Several Dal alumnae have been named among Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winners by the Women’s Executive Network.

The list of 100 accomplished women recognizes top female executives and their organizations for excelling in leadership and pushing boundaries. The Top 100 Award Winners are recognized not only for their successful careers, but also for the impacts they have on their communities.

Among the 100 women recognized for their accomplishments are five Dal alumnae and one honorary degree recipient. Read the bios below, compiled by the Women’s Executive Network:

• Sara Austin (BA’98): Director – President’s Office, World Vision Canada
  • “A passionate champion for women and children with 20 years in senior leadership roles in the non-profit sector, Sara Austin’s efforts have led to changes in policies and practices to improve the lives of millions of children around the world. She is currently leading a new advocacy initiative for the protection and empowerment of children in Canada.”
• Caitlin (Caitie) Drewery (BA’08): Producer & Director of Client Services, Q MEDIA SOLUTIONS
  • “Caitie Drewery lives and breathes story-telling but learned early, as a theatre graduate, she would have to make her own opportunities. She started at Q Media, a Toronto-based communications company, as a volunteer and worked her way up the ranks to her current position as director and shareholder. “
• Ann Mellema (MBA’96): Director, Programs Governance, IRVING SHIPBUILDING
  • “With more than 25 years’ experience in management and organizational change, Ann Mellema is on the leadership team transforming Irving Shipbuilding. She’s responsible for developing new processes while maintaining quality and governance as they take on the largest shipbuilding contract in Canadian history. “
• Charlene Ripley (LLB’88): EVP, General Counsel, GOLDCORP
  • “Charlene Ripley brings more than 25 years of corporate law experience to her role leading the legal, ethics and compliance, internal audit, insurance and enterprise risk-management departments. She developed the company’s anti-corruption compliance program, enhanced its code of conduct and provides key support for strategic business development. “
• Linda Seymour (BComm’88): EVP & Country Head of Commercial Banking, HSBC BANK
  • “Linda Seymour has built a 25-year career with the bank, having held diverse and progressively senior roles before moving into her current position with direct oversight for commercial banking in Canada. She is chair of HSBC’s Women’s Network Committee and serves on the board of ProAction Cops and Kids.”
• Eleanor Wachtel (LLD’07): Host, CBC Radio’s Writers & Company and Wachtel on the Arts
  • ” Broadcaster and author Eleanor Wachtel became a national presence as host of the award-winning CBC radio program, Writers & Company. Her professionalism, knowledge and insights make her a much-respected writer’s interviewer. Her passion for promoting Canadian culture was rewarded with an appointment to the Order of Canada in 2004, then again with a promotion to Officer of the Order of Canada in 2014. “

Congratulations to all on this prestigious honour!

Read more in “WXN Reveals Full List of 2015 Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winners” on marketwired.com.