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From boardrooms to labs: 91ÑÇÉ« alumni, faculty among Canada's most powerful women

91ÑÇÉ« alumni and faculty members are among this year’s winners of the Women’s Executive Network’s (WXN) Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards, which celebrate women driving change across sectors including technology, health care, law and finance.

Since its launch in 2003, the Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards have recognized women whose accomplishments have left a lasting mark on their professions and communities. This year's 91ÑÇÉ«-affiliated honourees include leaders in AI, transportation, construction law, governance and health care.

Below are this year’s recipients and the categories for which they were recognized.

AI and Technology

This category recognizes women whose work moves technology beyond theory, influencing real-world outcomes through product development, platform strategy, data systems, automation and enterprise technology adoption.

Lisa Marie Chen

Lisa Marie Chen (MBA ’11) leads the product team behind IBM watsonx BI, shaping how generative AI is changing the way organizations understand and work with data. A graduate of the , Chen has built a career in product development, design, entrepreneurship and higher education. In addition to her role at IBM, she teaches strategy at Schulich and previously founded Canada’s first Asian Canadian lifestyle magazine. Her work brings together technology, design and human-centred problem solving.  

Irene Zaguskin

A technology executive and board director, Irene Zaguskin (BA ’09) serves as PwC Americas’ co-chief information officer as well as PwC Canada’s chief information and transformation officer, chief data and analytics officer, and partner. The Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) alum has led digital transformation, technology innovation and business reinvention across the professional services, retail, telecommunications and energy sectors.

Amex Emerging Leaders

This category recognizes women between the ages of 30 and 40 who have been identified for successive leadership positions and demonstrate a passion for learning and innovation.

Saloni Shah

Saloni Shah (BAS ’07) is an infrastructure advisory lead and principal consultant at the design and engineering firm HDR, where she helps clients plan and deliver complex infrastructure and transportation projects. A graduate of LA&PS and a chartered professional accountant, Shah has held roles in transportation strategy, infrastructure planning and market analysis. She also supports community-based non-profit organizations through pro bono consulting, serves on HDR’s Inclusion and Diversity Committee and is treasurer of WTS Toronto, an organization that advances women working in transportation.

Board of Directors

This category recognizes women who bring transformative vision and leadership to the highest levels of governance.

With more than two decades of board experience, Corinne Boone (MES ’94) has developed expertise in governance strategy, climate finance, as well as energy and mining. The Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change alum serves as board Chair of Canada Growth Fund, independent director and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) committee Chair at mineral company Los Andes Copper, and is a director of the energy non-profit EfficiencyOne. Boone also contributes to governance education as a lead ESG lecturer with Corporate Directors International and has mentored aspiring directors through Women Get on Boards.

Entrepreneurs

This category recognizes women who own and operate thriving businesses.

Johanna Faigelman

Trained as an anthropologist, Johanna Faigelman (MA ’00) founded HumanBranding in 2006 and has since expanded the behavioural insights consultancy to Toronto and New Jersey. The LA&PS alum developed a methodology that helps pharmaceutical, biotechnology and consumer companies better understand the cultural and emotional factors influencing behaviour. Faigelman was named a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Ontario program and was part of the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women North America class of 2025.

CN Executive Leaders

This category recognizes women who exemplify strong leadership while building confidence and championing others.

Andrea Wood

As executive vice-president and chief legal and governance officer at TELUS, Andrea Wood (LLB ’85) oversees the company’s legal, regulatory and privacy functions and serves as corporate secretary to its board of directors. The alum also serves on the board of the Museum of Contemporary Art, is vice-Chair of the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation’s GTA Community Board and is a member of the Canadian Lawyer Editorial Board. Wood has been recognized by Chambers Canada as a General Counsel Influencer and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Law Awards.

Erica Zarkovich

Erica Zarkovich (LLM ’15) leads LifeLabs’ commercial and strategic partnerships across Canada’s health care sector as the company’s chief market and partnerships officer. A graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School, she works to improve growth, innovation and improved access to health care through collaborations that connect patients, providers and partners across the system. Zarkovich is particularly committed to advancing health equity in remote, rural and Indigenous communities.

Professionals

This category recognizes women who are professionals in practice and play a leadership role within their organizations.

Lena Azzou

At Metrolinx, Lena Azzou (BA ’05) oversees enterprise strategy and transformation, operational excellence, enterprise project management and enterprise risk management. The LA&PS graduate is a certified change management and strategy implementation practitioner who has held senior leadership positions including chief of staff and Chair of the Metrolinx Women’s Network. She has also served as vice-Chair of the Women’s Centre of 91ÑÇÉ« Region and contributes to her community as a mentor, volunteer and advocate for women and families.

Andrea Lee

Andrea Lee, who teaches at Osgoode Hall Law School, is managing partner of Glaholt Bowles LLP and a certified specialist in construction law. Trained in both architecture and law, she advises owners, contractors, design professionals and insurers on complex infrastructure and construction matters. Lee is a fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers and has co-authored leading construction law texts. Her work has earned recognition from Lexpert, Chambers, Benchmark Litigation and Best Lawyers.

For the full list of this year’s winners, visit the .

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