WBE Canada Announces Two New Appointments To Board of Directors

Women Business Enterprises Canada Council (WBE Canada) is pleased to announce that Madeleine Baker, Director, Technology Strategy, Procurement and Supply Chain at TELUS was voted in as the new Vice Chair at the quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors, held Monday June 14, 2021. The Board also welcomed Daelan Burgess, Assistant Director of Global Supplier Recovery at General Motors, as its newest Board Director.

Maddy has had a broad and exciting career within the Procurement & Supply Chain field. Within TELUS, Maddy and her team are responsible for leading the future state strategy, processes and policy within the function, in addition to operational management of compliance, risk, offshore support, Supplier Diversity, technology, and data intelligence. She is a strong advocate for expanding the profile and impact of Supplier Diversity within Canada and has been a Member of WBE Canada’s Board of Directors since 2017 and is also Chair, Nomination Committee. Prior to joining TELUS in 2016, Maddy held progressive roles within GlaxoSmithKline in Europe and North America, ultimately holding the position of Head of Procurement, United States, including responsibility for delivering the organisation’s Supplier Diversity commitment. There is a strong commitment within TELUS towards Supplier Diversity, and a recognition that its programme delivers an improved and innovative customer experience by taking proactive steps to provide equal access to a supply base that reflects the diversity of where we live, work, and serve.

“As a long-standing Board member and advocate for supplier diversity, I’m thrilled to expand my role with WBE Canada and take a more proactive role in helping drive a number of key activities that will advance the status of women owned businesses in Canada” said Madeleine.

Daelan Burgess joins WBE Canada’s Board as its newest Board Director. Daelan is the Assistant Director of Global Supplier Recovery for General Motors LLC, responsible for recoveries, loss prevention, and supplier relationships globally. In her role, Daelan has accountability for over $100M in supplier payments. Daelan joined General Motors of Canada in 2002 and has held roles of increasing responsibility in Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering and Capacity Planning, and Finance. In 2014, she was promoted to a Manager role for General Motors LLC in Michigan, where she transformed the Indirect Materials organization globally through the establishment of standardized policies and processes that leveraged the newly-implemented SAP system for savings of $100M per year. Daelan and her team were recognized for their achievements in this space by receiving the inaugural CFO IMPACT award in 2019.

“Throughout my career, I’ve believed in building an environment where women are empowered, supported, and feel they can achieve their dreams. I’m thrilled to be able to join the Board at WBE Canada and continue to provide support to women-owned businesses” said Daelan.

“I am thrilled to share the news that Maddy Baker has taken on the role of Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and very excited to have Daelan Burgess and GM now represented on the Board. Maddy has been an integral member of the WBE Canada Board since 2017 and I look forward to her newest role and continuing guidance. I am also delighted to have Daelan Burgess, representing General Motors as our newest Board member. Daelan brings her many years of experience at GM to WBE Canada and we look forward to the positive impact and exciting perspectives we know she will bring as we plot the future direction of WBE Canada”, said Silvia Pencak, President, WBE Canada.

WBE Canada Board Members are instrumental in charting the strategic direction of WBE Canada with most members actively involved in Board committees including:

• Executive Committee
• Nomination Committee
• Certification Committee
• Business Development Committee
• Public Service Development Committee
• Supplier Advisory Committee

ABOUT WBE CANADA

WBE Canada is a Canadian non-profit organization that is opening doors for women-owned businesses to supply chains across North America. It certifies Canadian firms that are at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by women and introduces them to opportunities with corporations. To learn more about how we support women-owned businesses, click here. If you are a mid-size or large company looking to support women-owned businesses through procurement opportunities, we want to hear from you. Click here to learn more about how you can get involved.

Media Contact: Sharon Ferdinands, Marketing and Communication Manager, WBE Canada, marketing@wbecanada.ca