Present and Future of Women in SMEs
April 3, 2:00 – 3:00pm ET
Join us for the “Present and Future of Women in SMEs” capstone event, a key initiative by the In Good Company project, generously funded by the RBC Foundation. Be part of the conversation as thought leaders and experts react to a compelling case study on women’s economic inclusion in Small and Medium Enterprises and the organizations that support them. From addressing current challenges to shaping the future workforce, this conversation will be focused on enriching the dialogue and contributing to the development of practical solutions.
Speakers:
- Agamani Chakrabarty, Founder, Economist, ASBB Economics and Research
- Rosanne Hessian, Director, Jill of All Trades and Chair, School of Interdisciplinary Studies at Conestoga College
- Karima-Catherine (KC) Goundiam, Founder & CEO of B2BeeMatch,
- Karlyn Percil, CEO KDPM Consulting Group Certified Emotional Intelligence & Neuro-Life Coach Creator of @thesuccesssystem
- Moderated by Jolin Joseph, Manager – Research, Education and Knowledge Mobilization, YWCA Canada
Events on Demand
Closing the Gender Gap in Financing for SMEs in Canada
Listen on Demand: English & French
Access to capital is fundamental to the growth and success small and medium-sized businesses in Canada. However, women and gender-diverse business owners continue to face significant barriers in securing the financial support they need to build, grow, and sustain their ventures. Women and gender-diverse entrepreneurs receive only a fraction of the financing available to their male counterparts. This inequality is exacerbated by systemic barriers, including racism, discrimination, and sexism, which hinder their entrepreneurial journeys.
Listen to this engaging discussion on the resources women and gender-diverse small business leaders need to build, grow, and sustain their businesses. Expert panelists discussed the types of funding available, the challenges women and gender-diverse entrepreneurs face when seeking access to those funding sources, and the benefits of blended funding models in overcoming those barriers. Panelists made a compelling case for investing in small businesses owned and operated by women and gender-diverse people.
This event took place in English with simultaneous English-French interpretation and ASL & LSQ interpretation available. English and French captioning provided.
Speakers:
- Sagal Dualeh, Senior Director, Canadian Women’s Foundation
- Jean Barrett, Manager, Community Microfinance Program at Alterna Savings
- Ritu Kohli-Sethi, Managing Partner, Greater Toronto Executive Centre
- Larissa Matveeva, Associate Director, Microcredit Montreal
- Melanie Rupp, Senior Director, Loans & Advisory Services, WeBC
Feminist Entrepreneurs: Leading Change in Canada’s Small Business Ecosystem
Listen on Demand: English & French
In the diverse landscape of small businesses in Canada, a growing awareness is emerging—one that recognizes the fundamental importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth. But some women and gender-diverse entrepreneurs and small business leaders are taking the diversity, equity, and inclusion conversation a step further, adopting multiple shades of feminist approaches to business.
These feminist business leaders are considering their company’s role in the community, the broader social and environmental impacts of the goods or services they offer, and how their business practices uphold or challenge power structures and systems of oppression that have marked their experiences as diverse women and gender-diverse workers in Canada’s economy.
Listen to this webinar to learn from the experiences of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and educators who are infusing their businesses with feminist values. Panelists discussed the challenges and opportunities of building, growing, and scaling a feminist small business in Canada. They pointed to steps small business owners can take to apply feminist practices in their workplaces.
This event took place in English with simultaneous English-French interpretation and ASL & LSQ interpretation available. English and French captioning provided.
Speakers:
- Fayza Abdallaoui, Founder, Next Level Impact Consulting
- Jessica Duarte, Founder, Jess, Please!
- Gurbeen Bhasin, Founder & Executive Director, Aangen
- Janelle Desrosiers, Founder & Creative Director, Bloom + Brilliance
- Karima-Catherine Goundiam, CEO, B2Bee Match
5 Ways to Advance Gender Equity in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Want to learn more about how small and medium enterprises can rebuild from the pandemic and advance gender equity? Listen to the latest In Good Company event to hear practical tips on building gender equity in your workplace.
Speakers:
Shannon Pestun, Founder & CEO of Pestun Consulting Inc (moderator)
Daniela Mahac, Director of People Operations, Uken Games
Vandana Juneja, Executive Director, Catalyst Canada
Trying to #BuildBackBetter? Listen to Gen Z Young Women
In Good Company hosted a virtual panel discussion with three young women who provide insights and ideas for companies and organizations on how best to invest in Gen Z girls and young women as we begin to build back better. The conversation was moderated by Tabassum Ramhendar, Senior Manager, Social Impact – RBC Future Launch
Speakers:
- Rita Audi, Youth Ambassador, Plan International Canada
- Rupali Manek, Youth Ambassador, Plan International Canada
- Marine Coueurdassier, Canadian Council for Youth Prosperity
Moderator:
- Tabassum Ramhendar, Senior Manager, Social Impact – RBC Future Launch
Uprooting Workplace Inequality
In Good Company hosted a dynamic conversation on barriers diverse women face to employment and advancement in the corporate world. Learn about the steps, policy and practical changes every workplace can implement to make a difference.
Speakers:
- Lindsay Glassco, President & CEO, Plan International Canada
- Maya Roy, CEO, YWCA Canada
- Paulette Senior, President & CEO, Canadian Women’s Foundation
- Tanya van Biesen, Senior Vice President, Global Corporate Engagement, Catalyst
Moderated by:
- Valerie Chort, VP Corporate Citizenship, RBC; Executive Director, RBC Foundation