Redefining Leadership: Meet The Standard's New Board of Directors
Poised to elevate our mission, redefine intersectional leadership, and shape the future for Black women professionals in the marketing space - we are proud to introduce our incoming Board of Directors at The Canadian Black Standard!
Shaping the Future of Leadership
There's a growing desire for increased diversity in top leadership roles today. Despite this, the 2022 Corporations Canada Report revealed that the percentage of overall board seats filled by women and members of visible minorities have experienced a slight decrease.
While there has been some encouraging improvement in representation on boards, the decline is still very apparent. As we find ourselves at this juncture, The Standard remains steadfast in our determination to set and be the new result by graciously accepting the challenge of redefining leadership.
Elevating The Standard in Our Third Year
While we trek through our third year, we can't help but marvel at how far we’ve come. When The Standard was founded, our mission was clear - to create an exceptional space for Black Canadian women in marketing from coast to coast to coast; providing opportunities to accelerate, educate, and connect with a vibrant community of like-minded professionals. We set out to be The Standard, to empower and equip our community with the wisdom and skills needed to excel in their careers.
In this time, we've made incredible strides, including hosting our first Annual General Meeting (AGM) and our first national board recruitment call, which ushered in a new era for us. It's been a period of learning, growth, and transition, yet throughout, we have remained focused on serving our community with unwavering dedication.
Introducing Our Phenomenal Board of Directors
Hailing from across Canada, our team of visionary Black women leaders represent a diverse spectrum of talents. Our Board of Directors each bring their unique expertise, leadership excellence, and an unyielding determination to Set-It, Raise-It, and Be-It. United by a common goal to empower Black women in marketing and transcend the barriers we've faced, they are the backbone of The Standard.
In their role, they ensure sound decisions, effective resource management, and draw from their rich experience to provide invaluable insights to drive The Standard to new heights.
Join us in welcoming:
Debra Christmas
Chair
Trailblazer. Fearless. Impactful.
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
As seasoned strategic leader in the high-tech field - Debra's 40 plus year career has encompassed sales, consulting, support channels and managing all aspects of information technology.
Debra is also the co-author of Please Stay: How Women in Tech Survive and Thrive. Her most recent compilation writing project is “We Rise In Power: Amplifying Women of Color and Her Voices for Change” and is currently writing two additional books that are targeted for the spring and fall of 2024 release. In addition to this, she is the Co-Creator of PACE, an award-winning presentation and communications program. As well as founder of Stiletto Gladiators, a not-for-profit organization delivering mentorship services, leadership assessment, professional development, and diversity coaching.
She has worked across the world delivering and supporting technology solutions that drive business outcomes. Across the private and public sectors, she has led teams with strategic intent and transformative outcomes. Prior to joining Gartner Canada, Debra was Vice President of Hewlett-Packard Software Technical Sales for North and South America.
Her goal is to see equity and inclusion in this field and she will never give up that fight. She is a trained Co-Active and John Maxwell Leadership Coach and is certified in Tilt365 and Leadership Circle, a comprehensive leadership assessment framework based on “Mastering Leadership”.
Sherika Powell
Secretary
Relationship Builder. Purposeful. Goal Setter.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Sherika is a multi-faceted communications professional with several years of experience developing and executing communications strategies in various industries from supply chain logistics, media, finance, and technology. As a former Rogers TV host, public speaker, author and past recipient of the top 100 Black women to watch CIBWE award, Sherika thrives on empowering, motivating, and engaging Black women to fulfill their purpose and passions unapologetically.
Fuelled by boundless enthusiasm and a penchant for innovative solutions, Sherika not only is diligent at building bridges but entire communities.Her ability to forge genuine connections and collaborate with clients results in stories that transcend mere words, resonating deeply with hearts and minds.
When she is not ideating on her next communications project or typing away at the chapters of her next book, you can find her home with her husband and sons enjoying family life that is fuelled by Starbucks.
