WBE Canada Magazine Issue 8

FEATURING 2022 EXCELLENCE AWARDS WINNERS

ONTARIO POWER GENERATION

Embracing Equity & Diversity in its Supply Chain

CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO

A Conversation with WBE Canada’s President & CEO Silvia Pencak

Writers & Editors

Silvia Pencak - President & CEO

Judy Carswell - Chief Editor

Alexandra Roy - Interim Marketing Manager | Executive Assistant to the President

Contributing Writers

Floria Aghdamimehr, Ann-Marie Anderson, Laura Didyk, Meagan Snow, Carolyn Stern, Trisha Welsh

Designers

Grassick Graphic Communications www.GrassickGraphic.com

WBE Canada Contact Details

Editorial queries and submissionsmarketing@wbecanada.ca

General queries - concierge@wbecanada.ca

WBE Certification - certification@wbecanada.ca Corporate Membershipmembership@wbecanada.ca Partnerships - partner@wbecanada.ca

©WBE Canada, March 2023 https://wbecanada.ca

TheWBE Canada Magazine is a quarterly magazine designed to connect ourcommunities, empowerCanadianwomen entrepreneurs and inspire Canada’s corporate and government organizations in theirsupplierdiversity initiatives.

To subscribe to the WBE Canada Magazine, click here .

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Making it possible .

Every day, Magna works to make the impossible possible – on the roads and in our communities. We are dedicated to supporting programs and organizations that make a difference in people’s lives and the world around us.

We are proud to sponsor WBE Canada dedicated to creating networking, training and promotional opportunities for Canadian women-owned businesses, buyers and leaders from large corporate and government organizations Together we can make it possible. WHEN

THAT’S THE .EXPORT IMPACT

Message from the President

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!

This year is a very special year for me as I celebrate my fifth anniversary with WBE Canada. I’ve spent lots of time reviewing actions, accomplishments and disappointments we’ve experienced as an organization.

As a leader I understand the challenges this year brings to growth focused businesses and organizations. We want to move forward with boldness while protecting our teams and preventing painful mistakes. In order to win, we need clear vision, solid strategy, a pinch of intentionality and a large dose of perseverance.

This year’s Women’s Day theme is Embrace Equity. While this seems powerful, I had to google the term to understand what it means (English is not my native language and dictionaries are great tools). Among other things I’ve learned that improving equity requires acknowledgement of the inequities women face and actively working to redress that imbalance.

WBE Canada embraced this approach some time ago as we decided to support smaller womenowned businesses with newly developed resources and opportunities and provide additional support for new supplier diversity initiatives to speed up the implementation in Canada. We continue learning more about our communities and their needs and developing new tools and programs to help address these challenges.

The Spring 2023 issue of the WBE Canada Magazine aims to educate, inspire and motivate our community to keep moving forward challenging the status quo. I strongly believe that each of us CAN make a difference. If you can help, teach, sell, buy, give or encourage, you can be a difference maker.

Winston Churchill said: “You must put your head in the lion’s mouth if the performance is to be a success.” In other words, to make a difference for women-owned businesses in Canada, we all need to do our part. My hope is that our efforts will not disappear with Women’s Day but will continue throughout the year.

As you read through and get inspired, remember to reach out to our team with partnership ideas, feedback or tips. We love hearing from you and look forward to partnering with you this year.

SILVIA PENCAK President & CEO, WBE Canada concierge@wbecanada.ca

OPG Embracing Equity and Diversity

By Meagan Snow, Senior Manager of Strategic Programs & Supplier

Diversity in its Supply Chain

Supplier Relationship Management, OPG

As one of North America’s largest electricity generators, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the company’s Supply Chain.

Publicly owned by the Province of Ontario, OPG meets about half of the province’s power needs through a diverse generating fleet that includes nuclear, hydroelectric, natural gas, biomass, and solar technology. Through our Climate Change Plan, published in 2020, we are committed to becoming a net-zero company by 2040 and helping to achieve a net-zero economy by 2050.

To continue to succeed and meet all of our goals, we know it’s imperative to partner with diverse, sustainable, and socially responsible businesses. We procure more than $2.7 billion yearly for materials and services in operations and projects. We purchase goods and services from approximately 2,000 active suppliers and are proud to support local, diverse, and Indigenous businesses. We recognize the value of equity seeking suppliers to help create innovative solutions, products, and services. We want to be reflective of the communities we serve. This will help us to drive competition, reduce risk, and continuously bring value to our customers.

OPG has established a Supplier Diversity program and spending targets, encouraging procurement from diverse vendors and supplier partnerships with businesses owned and operated by equity-seeking group members. This program

represents a building block in the development of a sustainable and diverse supply chain with a direct impact on economic empowerment for equity seeking groups. All areas of our business are measured for achieving responsible sourcing goals. Last year, we achieved $18 million for diverse procurement and $58 million for Indigenous contract awards. Each year, OPG publicly updates its progress on Indigenous procurement and related goals outlined in its Reconciliation Action Plan. In addition, our vendor partners are supportive of our journey and work towards targets that we establish annually.

We are also committed to achieving excellence in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) through our 10-year ED&I strategy, which OPG released in 2022. Our plan, which is based on the Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Benchmark outlining global best practices, identifies four areas of focus (Foundation, People, Connection, Community), 15 strategic ED&I priorities, and nearly 100 initiatives

planned between 2020 and 2030. As we embrace equity, the strategy will serve as our roadmap to become one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers by 2023 and a global leader in ED&I best practices by 2030.

We empower our employees to have access to training from the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) on supplier diversity to ensure we are working together to be a leader in this space. In addition, we actively recognize our staff that are helping to lead change. We have also created a Community of Practice with our energy counterparts to help us learn from each other and collaborate to expand our reach. Together, we are working to ensure a more sustainable future, which includes a cleaner environment, a stronger economy, and a diverse workforce.

To secure our clean energy future, OPG is growing and investing in our hydroelectric and nuclear fleets,

as well as, developing Small Modular Reactors, which will create new supply opportunities. Requests for Proposals are posted on Ariba to ensure a fair and transparent process for the vendor community. We encourage all WBE members to please register on Ariba to receive timely notifications. OPG’s suppliers are expected to comply with OPG’s Supplier Code of Conduct and Code of Business Conduct. OPG has recently engaged a third party to conduct ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) evaluations through our value chain. Suppliers will be evaluated in the categories of Environmental Performance, Labour and Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. Please register here to become an OPG supplier.

We are proud members of WBE Canada and have awarded several contracts to WBE certified womenowned businesses. We look forward to new business opportunities as we advance Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the energy sector and look forward to connecting with you.

Meaghan Snow

Meaghan is the Senior Manager of Strategic Programs & Supplier Relationship Management. She has led OPG's Supply Chain ED&I journey since 2021. She has 14 years of Nuclear and Supply Chain experience and has held various roles from Senior Manager of Business System Integration to Process Specialist. She has also held procurement roles in the private sector. She has strong relationships with our business stakeholders which supports the engagement of our programs. Meaghan holds a degree in Business Administration and Management, a Certification in Business, Management, and Operations, and is a graduate of the Women in Leadership from Cornell University. In addition, holds a MicroMasters in Supply Chain from MIT. She is highly skilled in Supplier Diversity, Indigenous Economic Engagement, Inventory Management, Procurement, Business Planning, Statistical Data Analysis, Continuous Improvement, and Leadership.

Meaghan Snow | LinkedIn

power world Our power is changing the world

As a global climate change leader with one of the most diverse generating portfolios in North America, Ontario Power Generation is committed to building a more sustainable future powered exclusively by electricity.

Having delivered one of the world’s single largest climate change actions by closing our coal stations, we are now focused on becoming a net-zero company by 2040, and enabling a net-zero economy by 2050. To get there, we’re investing in new technologies including transportation electrification, Small Modular Reactors, energy storage, hydrogen production, and hydroelectric projects.

Learn more about our commitment to sustainability by visiting opg.com/ESG

THE SCOTIABANK

WOMEN INITIATIVE: Connecting and Inspiring Women-Led Businesses Through Its MasterClass Series

“So many incredible people, and especially women, have helped me along my entrepreneurial journey and so it was an absolute pleasure to try to help others in return,” says Robin Kovitz, CEO of Baskits and a member of The Scotiabank Women Initiative® when asked why she accepted the invitation to be a speaker for the initiative’s MasterClass Series.

