UN Women launches SHEInnovates Alberta, first chapter worldwide

In 2018, Alberta women led our province’s economic recovery. Now, they’re leading the charge in empowering women worldwide.

On March 18, alongside the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Dr. Elizabeth Cannon, PhD, formally launched the SHEInnovates Alberta chapter — the first one globally.

A new program from UN Women, SHEInnovates provides access to development tools, programs and resources to break down barriers that impede women’s success on local and global scales.

Alberta chosen for pilot chapter of UN Women’s SHEInnovates program

As the only local chapter, SHEInnovates Alberta will lay the groundwork for other communities around the world to better support women in innovation and entrepreneurship.

The inaugural group consists of 66 Alberta women, including Dr. Suzanne Tough, PhD, and Dr. Elizabeth Cannon, PhD, and Dr. Lesley Rigg, PhD. Tough and Cannon were two of the five who were nominated to the UN Women’s 100 innovators and entrepreneurs on International Women’s Day. Several other members of Alberta’s pilot chapter have direct ties to the university.

“I’m honoured to be part of the first local chapter of SHEInnovates,” says Cannon. “Women have the capacity to drive change and make lasting global impacts. This initiative will provide the tools necessary to empower women across our province as they rise up in leadership positions and develop innovative solutions.”

“Women have the power to make a real difference in their communities through science, innovation and action,” says Rigg. “SHEInnovates Alberta is an opportunity to advance diversity and inclusivity, enabling more creative problem-solving and solutions. Together, we can change the world one idea at a time.”

Visit the SHEInnovates Alberta website for more information and to review profiles of the first 66 women as they are published in the coming months.