Today marks International Women's Day, a global celebration highlighting the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year's theme, "Invest in women: Accelerate progress," resonates deeply with all of us at Shiplake, a company at the forefront of promoting gender equality within the development and property management industry. Our team believes that investing in women ignites progress, propelling us to move toward a brighter, healthier future for everyone.
Representing our Residents
Our commitment to equality begins by recognizing the importance of having a team that reflects the diversity of Shiplake residents. Our Shiplake team is 57% women, and this figure climbs even higher, to an inspiring 75% at the head office. At Shiplake, women play a prominent role at every level within the organization, from entry-level positions to upper leadership.
More than a focus on hiring women, we view our diversity as a direct result of our hiring philosophy: our goal has always been to hire the best person for the job, and in doing so, we've naturally created a diverse team of dedicated individuals that go beyond gender stereotypes, distinguishing themselves through talent and expertise. Of course, we recognize that our industry is traditionally male dominated, but we are determined to change that narrative.
"At Shiplake, we want everyone to have a voice and a seat at the table," says President, Peter Brimm. "By ensuring that everyone – including our female team members, at all levels of the organization – is given the opportunity and encouraged to voice their opinion, we ensure better representation for our residents and a diversity of ideas that elevate the experience at every Shiplake community."
Accelerating Progress
At Shiplake, our commitment to investing in our female team members is demonstrated through the success stories of our team. Elizabeth Sharp, our Director of Leasing and Marketing, began as a concierge at our Balliol Park community and worked her way up to a leadership position, building an impressive wealth of knowledge and expertise along the way. Monica Bryne, our General Manager of The Dunfield, has been instrumental in creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all team members and residents in her community. Our female team members constantly demonstrate that a diversity of perspectives and opinions makes for a stronger team and drives the best results for our residents.
Outside the Box
Our commitment to gender equality doesn't end with our team; we're looking beyond our own organization at the bigger picture, collaborating with like-minded partners and non-profit organizations that share our dedication to empowering women in the industry, and beyond.
We are excited to announce our newest partnership and support to The University of Toronto Rotman School of Management's Institute for Gender and the Economy (GATE), an institution seeking to promote a deeper understanding of gender inequalities, and how they can be remedied in the world of business.
Shiplake's support will allow GATE to provide internships to three MBA students annually for the next three years. These internships are aimed at individuals pursuing innovative projects that address gender-based challenges within the Canadian economy. The insights gleaned from this research will help equip decision-makers across the country, and around the world, creating a ripple effect that starts at home and extends far beyond our communities.
As part of the collaboration, the Latner GATE MBA Interns (the name given to this distinguished trio) will dedicate at least one year of the program to producing research related to Toronto's housing crisis – an important issue for both Shiplake and for GATE Director, Sarah Kaplan. This engagement symbolizes Shiplake's dedication to making a tangible impact on gender-based disparities in the housing sector, and to helping fund the research that will begin to address the city's critical housing shortage.
As we continue to invest in women and battle gender inequality, we are dedicated to accelerating progress both in our communities and beyond, creating a world where everyone – irrespective of gender – can thrive.
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