4 N.L. women named among most powerful in Atlantic Canadian business

Four women in Newfoundland and Labrador have been named among the top business leaders in Atlantic Canada.

On Thursday night in Moncton, 25 women were named Atlantic Canada's 25 most powerful women in business in 2024 by Atlantic Business Magazine.

"I'm just happy to be here," Johanna Brown said, speaking to CBC News from her hotel in New Brunswick. "There's people of all different ages here, and there's people from all different backgrounds."

Brown is the principal sales strategist with Rivet, a new sales consulting practice in Newfoundland and Labrador aiming to help entrepreneurs launch their businesses. But the award is extra-meaningful for her, personally.

"I think the bigger piece here of why I was so happy about it is because there's really not very much queer visibility," said Brown.

"So for me what I'm really happy about, and why I'm really happy to be here personally representing myself, is for that visibility."

Joining Brown on the list of award winners are Heather Dalton, partner at M5 Group of Companies; Taylor Giovannini, president andCEO of Oceanic Releaf; and Jennifer Williams, president andCEO of Newfoundland andLabrador Hydro.

"I was incredibly honoured to be included on the list," Dalton told CBC News. "It was a moment of pride not just for me but for our organization as a whole."

Dalton has been with M5, a marketing agency in St. John's, for 25years. The agency serves clients across North America, including General Motors, Subway Canada and True Temper Sports.

"[I'm] especially proud of this one because it represents women leading businesses and our industry tends to underrepresent women in senior roles," said Dalton."We are proud to say 75per cent of our positions at our management level and above are held by women at M5. That's actually more than double our industry average."

Giovannini told CBC News she was shocked and proud.

"It was validation for all the hard work that me and my team have put in and how far we've come in a very struggling industry, honestly," said Giovannini. "So it was extra-sweet. "

Giovannini's company, Oceanic Releaf, is a cannabis company with nine locations in the province, including a growth facility in Burin.

"There's a huge sense of pride professionally," she said. "I think that this is really good timing to allow my voice to be heard a little louder."

Williams couldn't attend the awards ceremony in person, but spoke with CBC News from her office in St. John's about the honour.

"It's a list that I've noticed for the last few years and I've always been very impressed with the folks on the list and grateful that Atlantic Business Magazine takes it upon themselves to do this profile," said Williams.

"[I'm] quite humbled to be part of that group, but also recognize it's really important that we showcase women in business as leaders," said Williams. "As you know, business success can absolutely come from women in leadership in these roles."

Williams has been with N.L. Hydro for 10 years and is in her third year of her current position as CEO.

She said the award has a special personal meaning to her.

"I have two daughters doing engineering, so sort of following the path that I took," said Williams."It's important for me directly at home to show them what success can look like."

Williams like the other winners said lists like Atlantic Business Magazine's are important.

"Until we don't need to highlight a list, it's important to highlight the list," said Williams. "While you are still an anomaly, you have to have a list."

According to Williams, less than 20 per cent of registered engineers are women.

"I can tell you," she said,"women are just as good at engineering as men."

In the technology sector, said Brown, there is generally under 25 per cent female employment in any given discipline.

"I do think visibility matters a lot," said Brown. "We need to help each other and make connections for people and build networks."

Giovannini said she believes they're inching their way to equality.

"We're not quite there yet," she said.

"I do believe that we are almost there, and hopefully we'll get to the point where it's people in business."

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