“I made a documentary.” “I entered a singing contest; and I won!”
“I asked for a promotion because I earned it and my boss agreed.”
“I started my own business.” “I was appointed to a corporate board”
“My goal is to be on a corporate board.” “I want to be CEO.”

These are the voices of ULI Toronto’s Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI). They are a select group of thirty-five accomplished female leaders in real estate, who came together for the first time to share secrets of success and career aspirations.

WLI Toronto spent an evening with Janet Graham, author of Babes On Bay. 

View Online Photo Gallery

Babes on Bay tells the inspirational and insightful stories of fifteen pioneering women who made their way up the proverbial ladder.  As one of the first female Vice Presidents at CIBC, Janet Graham is a success story in her own right.  With wit and bravado, Janet offered us glimpses into what she learned from the Bay Street Babes.

Ms. Graham encouraged us to SPEAK UP. Build our personal BRAND.  REACH for the top by being better than the rest. Find SPONSORS where we can – and where we can’t, forge ahead anyway. State our goals and accomplishments ALOUD.  I am sure I wasn’t the only one in the room who struggled just to put my goals into words, not to mention feeling more than a little discomfort in stating them aloud.  But, by the end of the evening, we had all shared part of ourselves and learned something that will further our success.

Like any industry, being successful in Toronto’s real estate world depends on networks and relationships. Research suggests, and we all know, that women invest less time in extra-curricular professional activities and building their network . This is a competitive advantage that women can’t give up. WLI Toronto is working to create space and purpose for women in our industry to support each other and build their professional networks, with women and men. To the point, a recent Globe and Mail article reinforces the value of career-oriented networks to the advancement of women in business.

The evening with Janet Graham was WLI Toronto’s inaugural event. For me, it reflected exactly what women’s networks should be about; connecting, celebrating and supporting each other’s successes…. And a little fun too! It’s not about stereotypes or venting frustrations about the inequities that we know exist. It’s about what doing what leaders do – connecting with their peer group to advance themselves personally and professionally. Janet helped build a kinship between a group of women who unabashedly and unapologetically care about growing their career and reaching the top, if they aren’t already there. As our circle grows, I am sure the next event will be even richer.

One last thought ladies: Give yourself time to say your goals out loud this week and grab lunch with someone you admire professionally. What’s the worst that could happen?

WLI Toronto is grateful to Janet Graham for delighting and inspiring us. Sincere thanks to Godyne Sibay and McCarthy Tetrault for sponsoring our evening. Let’s make it the first of many.

Laurie Payne
Women’s Leadership Initiative
Development Director, Toronto Community Housing