Chancellor Emerita creates fund at UPEI to support women studying business
The Honourable Catherine Callbeck, OC, OPEI, LLD, Chancellor Emerita, businesswoman and former member of the Senate of Canada, Premier of Prince Edward Island, Member of Parliament, and Member of the Legislature, has created an endowment to support women studying in the McDougall Faculty of Business at the University of Prince Edward Island.
Proceeds generated by the Catherine Callbeck Fund to Support Women in Business will fund initiatives designed to tackle issues facing women in business through programming that will inspire and educate business students about the challenges women face both in business education and in the business world. These initiatives will also create connections for tomorrow’s business leaders through enrichment opportunities and mentorship. While programming will focus on issues relevant to women in business, events will be open to all business students.
“As a business graduate and businesswoman, I have always believed it’s important to support our women business students so that they have opportunities to become successful business people and contributing members of society,” said Chancellor Emerita Callbeck. “I am very pleased to champion these initiatives of the McDougall Faculty of Business that will empower students to overcome the many gender-based barriers that still exist in business education, in the business world, and in society.”
Women in business face many obstacles, many of which are rooted in systemic biases and societal expectations, including gender bias, lack of representation in leadership positions, work-life balance, access to funding/capital, and networking challenges. Business education has also reflected these societal norms and historical inequalities in access to education and professional opportunities.
In 2019–2020, as part of their broader research program, McDougall Faculty of Business professors Susan Graham and Amy MacFarlane conducted focus groups with business students who identified as women to understand this phenomenon better and to obtain insights into the needs of women students pursuing careers in business. They discovered women business students want confidence-building opportunities, exposure to women role models in business (mentorship opportunities), skills development programs, networking opportunities, and leadership opportunities.
“We are grateful to the Hon. Catherine Callbeck for establishing this fund that will support programming to address issues faced by women in business and that will be accessible to all business students, including a new society on campus that will focus on many of the challenges faced by women business students, connect students to women business leaders and community organizations, and host an annual signature event to develop and showcase our students,” said Dr. Graham.
“Chancellor Emerita Callbeck is a role model to all of us,” added Professor MacFarlane. “Leading with integrity, courage, and conviction, she has made lasting contributions to our campus, our Island and our country. We are extremely grateful for her support and guidance as we aim to help our business students excel both professionally and personally.”
Graham and MacFarlane have been appointed to lead the program by Dr. Tarek Mady, Dean of the McDougall Faculty of Business, and will be meeting with a group of interested students in August to start planning.
“On behalf of the McDougall Faculty of Business, I thank Chancellor Emerita Callbeck as well as Susan and Amy for drawing attention to these important issues and creating opportunities for our students to build their confidence, skills, and professional networks so they can reach their potential,” said Dr. Mady.
