About WIL

Overview

Who we are:
Founded in 2001, with a head office in Vancouver, BC, WIL is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing women in leadership roles. WIL has played a pivotal role in helping thousands of women across Canada surge to success.

WIL is a registered charity entering its 8th year of delivering innovative programming in key cities across Canada including Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver. Registered Charitable No. 86600 3536 RR0001

Our Mandate:

  • Promote the advancement of women’s leadership
  • Showcase Canadian women role models in key business sectors
  • Facilitate the leadership development of women
  • Deliver innovative programming that inspires women

What we do:

  • WIL’s motivational initiatives support women’s development and growth to strengthen their future potential at all stages in their career
  • WIL programming exposes aspiring women to other female role models as well as fosters the expansion of networks
  • WIL partners with industry and community stakeholders to create a collaborative circle that helps one another succeed
  • WIL programs offer outreach opportunities for our program partners’ employees

Our Story:
Maya Kanigan is the President & Founder of the Women in Leadership Foundation, an innovative national, non-profit organization with charity status that she created and successfully implemented at the age of 28.

As a commerce graduate from the University of Victoria, Maya brings her results-oriented approach, creativity, drive and entrepreneurial spirit to her work. Born on March 8, International Women’s Day, she is a compassionate leader with a dream to help inspire others and make a difference.

“We need balance in everything we do and, today more than ever, balance is so very much needed in leadership positions at corporations, organizations and in governments. By celebrating women’s success and showcasing female role models, we are focusing on the positive and we hope to see a change with more women in leadership positions.”
– Maya Kanigan

WIL Highlights:

  • Founded in 2001
  • National, non-profit organization with Charity Status
  • Since 2001, invested over $3 million into showcasing female role models and recognizing the accomplishments of Canadian business women, Aboriginal women and youth
  • Visited 17 universities by VIA Rail train in 2003 to promote WIL programming across Canada
  • Established one of Canada’s largest women’s national speaker series profiling over 200 women to more than 10,000 aspiring female leaders
  • Since 2003, WIL has held 8 Aboriginal Women in Leadership Forums, “Sharing the Inspiration”
  • Conducted four research studies on the attraction, recruitment and retention of women in Financial Services – Capital Markets, Engineering, Mining & Mineral Exploration and Construction Trades to address the current and looming labour shortages
  • Delivered 10 Labour Market agreements with the Federal Government in 5 Provinces