Meet two local women of influence

Dr. Gayle Broad was surprised to be awarded Northeastern Ontario Influential Women's Executive of the Year Award on Monday evening but not for the reasons you might think.

The term executive has not generally been associated with a company doing business in the social economy, she told people gathered for the dinner and awards presentations at the Northern Comfort Suites and Conference Centre; but she appreciated the recognition.

The social economy is driven equally by the needs of people and the environment as well as business, she said.

Broad told SooToday she thought someone working in the social economy wouldn't have been recognized as an executive until recently but changing attitudes in business have led people to realize that the community, the environment and the economy are all part of the same thing and interdependent.

The purpose of the Northern Ontario Research, Development, Ideas and Knowledge (NORDIK) Institute is to support community development in Northern Ontario and it does so by working with community members to solve the problems they bring to the institute. 

Broad serves NORDIK as its Research Director. 

Batchewana First Nation's Karen Bird received the Aboriginal Leadership award primarily for her work as her home community's renewable energy director, Band Councillor and president of Batchewana Band Industries.

She was also recognized for her efforts to offer guidance in business at a reduced cost to band members through her own consulting business and for her personal project to create a foundation to support families of sexual abuse survivors and lobby for more stringent sentences for convicted pedophiles.

The full text of a release from Algoma University follows.

To read all about all the Northeastern Ontario Influential Women recognized on Monday evening, please click here

Algoma U Professor Named an Influential Woman of Northern Ontario

Algoma University is pleased to announce that Associate Professor Dr. Gayle Broad has been named the Northeastern Executive of the Year at the 18th annual Influential Women of Northern Ontario Awards.

The Influential Women of Northern Ontario Awards profile and honour strong women who contribute to economic wealth and growth in the north.

Award winners include small business owners, entrepreneurs, leaders, visionaries, and trailblazers.

The awards honour women in cities, communities, and towns in Northern Ontario, including Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay, Elliot Lake, Kenora, Kapuskasing, among others. Award winners are charismatic, enthusiastic, and passionate about the success of their business and their communities.

Fourteen awards are handed out each year, seven in each region – the northeastern and northwestern divisions.

“We’re pleased to learn that Dr. Gayle Broad has been named Northeastern Executive of the Year at the Influential Women of Northern Ontario,” said University President Dr. Richards Myers. “Gayle is an exceptional leader, and the work she and NORDIK are doing has had a very positive impact on Northern Ontario. She is committed to the betterment of our community and we congratulate her on winning this award.”

Broad is a professor at Algoma U in the Department of Community Development and Social Work.

She is also the Research Director of the Northern Ontario Research, Development, Ideas and Knowledge (NORDIK) Institute, which developed out of her own research.

An alumna, Broad earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science from Algoma U, and her doctorate from the University of Bristol’s Policy Studies program. With NORDIK Institute, Broad has explored the strengths of indigenous communities, particularly with Batchewana First Nation, and has investigated the social economy of Northern Ontario in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Winnipeg.

In 2010, NORDIK Institute investigated air quality, which was a tremendous economic driver in the Algoma region, and that research is being applied in governmental policy development. Other research initiatives have also created self-sustaining entities, including the Coalition of Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT) and the Rural-Agri Innovation Network (RAIN).

In 2013, Broad was awarded with the Medal of Merit from the City of Sault Ste. Marie and in 2012, she was awarded with the Distinguished Faculty Award from the University.

Past Northeastern Executive of the Year award winners include Shana Calixte, the Executive Director of the Northern Initiative for Social Action in Sudbury (2014) and Brenda Tremblay, the Chief Operating Officer of Science North (2013).

About Algoma University

Algoma University offers a wide variety of liberal arts and sciences degree options including programs in Psychology, Computer Science, Social Work, Business Administration, Fine Arts, Community Economic & Social Development, and Biology in Sault Ste. Marie, Brampton, and Timmins. As a partner with Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Algoma U is committed to respecting Anishinaabe knowledge and culture. To learn more about Algoma University, visit www.algomau.ca. 

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