A cutting-edge cancer researcher and the founder of one of the world鈥檚 largest sport and social club organizations are among four alumnae and one student named to the 2020 list of
The Women鈥檚 Executive Network (WXN) compiled the annual list that includes five members of the Queen鈥檚 community. They are:
鈥 Desir茅e Bombenon, Executive MBA鈥21, is CEO of , a company that design solutions to streamline business鈥檚 processes. She has won numerous business leadership awards and is the incoming chair for the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. She says one of her proudest moments is creating the Hero Girls program, which educates girls in underserved and developing communities through scholarships and micro loans.
鈥 Juliet Daniel, Artsci鈥87, is a professor and Interim Associate Dean of Research & External Relations at McMaster University. She is being honoured for her cutting-edge cancer-biology research (which includes the discovery of a new gene called Kaiso), dedicated community service, and advocacy for women and equity-seeking groups. She co-founded the , which has helped more than 300 students.
鈥 Janet Drysdale, Artsci鈥93, is Vice President Financial Planning with Canadian National Railway (CN), and has played a leading role her company鈥檚 sustainability efforts. She is an advocate for the transition towards a lower-carbon economy and increasing the representation of women in transportation.
鈥 Kristi Herold, Com鈥93, is the founder of . Since 1996, more than a million participants have joined one of her sport leagues for adults where the focus is on being healthy and having fun. 鈥淪uccess to me means leaving a legacy that has positively impacted millions of people鈥檚 physical and mental health,鈥 she told WXN.
鈥 Linda Plumpton, Artsci鈥90, is a lawyer with the who was named the by the Canadian Law Awards. She has appeared as counsel in the Supreme Court of Canada, and in all levels of court in Ontario. Her community work includes serving on the board of Pro Bono Ontario and past director of the MATCH International Women鈥檚 Fund (now the Equality Fund) which supports global gender equality.
鈥淭hese five women are among the many Queen鈥檚 alumnae who have made a tremendous impact on their communities, our country, and the world,鈥 says Queen鈥檚 University Alumni Association President Rico Garcia, Artsci鈥13. 鈥淭heir work serves as an inspiration to all our alumni.鈥
The award winners were celebrated during a WXN virtual gala on Dec. 3.
Many Queen鈥檚 alumnae have appeared on Canada鈥檚 100 Most Powerful Women鈥檚 lists in previous years. Former recipients include LGen. Christine Whitecross, Sc鈥84, who was the Canadian military's highest-ranking female before recently retiring, CBC TV Dragons鈥 Den star Michele Romanow, Sc鈥07, MBA鈥08, and former National Football League Chief Operating Officer Mary Ann Turcke, Sc鈥88, MBA鈥97.
