Ruth McHugh believes that as more women enter the accounting profession, female mentors and sponsors are invaluable to help navigate careers. As the executive director of the Office of the Auditor General of Alberta, McHugh notes that women often lack self-confidence even when undeserved because girls are socialized differently than boys. To help address this, McHugh works to build confidence in the women she leads by encouraging them to promote their strengths and insights without fear of being seen as bragging. She has also made diversity a priority by working to increase the number of women in executive and board roles.

1. No woman left behind
Susan Smith
ExcerptfromCPA magazine October1,2015
As more women enter the profession, the sage guidance and advice of a female leader is
invaluable. Meet a few mentors who have helped others navigate their careers.
Ruth McHugh, Executive Director, Office of the Auditor General of Alberta,
Edmonton

2. Women do a good job of mentoring, but I think that more women in senior roles could use
sponsorship," says Ruth McHugh, executive director of the Office of the Auditor General of
Alberta. "Someone to be a champion for them within an organization."
McHugh believes women can appear to lack self-confidence even when they don’t because they
grow up learning to communicate differently than men. And communication plays an important
role in deciding who gets noticed and who gets promoted.
"Little girls learn that to be sure of themselves can be perceived as bragging and is unpopular
with their peers, whereas little boys tend to emphasize their strengths and knowledge and
challenge each other."
As a role model, she works to unleash the confidence of the women she works with.
"Sometimes that’s all women need," she says. "To show them that it’s not bragging to promote
themselves and share their knowledge and insights."
McHugh has made a conscious effort to achieve gender diversity on her teams. "I’m more than
happy to do everything I can to promote inclusion of women in executive and board roles."