Women need more than a seat at the table – they need a network that works
Career14.05.2025
Networking is a superpower. It builds community, exposes you to different perspectives, and opens doors to opportunities you might never have known existed. Most importantly, it leads to connection and forges relationships. These connections are the foundation of a strong network and are where we find the most potential for personal and professional growth. Through relationships, we find mentors and, in turn, become mentors ourselves, paying it forward.
But this isn’t a guarantee. To truly benefit from networking, you must approach it as more than just an exercise to collect contacts. Introducing yourself, describing your role, and trading business cards with a half-hearted promise to connect later will only fill your phone with numbers—potential left untapped. For women in the professional world, this approach isn’t good enough, especially as we continue to confront the persistent barriers for women entering leadership positions.
There are many reasons for this continued underrepresentation of women, including significant obstacles to entrepreneurial funding, persistent challenges in corporate culture, and a lack of networking opportunities—specifically for women. These structural barriers need to be addressed, and increasing the number of women in leadership positions is a vital step. This is a challenge I take personal pride in tackling head-on.
How I discovered my superpower
Networking is a skill I learned early in my career. I’ve been a public servant, a political staffer, a diplomat, and now lead public policy and stakeholder engagement for Mastercard in Canada. My career has taken me around the world, and I’ve sat next to some of the most influential leaders of our time. I was supported by them, learned from them, and was honoured to play a role in shaping the important conversations they were holding.
From these connections, I’ve learned how to connect. I’m known for my ability to nurture relationships and create partnerships. Never one to back down from a challenge, I’m the confident and in-charge presence you want in the room. These are the skills I bring to my network and form the core of what I believe networking should be built on.
Throughout my career, I have been honoured to meet incredible women leaders from across Canada, becoming part of their networks and bringing them into mine. I believe strongly in actively building up women leaders through sponsorship—a step beyond traditional mentorship. It’s not just about offering advice; it’s about actively advocating for them, opening doors, and creating opportunities. For me, this has meant supporting role promotions, championing their voices, leveraging the power of third-party endorsement to help amplify their impact, and joining their boards.
Corporate support to build better networks
One example that stands out is our engagement with Pow Wow Pitch, an initiative that champions Indigenous entrepreneurs, by providing them with mentorship and opportunities to scale their businesses. As part of Mastercard’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth, we supported a Globe and Mail roundtable discussion featuring dynamic Indigenous women entrepreneurs who are driving innovation and economic development.
The insights they shared—on resilience, community-driven business models, and overcoming systemic barriers—were powerful endorsements of their impact. By showcasing Indigenous entrepreneurs’ leadership through credible third-party platforms, we helped them increase their visibility and unlock new connections and opportunities.
Corporate entities like Mastercard must continue to use our platforms, resources, and credibility to highlight the remarkable work Indigenous entrepreneurs and other underrepresented leaders are doing. By activating our networks, sharing their successes, and fostering meaningful connections, we can help build a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.
This is the essence of stakeholder stewardship: using our influence, networks, and resources to uplift others in a meaningful and sustainable way. It’s about fostering relationships that extend beyond one-time interactions and ensuring that the leaders we support have access to the visibility, funding, and partnerships they need to thrive.
Women drive innovation and invest in business development as well as their communities. The more we empower women, the stronger Canada’s economy will become. This starts with harnessing the superpower of networking—by forming strong and lasting connections that go beyond trading email addresses, and by actively sponsoring the next generation of women leaders.
