Saluting Extraordinary Alumnae

Vicky Stikeman '78 - Business Coach, Athlete and Mother

Vicky Stikeman '78 attributes her understanding of what ambition means to Judy’s mentorship; to push herself out of her comfort zone and find new learning curves and experiences - to continue to grow and learn. Vicky has been described as an exceptional, courageous, and empathetic woman who brings the best out of everyone she meets. Vicky embraces the same qualities and values as Judy did: she leads with her heart, is willing to take a risk and challenge the conventional, is outstanding in her profession and is willing to pay it forward to the next generation.

Professionally, Vicky has held several senior marketing positions in the financial services and telecom industries for over 20 years prior to establishing her own coaching practice 18 year ago. Today she is a Senior Executive Coach with vast business experience in marketing strategy, branding, and communications. As a pragmatic business coach, Vicky focuses on the client as a leader and how they develop and execute strategy. She is supportive yet tough and challenges her clients to move forward.

As an ICF certified coach, Vicky also donates her time to Up With Women, a growing charity dedicated to helping recently homeless and at-risk women to build sustainable businesses with the aim of permanently exiting poverty. She is an advocate for MS awareness and shared her powerful story at the Women Against MS fundraiser in 2019.

Vicky has led an active life, challenging herself through athletic pursuits including open water competitive swimming, hiking the Himalayas and kayaking the High Artic 40 miles south of the North Pole. Shortly after she was diagnosed with secondary progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This has not stopped her from living a full and active life and is an inspiration to all.

DIANA WEATHERALL ’52 – COMMUNITY SERVICE AND PHILANTHROPY

After undergoing emergency brain surgery at age 16, Diana Weatherall was left paralyzed on her right side and spent three years learning how to walk and talk again. Her innate ability of bringing people together helped propel her into a successful political career, where she spent years as vice-president of the Liberal Party’s Quebec wing and advised the Prime Minister’s office on grassroots concerns. Diana was also very involved with the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and often organized school tours and workshops for students. In the late seventies, she also joined Operation Lifeline, an organization that helped support 50,000 refugees from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Not only did she volunteer daily and help hundreds of people find jobs, she also opened up her own home to a family of eight. No matter what Diana did – she did from the heart. Even though she preferred working behind the scenes, Diana impacted many lives. Whether it was advocating for gender equality and female involvement in politics, supporting the arts, or helping a family in need, Diana had the ability to make things happen. 

GILLIAN RILEY '85 - BANKING

As President and CEO of Tangerine Bank and EVP of Scotiabank, Gillian is recognized for her profound contributions in advancing female inclusivity in the workplace and for her notable leadership within corporate Canada. She established The Scotiabank Women Initiative – a program that strives to strengthen equality and support for Canada's women entrepreneurs by providing women-owned, women-led businesses with access to capital, mentorship and education. Beyond this, Gillian contributes immensely to her community in areas such as health, youth issues and gender equality. She is a past President of the Canadian Club of Toronto and a Director of the St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation. She was recently named a Catalyst Honours Champion for 2020 and is a two-time award recipient of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN).

CORRY TERFloth '74 - ACTIVISM and PHILANTHROPY

MS. Jane Yuile '73 - business and finance

The Rev. Prof. Dr. Patricia Kirkpatrick '72 - ANGLICAN priest and professor

Dr. Astrid Guttmann '82 - MEDICAL doctor, professor and researcher

Mrs. Joan (Fraser) Ivory '51 - Community service and philanthropy 

Dr. Margaret DeJong '70 - CHILD and adolescent psychiatrist

Justice Sarah "Sally" Pepall '69  - lawyer and ontario court of appeal

Sarah became one of the first women in Canada to lead a large commercial law firm when she was elected to management at McMillan Binch and ultimately became its managing partner.  She also volunteered for many years with the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, eventually becoming its President in 1997. In 1999, she accepted a position as Justice of the Superior Court of Ontario.  She became leader of the Commercial List in 2006, administering one of Canada’s most sophisticated courts and presiding over numerous significant Canadian commercial cases. She also served as President of the Ontario Superior Court Judges’ Association for a maximum two-year term. Sarah was elevated to the Ontario Court of Appeal in April, 2012.

Dr. Melanie Barwick '81 - psychologist and associate scientist

Phyllis (Bronfman) Lambert '44 - architect and founding director of the canadian centre of architecture (CCA)

Phyllis Lambert, architect, is Founding Director and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) in Montréal, an international research centre and museum founded in 1979 on the conviction that architecture is a public concern. Lambert first made architectural history as the Director of Planning of the Seagram Building (1954-58) in New York City. She is recognized internationally for her contribution in advancing contemporary architecture, for her concern for the social issues of urban conservation and for the role of architecture in the public realm, and for the programs of the CCA.

