Leslie O’Donoghue, Law ‘88 – One of the Most Powerful Women of 2009

Photo courtesy of Agrium Inc.

Leslie O’Donoghue, Law ‘88, has been recognized by the Women’s Executive Network as one of "Canada's Most Powerful Women."

Leslie O’Donoghue, Law ‘88, was named to the Women’s Executive Network’s (WXN) Most Powerful Women in Canada list, executive category, on November 30, 2009.

O’Donoghue, Agrium's Chief Legal Officer and Senior Vice President, Business Development, has become one of the most influential executives in Canada. Her portfolio at Agrium, one of the largest and growing corporations in the country, now includes legal, internal audit, EHSS (Environmental, Health, Safety, and Security), and has expanded into corporate strategy and business development.

While O’Donoghue’s position and influence in the corporation was a top criterion for being recognized as one of Canada’s most powerful women, it was not the only factor. The WXN also required the women it recognized to be role models for other women and to be actively helping them, as well as giving back to the community.

“I was really, really touched to be recognized in that way,” O’Donoghue says. “It’s a group of women who really are different, talented, and community contributors. I was quite proud of Agrium. I have to say I was quite surprised.”

For O’Donoghue, however, it is more a recognition of Agrium itself than of her alone. Agrium has numerous high-level female executives, including three board members, and is a leader in the area of gender equality. Having been with the corporation long enough to see this change happen, and be a part of it, O’Donoghue looks at it as a sign of just how far Agrium, and corporate Canada itself, has come.

“We wouldn’t have had three women on the board six years ago,” O’Donoghue says. “This recognition [shows] young women that they can advance their careers without giving up family and other things. It’s about putting up healthy role models for women to aspire to.”

However, as O’Donoghue stresses, success starts with education, and it was her Queen’s Law degree that allowed her to build the foundation of where she is today.

“My education and experience really are great background for doing a whole variety of things,” O’Donoghue says. “It really is the education component that gets you started.”