Recognizing our Champions of Diversity and Leadership Excellence

At TELUS, we strive towards being a global leader for diversity and inclusion, while continuing to grow our diverse team and strengthening an inclusive culture of excellence. Connections -the TELUS women's network, is an international resource group that focuses on supporting the advancement of careers, mentoring, and networking opportunities for women team members at TELUS. About 12 years ago, Connections launched the CHLOE Awards to recognize and celebrate exceptional women and champions of diversity at TELUS. Since then, it has grown across 10 locations in Canada.

Team members are able to nominate women and allies who exemplify and embrace the power of diversity and the importance of gender equality across our organization and our communities. There are five award categories: Courage to Innovate, Emerging Leader, Community Champion, Leadership Excellence, and Champion of Diversity. 

In November, TELUS team members come together to connect and celebrate the finalists at a regional award gala. However, due to COVID-19, the event will be a national and virtual celebration for the first time ever on November 19th. 

This year, three extraordinary TELUS Digital Leaders were nominated by their peers. We are excited to celebrate their recognitions and contributions towards making TELUS and the world around us a more inclusive place. Learn more about the nominees from the Digital team below.

Adrianne Yiu, Champion of Diversity

The Champion of Diversity award celebrates team members who promote all diversity and the strength it brings to TELUS.

Adrianne is the manager of the newly created Organizational Change & Agility team - an evolution of the Change Management function she helped create. This evolved portfolio is mandated to drive a resilient and agile culture to foster and sustain better ways to work, think, and behave at TELUS. Adrianne launched a peer-led anti-racism working group at TELUS Digital that has ~30 team members and leaders from across the team. 

“From the time Adrianne joined the Digital team, she has poured 110% energy into everything that she has done. In a very short amount of time, she was able to become a trusted member of the team where individuals from all across all disciplines would come to her for her opinion and guidance. She is a fearless and vocal ally for the black and indigenous communities and has been a clear voice in the room (and on Slack), bringing up issues faced within the team and our community. She was an integral part of the Diversity in Tech committee (within Digital) and recently spearheaded the “anti-racism working group” where she rallied over 20 members of the team to ideate and action upon initiatives that would contribute to making Digital a safe space for everyone to work. I continuously go to her for advice on personal and work challenges and she has willingly spent the time and energy to coach me.” - Jessie O’Driscoll, Senior Strategy Manager

Frances Nejim, Leadership Excellence

The Leadership Excellence category recognizes an established female leader and role model who has made significant contributions to the success of TELUS and the TELUS team.

With a career spanning 20 years at TELUS, Frances has contributed to the success of our business and the growth of team members in many ways. Today, Frances leads a team of 20 team members at TELUS Digital. Frances is passionate about supporting and developing the professional growth of others. Over the last three years, she has shepherded 15 promotions or lateral moves for career growth across the TELUS organization. Frances is also an active participant in community initiatives such as TELUS Days of Giving, women in tech leadership programs, and an anti-racism working group.

“Since day one, Frances has been the biggest advocate for identifying my strengths, growing my role, and setting me up for success. I started as a Content Manager on Frances’ team and with her continuous support, I was able to make the move from Content Manager to Product Owner within a year’s time at TELUS Digital. I’ve never had a manager as supportive and invested as her, in both the team's professional and personal growth.” - Shailee Jardim, Product Owner

Emily McLaughlin, Leadership Excellence

The Leadership Excellence category recognizes an established female leader and role model who has made significant contributions to the success of TELUS and the TELUS team.

Emily-Claire McLaughlin is the Director of the Digital Services team. She serves not only as a leadership role model but as a beacon for operating in business with integrity. Emily has been a tremendous partner who consistently makes herself available to answer any questions or address the team's concerns. She’s a strong advocate for the customer and team member experience and advocates on behalf of her team.

“Emily is a calm, outcome-oriented, and authentic leader but above all people are her priority. Emily ensures that clear expectations are set; provides actionable feedback in a thoughtful and timely manner; and has tough conversations with poise, empathy, and refinement. Emily is a tireless champion of the team’s interests to the point she’s earned the nickname “Fearless Leader” from our team knowing she won’t falter when facing adversity. At TELUS, we are stellar at recruiting intelligent and bold leaders across almost every type of role.  Emily differentiates herself by consistently demonstrating empathy in a manner that brings out the best in her team even during times of harrowing change. I trust Emily because I know she will “do the right thing” even if it is difficult or inconvenient.  She serves not only as a leadership role model but as a North Star for operating in business with integrity.” - Francis Pei, Senior Program Manager

Congratulations to all the 2020 CHLOE Award nominees across TELUS! Each day, TELUS is continuing to evolve into a more inclusive and equal organization due to the contributions of our amazing leaders.

Thank you to each TELUS Digital team member that contributed to the nominations and this blog.