Calgary's top businesswomen say progress is slow because gender gaps persist

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Engineers tend to be a stubborn bunch, says Jennifer Massig. And he loves them for it.

“Everyone tells them they're wrong, and it's okay if they're right,” he says. “It's great because it allows the engineer to not be negatively impacted when it comes to public safety and the environment when they believe they're supporting what's needed.”

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But that same instinct can often lead them to fall back on traditional practices — a trait she says has long hindered progress toward gender equality in engineering. “It's pretty bad,” she says of gender diversity in Calgary's engineering sectors.

Massig started her wastewater and stormwater treatment company, Magna Engineering Services Inc., as a single mother with two children. Partly out of necessity, he structured the company with a four-day work week, which sees work hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and employees can complete the remaining required hours in the hybrid.

This, along with predominantly female leadership, has led Massig to achieve significant gender parity, making it a leader in its industry.

Massig is a big reason why she will be one of several women to be recognized at the Calgary Influential Women in Business Awards (CIWB) on Friday, where she will be presented with the 2024 Small/Medium Business Award.

Alberta has one of the worst performers in Canada for wage parity

Now in its fifth year, the awards recognize women in roles in large entrepreneurship, small and medium-sized enterprises, professional services and social business, as well as a lifetime achievement award.

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This year's recipients “set the tone and pace of strong leadership and not backing down and facing challenges head on,” said Nuvin Peters, CEO of Axis Connects, the nonprofit organization that hosts Friday's awards. The organization was created to promote gender diversity in Calgary's business community.

A recent study by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce found that Alberta remains one of the worst performers in the country when it comes to wage parity. For example, women in managerial positions earn just 81 cents for every dollar a man earns in Alberta. In other provinces, such as Quebec and Prince Edward Island, the wage gap was almost non-existent.

“Companies need to monitor and address changes in the gender diversity landscape — it's not enough to look at the C-Suite and say, 'How are we going to get more women here if we don't look at talent,'” she said.

Axis is now Enbridge Inc. is working in partnership with the company to research gender advancement and women's desire to leave the workforce. The partnership is still in its early days, Peters said.

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“Make sure we're open about it”

Lorraine Mitchelmore, former president and country chair of Shell Canada, is this year's Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. He currently serves as an independent director of many major organizations including Suncor, Trans Mountain, BMO and AIMCo.

He said Mitchelmore, who has worked in the energy industry for more than three decades, was the only woman in the boardroom.

“Of course I (noticed), but I ripped it, and that's what you have to do,” he said in an interview.

Major companies have focused more on getting more women into their workforce in recent years, but the number of women in the C-suite is still low. While overall progress has been positive, Mitchelmore said: “It's a slow-moving machine.

“I think attitudes are still there … it's public, right – it's not going to go away overnight,” he said. “There may be loopholes for a long time, but I think the most important thing is to make sure we're open about it.”

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Different work structures can provide advantages

Additionally, some companies, such as Massig, have worked to facilitate a viable workplace for mothers.

Magna's structure, between its flexible work schedule and female leadership, has perpetuated diversity without requiring a concerted effort to hire more women, Massig said.

“When I was an employee, I was 100 percent female. When I had two employees, I was 100 percent female. “Three employees, two-thirds are women,” he said. “I think starting from that base point has really helped us in our diversity journey.”

2024 CIWB Winners:

• Lifetime Achievement: Lorraine Mitchelmore, former president and country chairman/EVP Shell Canada, currently serves as an independent director at several organizations including Suncor, BMO, AIMCo, Cheniere Energy, Shell, Catalyst and Trans Mountain.
• Large enterprise: Doreen Cole, EVP of Downstream at Cenovus.
• Small/Medium Enterprise: Jennifer Massig, CEO, Magna Engineering Services.
• Professional Services: Alicia Quesnel, Managing Partner, BDP LLP.
• Social Enterprise: Wendy Beauchesne, CEO, Alberta Cancer Foundation.
• Men's Champion: Brian de Lottinville, Benevity founder and chief evangelist.

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