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