Ernst & Young’s Anne-Marie Hubert and Fiona Macfarlane named among Canada’s most powerful women

(Toronto, 1 December 2011) Claiming two spots on this year’s list of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100™, Ernst & Young is celebrating the recognition of both Anne-Marie Hubert, Managing Partner, Advisory Services, and Fiona Macfarlane, Western Canada Managing Partner and Chief Inclusiveness Officer, among the 2011 winners of this prestigious award.

“I am delighted that two of our superbly talented leaders are being recognized this year,” says Trent Henry, Ernst & Young’s Canadian Chairman and CEO. “Both Anne-Marie and Fiona exemplify the innovative thinking, drive and dedication that make a tangible difference to our clients every day. As members of Ernst & Young’s Canadian Executive Committee, these two professionals make significant strategic contributions that shape not only the way we conduct and grow our business, but the way we shape the culture of this firm.”

Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 is Canada’s best-known awards program for the country’s highest-achieving women leaders in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.

This is third consecutive year that Hubert has been honoured with the award, recognizing her ongoing influence and leadership in the professional services sector. In addition to her work advising board members and senior management teams on governance, performance and risk management, Hubert is also active in the Quebec Chamber of Commerce and Leaders Diversité, as well as several chartered accountant organizations. Inside and outside Ernst & Young, she has been a vocal advocate for the advancement of women in business.

Prior to being named managing partner, Western Canada, and chief inclusiveness officer earlier this year, Macfarlane led significant portfolios within the Ernst & Young family, as managing partner of the Canadian Tax practice — the first woman among the “Big Four” accounting firms to hold such a position. Macfarlane is on the executive and is a governor of the British Columbia Business Council and serves on the Canadian Board of the International Women’s Forum. She is a passionate advocate for the inclusion of women, visible minorities, immigrants, aboriginals, LBGT and other underrepresented groups, fostering an environment in which a diversity of backgrounds, perspective, skills and experiences is celebrated and deployed as a strategic advantage.

“In their leadership roles at Ernst & Young and in their communities, both Anne-Marie and Fiona have driven initiatives that ensure men and women of different backgrounds and experiences come together to tackle familiar problems in innovative ways,” says Henry. “Their continued success demonstrates the value of an inclusive workplace and the impact of leveraging a diverse pool of talent.”

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