Specialized education sessions for women entrepreneurs and women-led businesses is one of the founding pillars of The Scotiabank Women Initiative. Since its inception in 2018, these sessions have grown in size and frequency to

meet the needs of its participants. Over the last year, the initiative has organized and run 12 virtual sessions, one each month. Expert speakers have included a former TV reporter turned PR coach, an iron worker, and a retired Canadian National gymnast. Topics have ranged from how to create a healthy work-life balance as a working Mom, to how to overcome bias in a male-dominated field.

With Baskits recognized as one of the Top Growing Companies in Canada by The Globe and Mail in 2020 and 2021, Kovitz discussed in her MasterClass how building a network and securing funding supported the growth of her business.

THE SCOTIABANK WOMEN INITIATIVE continued...

As a speaker she was delighted by the sense of community among the audience. “[There was] a shared knowing that it will not be easy but that together, we can achieve great things – especially with the support of incredible organizations and initiatives like The ScotiaBank Woman Initiative,” Kovitz says.

MasterClasses are open to all Canadian women-led businesses free of charge. Overall, the MasterClass Series has been attended by more than 500 women business owners and entrepreneurs.

Scotiabank Women Initiative, says it’s a couple of things. “One, they pick up nuggets and best practices from different speakers. Two, they love the sense of community the classes generate because not only do they get to listen to these inspiring speakers, but they get to talk to others on the line.”

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Empowering women by prioritizing economic equality.

“Most importantly,” McMartin added, “They get to hear stories from women who may have more established businesses but who are still using the program as a tool and as a resource. It just shows everyone needs support no matter where they are in their businesses and that is an inspiration to the women who attend.”

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The Scotiabank Women Initiative® is a signature program designed to increase economic opportunity for women-led businesses. This unique offering helps women pursue their best professional and financial futures with access to capital and tailored solutions, specialized education, mentorship and advice.

To access our resources and tools, go to scotiabankwomeninitiative.com/commercial

INCREASING BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES MASTERCLASS SERIES – COMING THIS SUMMER

The Scotiabank Women Initiative is excited to bring its audience a special three-part MasterClass Series focused on increasing business opportunities this summer.

Growing Your Business Globally-July

This session is for women-owned and womenled businesses that are interested in international expansion.

Silvia Pencak, President & CEO of WBE Canada - June

As a change leader and trailblazer, Silvia oversees operations of WBE Canada, relationships with corporations, women organizations and governments to help Canadian women owned businesses land lucrative corporate & government contracts, grow their businesses and drive economic growth in Canada. Under her leadership, WBE Canada experienced accelerated growth in spite of the pandemic continually turning challenges into opportunities for the organization and its community of women-owned businesses.

Valerie Pek, CEO of Kitworks - August

Seeing an opportunity to build brands and connect in this new world, Valerie launched Kitworks in the fall of 2022. With a studio warehouse in Leslieville, Toronto, Kitworks takes a brand centric approach to e-commerce fulfillment and kitting. The e-commerce fulfilment is geared towards early-stage businesses who have built an incredible brand and want to deliver an exceptional experience for their customers.

To learn more about these MasterClasses and to register, visit www.scotiabankwomeninitiative.com/joinnow

These MasterClasses are just one of the ways The Scotiabank Women Initiative supports women-led and women-owned businesses. Over the last four years, the initiative has deployed $5.9 billion in capital to this group and is working to increase that capital commitment to $10 billion by 2025. The program has engaged nearly 20,000 women and non-binary entrepreneurs and leaders through specialized education and events, like StrikeUP, an annual digital conference for women entrepreneurs.

To find out more information about The Scotiabank Women Initiative and to get involved, visit www.scotiabankwomeninitiative.com

CHALLENGING

The Status Quo

A Conversation with WBE Canada’s President & CEO Silvia Pencak

The majority of the WBE Canada Community doesn’t remember what WBE Canada used to be like before 2018 and that’s because of the incredible growth our organization has experienced over the last five years. As our President and CEO celebrates her fifth anniversary leading the organization, we wanted to take a moment to help you get to know Silvia Pencak by taking you on a journey through her first five years with the organization that she so passionately continues to move forward, challenging the status quo and inspiring action. Join us for this insightful conversation as we discuss leadership, supply chains, challenges and opportunities.

WBE Canada: March 2023 marks your 5th anniversary with WBE Canada. Let’s start at the beginning. You were running your own business, in fact in 2018 you were a WBE. Why did you decide to apply for the President’s position?

Silvia: I've always liked the nonprofit sector. Back in 2002 I actually founded a nonprofit organization and built it into a regionally recognized organization servicing hundreds of people in the community back home in Slovakia. When my husband and I immigrated to Canada in 2006, I was hoping to do similar work in Canada. Except, life is not that straightforward for immigrants in Canada. In 2017 when the retirement of my predecessor was announced, I was leading a consulting firm. Initially I

wasn’t considering applying for a position with WBE Canada as I was busy and happy with my business supporting our clients.

The moment that changed everything for me was at one of the events hosted by a WBE Canada Corporate Member organization. This organization was one of the top prospects for my business and I had spent over a year building a relationship with them. I learned about the event and was invited to exhibit by them, not WBE Canada. Our team spent 2 weeks preparing resources, dividing roles and responsibilities and the Friday before the Monday event I was referred to WBE Canada to finalize logistics and immediately denied our spot at the tradeshow with “Who told you about the event? We

didn’t invite you.” Long story short, we did end up exhibiting at that particular event, being introduced to the right contacts and within 1 month we landed our first contract with that particular client which turned into a long-term engagement and multiple referrals to other clients.

This event made me think about supplier diversity, WBE Canada and doing business in Canada. I had first hand experience as a woman and as an immigrant of being undermined, disregarded and lacking access to opportunities. Seeing WBE Canada acting as red tape instead of a bridge and connector was a challenge I wanted to help resolve and I sent in my resume. Helping WBE Canada succeed was larger than me or building my own business. It was about giving back to the country and community that welcomed me and my family and I knew I had the passion and skills to do the work necessary.

WBE Canada: What were the early challenges WBE Canada faced when you took over the reigns as President?

Silvia: There were many challenges. In my first year I actually felt exactly like I did during my first year of being an immigrant. Misunderstood, undermined and even alienated by some. One of my mentors, John Maxwell, the top leadership expert and author of 130 books on leadership says: “Why you lead and the way you lead are important. They define YOU, your leadership, and ultimately your contribution.” As a leader I am grounded. I know my strengths. I know my weaknesses. I am intentional about my actions and most importantly about building my inner circle. The only reason WBE Canada is where it is today is not because of me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without people around me. My team, Board directors, committee members, many in our community, some partners and of course my family supported me and WBE Canada through good and bad times and that is what I remember most from my early days and even today. You know who you arethank you!

WBE Canada: What is the most significant thing about WBE Canada that you’ve learned along the way?’’

Silvia: One of my favourite things about WBE Canada is its community. I originally joined WBE Canada in 2016 when I certified my business so I had the benefit of getting to know the community before I took on my current role. Canadian WBEs and Corporate Members are what makes WBE Canada great. The WBE Canada team’s commitment is unwavering. I consider it a privilege to lead WBE Canada. Together we have the opportunity to design a better future for Canadian women-owned businesses in supply chains of all kinds and sizes. There are good days and there are tough days. Working with both buyer and supplier communities I’ve learned that no side has it easy. While WBEs are eager to get into supply chains, supplier diversity professionals are continually challenged to transform corporate culture, purchasing procedures and internal biases from the middle of their organizations. We’re all on the journey trying to find the easiest path to transform the status quo and make a difference. I love hearing success stories when the efforts turn into results. Whether it’s the first corporate contract or increased spend with an existing WBE supplier, newly approved supplier diversity policy or tripled spend with WBEs, success breeds success and momentum increases results we all can benefit from.

WBE Canada: Five years is a significant milestone. If there was one professional wish you could make for your 5th anniversary, what would it be?

Silvia: To be honest, it doesn’t feel like 5 years. Time is fluid. There are days when I feel ancient like we’ve been doing it for so long and change is so slow. And sometimes when I look back I feel like we’re running a sprint while juggling tons of balls in the air. My wish is for Canada to be a leader in supplier diversity. Not just through rhetorics - I want supply chains to buy with purpose. Buy from Canadian women-owned businesses. I want to see WBEs run not just multi-million dollar businesses but multi-billion dollar companies. Go from selling nationally or across North America

“I consider it a privilege to lead WBE Canada. Together we have the opportunity to design a better future for Canadian women-owned businesses in supply chains of all kinds and sizes."

