Cheryl Reicin on WXN, award wins and the value of mentoring

Torys’ Life Sciences Group practice leader Cheryl Reicin is a four-time winner of the WXN Top 100 Most Powerful Women Award. Cheryl’s success over the years resulted in an induction into the WXN Hall of Fame in 2019.

As the award gala for the 2020 Top 100 Most Powerful Women awards fast approaches, Cheryl shares some of her experiences of being involved with WXN and reflected on how the experience helped shape her and her career.

What was your first experience of a WXN Top 100 Most Powerful Women event?

I went to the first WXN event with much ambivalence, expecting to meet some controlling and competitive types. Yet, that wasn’t my experience. Rather I met remarkable women. I met women who were helping the underprivileged; women who were making medical discoveries; women who were serving as role models in their corporations and creating better environments; and entrepreneurs, women who were creating something from nothing. It was not a group of women strutting their stuff trying to one-up each other but rather a group who I could admire. They were interested, and they were interesting. They were interested in further developing themselves and lifting others up with them.

What did you learn through your journey with WXN?

After meeting other women through WXN and better understanding its mission, I understood there was another definition of power I was ready to embrace and wear proudly—being able to influence for the good. By the fourth and final award celebration, I was finally excited to invite my family and colleagues who I felt made it all happen for me. I was just the conduit, but together with others, I felt gratification to have brought some positive change to my profession and my community.

What are some of the things you’ve had a chance to experience through WXN?

Through WXN, I have had the chance to participate in its mentor program. I have had the privilege of mentoring an amazing young woman who is climbing the corporate ladder, volunteers for nonprofits all while building a young family. It has been a joyful and positive experience for me.

You can read more of Cheryl’s thoughts and experiences of being a four-time WXN Top 100 Most Powerful Women award winner and hall of fame inductee on the WXN blog.