Julie Delahanty, Executive Director of Oxfam Canada, named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women
Ottawa, Ontario (November 24, 2016) ––Oxfam Canada is pleased to announce that it’s Executive Director, Julie Delahanty, has been named one of Canada’s most powerful women by the Women’s Executive Network. This outstanding award is presented to the top 100 most powerful women in Canada each year.
Launched in 2003, the awards celebrate the incredible accomplishments of Canada’s top female executive talent as well as their organizations and networks.
Delahanty will receive the award - in recognition of being a strong role model and change agent for women’s leadership in Canada - during a gala celebration at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on November 24.
Ricardo Acuña, Chair of the Board of Oxfam Canada, said: “Women’s leadership is a fundamental part of Oxfam’s work, in Canada and globally. I am thrilled to see Julie Delahanty receive this much deserved award for her leadership in ensuring women’s rights continue to be at the heart of everything we do - and for inspiring others to do the same.”
Julie Delahanty joined Oxfam Canada as Executive Director in 2014, and has since played a leadership role in helping the organization advance its women’s rights and gender equality work in Canada - and globally. She has long had a strong personal and professional commitment to making change in the lives of women and girls, including supporting young women leaders and grass-roots women’s rights organizations.
In 2016, Julie led Oxfam Canada to research and campaign on how women face unique economic challenges, including the persistent and growing wage gap in Canada. She was also instrumental in leading Oxfam Canada’s ground-breaking “I’m a Feminist” social media campaign on International Women’s Day, 2016, and was one of three delegates to represent Canada at the W20 discussions in China, ensuring the integration of women’s perspectives and a gender equality lens across the G20 agenda.
"I am truly honored to be named one of Canada's 100 Most Powerful Women," said Delahanty. "There has been some progress in advancing gender equality - in Canada, and around the world - but there is still a lot of work to be done. Women are bringing big ideas to the table to tackle the world’s biggest problems – but are we listening?”
“We must continue to strive to empower them to become leaders and ensure that their voices are heard. Transformative women leaders challenge gender inequality and power imbalances. Their leadership is the only way to build a more just and equal world, where women and girls have control over their lives, enjoy their full human rights and can live up to their amazing potential.”
Julie Delahanty joins a prestigious community of past Award Winners, including Canada’s most iconic women trailblazers: Margaret Atwood, best-selling author; Dr. Roberta Bondar, astronaut; Arlene Dickinson, chief executive officer, Venture Communications; Christine Magee, president, Sleep Country Canada; Michaëlle Jean, former Governor General of Canada; Heather Reisman, founder and chief executive officer, Indigo Books & Music; and, Kathleen Taylor, chair of the board, Royal Bank of Canada.