Our Story

Women General Counsel Canada (WGCC) began in 2013 with a simple but powerful idea: women serving in the most senior legal and business leadership roles needed a space of their own to connect, share, and learn from one another.

Founded by a small group of women lawyers who were members of the Women’s Law Association of Ontario (WLAO), WGCC was originally established as the WLAO General Counsel Chapter. At the time, many women in General Counsel and equivalent roles found themselves navigating complex professional and personal challenges with few peers who truly understood the unique demands of the role.

The founding members recognized the value of coming together—not just for professional development, but for connection, candour, and community. WGCC was intentionally created as a welcoming forum where women legal leaders could engage in thoughtful discussion, exchange lived experiences, and explore topics of shared interest, both inside and outside the boardroom.

In its early years, WGCC met quarterly in and around the Greater Toronto Area. These informal lunchtime gatherings were hosted by members themselves and focused on personal growth, leadership development, and the evolving role of the General Counsel. What began as a small, grassroots initiative quickly became something more—a trusted network built on generosity, mutual support, and shared ambition.

Those early conversations laid the foundation for what WGCC is today: a national, member‑led community dedicated to supporting and advancing women legal executives across Canada.