WOMEN BRAND

Look

to selling globally and lead the change in global markets. I want to see corporations and governments spend more than the current 0-5% with women-owned businesses, opening opportunities across their entire organizations and getting better because they chose to diversify. But until we get there, I will be happy with every new organization that commits to supply chain diversification and inclusion. And WBE Canada will be right there with the necessary support and resources to help us keep moving in the right direction.

WBE Canada: Have you ever had a moment when you asked yourself whether making such a huge decision to go from owning your own business to leading WBE Canada was the right decision?

Silvia: Of course, many times. It was difficult to leave my nonprofit organization and family behind when I moved to Canada and it was also difficult to step away from my business, team and clients when I decided to commit to supporting WBE Canada. Life is full of difficult decisions and we have a choice to remain the same or to take a leap. Every individual in our community is making similar decisions - to keep their business small and manageable or to scale it up to its next level. To maintain the supplier diversity program as is or to continue improving it to create a bigger ripple effect. Or to get out of the comfort zone and to participate in events, programs or opportunities. To create different results we all need to leave our comfort zone behind and step out on a new journey. So when I feel sad about my business I try to also remember the impact we are able to make for so many women-owned businesses across Canada. And at the end of the day, yes, it's all worth it. And also, if you remember from the beginning of our conversation, I’ve always liked the nonprofit sector and I do feel blessed to have the opportunity as an immigrant to Canada to do what I’ve always wanted to do. Not all immigrants have this privilege.

WBE Canada: In your 5 years, WBE Canada has evolved and just when things started to run smoothly, the pandemic hit. How did you manage to keep the organization moving forward and what were your biggest challenges during that period?

Silvia: I don’t consider the pandemic a challenge for WBE Canada. Our team has always worked virtually so that wasn’t a challenge. I had strong experience hosting virtual events from my business and a natural fascination with online marketing and technology. So when the pandemic hit In 2020, and we had to transition to doing everything, including events, virtually, I was more than comfortable and prepared. When other organizations around us were canceling their in-person events, it took WBE Canada less than 2 weeks to transition our

CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO continued...

first in-person event into a virtual experience and we did it with the automotive sector, connecting our WBEs to companies seeking suppliers ready to help with mask and ventilator manufacturing. We supported our communities through webinars and information until it became a norm across Canada and then we transitioned to other projects like Toolbox. I remember our team conversations back then as we decided to not strive for perfection but to just be there for our community. We wanted to encourage, inspire and continue creating the space for conversations and connection building, however imperfect. We decided to be a bridge and if I may, I think we succeeded. I am very proud of our small team taking on this challenge and supporting our community when they needed us most. And those in our community know that we continue focusing on results for them even today, constantly improving and innovating.

The biggest challenge during the pandemic and even now post-pandemic is the one that is always difficult - leadership. Simon Sinek recently said that as leaders we “continually have to deal with human anxiety, uncertainty, egos and even people who think they know but don’t”. Constant change combined with the inability to deal with stress are creating difficult environments for leaders where we need to manage organizational growth while helping our people and communities to grow, improve and get better. At WBE Canada we work hard to support our own organizational growth while also inspiring personal growth and we hope to inspire our WBEs and Corporate Members to do the same.

WBE Canada: What is your single biggest vision for the future of women-owned businesses and supplier diversity in Canada?

Silvia: I’m not a big fan of sci-fi movies but I do like to observe patterns, noticing that there’s a common theme when it comes to villains. A lack of diversity. Take the Matrix or Star Wars, for example. The bad guys (agents or troopers) are a bunch of people dressed in the same outfit with the same bad goal. The good guys are a bunch of individuals thrown together for a greater good, despite their many differences.

Diversity is a challenge for leaders who don’t understand its value. Organizations need diversity of ideas, diversity of thinking and diversity of experience. Not only internally but also in their supply chains. Procurement departments can and need to be used for good - to create economic impact in diverse communities across Canada and beyond if we just commit the will and resources to the efforts.

I would love for supplier diversity to become a norm - the way how Canada does business - in my lifetime. I would love for supply chains to remove red tape and biases and award more contracts to women-owned businesses. And I'd love for women to not pay the price for having a family in the midst of their career, or taking a break to care for their families,

elderly family members - all at the cost of their professional life. And I'd love for women to not be paid less through contracts or partnerships. THIS is the vision that fuels my actions every day.

WBE Canada: Conversely, what do you see as the biggest challenge for women-owned businesses and supplier diversity in Canada?

Silvia: I think in Canada the biggest challenge is lack of accountability. Supply chains are cloaked in a cloud of secrecy. Disclosing suppliers can bring unintended threats and disclosing numbers can be painful especially if your data scrub reveals poor results. I don’t want to point fingers but how many government organizations do you know that publicly share their spend with women-owned businessesand they manage our taxpayer money! If they don’t do it, how can we ask private companies to report

their results? This is how we end up with lots of promises and commitments but very vague realities. WBE Canada is not afraid to continue having these difficult conversations and explore opportunities for change. I welcome all suggestions and expertise in this area, let me know if you can help.

WBE Canada: What motivates you every morning to roll up your sleeves and get going?

Silvia: I am very passionate about WBE Canada’s vision - to empower and facilitate the success of women-owned businesses with equitable access within supply chains to drive innovation, social value and economic growth in communities across Canada. Knowing that we are co-creating an impact for current and future generations of women entrepreneurs, their families and communities with our community of partners and supporters is highly motivating.

CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO continued...

WBE Canada: In one sentence, describe what a typical day (pretend there’s a typical day) looks like in your world as President & CEO

Silvia: Family breakfast, devotion, focus work, lots of meetings with occasional breaks, cooking/eating dinner (actually, most of the weekdays my hubby takes care of dinners), back to reading, writing and catching up on projects while waiting for my hockey players to get back home. Yes, my life is pretty boring :)

WBE Canada: Rapid Fire Questions - let’s get to know Silvia Pencak on a personal level.

Favourite colour – Blue.

Favourite food – Slovak cuisine.

Favourite place on Earth – Sun, beach and a book.

Favourite book/author – Bible.

Favourite hobby – Swimming.

What is the one thing that you absolutely cannot live without – People.

WBE Canada: Give us one interesting fact about yourself that no-one would guess.

Silvia – English is my fourth language.

Silvia Pencak is the President & CEO of WBE Canada, a Canadian non-profit organization certifying women-owned businesses and opening the doors to corporate & government supply chains under supplier diversity programs across North America.

Silvia has more than 25 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit and business environment, leading transformational projects and teams. Her diverse international background spearheading successful initiatives gives her a wealth of experience to lead supplier diversity to its next level to support Canadian women-owned businesses.

Silvia believes in the power of partnerships and is always open to building alliances that benefit all involved. She is passionate about making a positive impact in her communities. She is a wife, mom to two girls and champion of 500+ Canadian women-owned businesses.

TRADE COMMISSIONER SERVICE

Discover how we support women-owned and women-led businesses to expand into international markets

Get started with us today!

SERVICE DES DÉLÉGUÉS COMMERCIAUX

Découvrez comment nous aidons les entreprises détenues et dirigées par des femmes à prendre de l’expansion sur les marchés internationaux

Faites appel à nous dès maintenant!

Developing Diverse Suppliers Through BMO Elevate

By Ann-Marie Anderson, Advisor Canadian Supplier Diversity, BMO

Over the past 3 years, BMO has been laser focused on growing our already well-established supplier diversity program. In addition to setting supplier diversity goals at the line of business level, enhancing our enterprise-wide supplier diversity council to include top executives from each business group, and establishing respective monthly working committee meetings, our aggressive growth initiatives included the launch of BMO’s first-ever diverse business development program, BMO Elevate.

BMO Elevate is a 10-month, by-invitation program focused on identifying potential opportunities within our supply chain, developing suppliers for those potential opportunities, and increasing visibility within BMO so we can better meet the needs of our shareholders, customers and the communities BMO serves. It’s about growing the good in business and in life.

The three key pillars of the program are:

Mentorship Education

Providing participants with networking opportunities within several BMO business areas and to allow participants to showcase their capabilities and areas of expertise.

Aligning participants with BMO executives in a one-on-one setting to provide business development guidance and coaching, as well as introductions within the bank where potential needs exist.

Facilitating a ½ day workshop on “Perfecting Your Pitch” in preparation for actual business pitches to a panel of BMO executives. Additionally, we host masterclasses on various topics, including cyber security, return to work, talent retention, and growth through mergers and acquisitions, to name a few.

Connection

Developing Diverse Suppliers Through BMO Elevate …continued

Since the program pilot in 2021, nearly 30 diverse owned businesses have graduated from BMO Elevate, 12 of which are certified women owned business enterprises. To date we have received very positive feedback from our graduates, and have recently launched our 3rd cohort, where we will build on the successes of the last 2 years to make this program as impactful and beneficial to both the supplier community as well as to BMO.

