Can Role Models Help You Succeed? We Asked: Who Influenced Our Women of Influence?

By: Isabel Bassett

A growing number of prominent Canadian women are on the top rung of the ladder across the spectrum of business, government, education, healthcare and not-for-profit organizations. They serve as role models in an ever-more competitive world. Success for most of them has been hard won, so we asked as many as we could if they had help from role models themselves — and that advice they might pass down.

Our initial doubts — that perhaps the concept of a role model was outdated — were wrong. We reached out to past Women Influence award winners and luncheon speakers for their feedback, and the response was large. The replies we received were deeply personal, generous, and diverse. This unique collection of advice will give you insight into how choosing a role model or a mentor can be pivotal to your own success.

We couldn’t print everything, but we’ve pulled together the common threads, some cautions and a few surprises.

Role Model vs. Mentor
A Mentor is someone who helps you with the how-to, but a Role Model is something distinct — “We look to role models as a source of inspiration, as examples, and as people from whom we can learn. However a mentor is a different, more interactive role.”
— Andrea Fuenekes, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Remsoft

Had Role Models:
90 % Say role models were pivotal to success
75 % Had more than one role model
10 % Had no role model, broke new ground

Common Theme
• Having a role model is beneficial, if not essential
• Cast a wider net, draw from many sources
• Don’t be shy, reach out to those you admire
• Have confidence, set high goals for yourself
• Role models aren’t a panacea, you have to work hard
• Women should help more women, like the well-established “boys networks”

Who They Identified As Role Models:
19 % Both parents
31 % Maternal only
9 % Paternal only
59 % Female, career related
47 % Male, career related

Surprise /Caution
• Not all role models have your best interests at heart
• Be selective, avoid negativity
• Relationship with a role model is two-way
• Have humility, there’s always more to learn
• It’s essential to balance work and life
• We are all a role model for somebody

I Was Influenced…
… In My Youth
“I had one prominent role model: My aunt, Helene Smagala is a person of grace, tact, and success. She started her business about 25 years ago, Mokuba, an importer of Japanese ribbons and as a child I had a sense that she and my uncle, Bob, were excellent business people. My mom is a meticulous organizer, and she showed me how to manage my finances. My father is an excellent communicator and he showed me how to negotiate.”
— Julie Bond, President & Founder, Bond Consulting Group

“I’ve had role models since I was a child. My ‘womenfolk’ have had a huge impact. I am fortunate to still have my strong and intelligent grandmother, who is 94 years old. I  feel like all of my role models were able to inspire me through not only what they achieved, but what they did to achieve it — including working hard. All had similar attitudes – they are positive go-getters.”
— Julie Cole, Co-Founder, Mabel’s Labels

“I did not have any role models in my business career because I chose a field where there were so few women leaders. But, as a child, I looked up to my Aunt Jean. She certainly taught me to believe my lofty goals were possible. I knew that if Aunt Jean could do it, with only a high school education, I could do it too.”
— Sherry Cooper, Chief Economist, BMO Capital Markets

“I have had the benefit of role models and mentors throughout my life, starting with my parents and teachers who steered me into leadership roles and encouraged me to  seek out opportunities that would expand my horizons.”
— Deborah Gillis, Vice President, North America, Catalyst Canada

“In Grade 7 I had a wonderful teacher who instilled a lifelong love of learning. She challenged her students to think outside the box and inspired us to believe we could succeed at anything we aspired to. It did not occur to me that I could or would be limited. As an intern my mentor was Dr Sidney Feldman. He instilled the basis for balance and laughter in my life. Also Gwen Vineberg, who is a friend and mentor. They taught me to be a lifelong learner, to be open and curious, to laugh and make time for myself, to always open doors and forge ahead with integrity.”
— Dr. Marla Shapiro, Md,Medical Contributor, CTV and The Globe & Mail

