On this episode of In Focus with Melanie Risdon, we take a close look at gender inequalities in the Alberta workforce and examine some of the barriers women still face in today's accelerated pace of change. .Business leader Jackie Rafter is the president and founder of Higher Landing Inc., a career transformation company that helps people transition, transform or reinvent their careers. ."We take the traditional transition process to a new level with a proprietary approach that aims to connect head with heart, and identify strengths, values, passions, and purpose," reads the Higher Landing website. .Tune in Tuesday Nov. 8 @ 7 p.m. MST for the full interview. .Rafter is one of several speakers at the inaugural Axis Connects Women's Leadership Forum in Calgary on November 9. Axis Connects is a "Calgary-based not-for-profit organization established in 2019 dedicated to advancing gender diverse leaders into decision making roles" in the business community. .The all-day forum taking place at the BMO Centre will feature career development opportunities and intimate sessions with top executive leaders in Calgary, including keynote speaker Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute and Deborah Yedlin, moderator, president and CEO of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. .Rafter discusses how the evolution of today's job market has created additional challenges for women in the workforce that men don't typically face, including the need for unique supports, flexible hours, and suitable childcare options. .Rafter said women have been an "invisible group" in today's job market where the majority of work sectors highlighted in Alberta's recovery plan industries are male dominated. .She also discusses the evolution and shifting focus from "hard skills" to "soft skills" such as empathy, emotional intelligence, having a sense of humour or being nurturing. .Rafter will speak to forum participants in the afternoon during her interactive workshop — Mid-Career: Influence Without Authority. The forum will also include a Male Allyship Workshop with speakers including Jim Dewald, dean of the University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business, John Kousinioris, president and CEO at TransAlta, and John Osler, a partner at McCarthy Tétrault LLP. .Rafter said with Danielle Smith taking the reins in Alberta as the province's newest premier, she sees it as an opportunity for "shining a spotlight on some of these under-represented groups." .Closing remarks for the conclusion of the forum will come from Dawn Farrell, president and CEF at Trans Mountain Corporation and Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek. .Forum topics include:.The Road Ahead for Female Leaders in Alberta - Keynote: Shachi KurlHarnessing Female Leadership to build Calgary's Future - Dr. Elizabeth CannonAn Inside Look at Board Succession - Russell Reynolds AssociatesOur Economy and Where it's Going - RBC Capital MarketsThe Future of Work/Transformation - Korn FerryThe Path to Net Zero - McKinsey & Co.Statistics:.45% of employees at Canada’s largest firms are women, but female representation diminishes considerably up the leadership ladder.28% of Alberta tech start-ups are founded by women; yet only 6% of Alberta’s established businesses (3.5 years old) are run by womenWomen at the executive officer level is at 18.2%, largely unchanged since 2015 (when it was 15%)Female representation in Alberta director positions is currently 17.2%, well below the 30% thresholdWomen of colour hold only 6.2% of women-held board, executive, senior management positions collectively, with black women, indigenous women, sexual minority women and women with disabilities each hold less than 1% of women-held senior leadership and pipeline positions
