Calgary CEO named to women's business council announced by Trump and Trudeau

A Calgarianis one of 10 female executives named to a new Canada-U.S. council focused on promoting women in business.

The announcement came on Monday as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Donald Trump met for the first time in Washington, D.C.

"This initiative is about more than dollars and cents," said Trudeau."This is about ensuring that women have access to the same opportunities as men."

Genuine desire

Calgary-based TransAltapresident and CEO Dawn Farrell will sit on the council, officially dubbed theUnited States Canada Council for the Advancement of Women Business Leaders-Female Entrepreneurs.

"I think there's a genuine desire by the prime minister to understand what it really takes to get women into leadership and Isaw the same genuine desire by President Trump," she said.

"It's a pretty gutsy move. I was pretty pleased to be asked to be part of that."

Hopeful reaction

News of the council is being met with optimism in Alberta.

"I'm happy to see that that's happened," said Marcela Mandeville, CEO of Alberta Women Entrepreneurs.

"And I really am hopeful it's going to actually move into action and policy and progressive thought around true inclusiveness and engagement of women in business and entrepreneurship."

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