Robin Esale
Treasurer
Ambitious. Fierce. Loyal.
London, United Kingdom
As a committed and seasoned member of The Standard Board of Directors, Robin is embarking on her second consecutive year of service.
Dedicated to the success of the Canadian Black Standard - Robin is eager to absorb the collective wisdom and expertise of the new board members, having full confidence in their ability to strengthen and elevate the brand to new heights.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Robin is deeply passionate about travel and sports. In the past year, she embarked on a transformative journey to Africa and documented for all to see. In the future, she hopes to combine her two passions into a full time role. Stay tuned for Robin's remarkable journey!
Stephanie Gyles
Director of Marketing & Communications
Strategic. Inclusive. Dynamic.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Stephanie is a dynamic Strategy Director with over a decade of experience in the creative agency landscape, shaping brands as diverse as BMO, Tim Hortons, and the Government of Canada. An award-winning strategist known for her compelling insights, Stephanie is a force in harmoniously blending brand strategy, digital planning, and communications. As the few leaders of colour at her agency, she wears her responsibility with pride, tirelessly working to build a culture of inclusivity and representation.
Motivated by a commitment to social good and an unwavering focus on meaningful impact, Stephanie is not just adept at conceptualizing strategies; she's instrumental in fostering genuine relationships and collaborative growth within her teams. Her work extends beyond the professional realm, serving as a volunteer at the Royal Ontario Museum and holding a deep love for modern art and cinema.
When she's not immersed in shaping brand narratives or advocating for diversity, Stephanie enjoys a rich personal life filled with art, film, and competitive improv.
K. Alison Fraser, MBA, MLP, MA
Director of Corporate Relations
Integrative Thinker. Strategic Innovator. Empathetic Leader.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Alison is a Media and Marketing Executive with more than 20 years of experience across the North American arts, media, and entertainment industries and has also worked with purpose-led healthcare, education and technology firms.
She hopes to leverage her five core values (authenticity, empathy, equitable collaboration, integrity, and trust) to help Black women shatter glass ceilings, and deftly navigate glass cliffs in building sustainable and successful careers in marketing. She is driven by solving business problems, maximizing human potential, and helping other Black women thrive in the field.
Esther Ibang
Director at Large
Enthusiastic Encourager. Creative Genius. Passionate Community Builder.
Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Esther is the co-host of the podcast Qu'est-ce qu'On Mange à Midi? - which aims to inspire and empower immigrants by bridging gaps and leaving a legacy.
In addition to podcasting, she is also the communications and events coordinator of Green Economy New Brunswick, where she brings together her passion for sustainability, communications, and entrepreneurship.She holds a bachelor’s in business administration, concentration in international management and her background includes roles in research, communications, marketing, and the planning of events.
For Esther, communications and marketing are effective instruments for fostering connections between individuals, amplifying authentic experiences, and fostering the growth of communities. She is passionate about storytelling and social development of the people around her. When she’s not working you can find her reading, baking, exploring the outdoors or enjoying quality time with friends and family.
Shelley-Ann Scott
Director at Large
Curious Consumer Trendwatcher. Enthusiastic Creative Collaborator. The “Calm in The Storm.”
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
With over 25 years of experience in the advertising industry, Shelley-Ann has honed her skills at agencies in both Canada and the UK and across a breadth of categories. A strong believer in the power of brands, she's passionate about understanding consumer behavior - why they do what they do - in order to create brand experiences that impact her clients’ businesses.
As a member of The Canadian Black Standard, she’s looking forward to bringing her knowledge and experience to supporting and encouraging the next generation of great advertisers and marketers.
Leading The Charge
The Canadian Black Standard is at the forefront of redefining intersectional leadership in Canada. Join us as we embark on this exciting journey, and stay tuned for more updates on how we'll continue to empower Black women in the marketing space.
Together, we'll Set-It, Raise-It, and Be-It!
