on Boards of Directors across all sectors in Toronto are women, despite women making up more than half of the city’s population.
The Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) is one of the most diverse regions in the world, and yet equity-deserving communities continue to face ever growing systemic barriers to success — especially Indigenous, Black, and racialized peoples.
In order to build a strong economy and create an inclusive region, we don’t just need more of the same — especially in leadership positions. The change we need means more focused and patient investment in leadership that can challenge and change the status quo. We need Inclusive Leadership.
But it’s not only the right thing to do. The Centre for International Governance Innovation report: Diversity Dividend shows us that investing in diverse lived experiences also makes good business sense: a one per cent increase in workforce diversity can yield an average revenue growth of 2.4 per cent.
Valuing, empowering, and amplifying the voices of those who have traditionally been left behind in our economy and society is a fundamental way to build businesses that are innovative and resilient, to develop public policies that support more people, and to drive an economy that works for everyone.
