Grainswest - Fall 2023

Fall 2023 grainswest.com 35 soft barriers to membership remain. To encourage a bigger and broader group of candidates to take on leadership roles will foster stronger, more representative governance. ELIMINATE BARRIERS A 2022 study conducted by the non-profit DirectHer Network and Mount Royal University identified such soft barriers faced by women who wish to serve on boards. Led by Rachael Pettigrew, a professor at the institution’s Bissett School of Business, the study surveyed 358 women of which 70 per cent reported some level of previous board experience. Of those surveyed, about 46 per cent cited lack of sponsorship as the number 1 barrier to board access. A critical component of career advancement, sponsorship is defined as leveraging one’s network to champion another individual into a role, said Pettigrew. “Men seem to be sponsored more, and women seem to be mentored more,” she said. “Mentorship, for women, less often turns into a tangible outcome.” The study also found women often feel they lack the right skills or experience to serve in a board position. “There were a lot of women in the discussions saying, ‘I’m not a lawyer or an accountant’,” said Pettigrew. “They are kind of making assumptions around what the board is looking for, and when they don’t meet those requirements, they opt out.” As well, though most participants reported feeling competent and prepared for board work, half cited lack of confidence as a barrier. To avoid this potential loss of candidates, Pettigrew recommends boards clearly define the range of professional backgrounds, titles and levels of experience they require when they call for new directors. DirectHer Network aims to break down these barriers and gives Canadian women the tools and support they need to successfully serve on boards. The organization offers four pay- what-you-can courses intended to demystify board processes. These respectively address the basics of board operations, financial literacy, strategic governance and building a board resume. Since its launch in 2019, 3,000 women have completed the courses. “Board work is teamwork, and a more diversified board is able to better fulfil its roles, strategy and risk management,” said Chantel Cabaj, DirectHer founder and executive director. SKILLSETS AND EXPERIENCE Sawyer didn’t need to be persuaded to run for her first board position, but she did wonder if she was qualified. She understood governance and the office side of farm operations, but assumed she also needed to be fluent in field operations to properly contribute, which was not the case. “Perhaps that is a female flaw, thinking you have to do all these things before you may be qualified,” she said. While she’s proud to have served as Alberta Barley’s first female chair, she doesn’t let this fact define her. “When you talk about board diversity, everyone right away talks about gender, but what’s more important around a board table are experiences and skillsets.” Paula Law likewise pursued and won an ag board position in her area. Her term as Alberta Canola Producers Commission region seven director began in January. Law is not new to leadership. A member of Lacombe County Council for 11 years, eight of those were as its reeve. During her time in the role, she chaired the Lacombe County Agricultural Service Board. A local councillor encouraged her to run for Council. The two had a deep discussion about the role’s responsibilities, which helped Law’s decision-making process. “You only get what you put into it,” she said. “You have to realize there’s a time commitment, and sometimes you’re going to have to give up a little bit of family or social time. Your family has to be on board, too.” A Thorhild County farmer and agrologist, Janine Paly hasn’t needed coaxing to take on leadership roles, either. She believes the best way to understand how an organization works is to join its board. Paly has served as a director for the Gateway Research Organization (GRO) and the Alberta Wheat Commission and has chaired the FarmTech Foundation committee. “I felt an obligation to contribute. It’s important for farmers’ voices to be at the table.” —Tara Sawyer