The basis of BMO Elevate is creating a mutual learning and development experience that benefits BMO and the individual businesses. This approach allows everyone involved to develop a deeper understanding of needs and core capabilities that may be a fit. It is truly designed to “elevate” certified diverse businesses both inside and outside of the bank.

Something that continues to be exciting about this initiative is how it consistently evolves based on the valuable feedback we receive directly from participants and mentors after every component of the program. As business needs change, we are also able to tailor business criteria and selection for better alignment to potential business opportunities at BMO.

The positive impact BMO Elevate has had on the supplier diversity community is one of the reasons that BMO has been privileged to be honored as the Top Corporation in Supplier Diversity by WBE Canada for two consecutive years.

Here’s what some of the BMO Elevate participants had to say about the program:

“What a fantastic program. We gained insight and knowledge, and we grew new and existing partnerships within BMO. It's very rare that we have seen something like this rolled out and implemented at other Fortune 1000 companies. Thank you for your hard work!”

“A great experience. In almost 19 years of human capital workforce solutions experience, I cannot count more than just a few times that a company the size of BMO took the time to put together a plan to have suppliers get this type of exposure.”

Are you looking for a diverse business development program where you will:

• Establish new networks that will help you to gain insight into BMO’s supply chain

• Learn about topics of interest to you, your employees and your business,

• Build relationships with executives and fellow suppliers

“The BMO Elevate team was consistently engaged, interested, passionate, and invested in us as a participant. They tried to anticipate our needs by delivering interesting and relevant content.”

• Influence and impact the supplier diversity agenda

• Have access to images and digital badges that you can post on your social media platforms to spread the word about your involvement in the program

If your answer is yes to all the above please click here to express your interest for future cohorts.

Wishing everyone a wonderful International Women’s Day!

ANN-MARIE ANDERSON

As Advisor, Canadian Supplier Diversity for BMO’s Procurement Team Ann-Marie Anderson focuses on the growth initiatives in the Canadian Supplier Diversity landscape, developing relationships with diverse suppliers, advocacy councils, and internal stakeholders contributing to BMO’s goals. She is passionate about making an impact by helping diverse suppliers to get a seat at the table.

With over 30 years of experience in financial services Ann-Marie has held various roles across different business groups. She values giving back and plays an active role in BMO’s ERGs and raises money to conquer cancer and improve the education of students in the Caribbean.

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE: Meet WBE Canada’s 2022 Award Winners

WBE Canada’s Excellence Awards showcase and celebrate achievements in supplier diversity amongst our certified WBE community and our corporate and government members. This year’s Excellence Awards Ceremony took place during the 2022 National Conference November 10th before an in-person and very enthusiastic audience. We are pleased to introduce this year’s awards recipients who have graciously shared with us their thoughts on what it means to be a successful women-owned business in Canada and the state of supplier diversity in Canada’s corporate and government organizations - what the future holds after two long years of supply chain disruptions and persistent challenges.

TRADE COMMISSIONER SERVICE (TCS), GLOBAL AFFAIRS CANADA 2022 PRESIDENT’S AWARD

The TCS has been a long-time champion of women-owned businesses and an incredible partner in supporting Canadian WBEs through export opportunities, education and support on the ground in global markets. The TCS team is dedicated to making a difference for women entrepreneurs, always going the extra mile, challenging the status quo and ensuring that Canadian WBEs are not discriminated against when crossing borders. (WBE Canada)

WBE Canada: The TCS provides services and support to small, medium and large-sized exporters while at the same time supporting DEI in trade through a number of initiatives. What do you see as the most important focus for 2023 and how can women-owned businesses capitalize on fair and equitable opportunities on the international stage?

TCS: The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) understands that the full and equal participation of women in the economy is essential to Canada’s future competitiveness and prosperity, but barriers persist for women who want to participate in international trade. That’s why supporting companies owned and led by women continues to be a top priority for the TCS in 2023.

Leveraging the Government of Canada’s offices across Canada and around the world, our network of Trade Commissioners in more than 160 cities worldwide are there to help women-owned and

women-led companies to find new opportunities and make valuable business connections in foreign markets. The TCS provides a range of valuable (and free!) services to help Canadian companies grow and succeed in international markets. We focus on providing tailored and practical advice that can help companies make the best decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

We offer women-specific programming, including trade missions and business delegations. Participating companies are supported every step of the way by dedicated Trade Commissioners, from pre-travel briefings to business-to-business meetings on arrival in the target market. Business delegations and Minister-led trade missions are particularly powerful ways to learn more about new markets, share best practices and find partnership opportunities. The TCS also provides training and preparation through accelerator programs, and many other activities and initiatives.

Through the popular CanExport program, we also offer funding to help companies grow in new international markets and we offer a “concierge service” to provide enhanced support and guidance to companies owned or led by women interested in applying for CanExport funding.

Of course, we don’t do this alone. We are very happy to work with incredible partners already active in this space. Supplier diversity programs present enormous opportunities for women-owned companies, and the TCS will continue to support this area of growth, including by helping to cover the cost of certification for SMEs.

We look forward to hearing from you! Please reach out to us for more information on TCS services and our women-specific initiatives and visit our website at tradecommissioner.gc.ca

JEN McAVOY 2022 TOP VOLUNTEER

Jen McAvoy is the Vice President of Client Engagement at Cotton Canada and has been a WBE Canada Board Director since 2016. As the Chair of the Certification Committee since 2018, Jen has taken the committee from reviewing 50 applications a year, to over 130 applications in 2022. Under her leadership, the Certification Committee developed and revamped the WBE Certification Policy and spearheaded process improvements resulting in increased efficiency and transparency.

WBE Canada: Why is volunteering for WBE Canada important to you? As Chair of the Certification Committee, you are seeing a steady growth in the number of women-owned businesses who are choosing WBE Certification. What strikes you as the key reason behind this increase in certifications and why is it so significant?

Jen: It’s no secret that women-owned businesses are still the minority, and that they face enormous hurdles when it comes to arranging funding or building support networks to help them succeed. Owning and managing your own business is definitely the road less traveled, and I have a huge amount of respect for these entrepreneurs.

In my five years chairing the WBE Canada’s Certification Committee, I think the percentage increase has been well over 200%, which has been fantastic to see. I believe more and more women are discovering that certification gives them an edge in helping to open huge doors in both the private sector as well as government business.

Being certified doesn't guarantee anything. However, it does provide you with a recognized, and wellrespected designation. It also leads to connections and increased visibility. In addition, it provides access to relevant education and networking opportunities that would never happen otherwise.

Word is getting around, and anyone who has attended WBE Canada events can attest to the undeniable magic that is happening in the room. I'm dating myself here, but it's like that old shampoo commercial where you tell two friends and they tell two friends. Social media and the digital world are definitely getting the word out about the great things WBE Canada is bringing to the table. And those numbers are only going to go up and up.

"Serving on the Board and the Certification Committee is something I get tremendous personal fulfillment from, and I couldn't be prouder of the amazing work this organization is doing to support Canada's business women on their inspiring journeys."

ANN BAIDEN 2022 WBE LEADER

Ann Baiden is a Community Builder, Team Leader, Innovative Entrepreneur and Customer Service Master. As the President of her promotional products company, Innovatex Solutions, Ann goes above and beyond to not only help other businesses find solutions in their workplace, but she is also instrumental in supporting local charities and initiatives.

WBE Canada: You are someone who always goes above and beyond including taking time to support local charities and initiatives. Why is it important for you to take time out from your busy promotional product business to help other business owners?

Ann: I have always been a believer in helping others, and that belief translates into our work and philosophy at Innovatex Solutions. Over the last 25 years, and through my association with WBE Canada and GroYourBiz, I am extremely fortunate to have built a strong network of business colleagues, clients, and friends, many of whom even work for competing companies in the promotional products industry.

Still, I am happy and willing to support when I can, and it is extremely rewarding to see others succeed. Competition can be friendly, and we all benefit. I don’t give with the expectation of getting something

back, but I do believe that giving is circular. As a leader, I strive to improve personally, but thrive in assisting the lives of others. I take pride in others’ success and am always willing to help.

I remind myself that success is based on relationships and if you want support from others, you need to also provide it.

Take the time to learn from those around you.

There’s enough business for everyone and it’s a twoway street.

Go outside your comfort zone.

Doing something that scares us helps to push us forward, but when you have the support of others it doesn’t seem quite as scary.

