Lynn Lievonen

GENDER INTELLIGENT WORKFORCES GENERATE BREAKTHROUGH RESULTS

TORONTO – Nov 19, 2012 – Women of Influence announced today that it will partner with New York-based Barbara Annis & Associates (BAA) to offer Canadian corporations the exclusive training and accreditation developed by BAA and recognized on the global landscape.

BAA is a recognized global pioneer and thought leader in the field of Gender Intelligence® and Inclusive Leadership. The alliance position Women of Influence as the exclusive Canadian provider of Gender Intelligent training, courses, and accreditation recognized at a global level.

“The Case for Gender Intelligence is simple,” says gender expert Barbara Annis, founder and CEO of Barbara Annis & Associates. “Our clients want to improve their Gender Intelligence, attract the most talented men and women, sustain their growth and competitiveness in the global marketplace, and be recognized for their efforts. Organizations that build and sustain a culture of gender diversity, understanding, and inclusiveness have a huge competitive advantage. They make better decisions, are more productive, and are far more innovative. Moreover, the more a company mirrors its markets demographically, the better positioned it is to sense and respond to evolving market needs.”
“We are very excited about this partnership on a number of levels,” says Carolyn Lawrence, President & CEO of Women of Influence. “We have been searching for a way to have a greater influence on the advancement of women and evolution of Canadian corporations who strive for growth through diversity.

BAA’s approach of “Gender Intelligence” is perfectly suited because we also believe it’s time to change the language, and evolve strategic initiatives away from ‘women’s issues’ and away from the numbers game. This inclusion mindset, coupled with engaged leadership, is the next phase for successful, relevant, and competitive organizations. We searched for the best solutions for our community in closing the gender gap at the corporate level, and we are confident that BAA’s thought leadership and programs are the answer. Gender Intelligence accreditation will further global leadership among Canada’s foremost organizations in a very powerful way.”
Deloitte Canada, America Express and an increasing number of companies are discovering that female leadership quotas alone do not ensure better business results, but rather women and men understanding and valuing each other’s unique perspectives and working together to succeed in an increasingly diverse marketplace.

Working together, Women of Influence Inc. and Barbara Annis & Associates will change the landscape of Canadian corporate cultures, making them more inclusive, effective, and successful.

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Toronto-based Women of Influence Inc. is a media business with a vision to inspire, connect, celebrate and advance women professionally. Our leading nationwide events and programs, magazine and digital community have grown since 1994 and now serves as the leading organization for Senior Executive women and corporations whose shared mandate is to positively impact and connect female leaders in North America.

New York-based Barbara Annis & Associates (BAA) is a recognized global pioneer and thought leader in the field of Gender Intelligence and Inclusive Leadership. Since 1989, BAA has partnered with Fortune 500 companies to increase their level of Gender Intelligence and remove their barriers to leadership and cultural transformation. In that time, BAA has assessed more than 100,000 men and women and facilitated more than 8,000 Gender Intelligence workshops as well as countless executive coaching sessions across the globe.

For interview requests of further information please contact:

Brittney McKee
Women of Influence
36 Lombard Street, Suite 550
Toronto, Ontario, M5C 2X3
Tel: 416.923.1688 x221
Women of Influence Inc.
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