“One was a primary school math teacher who contradicted the commonly-held notion at that time that ‘girls weren’t good at math’. My mother (and father) drilled in to me the need for higher education, even though they knew they could never pay for it. As a result, I always expected I would go to university and ended up financing myself through a BA Honours and an MA. If they hadn’t built up that expectation in me, I doubt I would ever have pursued any post-secondary education.”
— Catherine Swift, President & CEO, Canadian Federation Of Independent Business Influence

… By My Parents
“A lot of what I am is because of my father. I wanted to make him proud of me. He is a very smart self-made man with no formal education, but two honorary doctorates and he became VP of Research and Development for 3M Canada. What a role model.”
— Linda Duxbury, Professor, Sprott School Of Business, Carleton University

“My biggest role models have been women who have giant vision and passion. From a business standpoint, my Dad, who, as CEO of his own company, taught me the importance of strategic thinking, patience and perseverance, ethics and integrity in business and perhaps most important of all, the value that your employees can bring to your business.”
— Andrea Feunekes, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Remsoft

“My mom has been one of the greatest role models in my life — she has never been afraid to take a risk and to voice her opinion. She was one of the first 1,000 Peace Corps volunteers in the early 1960’s. My first female boss showed me that a woman can lead in a relatively male-dominated business world while still being true to who she is as a woman. They taught me to dream big, and always have confidence in my own abilities.”
— Erin Ganju, Co-Founder & CEO, Room to Read

“My success is 100% attributable to the skills and knowledge I am still learning from my father, who pushed me to achieve higher goals, not to get defeated and keep on trying  through adverse conditions.”
— Nina Gupta, President, Greenlite Lighting Corporation

“My mother, and my first boss in nursing. They challenged me to develop leadership, to stay grounded in core values, to use my voice effectively, to work hard and to find my passion. “
— Mary Jo Haddad, President & CEO, The Hospital For Sick Kids

“My mother was my role model, a nurse. She worked at first because she had to — my parents were new immigrants and money was tight. Later she worked because she wanted to. I saw how she juggled home and career, aware it was not always easy, but convinced it could be done and done well.”
— Sandie Rinaldo, Journalist, News Anchor, CTV

“My mother and grandmother had careers, which was very unusual for my generation. My father was what people today would call “gender blind”. He believed that girls could do anything that boys could. I grew up in a family that encouraged me to be the best at whatever I chose.”
— Carol Stephenson, Dean, Richard Ivey School of Business

“My mom did not have the easiest life and yet always seemed to find the positive side of all situations. She has always encouraged me with my personal and business goals.  My business coach showed me the practical side of running a business.”
— Sherri Stevens, Founder & President, Stevens Resource Group

“It has always been my parents. My father taught me to indulge my curiosity but always do my homework. And mom encouraged me to speak my mind but only once that mind was informed. Only later in life do you realize they were your first mentors and teachers – and what you learn early on shapes you for life.”
— Pamelawallin, Canadian Senator

… At Work
“My mother’s influence was to work hard, persevere and set high personal standards for myself. My bosses challenged me intellectually. Their problem-solving capability caused me to look at issues from the broadest possible context. I learned that the first solution was not always the best solution.”
— Sylvia Chrominska, Head Of Global HR & Communications, Scotiabank

“As an avid reader: Margaret Mead and Ayn Rand. At Starbucks (where, prior to joining Lululemon she spent 20 years learning the intricacies of high growth business   development in a strong cultural company), Howard Schultz taught me about the value of a brand and a vision. Orin Smith was an incredible strategic thinker. Howard Behar, how to lead through people. I was also fortunate enough to work with and for strong women leaders like Deidra Wager — who taught me to be an operator. A woman named Rhoda Pitcher gave me a resiliency and an ability to step back from situations, asking what else I could do to create a different outcome.”
— Christine Day, Ceo, Lululemon Athletica Inc.

