A first-generation Southeast Asian Canadian born and raised in Winnipeg, Dhaliwal is the first woman of colour to hold the dual position of Associate Vice-President Administration and Chief Risk Officer at the University of Manitoba. She received the award for her exceptional achievements, leadership and outstanding community service.

“I feel very honoured to be recognized among the Asian women in Winnipeg,” says Dhaliwal. “It’s always fascinating to me that people actually know who I am because I feel like I have a pretty low profile in Winnipeg,” says Dhaliwal, who graduated from UM with a commerce degree in actuarial mathematics and finance in 2007, and is currently pursuing her MBA in the Asper School of Business.

“The Asian Women of Winnipeg award is really important because the South Asian community is so large in Winnipeg, and there is a lot of success in this community,” says Dhaliwal. “Celebrating and recognizing where we’ve come from, since many of us come from immigrant families that built a new life here, it really means a lot.”

Setting up the first COVID vaccine clinics

When the pandemic hit, Dhaliwal was the Executive Director of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. She sat on the university’s COVID-19 Response Steering Committee, where she played an instrumental role in getting the UM community set up to study and work from home.

She also assisted the province in organizing the first COVID-19 clinics for healthcare professionals to receive their vaccines.

Dhaliwal physically received Manitoba’s first COVID vaccine shipment, something she didn’t anticipate when put her hand up to help with the vaccination effort.

Once the vaccine was secured and locked in the –80-degree freezers, Dhaliwal and her staff volunteered their time over the next several weeks, figuring out the logistics of running the first vaccine clinic in the province to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to healthcare professionals.

“We did it because we knew this was something that the province needed, and it was our way to help,” says Dhaliwal, who also played a key role in recruiting healthcare professionals for the first vaccine super site in Garden Hill First Nation.

“This was an opportunity to leverage my skills to help with something that was greater than me,” says Dhaliwal. “Knowing that your work was going towards something broader and bigger than yourself motivated me each day to come in and do my best and put my hand up for things that sometimes seemed outside of my skill set.”

Leadership philosophy

In her role as AVP Admin and Chief Risk Officer, Dhaliwal oversees a team of approximately 500. She is responsible for UM’s capital planning process and leads efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 through the Climate Action Plan. She also manages the university’s Enterprise Risk Register, insurance, access and privacy office and security services.

Dhaliwal’s philosophy on leadership is based on kindness and support. “We need to support people around us and treat them with respect, so that you build a culture of respect throughout the organization,” says Dhaliwal.

“If I see people are working hard and going that extra mile, I think ‘how can we seek them out and recognize them for that contribution’,” she says.

Throughout her journey, she has learned that leadership is not about titles or power. “It is about service. It is about lifting others as you climb. It is about ensuring that when you reach a door that was once closed, you hold it open for the next generation,” Dhaliwal says.

Trudy Blight, Assistant Director of Operations and Management, has worked with Dhaliwal for many years. She says Dhaliwal’s open leadership style contributes to that culture of respect. “Raman is engaging, authentic and respectful. She acknowledges the positive work of all team members, regardless of what level and she encourages us to strive for improvements.”

Advice to future leaders

Dhaliwal encourages people to say yes to new opportunities when they arise as it can help build your reputation. “Say yes to things even if it’s not completely within your skill set. If you say yes to things – they could be small things at first – you start building that trust with people and they’re willing to give you more opportunities, and you showcase yourself in the organization in a different way too. So just say yes, even if you don’t check all the boxes, and believe in yourself.”

Listen here

For many women, this abrupt adjustment meant a shift in their performance expectations, as their household roles – as a wife, as a mother – were now irrevocably entangled with their workplace roles.

Joanne Crozier [BID/91] is a UM Interior Design graduate and instructor at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Her master’s thesis “Mothers of Invention: How Women Working at Home during the COVID-19 Pandemic are Reshaping the Domestic Environment” explores how this sudden household restructuring has reshaped the domestic environment for women.

While Crozier found that the specific experiences and challenges women faced during the pandemic were varied between the different households she interviewed, she also found a lot of experiential commonalities as well.

“Everybody had a different story, but there were common themes,” says Crozier.

“Mental health, for example, took a hit during COVID, for women in particular because of the responsibilities that they had, not just regarding their paid labour, but potentially to be taking care of a house, taking care of a family, or taking care of a parent. The social expectation that they take care of the domestic labour created a lot of stress and anxiety, especially when combined with trying to perform paid employment at home too.”

