Celebrating Women in Leadership: Insights from Trailblazers in the North American Public Sector

Celebrating Women in Leadership: Insights from Trailblazers in the North American Public Sector

As we commemorate International Women’s Day 2025, we turn our attention to the remarkable women shaping the future of the North American public sector. These leaders are not only breaking barriers but also redefining what it means to serve with purpose, resilience, and innovation. Their stories inspire us to reflect on the progress made toward gender equality while reminding us of the work still to be done.

In this special feature, we highlight six extraordinary women who have made significant contributions to their communities through their roles in public service. From technology and risk management to policy and program development, their journeys offer valuable lessons on leadership, mentorship, and the power of perseverance. Join us as we celebrate their achievements and explore how their experiences as women have shaped their paths and leadership styles.

Kim Roy Wilson, Commissioner, Information Technology & Services Division, City of Cleveland

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your role in the public sector, and how has your experience as a woman influenced your leadership style and approach to your work?
Kim Roy Wilson’s career in public service spans nearly three decades, and her work in technology has been transformative for the City of Cleveland. “I have found working in Public Service to be extremely rewarding,” she shares. “Enabling departments citywide to deliver technology services that directly impact quality of life in the community is the most rewarding aspect.”

As a woman in a male-dominated field, Kim has developed a leadership style that balances empathy with decisiveness. “I’ve always been very driven and intentional in my approach to work. As a female leader, I feel it’s important to strike a balance between leading with emotion and being direct. I’ve also learned to lean into people’s strengths so that they intuitively direct themselves.”

Have you faced any significant challenges as a woman in leadership, particularly in the U.S. public sector?
Kim’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. “When I started my career in technology 28 years ago, it was 99.9% male-dominated,” she recalls. “I quickly realized I needed to be assertive, confident, and focused on my goals. I always aimed to be the most prepared in the room and expected to prove my qualifications.”

Her advice to other women? “Turn challenges into opportunities. These experiences teach us to be better leaders.”

How do you see the role of women evolving within the U.S. public sector?
Kim is optimistic about the future but acknowledges there’s still work to be done. “Today, I see women in cybersecurity, networking, engineering, and leading technology departments across the country. Gender equality has improved over the years, but this is still an area for growth.”

Public Service is a calling. You have to be purposeful about giving back to your community—in return, your community will give back to you.

What message would you like to share with young women aspiring to build careers in the U.S. public sector?
Kim’s message is clear and inspiring: “Public Service is a calling. You have to be purposeful about giving back to your community—in return, your community will give back to you.”

How do you believe International Women’s Day can drive meaningful change for gender equality?

Kim says that "International Women’s Day can bring awareness and drive change for gender equality through bringing awareness to the issue. The first step forward is to acknowledge that there is a problem - then move toward solutioning."

Christina Dentzien, Executive Director, Government of Alberta

What has your career path in the public sector looked like, and how has your experience as a woman shaped your leadership style?
Christina Dentzien’s career in the Government of Alberta spans 22 years, during which she has balanced her professional ambitions with her role as a mother. “I made choices to not advance as quickly as some of my counterparts because I wanted to be home and present in the evenings with my children when they were small,” she explains.

Christina’s leadership style is deeply influenced by her commitment to collaboration and inclusivity. “I’ve learned to value the richness of diverse perspectives and to create space for ‘side-trips’ in conversations that allow for deeper exploration of ideas,” she says.

What trends have you observed in the public sector, and how have you adapted your leadership approach?
Christina has witnessed significant changes in the public sector, from the shift to virtual meetings to the increasing emphasis on social consciousness. “One of the things that has stayed the same is that government always wants to deliver the best services possible to Albertans,” she notes.

To adapt to these changes, Christina has implemented innovative approaches within her team. “We’ve set up a partnership model that emphasizes collaboration over competition. This approach aligns with women’s natural communication patterns and has led to a lot of success.”

Know who you are, value the skills you bring, and find leaders you want to emulate.

What advice would you give to women entering leadership roles?
Christina’s advice is both practical and empowering: “Know who you are, value the skills you bring, and find leaders you want to emulate. Seek out mentors and advocates who can help you grow.”

Lauren Grasso, Chief Risk Officer, NYS Department of Tax & Finance

Can you share your journey within the U.S. public sector and what inspired you to pursue a career in public service?
Lauren Grasso’s career in public service began with a role as an Assistant District Attorney, a position she describes as “the best job in the world for a recent law school graduate.” From there, she moved into roles within the New York governor’s office, eventually becoming Chief Risk Officer at the NYS Department of Tax & Finance.

“I’ve always been drawn to the meaningful work and benefits of public service,” Lauren explains. “The opportunity to give back to my community while also having the stability to raise a family has been incredibly rewarding.”

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your role?
For Lauren, the most fulfilling part of her career has been the ability to balance her professional and personal life. “The most meaningful part of my journey is that I’ve had the support and bandwidth to raise two beautiful, intelligent children while advancing my career,” she says.

As a leader, Lauren prioritizes kindness and flexibility. “I’m open with my team about my personal life and scheduling conflicts, and in return, they know they can confide in me about their own challenges. My mantra has always been to pay it forward through support, guidance, humor, and kindness.”

Have you faced any significant challenges as a woman in leadership?
Lauren has faced her share of obstacles, from subtle biases to outright discrimination. “After returning from maternity leave, a boss told me he would have liked to promote me sooner, but I’d had a baby,” she recalls. “Another time, a male colleague commented on how ‘nice’ it must be to leave work ‘early’ to pick up my kids.”

Her advice to other women? “Ask for help from trusted colleagues, make use of HR resources, and take the course of action that feels right for you.”

The most meaningful part of my journey is that I’ve had the support and bandwidth to raise two beautiful, intelligent children while advancing my career.

