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.