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More and more women are holding management positions. Despite the progress made, we still have a lot to do to achieve parity.
The 20th edition of the Women in Business report was unveiled by Grant Thornton International on March 8. It focuses on the progress made in regard to gender parity and reveals that 33.5% of management positions in mid-sized companies are held by women. Twenty years ago, this total was less than 20%.
Our company’s figures also show a higher number of women in leadership roles. In 2002, there was only one woman in the group of 19 new partners. In comparison, 10 of the 19 partners appointed in 2024 are women.
The testimonials of Linda Bossé and Joanie Cyr, two partners of the Firm, illustrate both the progress made and the lingering challenges.
Two inspiring women leaders
Linda Bossé, who paved the way by becoming one of the first women partners in 2007, reflects on the changing professional landscape for women in the Firm. She emphasizes the importance of mentoring and inclusion to inspire and support future generations of women leaders.
“Even though I’m a woman, I’ve always been able to put my ideas to work. I must admit that because there are more women partners now, it’s easier to make our views known, but we might not have the same perspective as men,” she points out.
Linda is also the Vice-President of the Partnership Board and actively participates in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, which demonstrates her commitment to supporting women with their career development.
Joanie Cyr, who was appointed partner in 2023, highlights the current reality faced by women in leadership positions. Her career journey and her advice for women who aspire to management roles reminds them of the need to break through self-imposed barriers and seize opportunities with confidence and determination.
“The work carried out by a partner is the same for both men and women, but women often bear more of the family responsibilities. Balancing family life and a career as a partner is a challenge, but it’s a great challenge,” she stated enthusiastically.
Women: Go for it!
Despite the barriers that women can face, Linda encourages them to believe in themselves. “Women are every bit as good as men! We must take pride in our successes and show that we can achieve our professional goals if we work hard.”
Joanie agrees and urges women to be bold. “Get support, draw up a solid development plan and go for it! Most importantly, don’t wait until you’re the ‘perfect’ candidate before applying.”
Investing in the future requires investing in women
The testimonies of Linda Bossé and Joanie Cyr illustrate the progress made in the quest for true gender equality and also highlight the challenges that we must overcome to achieve equality.
Their experience reminds us how important it is to implement concrete measures to create an inclusive working environment where women can flourish and reach their full potential.