"We are stronger when we have a community and I feel fortunate to have such an incredible one."

MARYSE BENHOFF 2022 WBE LEADER

Maryse is no stranger to the WBE community, having certified her company in 2009. As President of her Quebec based translation company, Maryse is a true champion of women-owned businesses, sharing her knowledge and expertise with other WBEs, supporting WBE development, engagement and WBE Canada strategy and as a member of the Supplier Advisory Committee (SAC) for the past 4 years.

WBE Canada: You supported WBE Canada’s Supplier Advisory Committee over the past four years, including two and half years as SAC Chair and Board Director. Your commitment to supporting WBE Canada and the WBE community through the pandemic is greatly appreciated. You have also championed WBE to WBE opportunities, even signing a contract with another WBE at the 2022 Conference! What is the key to WBE to WBE connections, why should WBEs consider each other for opportunities?

Maryse: Business is always about people first. Knowing that another company holds the same values as you do, opens the door to working together. We also recognize our realities as women business leaders, and naturally want to create business relationships in which empathy, collaboration, and a common cause are always present.

Being part of WBE Canada helps bring the right relationships to the right opportunity, it provides a fertile environment for trust, collegiality, learning and serious business all under one roof. To have been part of the infrastructure of WBE Canada for 4 years gave my team and I, a very comprehensive understanding of the diversity space from every angle of the prism.

Diversity is not one thing, it is an agglomeration of many actors all working to the betterment of society that makes this work. From the large corporations and the thousands of employees to the work of WBE Canada who performs the vetting of WBE Certified companies, to Certified businesses having the courage to risk growth at warp speeds, when it would be very comfortable to stay the course of a “small company”.

Being a WBE certified company, as either a supplier or a customer, reduces risks that may arise in other types of business relationships. When WBE-certified companies work together, we share the assurance that we are dealing with responsible people and organizations that can more easily recognize our needs and our capabilities and react with greater ease, speed, and diligence.

At BG Communications, we’re always eager to create business relationships with organizations that share our ideals and that face or have faced similar challenges; this allows us to achieve mutual gain in our agreements and contracts while increasing competitiveness and growth for both parties.

Thanks in no small part to the mentoring and support provided by the team at WBE Canada, WBE-certified companies can more easily develop and hone best practices that benefit the entire commercial and supply process within their organization. Also, speaking the same language when sharing ideas makes communication more effective and allows us to reach agreements and form strategic alliances more quickly.

MARTE BELISE 2022 WBE LEADER

Marte Belisle, President of SommEvents, is well known to the WBE Community from her enthusiastic participation in WBE Canada Events and as a veteran leader of many WBE Meetups. She actively supported the WBE community through her engagement in the Supplier Advisory Committee for the past 4 years and is currently supporting the Atlantic Canada Mentorship Program as a WBE Mentor.

CITY OF TORONTO 2022 WBE CANADA CHAMPION

The WBE Canada Champion award recognizes individuals or organizations that refer WBEs and/ or Corporate Members to WBE Canada. The City of Toronto, a corporate member since 2014 is a tireless advocate and partner in WBE Canada’s efforts to help women-owned businesses grow and scale, educate buyers on the benefits of diversifying their supply chain and promote the importance of supplier diversity to Canada’s economic recovery and growth.

WBE Canada: The City of Toronto’s Social Procurement Program launched in 2017. Since then, the City has been championing diverse procurement, advocating for DEI across all of its departments. What are the biggest challenges municipal governments face in creating and ensuring equal access to the vast procurement opportunities that exist across such a huge organization such as the City?

City of Toronto: The City of Toronto procures goods and services for 44 divisions with unique

mandates. Business areas range from externalfacing services such as shelters and long-term care homes, community programming, and construction and maintenance of municipal infrastructure, to internal-focused services such as technology, fleet, and professional services. Identifying diverse suppliers that can meet this wide range of business needs is a challenge, and the City relies on suppliers expressing their interest in doing business with the City to build a comprehensive diverse supplier list. Inquiries on business opportunities with the City can be sent to socialprocurement@toronto.ca

In addition, the City of Toronto, like many municipalities, has both centralized and decentralized procurement functions. This means the Social Procurement Team is responsible for educating buyers and promoting supply chain diversity across the entire organization. While internal education is a challenge, the process for diverse suppliers to navigate this complex procurement environment is a more significant barrier to successfully diversifying the supply chain. As an advocate for inclusive supply chains, the City is working to simplify system navigation to ensure diverse suppliers are included in procurement opportunities.

JESSICA GREY 2022 TOP SUPPLIER DIVERSITY LEADER

Jessica Grey is the Supplier Diversity Lead at RBC. She started this role in 2021 and in this short period of time she has been able to create impressive recognition of supplier diversity internally, building supplier diversity champions across the organization. She has coordinated countless buyer-supplier meetings and even developed and launched a mentorship program for diverse suppliers in IT. Jessica’s commitment to supplier diversity is mirrored in her participation in WBE Canada’s training, networking and advocacy events and innovative ways of supporting Canadian WBEs.

WBE Canada: Since 2021, you have been able to create impressive recognition of supplier diversity at RBC internally, building supplier diversity champions across the organization. At the same time RBC has been relentless in its advocacy of women-owned businesses, most recently partnering with WBE Canada to provide a Financial Education series for certified WBEs. As we celebrate #EmbraceEquity as this year’s focus of International Women’s Day, what must women entrepreneurs do in order to not just compete but succeed in supply chains?

Jessica: Speak up, amplify your voices and clearly articulate your abilities!

I do believe, in order to succeed, WBEs should continue to share their visions, speak up, and always do so with confidence. As women, we fall victim to stereotypes, that make us feel we need to prove our equality. Put that aside, and step up and in with the confidence to indicate we know why we’re here. Move from the defense to offense, and when you’re sharing your vision, speak to your competitive value, rely on your knowledge and exude the confidence

I know you have. There’s power in numbers, and we’re a stronger force together. “It starts with us” demonstrates community, solidarity and the need for us to advocate for one another. I challenge us all to share best practices, visions, and aid each other to succeed.

I will leave you with this quote from a women business entrepreneur who has been a mentor to me throughout life:

That came from Eloise Burke, an Organizational Development Practitioner, an Executive Coach, and she happens to also be my Mother. She reminds me time and again how important it is to stay focused, be confident and stick together. We can accomplish much more as a team than any 3 billion individuals.

I think it’s very important to attend the various networking events because it keeps a familiar face in front of people and because you never know when an opportunity is going to come up for their product or services. Contacts change at companies so it allows you to keep your information updated and also gives you the chance to re-engage with companies.

“Imagine the possibilities –the estimated population of females in the world is 3.905 billion. This is an underused power!”

SWOON STAFFING ULC 2022 WBE RISING STAR

Swoon Staffing ULC is an award-winning staffing agency with an innovative method to recruitment that has earned them a proven track record of placing the best and brightest talent with temporary and direct-hire opportunities at Fortune 1000 Companies worldwide. Swoon has implemented a leadership accountability program that holds its leaders responsible for undertaking diversity and inclusion efforts focused on increasing the representation of people of color and women.

WBE Canada: As a successful and rapidly growing women-owned business, Swoon is also dedicated to investing in communities, supporting diverse businesses and fostering an environment where everyone can be themselves. Swoon’s leaders are responsible for diversity and inclusion (D&I) efforts. Where do you see the commitment to diversity and inclusion in all facets of business heading and what can be done to further support women-owned businesses within the focus of D&I?

Swoon: The commitment to D&I will become an integral part of business growth in the future— extending further than just a way for companies to demonstrate their ethical values. At Swoon, we’ve been a women-owned and led company from the start and continue to prioritize our D&I efforts both internally and externally. We have seen impactful business growth for our clients because of the shared commitment to building a diverse workforce.

Companies genuinely dedicated to diversity and inclusion build a stronger culture, which in turn attracts top talent and higher retention rates. Furthermore, the representation of diverse viewpoints allows companies to reach new audiences, create additional revenue streams, and build brand loyalty with a bigger demographic— directly impacting the bottom line.

Supporting women-owned businesses doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be intentional. Start by actively seeking out womenowned businesses as vendors and suppliers. Working with the WBE has been instrumental in our success in this area, as the connections we’ve made have led to some of our strongest partnerships.

Celebrating the successes of other women-owned businesses is powerful, too. We believe that embracing the mentality that “a rising tide lifts all boats” will accelerate the progress of women-owned businesses in the future.

