Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women: Janice Ristock

Dr. Janice Ristock, University of Manitoba professor and former Provost and Vice-President (Academic), has been named one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada for 2021 in the CIBC Executive Leaders category.

Dr. Ristock began her career at UM in 1990, when she was appointed as a professor in the Women’s and Gender Studies Program. In the intervening years she has held a number of leadership positions, including Associate Dean (Research and Faculty Development), Faculty of Arts; Associate Vice-President (Research and International); Vice-Provost (Academic Affairs); and finally, Provost and Vice-President (Academic) until June of this year.

As Provost and Vice-President (Academic), Dr. Ristock was responsible for providing academic vision for the University, and leadership in all matters relating to students, academic staff, and academic programs. During her term as Provost she worked to enhance and accelerate teaching and learning excellence; improved processes for assessing the quality of academic programs; created an Indigenous Scholars Fund and an Indigenous Initiatives Fund; and expanded supports for student success and well-being.

“I never imagined being Provost and Vice President Academic when I started my career at the UM, “ says Dr. Ristock. “It was a true privilege being able to serve in this capacity and work with amazing people.”

Throughout her time at UM, Dr. Ristock has demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). She spearheaded leadership workshops on reconciliation and decolonization and on white fragility and EDI in the academy, and ensured search committees for faculty and decanal appointments undergo implicit bias training. During her term as Provost, six women were appointed Deans of colleges or faculties–the highest number of women in the history of the University.

“I am very honoured to be recognized,” says Dr. Ristock “I would like to think that this is an endorsement of leadership that is committed to transparency, accountability, integrity, empathy and collaboration.”

This is the second time Dr. Ristock has been selected as one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women; In 2012 she was named in the Trailblazers and Trendsetters category.

This year seven UM community members have been named to the WXN Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada.

Research at the University of Manitoba is partially supported by funding from the Government of Canada Research Support Fund.

UM TODAY STAFF