The Leaky Pipeline: Women in Infrastructure | EP 5

In this episode of A WINning Perspective: The WIN Canada Podcast, panel host Riccardo Cosentino is joined by co-host Shormila Chatterjee, Vice President at EY in the Infrastructure Advisory Practice, Ottawa. They sit down with three exceptional leaders in infrastructure: Sherena Hussain, Kitty Chan, and Julia Stefanishin. These trailblazers share their journeys in the male-dominated infrastructure industry, discussing how they've overcome challenges, seized opportunities, and made significant impacts in their respective fields.

“And that is something that I'm actually quite opposed to that idea that we have to really make that strong sacrifice about like, well, I'm gonna put my career on the backburner knowing that I won't excel faster. Or maybe that C-suite is not something that's in the cards for me. And that is something that I find having these conversations and knowing that we're all informed as we, as Julia mentioned, we're getting older in our careers, but we have the insights now that we can really carve a path for those that are coming through the ranks behind us to make sure that they don't have to face those difficult situations on their own as well.” — Sherena Hussain

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of staying curious and continuously asking questions in your career.
• Understanding and addressing the "leaky pipeline" syndrome in leadership.
• The value of having strong mentors and champions, both male and female, to support career growth.
• How diverse leadership styles can enhance team dynamics and project outcomes.

This episode’s panelists:

• Sherena Hussain is a lawyer, academic, and advisor in the sustainable infrastructure space. She has extensive experience in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure, currently working at a startup called Fleet Zero.
• Kitty Chan is a Director of Project Delivery at Infrastructure Ontario and a member of the WIN Toronto Steering Committee. With over a decade of experience, Kitty has led teams through the procurement of major transit projects using P3 and other progressive delivery models.
• Julia Stefanishin is a Partner and Senior Vice President in EY Canada's Real Estate Advisory practice. With a vibrant career spanning over 100 unique real estate and infrastructure initiatives globally, Julia's expertise covers the entire investment cycle, from concept design to contract compliance. She brings a spirit of innovation to every project, constantly seeking to do things differently, bolder, and better.

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The conversation doesn’t stop here—connect and converse with our community: 

• Join over the 2,500 women in the Women’s Infrastructure Network (WIN)
• Learn more about the 2024 WIN Awards
• Converse with women in your industry on LinkedIn
• Women’s Infrastructure Network on IG
• Women’s Infrastructure Network on X
• Follow Riccardo Cosentino on LinkedIn
• Follow Shormila Chatterjee on LinkedIn
• Follow Sherena Hussain on LinkedIn
• Follow Kitty Chan on LinkedIn
• Follow Julia Stefanishin on LinkedIn

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Music: "Rise Of Liberty" by Dope Cat. Licensed through PremiumBeat.

DISCLAIMER: The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the hosts and guests on this podcast do not necessarily represent or reflect the official policy, opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of Disenyo.co LLC and its employees.