Pillars of the Community

Windsor-Essex Pride Fest

Windsor-Essex Pride Fest (WEPF) is a registered nonprofit organization run by a volunteer board of directors that brings together members of the 2-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) community, their friends, allies and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of our community by producing quality, inclusive and safe events, initiatives and programs to celebrate and enjoy.

Celebrating their 30th anniversary this year,

Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST)

Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc. (WEST) is an extraordinary organization whose impact is comprehensive and has been part of the ‘journey’ and success for more than 50,000 woman and girls, changing lives and serving Windsor/Essex County through a variety of employment and training programs since 1987.

The agency exists to provide training for severely employment-disadvantaged visible

100 Women Who Care

Maureen Lucas, former president of LucasWorks, and Liz Farano, VP of Douglas Marketing Group, co-founded and launched the 100 Women Who Care Windsor-Essex chapter in 2012.

As women who live, work, volunteer and raise their families in Windsor-Essex, they understand that women alone can do a lot, but with combined forces of caring, compassionate and community-

Sponsored by Motor City Credit Union they raise awareness of ongoing challenges that still exist including discrimination, exclusion, harassment, assault and many more. minority women to improve their employability in the workforce and or to further their education. minded women, they can truly make a bigger impact and change lives.

The annual five-day Windsor-Essex Pride Fest is held each August and attracts more than 7,500 people from across southwestern Ontario. Programming includes a flag raising, educational workshops, family entertainment featuring more than 100 local artists/ performers/entertainers, a parade, and a festival. WEPF is currently conducting a comprehensive needs assessment to gather accurate information from the 2SLGBTQIA+community and service providers to establish an informed foundation upon which to develop future programs and services.

Their programs meet the needs of more than 3,000 women annually from diverse backgrounds including newcomers, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, LGTBQ+, Women in Skills Trades, Youth and STEM.

Inspiring others to strive to meet their goals, WEST works closely with business and community partners to encourage participants to build skills and confidence.

WEST annually celebrates participants and partners through its annual signature event, International Women’s Day gala, and Journey Towards Success Awards.

Since their inception, 100 Women Who Care Windsor-Essex has raised more than $400,000 for local non-profits in our region. In our busy world, it has become more challenging than ever to do all the things we want to do, including connecting to our local community and giving back – in time, energy or funding.

Alone, one can ‘give’. Together, the 100 Women Who Care have created a network of support that has the power to truly make a large impact, making our community a better place to live, work and play.

Company of the Year (over 26 employees)

HGS Limited

HGS Limited is a team of highly qualified professionals who work together to deliver superior structural engineering with full commitment and dedication to exceed client expectations. They provide creative and complex integrated designs that reflect the uniqueness and individuality of each project.

Founded in 1979 with just a couple of employees, HGS today has grown to just under 50 with plans to expand their facility and increase

MOVATI Athletic

Currently operating three locations in the region – Amherstburg, Kingsville and Windsor – as well as 13 others across Ontario and Alberta, MOVATI’s prototype model is not your typical gym. Its unique concept offers a warm, clean, inviting design while accommodating six dedicated studios, two swimming pools, lounges and cafes, women’s-only facilities, personal training, recovery and wellness programs, and 150plus weekly fitness classes. With a focus on

Matthew Thibert Drugs, owner and operator of Shoppers Drug Mart

Matthew Thibert Drugs

LTD (operating as Shoppers Drug Mart) strives to innovate the world of health and wellness services. From online prescription management to virtual visits with healthcare providers, they’re committed to caring for and supporting their customers every day. They strive to be a trusted nutrition, health, beauty and wellness partner while supporting the company’s overarching purpose – Live Life Well. “CORE” values – Care, Ownership, Respect, Excellence – guide their actions

Sponsored by St. Clair College staff levels over the next few years. the customer, its airy and spacious clubs offer members a boutique-like sense of community. and decisions to be a better place to work and shop.

HGS is very involved in the future of local manufacturing, working with St. Clair College and the University of Windsor to offer placements and hands-on training to undergraduate and master’s students, many of whom become fulltime employees upon graduation.

To sustain employee growth and promotion from within, the senior staff act as mentors to intermediate staff, as does intermediate staff to junior staff. This practice has fostered a constant circuit of training and advancement based on proven skills, dedication and goal orientation.

In addition to offering leading-edge technology, fitness equipment, programming and spaces to meet member needs, MOVATI has implemented the Net Promoter Score (NPS) program involving quarterly outreach to a section of their membership base asking for feedback on programs, services, equipment and the facility. Club general managers and their teams develop action plans for continuous improvement, including identifying new areas of focus each quarter based on NPS results and feedback.

Matthew Thibert Drugs takes pride in a culture built on authenticity, trust and connections, where their employees feel comfortable expressing who they are and are building strong relationships. By thinking about not just “what” they do but “how” they go about their work, they are able to deliver an amazing customer experience while achieving sustainable, breakthrough results. Employees are provided with free training and online support materials from their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee which has most recently included topics such as Trans-Inclusive Store Experience, Serving Customers with Disabilities, and the Black Canadian Shopping Experience.