When more people feel valued and respected regardless of their gender, race, age, or sexual orientation, then communication, ingenuity, and productivity improve company-wide. We know that D&I initiatives aren’t simply a feel-good box to be checked but a key component of driving business results.

"Encouraging mentorship and allyship, amplifying women’s voices, and providing resources to help female leaders develop the skills they need to succeed are all excellent ways to further promote D&I efforts across the board."

ABC TECHNOLOGIES 2022 MOST IMPROVED SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAM

Under the leadership of Edet Umoafia as Lead, Supplier Diversity Development Program, ABC Technologies overhauled their reporting to keep internal clients better informed and executives more engaged in what is happening through their supplier diversity efforts. Edet did a great job of reviewing what was working and necessary given their

auto industry reporting requirements while also providing other insights that will help with obtaining additional FTE and support beyond what Ford, GM, and Stellantis require. In 2021, ABC Technologies’ WBE Canada Certified suppliers accounted for $32.2M with 36 certified suppliers representing 49% of their total diversity spend.

BG COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC. 2022 TOP WBE SUPPLIER

BG Communications International is one of the first Certified WBEs in Canada. Their commitment to growth and customer satisfaction was tested during the pandemic with massive need for their services and unprecedented growth. BG Communications continues to evolve and innovate while taking a no-excuse approach. While continuing to expand and improve, their team never shies away from supporting the WBE Community, WBE Canada and other organizations.

WBE Canada: As one of WBE Canada’s first certified WBEs, you’ve witnessed an exciting evolution in supplier diversity creating new opportunities for women entrepreneurs that your company has been able to benefit from. What are some of the most important improvements you’ve seen unraveled during the past couple of years and what is their impact on women-owned businesses?

BG: Having joined WBE Canada in 2009 the changes in the past 5 years have been radical. As many businesses and organizations have come to understand the importance of supplier diversity programs and now actively encourage minorityowned businesses, including women entrepreneurs, as is our case at BG Communications. The evolution we’ve observed is a change in attitude in the breadth and scope of mandates and large capacity contracts with which large corporate clients are ready to get involved with diverse suppliers. The clear call to action of the diversity spend movement and the effects to business growth is undeniable.

At BG communications, we have been reaping the benefits of increased supplier diversity opportunities over the past few years, even with the pandemic and post-pandemic collateral effects that continue to affect the business world.

Congratulations to all the 2022 Excellence Award Winners. We applaud the incredible accomplishments of Canadian women-owned businesses and the outstanding progress our corporate and government members are making by creating opportunities for Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) in their supply chains and helping drive Canada’s economic recovery and growth. Nominations for 2023 Excellence Awards will open in June 2023.

Some of the, not-so-visible effects, are such things as strengthening of diverse companies with stable clientele, which in turn creates growth year over year, allowing diverse companies access to more capital investments and loans. The trickle down of this is the ability to create stable work environments with less turnover. This provides diversity suppliers the ability to pay better salaries to staff, who in turn get to better their lives and those of their families. The list is long of the middle ground effects.

By encouraging supplier diversity programs among our clients as part of their efforts to promote, achieve, and maintain high moral and ethical standards, it creates a synergy between our organizations—we benefit from increased business and visibility and they benefit from improved quality, lower costs, and, perhaps most importantly, a more flexible, agile, reactive, and resilient supply chain.

We have improved our visibility among major companies that would not have considered us in their procurement processes otherwise. We have expanded our knowledge and enriched our internal processes through the mentorship and training investments made by our clients to meet their standards. We have strengthened our relationships with our clients and expanded our portfolio offering, making our services more relevant to them.

Finally, we have grown our company in numbers never seen before, which has enabled us to create our own diversity initiatives, at our scale, and to broaden the impact of supplier diversity, inclusion, and equality across the social and economic ecosystems that we are part of.

BMO 2022 TOP CORPORATION

BG Communications International is one of the first Certified WBEs in Canada. Their commitment to growth and customer satisfaction was tested during the pandemic with massive need for their services and unprecedented growth. BG Communications continues to evolve and innovate while taking a no-excuse approach. While continuing to expand and improve, their team never shies away from supporting the WBE Community, WBE Canada and other organizations.

WBE Canada: BMO has long been recognized as a leader in driving supplier diversity efforts in Canada. One key initiative BMO’s Elevate program provides the opportunity for diverse business owners to elevate their businesses through networking, education and mentoring. Why is it

important for womenowned businesses to take advantage of opportunities like BMO’s Elevate especially in light of the post-pandemic world?

BMO: The business landscape has become increasingly competitive, and it can often be challenging to build lasting relationships and “get your foot in the door” to showcase your strongest value propositions.

In addition to leveraging networking events and matchmaker meetings hosted by advocacy councils like WBE Canada, participating in corporate supplier development programs can help diverse businesses advance to the next level and gain relationships within a large organization, like BMO.

BMO Elevate provides a 10-month, comprehensive curriculum to selected suppliers, where they benefit from one-on-one mentoring with a BMO executive, including tailored coaching conversations, guidance navigating the organization, and support establishing new connections. Participants also experience a hands-on communications workshop focused on “perfecting your pitch”, preparing them for a pitch panel to BMO executives. Other educational and interactive masterclass sessions include topics like cyber security, return to work, talent retention, marketing presence and growth through mergers and acquisitions.

The program is designed to Connect > Mentor > Educate diverse business owners, their businesses and their employees for a more inclusive society and sustainable future along with the opportunity to grow the good together.

UNDERSTANDING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND YOUR BUSINESS FUTURE

By Laura Didyk, Vice President Client Diversity, BDC

The last three years have thrown a lot of curveballs at entrepreneurs. First, the pandemic, and now the ongoing economic uncertainty has many business owners nervous. According to the Brookfield Institute, one important learning coming out of the pandemic is that Canadian small and medium businesses (SMEs) with higher rates of technology adoption were better prepared to adapt, experiencing smaller revenue and employment drops. So, let’s make 2023 the year your business begins to adopt technology to build strength to weather the storm - or expand.

If that sounds scary or overwhelming, it doesn’t need to be. Most of the entrepreneurs I speak to about digital transformation say they don’t know what to do, where to start, or have the time or money. In fact, a BDC report found 57% of entrepreneurs report low technology integration because they feel they lacked the skills and leadership to adopt it.

What I want to impress today is that going digital doesn’t need to be scary or expensive. It can (and should) be done at the pace you are comfortable with. It can be big bold moves like purchasing a CRM (customer relationship management) or ERP (enterprise resource planning) system, or in smaller steps like adding e-commerce to your website to sell online or digitizing your accounting or procurement management from excel to a software program. Even small steps can have a big impact on the success of your business by improving efficiency and errors.

GETTING STARTED: CANADA DIGITAL ADOPTION PROGRAM

There are many ways to get started, but today I am going to focus on the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP). I truly believe this is a hidden gem.

The government is providing $4 billion in funding to help entrepreneurs transform their businesses using technology. The problem: very few people are using it. Why? No one is sure. My assumption is that business owners believe it’s too good to be true (there must be a catch), or that they will have to make a big financial investment. In reality, it’s a great opportunity to help future-proof your business.

The common feedback I hear from clients is some try to tackle digitization in an ad hoc way and then later regret that it doesn’t meet their needs. CDAP allows you to get expert advice tailored to your business so you can focus on your top priorities.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

There are two CDAP streams depending on the size of your business. The first, Grow your Business Online, is for smaller businesses and provides up to $2,400 to help you set up e-commerce and start selling online.

The second option, Boost your Business Technology, provides up to $15,000 in funding to hire an expert advisor to create a digital adoption plan tailored to your business needs. Plus, an

The bank for Canadian entrepreneurs

Keep moving your business forward with our flexible financing solutions and expert advisory services. Learn more at: bdc.ca/women

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1-888-INFO-BDC

interest-free loan up to $100,000 to implement the plan, if you need it.

Get started by applying online. Once approved, you’ll select a dedicated expert (there are hundreds across the country including BDC) who will work with you to understand your goals, pain points and challenges to identify areas for digital improvement. Then they will create a custom digital plan for your business that includes timelines, required resources, technology platforms to consider and guidance on how to implement it.

To apply for the Boost your Business Technology grant, your business must meet the eligibility criteria (which includes having at least 1 employee and at least $500,000 in annual revenue in one of the last three years) and it’s important to note the grant covers up to 75% of the plan costs to a max of $15,000. So, you will have to make a small investment, but rest assured most owners quickly see a return on that investment through reduced overhead costs, quicker transactions, better customer service, and more overall efficiency.

