OTTAWA – Bell Media’s Mary Ann Turcke has been named Woman of the Year by Women in Communications and Technology (WCT).
Turcke, pictured, began her career at Bell as VP of customer experience and operations for Small & Medium Business in 2005 and was later promoted to EVP of field services in 2008. In 2014, she was appointed group president of media sales, local TV and radio at Bell Media where she oversees almost $2 billion in media sales across multiple platforms as well as local TV and radio in English Canada. Turcke also serves on the boards of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) and Sheena's Place.
"Mary Ann Turcke is one of Canada's most respected communications executives, acknowledged by peers and team members alike as a talented and motivating leader who delivers results in a dynamic and highly competitive industry," said George Cope, president and CEO of BCE Inc. and Bell Canada, in a statement.
WCT also named 14 other recipients of its prestigious annual awards, which recognize efforts to advance women’s representation and achievement in Canada’s information, communications and technology sector.
The 2015 Leadership Excellence Award recipients are:
• Borika Vucinic, Director, TV Engineering and Operations, Bell
• Clare Beckton, Executive Director, Centre for Women in Politics and Public Leadership, Carleton University
• Dervla Kelly, Head of Corporate Communications, Shaw Media
• Heidi Davidson, Senior Vice President, BlackBerry Ltd.
• Kelly Gillis, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Industry Canada
• Laurel Broten, President and CEO, Nova Scotia Business Inc.
• Lisa Lyons, President, Kids Can Press, Corus Entertainment
• Nikki Moffat, Senior Vice President, Finance, Bell Media
• Pat DiVittorio, Vice President, Program Planning, Bell Media
• Robin Hildebrand, Manager, HR & Regulatory, Golden West Broadcasting Ltd.
• Sandra Saric, Vice President, Information and Communications Technology Council
• Sandy McIntosh, Senior Vice-President and Chief HR Officer, Telus
• Trina Alexson, Vice President of Advance Services, Cisco Canada
• Ulrike Bahr-Gedalia, President and CEO, Digital Nova Scotia
“We want to create a ripple event, letting these women’s achievements roll out to inspire more like them,” said WCT executive director Joanne Stanley. “By celebrating leaders like these 15 award recipients and creating opportunities for up-and-comers with our Protégé Project, WCT is showing the best of what women can do, how to be successful, and why diverse companies are the ones that are truly thriving in Canada’s digital economy.”
The awards will be presented at WCT’s annual awards ceremony and gala at Ottawa’s Fairmont Chateau Laurier on April 22, 2015.
