EXCLerator Project: Denise Christopherson, CEO Hamilton YWCA

Denise Christopherson, CEO of the Hamilton YWCA, outlined the many services the YWCA provides. Some of the services are child care, transitional living, developmental services, employment training and supervised access. The focus of her presentation was, "Why we need to invest in women." The Women and Diversity EXCLerator Project looks at women's representation in leadership positions in the local area. It gives initial data for nine sectors which will provide a benchmark for future progress. The key finding is that women remain underrepresented in all forms of senior leadership with only the voluntary boards and executive sector approaching parity with men. Women need commitments from organizations and government; they need role models; they need mentors and coaches; and, "Leaders must be reflective in analyzing their organization's recruiting and advancement practices internally and externally, and ask, are we doing enough?"