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