Pascale Pageau named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women of 2020
Pascale Pageau, business lawyer and founding CEO of Delegatus – Lawyers Collective, has been named to the list of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women, for 2020. This prestigious award is presented by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN), in collaboration with presenting partner KPMG in Canada. Ms. Pageau was nominated in the BMO Entrepreneurs category.
Every year, these awards recognize outstanding women who make a significant impact on their communities, through their remarkable actions and pioneering achievements. They stand as an inspiration to the next generation of successful women.
“In a difficult year, we’ve been inspired by Canada’s highest achieving women who unite those around them and help us all rise above our challenges,” said Sherri Stevens, Owner and CEO of WXN. “These powerful women continue to lead the way, which is why it’s important to celebrate their achievements.”
The Top 100 Award spans the breadth of Canada’s private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Winners are selected by WXN’s Diversity Council. This year, 106 candidates have been listed in 13 categories.
Legally happy: the right to be happy
Pascale Pageau is a graduate of the Université de Montréal, Faculty of Law and was called to the Quebec Bar in 1997. Eschewing a promising career with a prestigious law firm, this mother of four decided to do things her way. She struck out on her own as an entrepreneur, creating Delegatus – Lawyers Collective, in 2005. For the past 15 years, this innovative legal firm has focused on achieving true work/life balance for its professionals and their clients. This revolutionary vision is embodied in the firm’s mission statement “Legally Happy”. In 2013, her disruptive approach to the practice of law earned her a spot on WXN’s Top 100, in the Trailblazers and Trendsetters category.
“I am honoured to be part of this list of outstanding women from across the country. In an industry still staunchly conservative, I wanted to break with tradition. I built a business model infused with a strong human culture, where my team achieve a real equilibrium between their work and their passions, she explains. In this year of tremendous change, many are redefining their priorities. With this in mind, I want to spread the word about this vision of well-being and show all those who aspire to a healthy and happy balance in their lives, that it can be done.”
A far cry from the pressure-filled conservative model of traditional law firms, Delegatus stands out as a pioneer of NewLaw in Quebec. The Collective, close to the cooperative model, is literally transforming the way law is practiced. This horizontal structure creates a less hierarchical and more respectful work environment. The focus is on collaboration, not competition. Absent are the pressures, partner status and envy of the corner office that often characterize more traditional firms. AT Delegatus, lawyers are entrepreneurs and equals. They enjoy more flexibility and freedom to determine their own lifestyles.
A virtual gala
To celebrate these extraordinary women, WXN is hosting Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100 Awards Program. This includes a virtual two-day Leadership Summit and Gala on December 2 and 3. More than 1,200 professionals will attend. As part of this national event, Mrs. Pageau will be hosting an “Ask the expert” roundtable. The topic will be Reshaping our business models to make them more human-centric.
About the Women’s Executive Network (WXN)
The Women’s Executive Network (WXN), a member-based organization, is Canada’s #1 and only national organization that meaningfully propels and celebrates the advancement of women at all levels, in all sectors, and of all ages. WXN delivers this advancement through training, events, mentoring, networking, and award and recognition programs for members and partners.