“From my mother I inherited a passion for social justice. From my father, a willingness to take on leadership responsibilities in the community. From David Crombie, ‘You can go up against City Hall,’ and win. From Stuart Smith: Is the job worth doing? Are the people worth doing it with? From Gordon Cressy: take the time to get to know people.  I had a tendency to be focused more on the task than the person. Relationships matter.”
— Anne Golden, President & CEO, The Conference Board Of Canada

“From James Cracchiolo, CEO of Ameriprise, building effective and cohesive teams who could have fun while creating value for customers and shareholders. From Jerry Welsh, former EVP at American Express, the importance of creativity and risk-taking in life and in your career. From Martha Redfield Wallace, a pioneer woman on boards of  directors in the 1970’s, how to create value by connecting people to achieve goals or solve problems, how to develop a commanding but not threatening presence as a  woman, and the importance of mentoring those who can benefit from your experience.”
— Beth Horowitz, Director, HSBC Bank Canada, Former CEO Of Amex Bank Of Canada

“I tend to look to people who try to be the best they can be, whether it is a great mom, hairdresser, or executive. I don’t try to search out people who are headline news — I can find great role models in everyday walks of life. I tend to gravitate toward people who demonstrate authenticity.”
— Patricia Lovett-Reid, Senior Vice President, TD Waterhouse Canada

“So many of my early role models were men because there were hardly any female reporters. The best were the ones that didn’t see me as a man or a woman, but rather as a reporter. Another important influence has been my girlfriends who reached senior positions. When I confided about some workplace problems, one such friend said, ‘Don’t let anyone stand in the way of the job you love.’ — Great advice that I repeat like a mantra regularly.”
— Jacquie Mcnish,Author, Senior Writer For The Globe & Mail

“Dian Cohen, there were so few senior business women in the 1980s, and I was able to observe and see her operate and manage in the world of men. My VP two levels ahead of me was very supportive of young talented people. My direct boss who taught me how to invest… and to develop friendships with people older than myself, which is very important in the business world.”
— Kim Shannon, President & Cio, Sionna Investment Managers

“Libby Ridgely was a therapist who taught me about the art of re-framing your life, or re-writing your narrative. So much of what you do is about whether you see the glass as half full or half empty. And by giving me that training, she allowed me to weave a narrative for people in business, in leading teams that create hope and optimism, and desire to make changes.”
— Edieweiss, Partner & President, Radke Film Group

… From Near and Afar
“It was rare for women my generation to have role models. We were upsetting the status quo… Although we didn’t have a slew of women acting as role models there were  those who made it clear that the road ahead was not entirely blocked. As an adult woman I was blessed with two role models: Doris Anderson and June Callwood.”
— Sally Armstrong, Human Rights Activist, Filmmaker & Author

Dr. Huguette Labelle, Margaret Thatcher, Doris Anderson, and Barbara Frum. These high-achieving women cleared the path for my generation and demonstrated that there were tremendous opportunities open to me. Learn from their experiences. Take risks.
— Moya Greene, President & CEO, Canada Post

“Women today should seek mentors and sponsors, but their role models can be very special people that they see from afar.”
— Sherry Cooper, Chief Economist, BMO Capital Markets

“A woman for whom I have a lot of respect is Louise Arbour. She was the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, a justice of the Supreme Court of Canada and a Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunals for Yugoslavia and Rwanda. She has always been a source of inspiration for me but not a role model per se. My real role model sits in all the women who are trying to build a work-life balance between their professional and personal life.”
— Johanne Gélinas, Partner, Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability, Deloitte

“I most admire Nelson Mandela who has suffered extreme and hideous adversity, stuck to his values and beliefs in spite of profound and tortuous opposition and has come through it with a tremendous sense of optimism and hope.”
— Ruth Ramsden-Wood, President, United Way of Calgary & Area

… By Many, Or None
“I have met many self-proclaimed leaders over the years but only a few are/were role models for me. They are the ones that remain true to their spirit and their values.”
— Connie Clerici, President & CEO, Closing The Gap Healthcare Group

