10 inspiring quotes from Canadian women leaders on building a culture that works for everyone

Great leadership isn’t about titles or corner offices, it’s about people. The best leaders know how to bring out the best in their teams, creating cultures where everyone can thrive. 

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the voices of women who have shaped the way we think about leadership, inclusion, and workplace culture. Their words remind us that strong leadership is about building environments where people feel seen, heard, and valued.

The following ten quotes capture the essence of great leadership—leading with empathy, creating space for others, and embracing the power of diverse perspectives. 

Whether you’re leading a company, a team, or just looking for inspiration, these words are worth keeping close.

10 quotes on leadership and culture from Canadian women leaders

1. "True inclusion isn't just about diversity metrics—it's about creating spaces where everyone's voice carries equal weight in shaping the future." — Zabeen Hirji | Former Chief Human Resources Officer at Royal Bank of Canada

2. "The future of work is human. Amid all our technology and automation, the organizations that thrive will be those that put people first." — Linda Hasenfratz | CEO of Linamar Corporation

3. "Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence, and ensuring that impact lasts in your absence." — Mandy Rennehan | Founder and CEO of Freshco.ca

4. "We need to move beyond diversity as a checklist and toward genuine inclusion that values each person's unique contributions and perspective." — Shahrzad Rafati | Founder and CEO of BroadbandTV

5. "The biggest risk to innovation isn't failure—it's creating workplaces where people don't feel safe enough to take risks." — Jennifer Keenan | Former CHRO at Manulife

6. "When we truly embrace diverse perspectives, we don't just change our workplaces—we change what's possible for our organizations and communities." — Charlene Theodore | Chief Inclusion Officer at McCarthy Tétrault

7. "Creating psychological safety isn't a 'nice to have'—it's the foundation of high-performing teams and cultures of innovation." — Jodi Kovitz | Founder of #movethedial

8. "True leadership means having the courage to create spaces where people can bring their authentic selves to work every day." — Heather Munroe-Blum | Former Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University

9. "The greatest competitive advantage isn't technology—it's a culture where people feel valued, heard, and empowered to contribute their best." — Janet Kestin | Co-founder of Swim Leadership Lab and Former Creative Director at Ogilvy Toronto

10. "We need to rethink success not just as what we achieve, but how we achieve it—through empathy, inclusion, and lifting others as we rise." — Tanya van Biesen | Senior Advisor at Boston Consulting Group and Former Executive Director at Catalyst Canada

Leadership that creates a culture of belonging

The best leaders don’t just set strategy—they shape culture. They recognize that motivation isn’t one-size-fits-all and that real success happens when people feel safe, valued, and supported. As these leaders show, leadership isn’t just about results; it’s about impact.

This International Women’s Day, let’s take inspiration from these women who have paved the way and ask ourselves: How can we build workplaces where people want to show up and do their best work? 

Because at the end of the day, leadership isn’t just about leading—it’s about lifting others up.