Joan (Mason) Dougherty '43 - EDUCATIONAL ADVOCATE

Upon graduation in 1943, I entered McGill where physics and biology captured my interest. I graduated with a B.Sc. in 1947 and went to MIT in Boston where I spent a year studying Biophysics. My decision to marry Donald Dougherty brought me back to Montreal where I completed my M.Sc. in 1950. Two months later, my first child was born. I had three other children in quick succession, with a fifth child arriving a bit later, so childcare became a full-time occupation.

My voluntary activity grew out of a need for a weekly escape from the home routine. I joined the Junior League of Montreal where I learned about the community and how to contribute in a personal way to its betterment. This was the springboard of my entry into the work of the whole gamut of community organizations.

Judith (Dobell) Berlyn '53 - Peace activist

Judy has worked at community, national and international levels, having served on the Steering Committee of the Canadian Peace Alliance since 1987 and having attended the parallel NGO conference at the 1992 Rio Summit on the Environment and Development, where she was instrumental in drafting two of a series of highly-regarded People’s treaties. She has also worked with international NGOs at UN Headquarters in New York, in preparation for meetings on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Judy has taken many young women under her wing over the years, sharing her wisdom about key issues and strategies to influence politicians, the media and the general public; thereby providing generations of young women with tools to engage in the delicate art of political persuasion.
Judy is well known for fearlessly challenging the status quo with politicians, ambassadors and top government officials. In particular, she is respected for raising the ethical dimensions and human consequences of arms deployment.

Marianne McKenna '68  - architect

Marianne McKenna ’68 is a founding partner of the award-winning practice of KPMB Architects. Born in Montreal and educated at Swarthmore College (B.A. 1972) and Yale University (M. Arch. 1976), Marianne was given the Judy Elder Alumna Award by The Study in 2008.

The architecture of concert halls and how design is used to engage community has been Marianne’s special focus for over 20 years, beginning with the Royal Conservatory in 1990. Completed in 2009, the award-winning Royal Conservatory TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning is described as the ‘jewel in the crown of Toronto’s Cultural Renaissance.”

Barbara (Birks) Wybar '64 - Advocate for african education

Barbara has become a formidable force in The African Great Lakes initiative. Barbara has worked with others to support the Buduha Hope Technical Institute, raising funds and resources for the Children of Hope sponsorship program and the vocational skills high school project in the rural village of Buduha, in eastern Uganda.

A natural caregiver, Barbara has devoted herself to her two passions: children and education. In 2006 she witnessed the opening of the 200-student Buduha Hope Technical Institute that teaches useful skills such as brick laying, tailoring, carpentry and nursery training.

 Patricia (Carson) Claxton '47 - TRANSLATOR

Patricia Claxton is one of Canada’s most respected French-to-English translators, who has translated more than 20 books and countless articles, essays, short stories and poems.

She is perhaps most well known for her connection with the grande dame of Canadian and Québec literature - Gabrielle Roy.

In 1987 Patricia was presented with the Governor General’s Award for her translation of Roy’s posthumous autobiography and in 1999 she was honoured with a second Governor General’s Award for her translation of Gabrielle Roy, a Life, by François Ricard.

Carolyn Kerrigan '68 - Plastic surgeon

Carolyn is a renowned plastic surgeon. She is considered a leader in carpel tunnel surgery and also specializes in post-mastectomy reconstructive breast surgery.

A graduate of McGill University’s Medical School, Carolyn is currently Professor of Surgery at Dartmouth College

She has held numerous leadership positions, including President of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons and has served on more than 20 medical associations and boards.

As the mother of five teenage boys, Carolyn also has firsthand experience with the challenge of juggling career and family life.

Susie (Cape) Ruttan '69 - Teacher & SOcial activist

Susie is a former teacher and the mother of three children. In 1998, confronting her heartbreak at her 15-year-old son’s bi-polar disorder and resulting heroin addiction, Susie and her husband started a group for families of drug users called From Grief to Action.

She played a pivotal leadership role, organizing public forums, lobbying politicians and raising awareness of drug addiction as a health problem.

Susie’s tireless efforts earned her the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 2003 and in 2002 she was a finalist for the YMCA Women of Distinction Award.

Janina Fialkowska '67 - CONCErt pianist

Janina is a world-class concert pianist. In 2002 her performing and recording career was dealt a severe blow when a malignant tumor was removed from her left arm. Janina marshaled her courage and continued performing music written for one-handed pianists.

In 2003 she underwent a second round of reconstructive surgery, where muscles from her back were used to replace those in her damaged arm.

At a gala recital in February 2004, Janina resumed her international career, performing as a two-handed pianist.