Award Winners’ Profile Member of the Year
President’s Award
Stewart Beck
WEP Committee
High Commissioner of Canada to India
Stewart Beck is the High Commissioner to the Republic of India with concurrent accreditation to the Kingdom of Bhutan and to Nepal. He joined the Department of External Affairs and International Trade in 1982 and served abroad in the United States, Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China. In Ottawa, he has held a number of positions, including director general of the North Asia Bureau, director general responsible for senior management and rotational assignments and assistant deputy minister for international business development, investment and innovation. He was consul general in Shanghai and prior to his posting to India, he was consul general in San Francisco. He and his spouse, Brenda, have three sons.
Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) has had a long history of adapting to the new developments within the community. During the last 15 years or so, ICCC has initiated several measures to reflect the changing needs of its members and its stakeholders. Continuing its dynamic approach of adaptability, on March 8, 2013 – the International Women’s Day – ICCC launched the Women Entrepreneurs & Professionals Committee. The core committee comprising Ravi Malhi, Mini Khurana, Ginni Sethi, Smita Dayal and Shibani Sahney dedicated themselves to building the committee and induct women entrepreneurs and professionals from the community as members.
Mr. Beck’s background has been particularly relevant to the government’s goal of expanding bilateral trade and commercial ties with India. Being a trade commissioner and having opened Canadian Government Trade Offices in Silicon Valley and Miami his focus has been on economic diplomacy and his approach has been entrepreneurial in nature.
Their single-minded and sincere efforts bore remarkable results. Within a month of its formation, the committee enrolled over 150 new members. The committee introduced innovative program formats that while focusing on women’s issues adopted a participatory and celebratory approach.
His background and skills have been instrumental in promoting the Canada’s strategic value for India. The number of Canadian companies actively engages in the Indian market has almost trebled and Canada is now recognized as being a key partner for energy and food security and in the education and infrastructure sectors.
The committee has created a platform for Indo-Canadian women to share their experiences as well as learn about new issues that would help them in their business and profession.
ANNUAL
MAGAZINE 21