Another common challenge that women experienced during the pandemic was that their homes were not set up to be a place of paid work. For many, this lack of space created tension in their relationships, especially for those living in tight quarters to begin with, causing arguments between partners over whose work was more ‘valuable’ to the household. These debates often came down to which household member’s paid labour was seen to be the most financially lucrative, a debate which, because of gender pay disparities, often favoured the husband or father, who would then claim the limited private space available in the home.

Many of the women Crozier interviewed expressed frustration at how frequently they would set up a place to work, only to be forced to change locations throughout the day to accommodate other activities of their household members. For mothers, this disruption was often compounded with regular interruptions from their children, making it difficult to stay focused on their paid work.

“It’s incredibly disruptive and mentally exhausting to not have that sense of personal territory and privacy,” says Crozier.

But while this transition to remote work has presented unique obstacles for many women, Crozier says she is encouraged by how many did successfully adapt to remote work while maintaining or even increasing their productivity, and how the perception of women working from home has shifted since the pandemic.

“Things have really changed. It’s not the same socially and professionally isolating experience that it used to be,” says Crozier.

Further, the desire to work from home isn’t limited to women. My husband also worked from home during the pandemic, and he loved the flexibility. I believe that the remote-work labour model can benefit everybody.”

The placekicker from Maple Grove, Minn. became the first woman in U Sports football history to dress for a regular season game this past year while playing for the University of Manitoba Bisons.

Read more

The first is “Keepin’ it Riel,” which encapsulates Red River’s and then Winnipeg’s embattled history as the homeland of the Métis Nation and the site of the River River Resistance.

The second is “Bitch, I’m from Winnipeg.” This was what Twitter’s (now X) Resident Gynecologist, Dr. Jen Gunter, retorted in the bad old days (circa 2017) when she was criticized for criticizing the Gwyneth Paltrow/GOOP jade yoni eggs intended to somehow improve women’s vaginal health.

Read more

The books include the political memoir “Indian” in the Cabinet: Speaking Truth to Power, which was a finalist for The Writers’ Trust Balsillie Prize for Public Policy and the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing; From Where I Stand: Rebuilding Indigenous Nations for a Stronger Canada; and, her most recent, True Reconciliation: How to Be a Force For Change. 

Borrow Hon. Jody Wilson-Raybould’s bestselling books:

• “Indian” in the Cabinet: Speaking Truth to Power 
• From Where I Stand: Rebuilding Indigenous Nations for a Stronger Canada
• True Reconciliation: How to Be a Force For Change

Wilson-Raybould is an author, lawyer, advocate and leader among Canada’s Indigenous Peoples. She is also the first woman to be elected as an Independent Member of Parliament. Learn more about the 2024 Knight Lecture, which takes place March 7.

“It wholly remains within our power to speak up.”  

“Controlling power is critical.” 

You may recognize these as the words of The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.

Wilson-Raybould is not just a leader. She’s a revolutionary and a champion for those who want to make a difference. 

The UM community will be celebrating International Women’s Day by joining together for the 2024 Knight Lecture on March 7 to recognize the achievements of this remarkable woman and draw inspiration from her stories.  

Throughout her work, Wilson-Raybould, has navigated complex challenges with strength, determination and an unwavering commitment to justice. In this powerful presentation, she will delve into the principles that have guided her journey: the courage to think, act and be different. 

The 2024 Knight Lecture with The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould 
March 7, 2024  
3-5 p.m., doors open at 2:30 p.m. Free to attend.  
Multi-Purpose Room (MPR), 2nd floor, UMSU University Centre

UPDATE: This event is now sold out and a waitlist is being created. 

The event will be emceed by Angie Bruce, UM’s new Vice-President (Indigenous). 

 
Q&A and book signing opportunity   

Wilson-Raybould is an author, lawyer, advocate and leader among Canada’s Indigenous Peoples. She is also the first woman to be elected as an Independent Member of Parliament.

Wilson-Raybould has written three bestselling books, the political memoir “Indian” in the Cabinet: Speaking Truth to Power, which was a finalist for The Writers’ Trust Balsillie Prize for Public Policy and the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing; From Where I Stand: Rebuilding Indigenous Nations for a Stronger Canada; and, her most recent, True Reconciliation: How to Be a Force For Change. 

Her lecture will be followed by a Q&A session and a book signing. Wilson-Raybould’s books are for sale at the UM BookStore, and will also be available at the event.  

