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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, May 14, 2010 · 32 Living Oakville Beaver LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Phone: 905-337-5560 Fax: 905-337-5571 e-mail: ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com Allen named woman of distinction by Toronto YWCA Meet a woman of distinction -- Jane Allen of Oakville. The energetic local resident has pushed boundaries throughout her career -- achieving lofty heights in the landscape of Canada's energy sector -- and is now generating leadership opportunities for others as the chief diversity officer for Deloitte. The role was the first of its kind in Canada. In recognition of her achievements and those on behalf of others, the Toronto YWCA named Allen the 2010 YWCA Woman of Distinction for Corporate Leadership. "Jane's leadership on employment equity and the importance of building a diverse and inclusive workforce has made important contributions to women's equality in Canada," stated Raine Liliefeldt, communications manager of the Toronto YWCA as it recognized Allen with the award Wednesday. The long-time Oakville resident said she was surprised and humbled by the kudo as it places her in an outstanding company of Canadian women. Allen was born in England, but grew up in Hamilton and Burlington. After studying geography at McMaster University, she worked at the Region of Halton establishing energy policies in the Region's early official plans. Then she headed to Toronto and the Ontario Ministry of Energy. Allen is formerly a senior energy policy advisor to the Ontario government for demand and supply planning and assistant dean at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Management. Currently, Allen is a partner in the Toronto office of Deloitte, a leading Canadian professional services firm that boasts more than 7,600 people in 56 offices nationwide. Not only is Allen a Deloitte partner, but its national leader in the energy sector. Besides all that, Allen has also been Deloitte's chief diversity officer -- appointed to the job two years ago, when it was the first such role of its kind in Canada -- and as such has pushed similar boundaries for women -- and others. Allen is the first to admit that she has never had a five-year career plan. She does get easily bored and likes tackling new things. She also admits her career has tracked major social change. Allen was at university in the late '70s, when the Middle East oil crisis was in full swing and energy conseradditional responsibilities of family and home. Allen, a mother of two now grown daughters, knows. "It's not a piece of cake. It's very difficult unless you get a lot of help at home," she said -- and that despite the fact that she had a full-time nanny and a supportive husband John Walker. "We juggled schedules and managed to work it out. The kids, it's what they grow up with and what they get used to. There are tradeoffs... the house isn't always clean and the kids are sometimes not going out in the right shoes. It's a juggling act." With basic inequities now adjusted in the right direction and a diverse workforce appearing at the door to be hired, Allen's attention is focused on changing the dynamics that see women and other social groups fall by the wayside when it comes to the attainment of senior positions. Change is afoot due to the changing view from those above, the presence of more varied role models as well as through changes in the mindset -- and circumstances -- of those seeking advancement. Companies are also paying more attention to equal opportunity for all. Allen and Walker have been marSee Oakville page 33 SUBMITTED PHOTO vation was monopolizing society's radar. That social landscape sparked her interest in the energy sector. Later, as the women's movement moved along, Allen was seconded to the Ontario Women's Directorate. There, she was part of a team that played a key role in the introduction of historic pay and employment equity legislation in Ontario. Later, as an assistant dean at the University of Toronto in 1992, Allen co-founded the Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards now run by the Rotman School of Management -- which acknowledges women entrepreneurs whose successful businesses and achievements contribute to the Canadian and global economies and their communities. "When I was first starting out, senior people had different views as to what was women's work and men's work," said Allen. "Things have changed a lot," she said. "When I first started in that kind of environment, there were basic inequities. At the time, even the way men spoke to women and addressed women was not at all what would be acceptable today." While Allen said she had no one experience in her own career to serve as a catalyst to drive her interest, she has always been interested in how women manage. Women, she said, often have a tough go because they also juggle