Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press
Nancy Tower knows just how important help from the highest echelons of corporate Canada can be for someone trying to break into the old boys’ club.
She was a promising worker when she started at Halifax-based energy company Emera Inc. in 1997, and said a “gender-blind” CEO gave her some advice that helped her ascend to become the president and chief executive at subsidiary Tampa Electric.
He prodded her to get experience in all areas of the business, making her a more well-rounded executive candidate, even if it was lonely at times.
“I was chief financial officer of Emera for six years and when I would attend conferences, most of the CFOs would be male. I didn’t have a lot of female colleagues,” Tower said. “I think the utility business does tip toward more males in senior positions.”
Tara Deschamps December 16, 2020 - 7:00 AM
TORONTO - Nancy Tower knows just how important help from the highest echelons of corporate Canada can be for someone trying to break into the old boys club.
She was a promising worker when she started at Halifax-based energy company Emera Inc. in 1997, but said a gender-blind CEO gave her some advice that helped her ascend to become the president and chief executive at subsidiary Tampa Electric.
He prodded her to get experience in all areas of the business, making her a more well-rounded executive candidate, even if it was lonely at times. I was chief financial officer of Emera for six years and when I would attend conferences, most of the CFOs would be male. I didn t have a lot of female colleagues, Tower said. I think the utility business does tip toward more males in senior positions.
Tara DeschampsCanadian Press
Nancy Tower knows just how important help from the highest echelons of corporate Canada can be for someone trying to break into the old boys’ club.
She was a promising worker when she started at Halifax-based energy company Emera Inc. in 1997, and said a “gender-blind” CEO gave her some advice that helped her ascend to become the president and chief executive at subsidiary Tampa Electric.
He prodded her to get experience in all areas of the business, making her a more well-rounded executive candidate, even if it was lonely at times.
“I was chief financial officer of Emera for six years and when I would attend conferences, most of the CFOs would be male. I didn’t have a lot of female colleagues,” Tower said. “I think the utility business does tip toward more males in senior positions.”
Manon Brouillette is pictured in Montreal on Thursday, July 23, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
TORONTO - Nancy Tower knows just how important help from the highest echelons of corporate Canada can be for someone trying to break into the old boys club.
She was a promising worker when she started at Halifax-based energy company Emera Inc. in 1997, but said a gender-blind CEO gave her some advice that helped her ascend to become the president and chief executive at subsidiary Tampa Electric.
He prodded her to get experience in all areas of the business, making her a more well-rounded executive candidate, even if it was lonely at times.