This public event is supported by the Robert and Elizabeth Knight Distinguished Visitor Program. Free to attend, the annual Knight Lecture Series places emphasis on enhancing the quality of education at UM by supporting visits from a wide array of outstanding thinkers and innovative leaders on a variety of topical issues. 

The all-girls school offers a grade nine entrepreneurship class as well as an introductory law class to grade 10 students. The classes consist of young women who are interested in business and law, who apply their own creative ideas to develop entrepreneurial skills and learn how to market products that they create. The students learn about the intersection of business, the law, community and the power of working together.

Third-year law students Isanne Goldberg, Johanna Thiessen, and Samantha Harvey began the presentation by sharing their own stories and the paths that led them to law school. They explained their own unique reasons to participate in the Business Law Clinic, which provides information and legal services to those in Manitoba who do not have a lawyer and cannot afford legal services.

Case manager Samantha Harvey emphasizes the purpose behind educating the next generation of entrepreneurs.

“It’s nice to see students being encouraged so young to create businesses and work on building important relationships within their communities,” says Harvey. “It is a great experience for us as law students to provide important information that will help students as they build their business networks or even encourage them to pursue a career in law.”

The Clinic’s presentation centered around copyright law, trademarks, patents, and the difference between partnerships, corporations, and sole proprietorship. Third-year student Johanna Thiessen highlights the opportunity to engage with young women as she reflects on her own introduction to business practice.

“I am thrilled to speak to these young entrepreneurs at Balmoral Hall. In grade nine, I also took an entrepreneurship class,” says Thiessen. “I remember being inspired by the freedom of entrepreneurship as well as the strategic business planning that is required for a business to succeed.”

Kirstan Osborne teaches the grade nine entrepreneurship class called Venture Development at Balmoral Hall School. She says that the students have already started to make profits from their products and have learned how to understand the financial basis of commerce.

The school itself hosts an online e-commerce store called Balmoral Hall Makers Market. The website showcases community-made artwork and products of students, staff, and alumnae that are available for the public to purchase.  

Osborne says her hope is to inspire students to see themselves in the future of entrepreneurship. By introducing opportunities for young students, she hopes to see an increase in their confidence and self-worth in the realm of business practice.

“I’d like to think that in a small way, we are chipping away at the imposter syndrome that prevents so many women from exploring entrepreneurship,” says Osborne. “By setting small incremental goals, the girls gain more confidence and self-belief. It is my hope that our students can see there is a place for them in the field of entrepreneurship.”

Third-year student and case manager Isanne Goldberg, hopes that the Clinic’s presentation has made an impact, specifically on future female leaders.

“It is great to see such a strong group of young women kickstarting their futures in innovation, business, and law. I hope that our presentation has given them a new perspective on the legal aspects to entrepreneurship,” says Goldberg.

On March 8, 2023, the world celebrated International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity, with a focus on embracing equal opportunities and developing an inclusive world. This theme welcomes everyone to challenge gender stereotypes and have more discussions around gender biases.

Students from the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic also wish to celebrate the inspiring women in our communities. It is the women around us that show the purpose behind grasping opportune moments to be exceptional, creative, kind, and innovative.

Johanna Thiessen remarks on her personal journey and what it means to embrace challenging projects in educational and professional landscapes.

“Something I have learned throughout my years is to take chances and any opportunities that come your way,” says Thiessen. “Although they may be challenging, you will grow from them.”

It is in this vein that International Women’s Day (IWD) asks us all to embrace gender equity and women’s liberation because, as the IWD website reads, “Equity isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have.”

For the past few years, the pace, depth and extent of conversations the University of Manitoba community has been having around equity have increased through initiatives such as the development of the new Strategic Planning process, through work by the Anti-Racism Task Force and collaborations with the University of Manitoba Black Alliance, through the President’s Task Force Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and through The Path Forward Report and the creation of the Executive Lead (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion).

Eternity Martis

Journalist Eternity Martis continued that important conversation on gender-based violence as the Knight Distinguished Lecturer, which returned after a two year hiatus, on March 8 and 9. Hearing diverse voices and understanding the lived experiences of all women—Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTUIQ+, and those with disabilities—enables us to grow and achieve our higher ideals, especially when we hear from women impacted by socio-economic, able-ist, colonial, and racist systems of oppression.

“International Women’s Day historically is important for highlighting activism, empowerment, and community for working-class women, as well as women globally who resisted colonialism and imperialism,” says Distinguished Professor Tina Chen, Executive Lead (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion).  “IWD insists we recognize diversity in women’s lived experiences. IWD thus is a call to action, to understanding that women’s liberation is integral to a socially just world, and to remembering that feminism must include liberation for all marginalized and minoritized genders.”

