2000
Making Connections
Hélène Cholette-Lacasse
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Hélène Cholette-Lacasse believes one of the most important things a person can
do is stay connected.
Recently appointed to the position of Director, International
Telecommunications Policy and Coordination in the Telecommunications Policy
Branch, Hélène helps ensure that Canadian and international telecommunications
policies are compatible.
"Telecommunications cannot be thought of as domestic anymore," she says. "We
have to make sure that Canadian policies are truly competitive to enable
Canadian telecommunications companies to prosper in the global marketplace."
An engineer by profession, Hélène joined the federal government for practical
reasons. After graduating from the University of Ottawa, she became the first
female engineer hired in Canada by Hewlett Packard. When she decided to start a
family, she looked to the Public Service as a way of continuing to work in her
field.
"The idea of a woman being pregnant and working in a man’s field was less
acceptable at that time. By working for the government, I was able to keep doing
the work that I love," she says.
Hélène has helped pave the way for other women engineers. For six years she
was on the Board of Directors for
Canadian Women in Communications (CWC). During that time she initiated the
Jeanne Sauvé–Industry Canada Exchange Program, an exchange between Industry
Canada women and women working in the communications field in private companies.
When Hélène was involved in CWC, she saw an opportunity to broaden her
connections. She invited Candace Johnson, founder of Europe Online Networks and
Board Member of the Société européenne des satellites (SES) Astra, to speak at
the CWC annual national conference. Candace was then involved with
Global Telecom Women’s Network, an international networking organization for
women in communications. In 1997, Candace asked Hélène to become the
organization’s Canadian President.
"We piggy-back onto international conferences and gatherings in
telecommunications and get together for breakfast meetings," Hélène explains.
"Each senior member brings a younger woman to the group and helps them network."
In her spare time, Hélène is still making connections. Along with her Border
collie, Belle, she participates in the St. John’s Ambulance Canine Therapy
Program. "Belle and I visit elderly and disabled patients weekly to bring them
some company and joy. Belle really knows how to deal with people. She knows
when, and just how to approach them."
Hélène’s home life is as hectic and full as her career: "I have two dogs, two
cats, and four teenagers," she says proudly. "It’s quite a challenge!" Isabelle,
17, Patrick, 18, Ramon, 17, and Armando, 15, make her home a lively place. Ramon
and Armando, both adopted from Puebla, Mexico, Northeast of Mexico City, have
been with her for seven years.
Drawing from both her personal and professional experience, Hélène mentors a
few young women engineers in the Department. Her best advice? "Don’t stop being
a woman just because you’re an engineer."
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