46 LEXPERT MAGAZINE
|
JUNE 2017
| ZENITH AWARDS |
Elizabeth Watson, QC
WATSON ADVISORS INC. VANCOUVER
Elizabeth Watson has provided excep-
tional advocacy for women in corporate
leadership, both by recruiting women to
boards and supporting women in board
and executive positions. In 2001, aer a 20-
year career in private practice, Elizabeth
was hired to oversee appointments to all of
BC's Crown corporations. In that role, she
instituted merit-based recruitment to hire
exceptional women to BC public-sector
boards, achieving 40-per-cent female di-
rectors. Many women profiled during Liz's
tenure went on to serve in key leadership
positions across Canada. Returning to the
private sector in 2005, she established a
boutique executive search firm known for
providing practical, expert advice to boards
of directors. Her commitment to getting
women to the board table has resulted in
enormous positive change for hundreds of
women. Liz was named one of Canada's
Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2012.
Shawna Vogel
DENTONS CANADA LLP EDMONTON
Practising corporate-commercial law in
Edmonton, Shawna Vogel became the
first woman to chair the firm in Canada
in 2015 and a leader at the global level
when she became the second woman to
join the 25-person global board as a Vice-
Chair. Shawna provides strong leader-
ship, mentoring and modelling of ideal
behaviours to the benefit of other lawyers
of both genders. It's very unusual for na-
tional firms in any sector to be led out
of Edmonton, or by a woman. It's even
rarer for that to happen at a global level.
Professionally, Shawna is an exceptional
lawyer whose ability to complete projects
and to work on major and impactful files
is exemplified by Edmonton's new Rogers
Place and Ice District. Shawna has also
served as a director of the Legal Educa-
tion Society of Alberta and the Organi-
zation of Women in International Trade
(Alberta Branch).
Katy Waugh
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA TORONTO
Katy Waugh is responsible for leading a
75-person legal department at Scotiabank
and is currently a member of numerous
senior management committees. Katy has
been involved in programming for women
and diverse team members, creating oppor-
tunity to initiate real change. While part of
the risk-management division, she was co-
chair of the GRM Advancement of Wom-
en committee and is currently involved in
the bank's gender equity committee. e
Advancement of Women risk committee
focused on building a strong feeder pool of
junior women to advance into more senior
roles, understanding their perspectives and
providing relevant training. She has men-
tored and helped ensure opportunities for
women to strengthen their professional
skills. Katy is currently a United Way Law
Cabinet co-chair and has been a supporter
and previous participant in Pathways to
Education and Camp Oochigeas.
Caroline Wawzonek
DRAGON TONER LLP YELLOWKNIFE
Caroline Wawzonek is a leader and advo-
cate for women in the legal profession and
in the north. Caroline worked pro bono
for women in a number of areas including
emergency protection orders. She was the
president of the Law Society of the North-
west Territories in 2011-12 and CBA NT
Criminal Section chair for 2009 to 2016.
