Join Women of Influence and Presenting Sponsor Scotiabank as we showcase North America’s most accomplished and influential women who share their stories of professional success and personal triumph on their rise to the top. Since 1994, the series has shared the dreams, accomplishments and challenges of high profile women in business, government, sciences and the arts. Our highly regarded speakers provide proven advice and inspiration in an environment that promotes networking, learning and growing. This flagship event series is hosted in Toronto and Calgary and inspires over 5,000+ aspiring women leaders each year.
Dawn Farrell is President and Chief Executive Officer of TransAlta Corporation, a director of TransAlta Corporation, a director of The Chemours Company and a member of the Trilateral Commission. She also sits on the boards of The Conference Board of Canada and the Business Council of Canada and is a member of The CanadaU.S. Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and
Business Leaders.
Dawn has 30 years of experience in the electric energy industry, having held a number of senior management positions at TransAlta and BC Hydro. Her business experience spans a variety of areasin finance, business development, strategic planning, commercial operations, energy marketing and sustainable development. Her past directorships include the Calgary Stampede, Mount Royal University Board of Governors, Fording Coal Income Fund, New Relationship Trust Fund, Mount Royal University Foundation and
Vision Quest Windelectric.
Dawn holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Finance and a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Calgary (Calgary, AB). She has also attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University (Cambridge, MA). From 2008-2009, Dawn served as Co-Chair of the Government of Canada’s Wind Technology Roadmap Industry Steering Committee. In 2012, she was appointed to the Alberta Energy Deputy Minister’s Electricity Advisory Group. She also served on the Canadian Federal Government’s Advisory Council for Promoting Women on Boards headed by the Honourable Rona Ambrose.
Dawn is an active supporter of the community. Today, she serves as a Community Champion for Momentum, a Calgary organization that partners with people living on low incomes and inspires the
development of local economies, and in 2013, she joined Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson to serve as Co-Chair of Calgary’s 2013 United Way Campaign.
She spends all of her personal time with her husband Brendon and her family.