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CANADA’S BEST DIVERSITY EMPLOYERS 2023
At EY Canada, employees excel by being themselves
ionne Allison came to Canada from Jamaica with the credentials she needed to work in the financial sector and the confidence she needed to get hired by EY Canada. Working for the Jamaican division of a Canadian financial institution, she’d gained experience in corporate lending, investment banking, commercial credit and commercial real estate underwriting.
an infrastructure advisory associate. “They hired me at the manager level,” she says. “EY recognized that I was passionate, determined and smart and that I could leverage my skill sets. They took a chance on me and supported me.” One of her first projects was a highway in Nova Scotia. The provincial government wanted to build the highway under a consortium of public and private partners, and Allison played an integral role in developing the procurement
documents for the project. “A lot was new to me,” she continues. “I went through a big learning curve.” Though, within the company, Allison says, she has always felt free to be herself. “The senior people around me are confident in my skills, and that gives me confidence. I’m bringing experience, talent, knowledge and credentials to the table. People value me for that.” Since she joined the company five years ago, Allison has advanced
from her initial position to become a vice president and an infrastructure project finance and delivery professional. She has also served as leader of EY Canada’s Black Professionals Network, one of eight diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) networks at the company. As EY Canada’s diversity, equity and inclusion leader, Muriam De Angelis is involved with all of EY Canada's professional networks, from AccessAbilities, Indigenous, Latino and Pan Asian
EY recognized that I was passionate, determined and smart and that I could leverage my skill sets. They took a chance on me and supported me. — Dionne Allison Vice President
But even with her experience, as well as an MBA degree, she decided to go back to school in Toronto to learn more about public-private partnership arrangements. “I had confidence that I’d do well,” she says, “but I wanted to demonstrate to others that I had the right credentials.” Enrolling in a post-MBA program in advanced management, real estate and infrastructure at the Schulich School of Business at York University, Allison was introduced to a guest lecturer involved in infrastructure development at EY Canada. “Fortunately, the company was hiring at the time,” she says. Before she began her final semester, the company hired Allison as
EY employees rally at the Toronto Pride event in support for greater diversity, equity and inclusion.