67: 45 Years of Being the Only Woman at the Table with Maria David-Evans

Imagine working for 45 years in public service, 19 different jobs, and for every position you worked – you were the first (and sometimes only) woman.

Today I’m joined by Maria David-Evans to talk about what you need to know to break through the glass ceiling and succeed as a woman in business and leadership. She’s been breaking down gender barriers in business and public administration for decades.

Maria spent 45 years (!) working in public service including being the deputy minister of multiple areas of the provincial government and serving as interim president and CEO of Legal Aid Alberta. She now teaches Public Sector Leadership at the University of Alberta’s MBA program. Maria has also been named one of Canada’s most powerful women (not once – but twice!) and in 2020 she was awarded the Alberta Lieutenant Governor’s medal which recognizes leadership in public administration.

Escaping a Revolution – Being a Refugee – And Moving to Canada

“I think I was born with a helping gene” Maria says. By the age of 10, Maria had formed a group called the “Busy Bee Club” with the goal of helping the elderly and disabled residents in her community.

Then during the Hungarian revolution Maria and her family escaped war-torn Hungary as refugees. At that time, the city of Edmonton was accepting 200 refugees. Maria and her family came to Canada to start a new life.

“To really tell you what it felt like to be accepted with open arms … into Canada has planted seeds within me that I want to repay that for the rest of my life!” Maria explains.

By the age of 15, Maria started volunteering with Red Cross Society and the Royal Saving society. And she’s continued to volunteer ever since!

How She Persevered As The First Woman In Multiple Jobs

The first (of many) experiences Maria had with the glass ceiling was in 1970 when she was one of the very few women to pass the National Lifeguard Exam. She had already been working part time as an instructor at the pool and after passing the exam she applied for the head lifeguard position. And she got the job!

But Maria explains there was a hierarchy at the pool.

When she successfully got the head lifeguard position, her supervisor told her this position was the furthest she would go in her aquatics career. Why? Because “we don’t hire women as assistant pool managers” he told her. Why – she asked again “Because that’s policy”.

Nonetheless, Maria worked hard and excelled in her role as head lifeguard. As fate would have it, one year later a position opened for assistant pool manager. Despite what her supervisor had told her, Maria applied. And she got the job!

Once again, her supervisor told her this was the farthest she would go. For real this time! Why? “Because we don’t hire women as pool managers”.

A year and a half later, a position opened for pool manager. Of course, Maria applied. And. She. Got. The. Job!

This was not the last time Maria would be the first woman in a position that was dominated by men. From general manager of parks and recreation to director of parks and maintenance, to social services general manager, all the way to multiple deputy minister positions in government.

As the deputy minister of infrastructure, Maria faced criticism of not being an engineer, not being an architect, and being a woman.

How Maria Adjusted Her Behaviour To Fit In

“I had to take on some characteristics that would make [the men] listen to me” Maria says.

That included using some colorful language and dressing in neutral tone pant suits. All to make sure she fit in with the guys.

Back then, it wasn’t easy for women in the workplace to gain respect. Maria explains that if you were competent, you weren’t liked.

And if you were liked, then you probably weren’t competent.

So if you were a woman and competent, it really divided people because the definition of leadership had entailed being strong, macho, assertive, and dominant.

It wasn’t a challenge that she faced on her own though, Maria explains. One of her greatest mentors was Betty Hughes, the first female president of CNR Rail. The best piece of advice Betty offered was “it’s okay to wear pink”.

“Nowadays, it’s okay to drop the male characteristics. You can be the you that you really are” Maria says.

The Value of Mentorship

Spending 55 years volunteering Maria started to notice everyone at the top of these organizations looked the same – they had white hair or no hair. There were no young people! Who was supposed to replace her when she moved on?

Maria began mentoring – both men and women – to give back to her community and to develop leaders for the future.

Based on her own experience, Maria encourages folks to seek out mentors, coaches, and sponsors to enrich their success. She also talks about importance of finding like-minded individuals that you can go to with your failures and successes.

Finally, building self-confidence. “It’s not as strong and easily developed with women as it is with men” Maria explains.

How can you develop self-confidence? Maria says to jump in with both feet!

Take on new challenges to test yourself
Trust yourself and trust your gut
Ask yourself “what’s the worst that could happen?”
Remember it’s okay to learn as you go – you don’t have to know it all right away!
Finding sponsors, mentors, and coaches (your network) to have your back and to learn from each other

Maria’s book recommendation

“#1 Ladies Detective Agency” by Alexander McCall Smith

The story is based in Africa where women do not do detective type work in that part of the world, let alone that country. The story follows a woman who starts her own private detective agency, which was unheard of at the time.

“It’s got mystery, it’s got humor, and it’s a great read!” says Maria.

You’ll get something out of it because of her courage and her smarts. And you have to figure out whodunit!

Show Highlights

[02:40] Maria started off her leadership role early in childhood.

[04:00] Moving to Edmonton after living in a refugee camp.

[09:09] Her experience as the first woman to take on the parks and recreation director position in Canada.

[12:25] How she dealt with being a female lead in male-dominated roles.

[13:45] Maria talks about her female mentors, starting with Betty Hughes.

[21:13] Why she decided to go into teaching after her career.

[23:05] The importance of having mentors in your life.

[25:00] Role that self-confidence gave Maria in her career.

[29:15] Her experiences in Kenya with gender discrimination.