“My role models over the years have been business people or clients who I have watched and admired. The main impact they had was providing a sounding board to me, allowing me to learn through their examples, being a “go to” on any matter where they had experience that I valued and respected. I sought them out. Over time we built a relationship of sharing, trust and mutual respect.”
— Nancy Croitoru, President & CEO, Food & Consumer Products Of Canada

“I have been inspired by so many individuals, my parents, and colleagues. I don’t believe one person or one role model can encompass all the attributes you need to help you grow and develop.”
— Arlene Dickinson, President,Venture Communications

“In my personal life and as a ballet dancer I had multiple role models. However, as an Artistic Director, I find myself in the unlikely position of not having people to imitate or emulate. I feel more like I am forging new territory. I am in the lucky but challenging position of trying to find my own way in a manner that best serves my dancers, my company, and myself.”
— Karen Kain,Artistic Director, National Ballet Of Canada

“Unfortunately in the Energy Sector there were no women or men to mentor me so I had to learn the hard way and do it all alone.”
— Rebecca Macdonald, Executive Chair, Just Energy Income Fund

Advice
Pick Those Who Challenge You
“Seek those who remain true to their spirit and values. Surround yourself with people who can challenge your decisions and directions. Search for role models who share your passion — versus the people who have achieved popularity.”
— Connie Clerici, President & CEO, Closing The Gap Healthcare Group

“Pick someone who is supportive of you, but who will tell you the truth, who will push you — not just flatter you. Do not take someone too similar to yourself.”
— Linda Duxbury, Professor, Sprott School Of Business, Carleton University

“Seek to find a role model who you admire, and who will challenge you. Find a mentor who will be honest in their feedback and offer you the benefit of their wisdom.”
— Mary Jo Haddad, President & CEO, The Hospital for Sick Kids

“A role model should support you, challenge you and have all the questions. It is your job to find the answers.”
— Dr. Marla Shapiro, MD, Medical Contributor, CTV and The Globe & Mail

Find Core Values
“You really need not only a mentor who will talk the talk, but a person who has already walked the walk… To this day when faced with a dilemma I find myself saying, ‘How would Doris Anderson handle this?’ or, ‘What would June Callwood have done about this.’ ”
— Sally Armstrong, Human Rights Activist, Filmmaker & Author
“Surround yourself with positive, optimistic people — people with curiosity and integrity — good people, fun people.”
— Anne Golden, President & CEO, The Conference Board Of Canada

“I think to actually go out to find a role model is not an easy, realistic feat. The person who you look up to is a likely candidate. Digging deeper will reveal their way of living, or something you would like to emulate — and voila, you have a role model.”
— Nina Gupta, President, Greenlite Lighting Corporation

“My advice to young women coming into the workforce is that they are the lucky ones. They have flourished as equals in schools and universities. Many of the strongest leaders in companies are not necessarily the people on top. There are layers of female executives who play essential roles in middle management. Young females coming into the workforce should pay close attention to which executives are the best at executing their mandates.”
— Jacquie Mcnish, Author, Senior Writer for The Globe & Mail

“Find strong mentors who teach you about the possibility that anything that is a limitation can represent growth or change.”
— Edieweiss, Partner & President, Radke Film Group

Don’t Be Shy, Be Proactive
“It is impossible to move forward in life if you don’t look to others for inspiration. We look to role models as a source of inspiration, as examples, and as people from whom we can learn. However a mentor is a different, more interactive role. Reach out to them, they just might also have something to share.”
— Andrea Feunekes, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Remsoft

“My advice for women is to never forget that you are in charge of your own career. Don’t wait for opportunities to fall into your lap, or for someone to tap you on the shoulder. Actively build your network, ask for opportunities, and seek out role models and mentors that you admire and can learn from.”
— Deborah Gillis, Vice President, North America, Catalyst Canada

“It never hurts to ask those you know and admire for a few minutes of advice and counsel. They may not always say yes, and some conversations may indeed be brief, but one  or more of those encounters may turn into lasting, valuable role model or mentoring relationships.”
— Beth Horowitz, Director, HSBC Bank Canada, Former CEO of Amex Bank Of Canada