Other IWD events that provided opportunity for engagement in these issues included:

• A panel discussion on gender equality and sustainability hosted by the Office of Sustainability
• What it takes to be a champion: Tales from a three-time Olympic gold medalist, Marnie McBean
• A seminar on discriminatory laws, policies, and practices facing Iranian women in their daily lives, and how we can aid those working towards a more equitable society.

This year for International Women’s Day, UM Today shared the stories of women who have made impacts on health equity, and the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences asked several students and faculty members to reflect on what it means to embrace equity.

Yeyoung Won is a second-year medical student. Born in South Korea, she identifies as a queer immigrant Asian woman. She is an active member of the Max Rady College of Medicine’s 2SLGBTQIA+ student interest group and student curriculum working group.

“Embracing equity means ensuring that the population of the Rady Faculty reflects the population we will serve as future health-care professionals,” Won said. “This requires representation from all communities, not just to meet an equity, diversity and inclusion quota, but because it will improve our health-care system and the quality of care our patients receive.

“The incredible work being done by the student curriculum working groups and the recent EDI/Global Health Conference organized by the Manitoba Medical Students’ Association show that we can have a positive impact even at this stage of our training. I’m excited to see my generation carry our passion for equity and diversity into our future careers.”

Read more stories of women who have made impacts on health equity, carving a path before us to create a better way forward.

Read more from the Rady community, including Dr. Devi Atukorallaya an assistant professor of oral biology in the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry and a researcher at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba. “We live in an era of global inequity challenges like poverty, climate change and access to basic human rights,” said Atukorallaya, who was educated as a dentist in her home country of Sri Lanka. “Women are particularly susceptible to these challenges. It’s very important to educate, empower and increase awareness about equal opportunities for women.”

Dr. Marcia Anderson,and five other UM community members have been named as Canada’s most powerful women. “Anti-racism is a core foundation of our work at this time. Explicitly identifying the obstacles experienced by Black, Indigenous and other racialized women and intervening in structural ways is how we will work to break the bias,” she says.

Raman Dhaliwal maintains an unprecedented dual role within the University of Manitoba, acting as both associate vice-president (administration) and executive director of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. She was a key player in Manitoba’s COVID-19 response, and was named as one Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winner in the Emerging Leaders category. “Most of the time, when I’m at different meetings, there aren’t a lot of people my age, my colour and even my gender sitting around the table with me,” she says. “It goes to show that if you work hard and are open to learning new things, you’ll be rewarded for the time and effort you put in.”

Margaret Hart joined the College of Rehabilitation Sciences in the role of Ininiw scholar. In this role she has been working toward a complete rebuild of the occupational therapy program to incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. “The vision and mission of each community vary. At the end of the day, we are all striving for the same thing: self-determination,” she says.

Dr. Christina Kim has distinguished herself as a leader and innovator at CancerCare Manitoba and who is committed “to grow as a confident and capable leader, and as a mentor to other women.”   

Dr. Ruth Ann Marrie, recently received the Barancik Prize for Innovation in Multiple Sclerosis Research for her discoveries that deepen the understanding of how and when multiple sclerosis (MS) evolves.

As empowered women at the University of Manitoba, we celebrate International Women’s Day by sharing our commitment to listen and learn from diverse feminist voices, particularly those women impacted by socio-economic, able-ist, colonial, and racist systems of oppression. As we collectively work to realize UM’s commitment to eradicate all systemic inequities and biases, we take inspiration from the foundations of International Women’s Day and global feminist movements that have insisted transformative change begins with questioning privilege and recognizing how interlocked systems of oppression impact women’s lives.

We stand in solidarity with women at home and around the world who are leading the way, in difficult times, by sharing their voices and beliefs, and advocating for change despite oppression and high costs. We stand alongside women who are ensuring the care and safety of others amid suffering and devastation. We celebrate women who are standing strong in perilous times.

Today, and each day, we honour the women who have carved a path before us, and we work together to listen, understand and create a better way forward.

–Tina Chen, executive lead (equity, diversity and inclusion)
–Diane Hiebert-Murphy, provost and vice-president (academic)
–Catherine Cook, vice-president (Indigenous)
–Naomi Andrew, vice-president (administration)
–Vanessa Koldingnes, acting vice-president (external)