4 N.L. women named among most powerful in Atlantic Canadian business

Four women in Newfoundland and Labrador have been tapped as business leaders in the region. (CBC-Radio Canada/Submitted)

Four women in Newfoundland and Labrador have been named among the top business leaders in Atlantic Canada.

On Thursday night in Moncton, 25 women were named Atlantic Canada's 25 most powerful women in business in 2024 by Atlantic Business Magazine.

"I'm just happy to be here," Johanna Brown said, speaking to CBC News from her hotel in New Brunswick. "There's people of all different ages here, and there's people from all different backgrounds."

Brown is the principal sales strategist with Rivet, a new sales consulting practice in Newfoundland and Labrador aiming to help entrepreneurs launch their businesses. But the award is extra meaningful for her, personally.

"I think the bigger piece here of why I was so happy about it is because there's really not very much queer visibility," said Brown.

"So for me what I'm really happy about, and why I'm really happy to be here personally representing myself, is for that visibility," she said.

Johanna Brown says that hearing the stories and experiences of all the other award winners this year is motivating. (Submitted by Johanna Brown)

Joining Brown on the list of award winners are Heather Dalton, partner at m5 Group of Companies, Taylor Giovannini, president and CEO of Oceanic Releaf, and Jennifer Williams, president and CEO of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.

"I was incredibly honored to be included on the list," said Dalton in an interview with CBC News. "It was a moment of pride not just for me but for our organization as a whole."

Dalton has been with m5, a marketing agency in St. John's, for 25 years. The agency services clients across North America, including General Motors, Subway Canada, and True Temper Sports.

"[I'm] especially proud of this one because it represents women leading businesses and our industry tends to underrepresent women in senior roles," said Dalton. "We are proud to say 75 per cent of our positions at our management level and above are held by women at m5. That's actually more than double our industry average."

Heather Dalton says that a list like Atlantic Business Magazine’s is still important in 2024, as she is often one of very few women in many industry business meetings that she attends. (Submitted by Heather Dalton)

This is the fourth year in a row that Atlantic Business Magazine has released the list.

Another winner, Taylor Giovannini, told CBC News she was shocked, proud and humbled.

"It was ... validation for all the hard work that me and my team have put in and how far we've come in a very struggling industry, honestly," said Giovannini. "So it was extra sweet. "

Giovannini's company, Oceanic Releaf, is a cannabis company with nine locations in the province, including a growth facility in Burin.

"There's a huge sense of pride professionally," she said. "I think that this is really good timing to allow my voice to be heard a little louder."

Taylor Giovannini says it’s well known the cannabis industry is struggling, so being added to this year’s list gives her a sense of validation in her work. (Curtis Hicks/CBC)

Jennifer Williams couldn't attend the awards ceremony in person, but spoke with CBC News from her office in St. John's about the honour.

"It's a list that I've noticed for the last few years and I've always been very impressed with the folks on the list and grateful that Atlantic Business Magazine takes it upon themselves to do this profile," said Williams.

"[I'm] quite humbled to be part of that group, but also recognize it's really important that we showcase women in business as leaders," said Williams. "As you know, business success can absolutely come from women in leadership in these roles."

Williams has been with N.L. Hydro for 10 years, and is in her third year of her current position as CEO.

She said that the award has a special personal meaning to her.

"I have two daughters doing engineering, so sort of following the path that I took," said Williams. "It's important for me directly at home to show them ... what success can look like."

All four winners this year echoed the sentiment that a list like the one from Atlantic Business Magazine is still important.

"Until we don't need to highlight a list, it's important to highlight the list," said Williams. "While you are still an anomaly, you have to have a list."

According to Williams, less than 20 per cent of registered engineers are women.

"I can tell you," she said, "women are just as good at engineering as men."

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro CEO Jennifer Williams says that while women in business are still anomalies, a list like this is needed. (Patrick Butler/Radio-Canada)

Brown noted that in the technology sector, there is generally under 25 per cent female employment in any given discipline.

"I do think visibility matters a lot," said Brown. "We need to help each other and make connections for people and build networks."

"I believe that we are inching our way to equality. We're not quite there yet," said Giovannini.

"I do believe that we are almost there, and hopefully we'll get to the point where it's people in business."

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