The digital transformation is here whether you are ready or not, so get ahead of the curve and build a stronger, more resilient business on the way. And don’t forget, our team at BDC is always here to help.

LAURA DIDYK | Vice President, Client Diversity, BDC

Laura Didyk is Vice President, Client Diversity at BDC since 2020. She leads the bank’s national approach to support Canada’s diverse entrepreneurs, including women, Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ2, veterans, and newcomers: helping their businesses, and our economy, thrive.

Laura is a long-term advocate for small businesses and inclusivity. Since joining the bank in 1994, she has held progressively senior roles across many divisions that always center on helping entrepreneurs thrive. When she’s not helping business owners, she spends as much time as she can in the mountains skiing and hiking with her husband and two daughters.

Honored to support

We are proud to support WBE Canada and their ongoing mission of empowering women-owned businesses to drive innovation and economic growth in communities across Canada.

WBE CANADA BOOKCLUB WITH CAROLYN STERN Enhance Your Emotional Intelligence

Attendees of WBE Canada’s 2022 National Conference had an opportunity to meet Carolyn Stern, President & CEO of EI Experience, a Certified WBE company. Carolyn is a trainer, speaker, professor and author of “The Emotionally Strong Leader: An Inside-Out Journey of Transformational Leadership”

We live in times when leadership is more important than ever. Women in particular went through one of the most strenuous periods of our generation with many leaders feeling both mentally and physically exhausted and stretched to capacity. At WBE Canada, we recognize the importance of personal growth on the success of an organization and we decided to reach out to Carolyn Stern and ask her to continue conversations with our WBE community.

As of March 24, our Certified WBE owners will have an opportunity to participate in closed-door discussions on topics relevant to leadership, EI and personal impact at no cost. To participate you will need to purchase your own book and register for the program.

Carolyn Stern outlines what WBEs can expect from the first session of WBE Canada BookClub Series.

“Being the keynote speaker at the 2022 WBE Canada conference was one of the highlights of my year, and I am honoured to be the first author featured in WBE Canada’s new BookClub. WBE Canada does so much for women-led businesses by introducing them to opportunities and providing resources, training, and connections. As the owner of a WBE Certified business myself, it is important to me to continue sharing my message with women (and all people) in positions of leadership that you can be emotional AND strong; they are not mutually exclusive.

I look forward to discussions with my fellow WBE owners on how to be in the driverʼs seat of our feelings and understand how to lead with a strong mind and a kind heart while using a set of clear, simple, and tested skills and strategies. Doing so will allow women business owners to connect more authentically and communicate more effectively with their coworkers and teams. This kind of connection and communication will create an environment of trust and belonging that will spur engagement, spike curiosity, and engender fraternity among team members.

During the five sessions, working in tandem with the book, The Emotionally Strong Leader: An Inside-Out Journey to Transformational Leadership, we will cover the five-step self-coaching model to enhance your emotional intelligence.

Coaching yourself through the model will help you uncover your barriers to growth

and change, set goals for yourself, and tap into your motivation, giving you the tools and drive to manage the hurdles life throws at you. As life changes and your emotions evolve, this framework will continue to serve you as a powerful tool you can continually call upon throughout the seasons of your life.

Turn the way you think of leadership on its head, and let’s lead from the inside out with emotional intelligence.

WBECanada BookClub Series is designed for company owners. Limited seats are available, assigned on a first come first served basis. Virtual zoom meetings will be on the following dates:

● March 24th at 12 pm - 1:30 pm ET

● April 26th at 12 pm -1:30 pm ET

● May 26th at 12 pm - 1:30 pm ET

● June 7th at 12 pm - 1:30 pm ET

● June 23rd at 12 pm - 1:30 pm ET

To register please email community@wbecanada.ca

CAROLYN STERN

Carolyn is the President and CEO of EI Experience— an executive leadership development and emotional intelligence training firm. She is a certified Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Development Expert, professional speaker, author, and university professor. Carolyn’s emotional intelligence courses and modules have been adopted by top universities in North America. She has also provided comprehensive training programs to business leaders across the continent in highly regarded corporations encompassing industries such as technology, finance, manufacturing, advertising, education, healthcare, government, and food service. Carolyn lives and works in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Transforming procurement and supply chain operations.

TELUS is focused on strengthening our strategic relationships with suppliers while innovating to improve our product and service offerings to enhance the customer experience.

We continue to launch programs to provide equal access to a supply base reflecting the diversity where we live, work and serve.

For more information please visit telus.com/procurement or email us at supplierdiversity@telus.com

WBE CANADA LAUNCHES PATHFINDERTM

By Silvia Pencak, President & CEO, WBE Canada

2023 is definitely going to be a turning point for supplier diversity. Companies are rethinking and reengineering how they do business and who they engage in their supply chains. And for you - the woman business owner - this is the opportunity you've been waiting for.

As companies are looking to diversify their supply chains and provide more contract opportunities to women-owned businesses, they WANT you to be ready for these opportunities.

PathfinderTM provides the necessary training and resources to help you prepare and be part of the equation. While WBE Canada's specialty is supporting our Certified Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) and connecting them to corporate and government supply chains, we realize that there are businesses in need of development before they are ready to become certified and prepared to work with larger organizations.

It's time for you to have access to these tools and strategies, too.

Get Prepared for Certification & Level Up Your Business to Work With Larger Corporate & Government Clients

PathfinderTM is designed to help you prepare your business for certification and large supply chains at a fraction of the cost of certification. It is intended for women-owned businesses transitioning from B2C to B2B market or smaller businesses ready to scale up. If you are not yet ready to tackle the complexities of large corporate and government supply chains, join us in PathfinderTM

PATHFINDER continued...

THIS PROGRAM IS FOR YOU IF...

✔ You want to accelerate your business readiness for large contracts. We will help you navigate your journey in the right directionfaster than you could do on your own.

✔ You are looking for proven information and resources instead of learning through trial and error. We bring you the resources, so you can avoid the hassle and shortcut the journey.

✔ You seek advice from like-minded womenowned businesses who are focused on their passion, purpose and profits. Our network of women-owned businesses spans a wide variety of industries, sizes and experiences.

✔ You are prepared to invest in your company’s development and take the action necessary to prepare for corporate and government contracts.

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THIS PROGRAM...

✔ Immediate access to the PathfinderTM area of WBE Canada Toolbox. You will get full 24/7 access to all existing training resources in categories like marketing, business growth, export and many others to simplify the learning process.

✔ Invitations to select live training and events for women-owned businesses. As a national Canadian organization WBE Canada hosts high value virtual training and events to help you upgrade your business to the next level.

✔ Opportunities to connect with experts and support organizations. WBE Canada will connect you with leading experts, like-minded women entrepreneurs and other reliable sources to help propel your business forward.

✔ Discounts and specials for women-owned businesses. As a PathfinderTM participant you will receive access to exclusive opportunities and specials with WBE Canada and our partner organizations. Access is an advantage!

✔ Best of all, you'll get prepared to become WBE Certified.

OPTION 1: PATHFINDER

Get immediate access to on-demand resources now - Start upleveling your business today. Visit wbecanada.ca/pathfinder to learn more and claim your access.

OPTION 2: WBE CERTIFICATION

Ready for WBE Certification? Our Certified WBEs have complimentary access to PathfinderTM resources. Learn more and apply at wbecanada. ca/certification

EMBRACING DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

By Floria Aghdamimehr, Founder, Recognize Your Potential

Diversity

is being invited to the party.

Inclusion

How well can we really dance if the majority of the population is not invited to dance or not taught how to dance? Dance is a language that includes how to lead, follow, and express. As a dancer, I know that when there are more people who know how to dance, I will have more partners and my dance capabilities in leading, following, and understanding of timing will all improve. I will also enhance my ability to understand different styles, dance language and succeed as a dancer. My overall dance abilities will improve my interpersonal communication, listening, engaging, building trust, and leadership skills.

Inclusion and Cultural proficiency are a mind-set, a worldview, a way a person or an organization makes assumptions for effectively describing, responding to, and planning for issues that arise in diverse environments. This requires a paradigm shift from viewing cultural differences as problematic

is being asked to dance.

- Verna Myers

to learning how to interact effectively. Inclusion needs to be woven into every aspect of business and workplace especially in corporations and government departments who lead by example. When equity and inclusion are viewed as problems to be solved, the result is tension laden, however, when DEI is embraced and welcomed, the result is leading edge innovation, profits, and success!!