“My husband Jim said to me, ‘Pattie the sky is the limit — the only person holding you back is you, so get off your own coattails.’ Most successful people have had other   people help them along the way and are happy to pay it forward. I didn’t always want to hear what they had to say but I listened — and trust me I learned. This is not a time to be shy, seek out who you want to connect with.”
— Patricia Lovett-Reid, Senior Vice President, TD Waterhouse Canada

“Mentors should be close at hand; engage them. But it is a two-way street. If a mentor suggests that you read a book or article – do it! Let them know you took their advice, and express what you learned. It’s a mutual relationship, so give back.”
— Kim Shannon, President & CIO, Sionna Investment Managers

Be Yourself
“While we can and should absolutely learn from others, you must be true to yourself and be your own role model. Be prepared to take risks and make mistakes and like who you are at the end of the day.”
— Arlene Dickinson, President, Venture Communications

“People often think a role model needs to be someone in a senior position. I have found that is not the case. I have had excellent mentoring and advice from peers, family, and friends. I think a role model is definitely someone you admire and whose qualities you may aspire to possess, but it is important not to lose sight of who You Are.”
— Carol Stephenson, Dean, Richard Ivey School of Business

Surprises and Cautions
“I believe an important leadership trait is humility. Don’t assume because you have achieved some measure of success that you have nothing left to learn.”
Sylvia Chrominska, Head Of Global HR & Communications, Scotiabank

“My mentors were all men, they saw my capabilities and worked me very hard, but they still believed it was too much for me to have a family and a very demanding career. In that regard, they actually held me back.”
— Sherry Cooper, Chief Economist, BMO Capital Markets

“I wouldn’t necessarily look for role models as I don’t believe there is any one person who can give you everything you need. I would encourage women/business people in  general to realize early on, there is a lot you don’t know. Never be afraid to ask for advice, seek counsel and learn to listen.”
— Nancy Croitoru, President & CEO, Food & Consumer Products Of Canada

“You have to be willing to put in the hard work yourself. A mentor might open a door, but if they prop you up on a foundation that is unsustainable, it can lead to all the bad management behaviors we call politics. Networking is great when it leads to skill development and coaching and introductions — it is done poorly when it leads to elitism, favoritism, and inside tracks that exclude others or a meritocracy.”
— Christine Day, CEO, Lululemon Athletica

“I think we are always a role model for someone.”
— Johanne Gélinas, Partner, Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability, Deloitte

“Select someone who is going to look out for your best interests and isn’t afraid of conflict with you! You definitely do not want a ‘yes’ man or woman.”
— Sherri Stevens, Founder & President, Stevens Resource Group

“Try not to do everything for everyone. Draw on your support systems and networks to help balance your family, work and leisure. Choices need to be carefully made to ensure life balance and perspective.”
— Ruth Ramsden-Wood, President, United Way of Calgary

Pay It Forward
“Look around and see what other women you can mentor. There is still an active boys network out there that helps many men succeed in their careers, but women have not yet succeeded in building as strong of a network. Women helping women is one of the most powerful forces for change in the world.”
— Erin Ganju, Co-Founder & CEO, Room to Read

“I think it is the responsibility of successful women to try and mentor younger women and I feel that women should be way more generous with their time towards the younger generation.”
— Rebecca Macdonald, Executive Chair, Just Energy Income Fund

“I think the concept of women having role models is fairly recent, although men seem to have always had role models.”
— Catherine Swift, President & CEO, Canadian Federation Of Independent Business

Can Having A Role Model Help You Get To The Top?
“I believe our lives are filled with interactions with role models. They could be the person sitting right next to you. If you listen and observe, you can learn from everyone. As a mentor to many women myself, what I find women are looking for most is someone to speak to, someone who they can trust. Ultimately, they know what they need to do, they just need some encouragement.”
— Arlene Dickinson, President, Venture Communications

“Without them, you have to learn every lesson the hard way.”
— Julie Bond, President & Founder, Bond Consulting Group