Beedie MIS Prof. brings networking for women to major conference

Professor Dianne Cyr

Professor Dianne Cyr continued the Beedie School of Business’ long history of supporting women in business when she organized and hosted a networking event for women in information systems at a major conference recently.

The Beedie-sponsored networking reception was part of the Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS), held in Seattle, Washington from August 9 to 11. AMCIS is the annual research conference of the Association for Information Systems, the premier global organization for academics, students and practitioners specializing in information systems. Each year AMCIS attracts up to 1000 or more attendees from around the world, seeking to improve the professional information systems community.

The networking event consisted of a cheese and wine reception and was attended by over 70 women from the information systems sector. It also featured guest speaker Sarah Spratley, Senior Program Manager with SAP Labs Canada, which is one of the sponsors of the Beedie School of Business’ Certificate in Business Technology Management program.

The networking reception was so well received that it is set to become a regular event at AMCIS under Professor Cyr’s guidance, with plans also in place to extend the event to three additional international information systems conferences.

“It is very important to have events such as this at conferences in order that women academics have the opportunity to network, mentor, and socialize,” says Cyr. “The Beedie School of Business demonstrates exemplary support for these activities through sole sponsorship of the recent networking event held at AMCIS. I am very pleased that I am able to lead in the continuing effort to support women in their careers.”

For many years, Cyr has also been involved in activities that support women in their careers. Along with fellow Beedie Professor Blaize Reich, she co-authored a book titled “Scaling the Ivory Tower: Stories of Women in Business School Faculties,” published in 1996. For several years, Cyr was also co-chair of the “Women’s Breakfast” networking session held annually at the International Conference on Information Systems, the premier information systems sector conference.

The Beedie School of Business has a successful track record of supporting women in business. In 2011, two MBA students, Alannah Cervenko and Alice Longhurst, created the Graduate Business Women’s Council for the Beedie School of Business. In addition, Beedie undergrad Stephanie Wong was selected as SFU’s first recipient of HSBC’s Women in Business Leadership Award earlier this year.