Women in Law Leadership is a Canada not-for-profit corporation dedicated to celebrating and advancing women in the law through recognition and education.
About Women in Law Leadership
Meet Our Board
Women in Law Leadership is governed by a Board of Directors appointed annually by the members in accordance with its by-laws.
Roxanne Davis, K.C., QArd
Managing Partner, Carbert Waite LLP
Chair of the Board
Diane Pettie, K.C.
Co-Founder
Vice Chair of the Board
Kelly Nychka
Partner, Chivers Carpenter Lawyers
Secretary of the Board
Sophie Virji
Partner, Bennett Jones LLP
Treasurer of the Board
Meenu Ahluwalia
Counsel, Department of Justice Canada
Jeskiret Bains
Lawyer
Marta Caufield
Director, Legal & Legislative Services, City of St. Albert
Kanchana Fernando
Regional Director and General Counsel, Department of Justice Canada
Areezah Jiwa
Lawyer, City of Edmonton
Anita Nowinka
Legal Counsel, Suncor Energy Services Inc.
Jacquelyn Stevens
Partner, Willms & Shier Environmental Lawyers LLP
Sameera Sereda
Co-Founder and Chair Emerita
WILL History
Women in Law Leadership is a Canadian not-for-profit corporation dedicated to celebrating and advancing women in the law through recognition and education. Our roots date back to 2009 with the creation of the Women in Law Leadership Awards, co-founded by The Counsel Network, a Caldwell company and the Association of Women Lawyers. Since then, the organization has expanded the WILL Awards across the country. Since 2021, Women in Law Leadership, in partnership with the Law Society of Alberta and the University of Calgary Faculty of Law, and in association with the University of Alberta Faculty of Law, has offered the WILL Academy Leadership Program, an education certification program for women lawyers.
Our Mission
WILL fosters a supportive community for women lawyers to:
• Develop leadership.
• Promote advancement.
• Celebrate success.
Our Vision
Empowering women lawyers to lead and advance.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
WILL is committed to fostering a legal community that reflects the diversity of the society it serves. As an organization dedicated to celebrating and advancing women in law through recognition and education, we believe that inclusive leadership strengthens the profession and enriches our communities.
We recognize that women in law are not a monolithic group. For WILL, women include cis, non-binary, transgender, and others who identify as women. We are committed to supporting and elevating women of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
Through our awards, programming, and partnerships, our mission and vision guide us to:
• Promote equitable recognition by celebrating achievements across diverse career paths, including private practice, government, in-house, non-traditional legal roles, and community leadership;
• Advance inclusive leadership by highlighting individuals and teams who champion equity, diversity, and inclusion within the legal profession and beyond;
• Support access and opportunity by fostering education and professional development for women at all stages of their careers; and
• Build a respectful and collaborative community that values different perspectives and experiences as essential to innovation and progress.
We understand that advancing diversity and inclusion is an ongoing process. WILL is committed to listening, learning, and evolving our work to better reflect and support the full diversity of women in the legal profession.