UPEI's executive MBA program and the PEI Business Women's Association are partnering on an event which focuses on women in leadership roles. The event will be on Wednesday, April 4, from 5:00-7:00 pm in Schurman Market Square, Don and Marion McDougall Hall.
Karen MacDonald, a UPEI EMBA candidate and senior manager with the PEI provincial government, will share her research findings on the implications and barriers for women breaking through the glass ceiling, and reflect on why women continue to be under-represented in leadership positions in Canada. MacDonald specifically focused on a new concept relating to a phenomenon coined the 'glass cliff.' At the root of this concept is the notion that while a small number of women are now achieving more high- profile leadership positions, they are more likely than men to find themselves in positions that are risky or unstable. In this session, MacDonald will discuss the nature of precarious positions, implications for women seeking leadership positions, and whether the glass cliff actually exists.
'This session is really aimed at women that are considering, or are already in, executive level positions and some of the implications that, as women, we should consider when taking on these roles.... has the work climate really changed for women?' said MacDonald.
A key component of the UPEI executive MBA program is an independent research project known as the 'signature project.' Signature projects provide the structure for students to conduct a deep examination of a particular area, advised by a faculty member. It also provides students with the opportunity to apply the management concepts and skills they have acquired during the EMBA program. 'The topic of women in leadership roles was something that I was very drawn to when it came to choosing a topic for my signature project,' explains MacDonald.
'We are very pleased to partner with the PEI Business Women's Association on this event and to share some of the valuable research that our executive MBA students are doing. It is really about making this research accessible to practitioner groups in the business community here on PEI, and I believe this is information we need to share with business women,' explains Dr. Wendy Carroll, EMBA program Director and UPEI's Vice-President Student Affairs.
'I'm looking forward to a great evening of networking, sharing ideas, and learning about MacDonald's research,' said Joan Fleming, Executive Director of the PEI Business Women's Association. 'UPEI continues to make amazing strides with their programs, valued research and efforts to share this information with the Island community.'
In Canadian companies, there continues to be small increases in the number of women in board and executive positions. Despite years of research and debate, the progress globally for women to break through the glass ceiling has been marginal in Western countries. In 2009, Canada ranked 14th among 44 countries for the percentage of women on the boards of public companies. A recent report from Lord Davies examined women's board representation in UK companies, revealing that 'at the current rate of change, it will take over 70 years to achieve gender-balanced boardrooms in the UK.' This similar trend was noted in Canada by Catalyst in 2008, where they concluded that 'it would take about three more decades for women to have equal representation on boards.'
Launched in September 2008, the UPEI executive MBA program provides a unique opportunity for working professionals to advance their education while continuing to work. It employs an integrated approach, peer-to-peer learning, and an emphasis on developing global perspectives to prepare graduates to act as leaders and innovators in an ever-changing environment.
For more information on the event, or UPEI's executive MBA program, contact Grace McCourt at (902) 566-6474 or
mba@upei.ca
For Information:
Grace McCourt
EMBA Program Coordinator
UPEI School of Business
(902) 566-6474