"I note the obvious differences between each sort and type but we are more alike, my friends, than we are unlike." ~ Maya

Angelou

Small business makes up over 90% of businesses in Canada. If governments, corporations, and organizations work mostly with large businesses, we will remain at a disadvantage. Less bureaucracy and hierarchy enable SMEs to be on the leading edge of innovation. SMEs are also more cost effective. Diversity and inclusion impacts the way we think, communicate, operate, and succeed.

You know the saying: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast”. Culture offers a backdrop for some of our experiences and understanding. Honouring, and appreciating differences are key to cultural competency and welcoming diversity. Many factors help make cultural proficiency a reality in society. Moving beyond barriers to commonalities that bring us together truly build the bridge to enhancing innovation, creativity, efficiency, and harmony. Appreciating unity in our diversity is crucial for authentic inclusion!

Diversity and Inclusion need to be woven into our leadership and interpersonal communication skills to build trust. Supplier Diversity is not simply nice to have nor is it a charity. Supplier Diversity is about opportunities, expansion, stability, creativity, and innovation. The twenty first century businesses and workplaces require that we embrace new perspectives especially when rebuilding the

economy after a global pandemic.

One of my favorite quotations by Gandhi is “Be the change you want to see”. This starts with me, you, and all of us. Be the champion of embracing DEI for progress, mental health, growth, wellbeing, innovation, success, and economy. Ask new people to dance NOW with you and succeed!!

DEI, Growth Mindset & Mindfulness expert

Have you ever had a bad day at work or life, and wanted to turn it around to a good day? Leadership, Trust, Communication are vital for success professionally and personally. Trust is crucial to engaging workplaces, resilience, building capacity, collaboration, and leadership. Mindset is truly everything.

Get ready for New Results!!

Floria Aghdamimehr, founder of Recognize Your Potential, creates and fosters Growth Mindset. Floria uses Growth Mindset, Mindfulness, and Positive Psychology as backdrop for her consulting, training, coaching & speaking. She offers training on Growth Mindset, Putting Gratitude to Work for You, Mindfulness at Workplace, Difficult Conversations Simplified, Effective Communications, DE&I. Floria is Solutions Based Building Positive Leadership and Trust.

Floria has extensive experience with Nova Scotia Career Development Association, Dalhousie, RCMP, Trade Centre, Aboriginal People Training Employment Commission, Correctional Services Canada, Teachers Professional Development conferences, BBI. Floria is your Co-Creative Partner for Information to Transformation, New Mindset = New Results!

BC-Based Origen Air Secures $100,000 Investment from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC)

Earlier this year Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) announced Seed Funding of $2.5 million for 25 Canadian companies developing new technologies to fight the effects of climate change, contribute to the circular economy, and promote the well-being of people and the protection of nature.

This latest cohort showcases the scope of sustainable innovation in Canada across diverse sectorial industries – from agriculture to transport to healthcare – and the growth of women-led firms, which comprises nearly 50 percent of the funded companies.

One of the winning companies, Origen Air (British Columbia), a WBE Canada certified company, supported by UVic Coast Capital Innovation Centre, is an innovative natural air purification company producing plant-based, IoT-connected air purifiers at a time when demand for safe indoor air is at an all-time high.

SDTC Seed funding supports promising early-stage Canadian sustainable tech entrepreneurs by providing grants of $50,000 to $100,000 to innovative technology projects with the potential to generate economic and environmental benefits for Canada. Applicants for seed funding are nominated by SDTC’s partnership with Canadian accelerators, incubators, and entrepreneurial service organizations. To learn more, click here. - include a link to the SDTC website with their press release and announcement: https:// www.sdtc.ca/en/sdtc-seed-funding-recipientsshowcase-breadth-of-sustainable-innovation-acrosscanada/

WBE CERTIFICATION

ACCESS to local, national and global supplier diversity programs creating market advantage, opening doors to greater success

GROWTH through access to WBE Canada Toolbox, valuable resources, mentorship opportunities and development programs

SUPPORT network including partners, champions, events and opportunities designed to create opportunities and important connections

SAC-PAC@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca

WBE Spotlight on Tenacious International Inc.

Tenacious International was WBE certified in 2019 and has been working closely with the WBE team to access opportunities for women owned SME’s.

Trisha Welch, Founder and CEO of Tenacious International has been working in electronics manufacturing and supply chain solutions since she graduated from university in 1996. Throughout the years she has had to break through male dominated ceilings to prove her abilities to be a part of the supply chain solutions. Trisha has been supplying battery packs for JCI’s Tyco Fire and Security division for the past 15+ years. Recognizing this tenacity, JCI awarded Tenacious International the Bronze Execution Award. Among its thousands of suppliers, JCI recognized only 11 Execution Award winners in Milwaukee, USA in November 2022.

The Execution Awards honour those suppliers having achieved the best results on JCI’s rigorous

scorecard which assessed key factors such as quality control, environmental sustainability, corporate responsibility, and risk management.

Trisha has seen how the increased demand for sustainable portable electronics and battery storage solutions has driven the need for the kinds of solutions Tenacious International provides. Some examples are battery packs for security, mining, handheld devices, and electric vehicles. Businesses increasingly rely on portable energy solutions to provide mobility, opportunities to innovate, and realtime replacement sources.

Trisha notes that as a WBE member, she is excited about developing new relationships in the automotive manufacturing businesses. “I see real opportunity to supply for the automotive manufacturing sector that seeks reliable power solutions from diverse suppliers,” Trisha observes.

We asked Trisha a few questions to better understand her background and how it relates to her business focus.

WBE Canada: What led you to become an entrepreneur in solution sourcing/development and supply chain management?

Trisha: I’ve had a long-standing interest in the circular economy — the complete life cycle of power solutions for businesses. I did a degree in Environmental Studies at York University prior to attending Teacher’s College. When I graduated, there were no teaching jobs, so I joined a maledominated sector that sourced electronics. It was a steep learning curve, but that experience is where I realized I was entrepreneurial and there were opportunities in manufacturing. I just completed an executive program at the Rotman School of Management in Sustainability Leadership: Innovation for Growth.

WBE Canada: How did you get involved in WBE?

Trisha: I became aware of the organization and became certified in 2019. I see the value that WBE brings to its members, and I’ve benefitted from attending WBE-sponsored events and conferences. I’m hoping to build on that early success by developing partnerships in the automotive manufacturing sector.

WBE Canada: What do diverse suppliers bring to the corporate table?

Trisha: For me, supplier diversity means an opportunity to compete as a small, fully femaleowned business. Businesses will succeed or fail based on their merit. I don’t want special treatment. I just want to have an opportunity to compete.

Trisha Welch has been an independent business owner/operator for more than 20 years. With an academic background in environmental studies, education and sustainability, Trisha has focussed on being a solutions provider. This includes product development, manufacturing and supply chain management. Her presence in the AsiaPacific rim has enabled her successful participation in the global market. Trisha’s company, Tenacious International, Inc. values integrity, inclusion, efficiency and excellent customer service.

March 21-23 | WBENC Conference

WBENC is the largest supplier diversity conference for women-owned businesses in USA

March 21 | WBE Canada BWB

Cross-Border Connection

Our Breakfast with Brands: Cross-Border Connection event is run in sync with WBENC’s National Conference and is designed to connect Canadian women-owned businesses to Canadian and US corporate buyers.

2023 WBE Meet & Pitch

WBE Meet & Pitch - Open exclusively to WBE Canada’s Corporate Members and Certified WBEs, this event connects category buyers with WBEs as they hear their pitches and provides the opportunity for Corporate Members to ask questions and grow their list of prospective suppliers.

• March 29 - WBE Meet & Pitch: IT (Software, Hardware, AI, Cloud)

• April 27 - WBE Meet & Pitch: CORPORATE GIFTING (Corporate Gifting Solutions, Promotional Products, Swag Bags, Experiences, Packaging)

• June 8 - WBE Meet & Pitch: STAFFING (IT, HR, Contingent Labour)

• June 14 - WBE Meet & Pitch (category to be confirmed)

• September 20 - WBE Meet & Pitch (category to be confirmed)

SAVE DATE the

8-9, 2023

Other Events

• April 13 - Open Office Call

• April 18 - WBE Meetup: Matchmaker Tips

• May 3 - Meet the Buyer: City of Brampton

• May 9 - Supplier Diversity Accelerator

• May 10 - Open Office Call

• May 16 - WBE Meetup: Follow-up Strategies

• May 17 - B2B Matchmaker

• May 24 - Meet the Buyer: BGIS

• June 6 - Open Office Call

• June 15 - Meet the Buyer: Cogeco

• October 4 - B2B Matchmaker

• November 8-9 - WBE Canada National Conference Visit WBE Canada Events Calendar for more events and information