In my early years as a board member, it was common for me to be the only woman at the table. Being the “only one” can be an isolating experience. You may feel afraid to speak up and share your opinions, even on issues that fall well within your realm of expertise.

Looking back, I’ve realized that when I felt included and as if I belonged in the boardroom, I felt less isolated and performed better in my role. The reason was logical: when I felt included at the table, I felt safe sharing my thoughts and contributing to discussions.

Inclusion is an issue that is rising to the top of agendas, as boards are increasingly becoming aware that they can’t stop at simply recruiting diverse talent and expecting results. To unlock the power of diversity, it’s critical that all board members feel comfortable expressing themselves and sharing their wealth of knowledge with the rest of the room.

That’s inclusion. To include is to recognize when someone may have been inadvertently excluded and take steps to include or accommodate them.

Why I Champion Inclusivity in Leadership

I became interested in examining the concept of inclusion after attending a Women Get On Board virtual session featuring Gavriella Schuster, a board executive and DEI advocate. In her speech, Gavriella introduced the acronym ALLIES to describe the key behaviours of an ally.

Each letter in the acronym refers to a step that individuals or groups can take to become better allies. The “I” stood for—you guessed it—Inclusion. (Click here to read the full breakdown of ALLIES on the WGOB blog.)

Allyship prioritizes creating an environment where everyone feels valued and accepted, regardless of background, identity, or differences. Inclusion is a fundamental aspect of this process and essential to building and maintaining supportive and harmonious communities.

As a corporate governance leader, catalyst for change, and community builder, I champion inclusivity. I am committed to promoting diversity and empowering underrepresented groups in business and leadership, especially women. 

How to Support Inclusion in the Boardroom

To champion inclusion in leadership, I recommend five key steps.

1. Advocate for Diversity

I strongly believe in advocating for gender diversity on corporate boards and in executive roles. That’s why I founded Women Get On Board Inc. (WGOB) in 2015. The mission of the social purpose company is to connect, promote, and empower women to lead and serve on corporate boards,

“Your impact is something to be celebrated! I would venture to say no other Canadian organization has been as impactful for women directors as WGOB.”

Marilyn Spink, Board Director

I believe in the power of three: one woman in a boardroom is a token, two is a presence, and three is a voice. When we get more women around the table, each woman feels a greater sense of inclusion and becomes more confident in expressing her perspectives and ideas. Everyone wins as a result.

2. Invest in Educational Empowerment

Empowerment through education is another vital tool for supporting inclusion. Leaders can enhance inclusion by investing in educational opportunities for marginalized people and groups to fast-track their board journeys.

At WGOB, we offer events, programs, and resources designed to empower women with the confidence and courage to serve on corporate boards. We also promote education and awareness about diversity and inclusion to help make boardrooms more welcoming for women.

As a speaker and thought leader, I share my governance expertise with my peers at events, workshops, courses, and conferences. Most recently, I have contributed to:

That said, I am still a student. As a CPA, I invest in learning annually, tracking professional development hours through CPA Canada’s illuminating learning platform, lumiQ. To maintain my ICD.D and Competent Boards governance certifications (GPC.D & CCB.D), I also make time for governance conferences, virtual education sessions, and weekly reading on current governance and leadership trends.

There is always more to learn, so I continue to engage in education to enhance my knowledge and skills inside and outside the boardroom. This year, I am committed to continuing my education on diversity and inclusion as part of my professional development.

3. Foster Formal and Informal Mentorship

Mentorship has been a powerful force throughout my career, and I have witnessed its impact countless times in the professional journeys of our Women Get On Board members. Women who seek support from mentors and sponsors are more likely to succeed and achieve their goals. 

Becoming a mentor for an aspiring leader is a meaningful way to support inclusion. I encourage board members to consider how they can provide guidance and support to help others navigate their professional paths, focusing on amplifying diverse voices.

Over the years, serving as a mentor in a formal and informal capacity has been immensely rewarding. I’m grateful I’ve had a chance to give back this way. 

I believe so deeply in the power of mentorship that I’ve built and fostered two mentorship programs. At Women Get On Board, we created the WGOB Mentorship Program in 2021 to match aspiring women board members with accomplished leading and serving women corporate directors. I’m proud to say that the program is launching its fifth cohort this year.

In 2023, I established the Deborah Rosati Women in Leadership Mentorship Program at Brock University,  my alma mater, to provide mentorship experiences for women leaders. The program comprises a diverse community of mentors and mentees, offering partnership and engagement opportunities for future leaders. 

4. Demonstrate Inclusive Leadership

Over the years, my leadership style has emphasized inclusion, ensuring that decision-making processes consider diverse perspectives. Through my various leadership roles and public speaking engagements, I aim to exemplify inclusive leadership by highlighting the value of diverse viewpoints in achieving business success, enforcing good governance practices, and fostering a culture of belonging.

In 2023, I was humbled to see Women Get On Board selected as a 2023 CWE Recognition Award honouree in the Gender Equality in the Workplace category for our work supporting women in senior leadership roles and getting more women on corporate boards. With 1,000 members and growing, we are proud to be helping establish a new generation of women in the boardroom, one woman at a time.

5. Practice Thought Leadership

I frequently speak and write about governance, diversity, and inclusion to spread awareness and educate others about their benefits and importance.

Writing: I have been writing for I Am Unbreakable magazine most recently. This publication elevates women’s voices and inspires change. I’m grateful to contribute to this community, which is focused on building a more inclusive world. You can find my writing for I Am Unbreakable and other publications here.

Speaking: I have also had the opportunity to speak about board governance, leadership, diversity, and inclusion for a variety of diverse audiences. Over the past year, I have been fortunate to speak at events for 50/50 Women on Boards, Be Uninterrupted, and the Women General Counsel of Canada, among others. You can learn more about my speaking engagements here.

Podcasts: I enjoy participating in many engaging podcast discussions, including Curious About Life, The Honest Talk, and Tales from the Trenches. You can view my podcast appearances here.

Interviews: I enjoy conducting interviews to promote the importance of inclusion in the boardroom. See my latest interviews here.

This Year’s Challenge

We should all consider our commitment to fostering inclusive environments where diversity is embraced and promoted. As we kick off 2025, I am dedicating this year to expanding my efforts to boost inclusion in the boardroom and beyond.

I encourage other leaders to consider doing the same. This year, take time to examine how you can support inclusion, whether through advocacy, investment in education, mentorship, leadership, speaking, or writing. You might be surprised by the positive impact your efforts can have on people and business outcomes.