Jennifer Dockery, Vice President, Quality, Post-Acute Care & Community Integration, North York General

How do you see the role of women evolving within the Canadian public sector, and what changes have you witnessed in terms of gender equality over the years?
Jennifer Dockery reflects on the significant strides made in the Canadian public sector. “The role of women has evolved dramatically, with more women now holding senior leadership roles in government, including deputy ministers, agency heads, and elected officials,” she says. “Historic milestones, such as Canada’s first gender-balanced federal cabinet in 2015, set new standards for representation.”

Jennifer also highlights the importance of policy frameworks like Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+), which ensure policies are developed with inclusivity in mind. “The federal Pay Equity Act aims to close wage gaps and ensure fair compensation, while workplace flexibility and family support policies have made it easier for women to balance professional and personal responsibilities.”

How can the public sector be more inclusive and supportive of women from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous, racialized, and LGBTQ+ communities?
Jennifer emphasizes the need for proactive steps to create a more inclusive public sector. “We must ensure diverse women are actively recruited, retained, and promoted into leadership roles,” she says. “This includes setting representation targets, implementing equitable hiring practices, and providing mentorship and sponsorship programs to uplift marginalized voices.”

She also stresses the importance of addressing systemic barriers. “We need to recognize and dismantle systemic racism, sexism, and homophobia within institutions. This requires cultural competency training, safe spaces for employees, and meaningful engagement with underrepresented communities.”

“Believe in your impact. Your contributions matter, and your leadership can help create lasting change.”

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, what message do you have for young women aspiring to build a career in the public sector?
Jennifer’s message is one of empowerment and encouragement. “Believe in your impact. Your contributions matter, and your leadership can help create lasting change. Embrace challenges, seek mentorship, and advocate for equality. Stay true to your values, and never doubt your ability to make a difference.”

Marla Adams, Talent Management / IT Academy Director, F & A Office of People & Development

Can you share your journey within the U.S. public sector and what inspired you to pursue a career in public service?
Marla Adams’ journey in the public sector began with a passion for community service. “My background in community service, hospitality, and a vested interest in improving the quality of life for my community naturally led me to this path,” she explains. “The opportunity to leverage my skills to support others has been incredibly fulfilling.”

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your role in the public sector?
For Marla, the most rewarding aspect of her role is witnessing the positive impact of her work. “Seeing the tangible changes resulting from our efforts to improve processes and support our community is incredibly motivating,” she says.

Have you faced any significant challenges as a woman in leadership?
Marla acknowledges the challenges she has faced, including overcoming biases and breaking through the glass ceiling. “I’ve stayed resilient by seeking mentorship and continuously developing my skills,” she shares. “My advice to other women is to believe in their capabilities and never underestimate the power of perseverance.”

 “Seeing the tangible changes resulting from our efforts to improve processes and support our community is incredibly motivating.”

How do you believe International Women’s Day can drive meaningful change for gender equality?
“International Women’s Day serves as a powerful platform to highlight the ongoing challenges and successes related to gender equality,” Marla says. “By bringing these issues to the forefront, we can inspire actionable change and foster a collective commitment to advancing gender equality in public institutions.”

Alexis Milinusic, Director, Digital Strategy Engagement and Outreach, Government of Alberta

Can you share your journey within the Canadian public sector and what inspired you to pursue a career in public service?
Alexis Milinusic has spent 12 years in public service, driven by a passion for tackling people-centered challenges. “I’m drawn to complex, multidimensional problems—especially those that shape people’s everyday lives,” she says. “Ensuring policies and programs truly meet people’s needs is what motivates me.”

In recent years, Alexis has focused on the digital transformation of government services. “I love the intersection of people, technology, and processes,” she explains. “What I enjoy most is the change management side—engaging different audiences, ensuring people feel heard, and working to make digital services thoughtful, inclusive, and effective.”

Leadership is about creating an environment where trust, accountability, and shared purpose thrive.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your role in the public sector, and how has your experience as a woman shaped your leadership style?
For Alexis, the most rewarding part of her role is supporting and developing others. “Leadership, to me, is about creating an environment where trust, accountability, and shared purpose thrive,” she says. “I focus on cultivating trust while inspiring a collective vision of what we aim to achieve.”

Her leadership style is deeply personal. “My lived experiences shape my approach, and I lead with reflection, intentionality, and a commitment to fostering an environment where people feel valued.”

What challenges do women in the Canadian public sector face today, especially in leadership?
Alexis highlights the ongoing challenges women face, including balancing leadership responsibilities with family life and navigating unconscious bias. “Traits like passion and assertiveness are encouraged in male leaders but can be scrutinized differently in women,” she notes. “Many navigate these expectations carefully to ensure their voices are heard.”

Despite these challenges, Alexis remains optimistic. “I feel fortunate to work alongside incredible women leaders who are reshaping norms and creating a more inclusive future.”

What message do you have for young women aspiring to a career in the public sector?
Alexis’s message is one of encouragement and empowerment. “Young people are the future of public service—they have the opportunity to make a real impact. If you’re drawn to complexity, change, and impact, the public sector is an incredible place to grow. Every perspective is valuable, and the more diverse and inclusive our public service becomes, the stronger it will be for future generations.”

Accelerating Action for Gender Equality

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, the stories of Kim, Lauren, Christina, Jennifer, Marla, and Alexis remind us of the importance of representation, mentorship, and resilience in achieving gender equality. Their experiences highlight the progress made in the public sector while underscoring the need for continued action to break down barriers and create inclusive environments where women can thrive.

This International Women’s Day, let us honor the contributions of women in public service and commit to accelerating action for a more equitable future. Together, we can drive meaningful change and ensure that the next generation of women leaders has the support and opportunities they need to succeed.