FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Digital Nova Scotia Receives Federal Funding for Women in Technology Initiative

February 1, 2014 – Halifax, NS – Digital Nova Scotia

The Honourable Peter MacKay, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Central Nova, and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, today announced Government of Canada support for a project to enhance women’s participation in Nova Scotia’s digital economy. Status of Women Canada is providing $298,622 to Digital Nova Scotia to lead this 36-month project.

“We are proud to partner with the Government of Canada to help more women leaders in Nova Scotia participate in and lead our digital economy. We believe that fostering best practices in strategic HR management and promoting successful women leaders will have a significant impact on our sector. Not only will this initiative create new career opportunities for women, it will fuel our entire workforce as we strive to be globally competitive,” said Ulrike Bahr-Gedalia, former President & CEO, Digital Nova Scotia.

Digital Nova Scotia’s project will focus on increasing the participation of women employed in senior-level executive positions within the technology sector in Nova Scotia. The organization and its partner companies will identify role models in senior management positions and create an inventory of successful career profiles and management best practices that are supportive of women’s leadership advancement. Gender-based business supports will also be delivered such as succession planning, workshops, and training for managers.

“Our Government is dedicated to Canada’s economic growth and focused on helping more women succeed all across Canada, including right here in Nova Scotia. The more we break down barriers and support women in pursuing a wide variety of career options, the stronger Canada will be,” stated the Honourable Peter MacKay, M.P. for Central Nova, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.

The project intends to proceed in three phases including a reflection on past female leader success stories, development and delivery of business support services, and the introduction of a digital awards program for Nova Scotia businesses in the sector.

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Media Contact for Digital Nova Scotia

Emily Boucher

Director, Marketing and Research

Digital Nova Scotia

Tel: 902-817-6428

Email: emily.boucher@digitalnovascotia.com

Twitter: @DigitalNS

About Digital Nova Scotia

Digital Nova Scotia is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the ongoing growth and development of Nova Scotia’s Digital Technologies Industry. Originally incorporated in 1989, Digital Nova Scotia has been serving the Nova Scotia industry for over 20 years. Our organization began as the Software Industry Association of Nova Scotia (SIANS) and later became the Information Technology Industry Alliance of Nova Scotia (ITANS).

About Status of Women Canada

Status of Women Canada is a federal government organization that promotes equality for women and their full participation in the economic, social and democratic life of Canada. Status of Women Canada works to advance equality for women by focusing its efforts in three priority areas: increasing women’s economic security and prosperity; encouraging women’s leadership and democratic participation; and ending violence against women and girls.