Andrews x Canadian Women’s Foundation: Leading the Way

LEADING THE WAY

This International Women’s Day, Andrews is proud to partner with the Canadian Women's Foundation in support of gender justice. The organization funds community led programs and advocates for policies that advance economic security, increase safety, and provide leadership opportunities for women, girls, and gender-diverse people across the country.

From March 7–8, we will donate 5% of proceeds to help further their work creating meaningful, lasting change.

In honour of the day, we spoke with President and CEO Mitzie Hunter about her leadership journey, the progress still to be made, and what it takes to move equality forward. Read on for her perspective.

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Please introduce yourself and share a bit about your current role as President and CEO of the Canadian Women’s Foundation. How would you describe the mission and core focus of the organization?

I'm Mitzie Hunter, the President and CEO of the Canadian Women's Foundation. Our mission is to ensure that every woman, girl, and gender-diverse person has the power, safety, supports, and rights to thrive.

Your career spans public service, nonprofit leadership, and community-building. How did your journey guide you to leading the Canadian Women’s Foundation?

Something that I learned from my time in public office was how to do things in an expansive, big, bold way, and that's what the Foundation is all about. I'm thrilled to bring the background I have to advance this work and to advance this cause.

What accomplishments are you most proud of, and what are some challenges that taught you about leadership and resilience?

I'm the first Black woman to be Minister of Education in Ontario, and I'm certainly proud of that. One of our founders, Rosemary Brown, was a Jamaican woman who entered politics and then spent a career in social causes. I relate to her story so much, and one thing she said that has always resonated with me is: “Until all of us have made it, none of us have made it.”

What advice would you offer to women who are navigating opportunities, challenges, and the complex world of leadership today?

My advice to women navigating the complex world of leadership is to absolutely use your voice. It is necessary for you to do so. You're ready now, so step into your leadership, continue to persevere, and believe in yourself. Find a community of others who really support you and support what you do. I know that you will make it.

As we mark International Women’s Day, what message would you like to share about gender equality in Canada and advancing systemic change?

As we mark International Women's Day, it's time for us to reflect on how far we have come and to celebrate the fact that we are advancing gender equality and justice in Canada. As our work continues, everyone can play a part in big or small ways. Look into how you can support gender equality, whether through engaging with organizations like ours on social media, making a donation, participating in a fundraiser, attending an event, or simply educating yourself.

What's important is that we work towards a future that is feminist, one where every woman, girl, and gender-diverse person has that opportunity to thrive. That's the work that we're doing at the Canadian Women's Foundation, and I know that's something we can all believe in.