Tracy Hatanaka-Lejnieks Interim Chief Financial Officer My credentials: Bachelor of Arts (honours), commerce and economics, University of Toronto Scarborough; Chartered Professional Accountant, CMA My work location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Words I live by: As leaders, we are only as effective as those around us. We need to surround ourselves with the best, the brightest, and those with the passion to be curious. My personal philosophy: Live by the Platinum Rule: Treat people the way they want to be treated, not the way you want to be treated. Be sensitive to other people’s needs. Recognizing diversity helps us understand how others want to be treated, as well as how to close any gender or culture gaps. What I’m reading now: High Performing Investment Teams: How to Achieve Best Practices of Top Firms by Jim Ware My favorite charity: Canadian Cancer Society My interests: Tennis and cooking My family: Married, with one son and daughter-in-law Company: OPTrust Industry: Pension Company Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario, Canada CEO: Peter Lindley
In Her Own Words . . . The World is Changing with STEM If we look around, we see that time is of the essence in today’s business world. Technical advancements have been phenomenal, with the speed of data and information growing exponentially. Large bureaucracies and inefficient operations will no longer be able to compete effectively. STEM demands modernization and a fresh way of thinking. Innovation and ingenuity, along with creativity, are key success factors in ensuring organizations evolve and adapt to the ever-changing world around us. Diversity of thought will create endless possibilities and alternatives, especially for those who have STEM knowledge and expertise. I believe in the power of women to lead this paradigm shift. Barriers to Closing the STEM Gender Gap Traditional companies (i.e., ones that have been around for a number 50
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of years) may be stuck in past hiring practices, which are biased against diversity. There will be a natural weighting of more male applicants and hiring managers, given the existing gender bias. Unless there is a focused commitment to recognize the value of gender diversity in STEM fields, this barrier will continue to exist. There are so many new opportunities in areas such as fintech, research and development, business analytics, and other new ventures that will need the best and brightest to succeed. I firmly believe that women will play central roles in the success of these organizations, and will be integral to their future growth. Moving STEM Women Forward Having role models and seeing the success that women have had in these fields can be inspirational for our next generation of leaders. We need to encourage and inspire young women to break down the
stereotypical ideology that STEM fields are only for the guys. Another path to building interest in STEM is through educational sponsorships, such as scholarships, competitions focused on innovation, and technology initiatives geared specifically toward girls and young women. Building confidence with a “can do” and “will do” mentality will create momentum and enthusiasm. Organizations must also make commitments to progressive hiring practices focused on diversity— gender and ethnicity. However, it can’t stop there. Organizations also need to foster a corporate culture and internal dynamics that support diversity. I am fortunate to be part of an organization that conducts training on unconscious bias and respect in the workplace. Programs like these highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion to the overall success of the business. A diverse workplace drives culture, creativity, productivity, and innovation.