Tanya Woods - Digital Innovator and Chief Impact Officer

Tanya Woods is the Managing Director of Chamber of Digital Commerce Canada and Citizen Chief Impact Officer of ProjectInKind.org.

Tanya is a champion for Canada’s digital and social innovation ecosystem, domestically and globally. She brings nearly two decades of successful strategic advocacy experience to her role at the Chamber of Digital Commerce Canada. Most recently she served as the Interim Executive Director for the Blockchain Association of Canada.

As a highly-skilled technology lawyer, policy strategist, and former trade negotiator, Tanya has held senior level positions in industry representing national and multinational organizations in the telecommunications, technology and entertainment sectors, including BCE Inc., Microsoft and Nintendo.

Tanya has advised international governments on digital innovation policy and has represented the Government of Canada in global trade negotiations and on the growth of the country’s digital and social innovation ecosystems.

In addition to her advocacy and policy work, Tanya is a committed social innovator and philanthropist. She is responsible for launching several non-profits and the world's first online in-kind exchange platform (kindvillage.com) and global in-kind movement (projectinkind.org) to assist communities in need while inspiring meaningful corporate and civic engagement.

Tanya is a published author and global public speaker on digital innovation, sustainable finance, and the impact economy. She studied law at the London School of Economics, Ottawa University and American University Washington College of Law. Tanya has been acknowledged as a top 10 “Leading TechWomen in Canada” by the Government of Canada, a “Trailblazer” by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, a Global Civic Leader by the Obama Foundation, and a “Top 40 under 40” in Canada’s Capital.

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Q. Best advice for women who want to go out in life and crush it!

A. Be fearless, be kind to yourself and others, and remember no one knows how great you are until you show them, so show them (but don't wait around for applause — keep going).

Q. What do you do to celebrate women?

A. I like to support and celebrate great women publicly on social channels and privately by opening up my network and helping other women with support to achieve their dreams.

Q. What do you want to see more of?

A. I want to see more support for social innovation and innovation that democratizes access to essential services everyone needs. I want to also see more empathy and a consistent practice of lifting great people up instead of fear driving people toward territoriality and reluctance to support. The world is abundant, great people know this! And more #blockchain please <3

Q. Recommended reading:

Books:

1. Sustainable Financial Innovations, ed. Karen Wendt - Lays out great future forward research every business leader and investor should be considering now

2. Do Cool Sh*t, Miki Agarwal - Removes all reason for complacency

3. Power Paradox, Dacher Keltner - Very compelling book to support power shifting through kindness and empathy

Blog+Podcast: Farnham Street - Just mind bending learning on everything... such a cool blog and podcast.

Movie: Poverty Inc. - If you wonder at all where we can help, start here before you do anything. Spoiler: Rule #1 ask what help is needed before you offer something.

Q. The theme for this year's women's history month is Valiant Women of the Vote. What women's rights are you most passionate about?

A. This is a tough question. As a matter of priority I believe women should have the same basic human rights protections as their male counterparts regardless of where they are in the world. I am a proponent of treating all people with dignity, all life with respect and consideration, and prioritizing the well-being of all people - regardless of age, gender, culture, religion, political view, and so on. My call to action is simple — Be kind, respect others in word and deed, and speak out against injustice.

Q. Shout out to another woman who has made a difference in your life and how she/they did that.

A. I am shouting out my mom - she put food on the table, pushed me to reach for my dreams, and she trained me for the real world. Being a mom is a tough job, but amen for the moms out there who show up for their kids and get them ready for life even when it might be easier to give up or do something else. Thanks mom, love you!

Connect with Tanya Woods online:

Monica Phillips