Jacqueline Gauthier knows what it means to keep things in balance: she’s a wife, hockey and figure skating mom, as well as a CFO of one of Ottawa’s best known companies – Calian Technologies.

Career Highlights

Upon the completion of her Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the Université du Québec à Hull, Jacqueline went on to become a Chartered Accountant. In 1987 she joined KPMG, one of the largest professional services firms in the world, before perusing her career as a Controller of EB Forest Products. In 2000 Jacqueline joined Calian, a leading supplier of business and technology services, where she took on the role of Corporate Controller and eventually was appointed the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in March 2002. _More

Are you Financially Independent?

CATA WIT Ottawa presented a special lunch and learn event April 3rd with acclaimed financial advisor, author and television personality Patricia Lovett-Reid.

Patricia Lovett-Reid is Senior Vice President, TD Waterhouse and leading authority on wealth management. Ms. Lovett-Reid hosts MoneyTalk, Canada's only weekly live prime time call-in program on personal finance, and is also a regular market commentator for Canada AM, CTV NEWSNET and CP24. She is the author of numerous books, including "Surprise! You're Wealthy: Every Woman's Guide to Financial Independence" and "Take Charge Now: A Woman's Guide to Personal and Family Finance". A designated Certified Financial Planner, Ms. Lovett-Reid is also an honorary fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute in recognition of her commitment to helping educate Canadians about their personal finances.

^{Monday, May 7: CATA WIT Forum Entrepreneurs Symposium}
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^{Monday, June 4: Nine & Dine at the The Rideau View Golf and Country Club}

In January 2006, the Toronto WIT Forum was launched with a team of talented women to bring women in tech and biotech careers into a collaborative forum for growth, and peer support.

At our June launch event, three experienced executives (Kerri Golden, Managing Partner, Primaxis Technology Ventures Inc, Charlotte Burke, Senior VP, Consumer Internet Services, with Bell Canada, Lisa Crossley, President and CEO, Nyssa Membrane Technologies Inc) moderated by Dr. Cindy Gordon, CEO Helix Commerce shared their career experiences and lessons learned. Over eighty women attended the inaugural event - and the request for more opportunities to network was answered with a resounding YES!

CATA WIT Toronto responded with our October event, The Future of Enterprise Software, with dynamic speaker, Joanne Moretti of CA Canada who has subsequently moved to more senior levels in the USA.

Our December networking event at the Toronto Design Center brought out over 65 women to informally network over piano music, and enjoy meeting new people in a relaxed setting. Our January event further demonstrated the need for an organization such as the CATA WIT Forum. Eighty women attended to hear Stacey Allerton Firth, Vice President of Ford Canada share her negotiating successes with the Canadian Auto Workers.

We are planning more events in the Toronto chapter in 2007 and we lookforward to the continued opportunities to connect and support women ofall ages who are interested in developing their careers in high growthtechnology companies.One of the areas currently underway is a mentoring program beingdeveloped by Kerri Golden. As Managing Partner at Primaxis, Kerri helpsand mentors start-up companies in the tech sector. We have beenfortunate to have Kerri join the CATA WIT Toronto executive and help tocreate the important foundation in connecting experienced women withyounger women for mentoring and career advice. If you need a mentor,ensure you contact kerri.golden@primaxis.com so we can add you into ourmentoring database. Anyone interested in being a mentor also pleaseadvise us. We will be launching this new program later this spring, sostay tuned!

We welcome your suggestions for future events as well as ideas onsupport for the Toronto Chapter. Please submit your ideas forimprovement to witmelc@gmail.com.

The CATA WIT Forum is an organization standing for your success in yourcareers and in LIFE!

Dr. Ilse Treurnicht, CEO, Mars, CATA WIT Toronto Chair
Dr. Cindy Gordon, CEO, Helix Commerce International Inc. CATA WIT
Toronto Vice Chair, & CATA WIT National Co-Chair

Making Ottawa women in technology better leaders, more financially independent, more successful entrepreneurs and increasingly connected. These are some of the opportunities offered by the Ottawa WIT Chapter in 2007. In February, we had lunch with leaders Ella Mar, Senior Vice President Operations, Espial, Jacqueline Gauthier, CFO, Calian (profiled above) and Kim Dixon, Vice President Marketing, TalkSwitch, who shared their experiences on "Leading by Example". April is all about financial independence and Ottawa WIT presented acclaimed financial advisor, author and television personality Patricia Lovett-Reid.

Our next professional development opportunity is The Entrepreneurs Symposium which will bring together serial and first-time entrepreneurs to share their expertise and insights, as well as explore how women are working the web to drive new business opportunities. You will want to hear the keynote speaker Lally Rementilla, VP Business Development from Lavalife Corp. share her insights on web-based businesses and how to monetize great ideas. Registration is still available for the May 7th event, click here.

Visit our website for additional information on other upcoming networking events and mentorship opportunities.

Ann Mainville-Neeson, Director Broadcast Regulation, TELUS
Chair Ottawa Chapter CATA WIT