When you bring together some of the most amazing women in Canada, with a strong sponsor like BMO, who have all supported each other through business growth and challenge, you will be in the room with what we call success.
Last night ( September 26th-2013) BMO, celebrated four women business owners and leaders, who have successfully grown their businesses to the pinnacle of being invited to join the prestigious international group, The Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO), WPO is the premier membership organization for over 1400 women presidents and CEOs of privately held multimillion-dollar companies.
The MC for the night was Andrea Langevin, Sr. Divisional Manager Credit, from BMO who did a wonderful job of introducing the speakers and making women business owners who had come from across the lower mainland and as far as Toronto feel welcome.
With the backdrop of The Vancouver Aquarium’s Belugas Exhibit, Doug Porter, BMO’s Chief Economist with BMO Capital Markets, was the keynote speaker who forecasted key economic indicators impacting businesses in Canada and British Columbia. And of course special attention was given to the housing market. For his full speech, go to:
Event 092613 BMO Economics Handout.pdf click on attachment on right of next page.
JJ Kozak & Doug Porter BMO
Another speaker for the event was Betty Wood, Lead Strategist, Women Business Enterprises, for WEConnect Canada . She provided information about the importance of Supplier Diversity and how being a certified women business owner can connect you to business opportunities, the “right” people and valuable training. BMO is one of the founding corporate sponsors in Canada supporting supplier diversity, and is the Platinum sponsor for the upcoming WEConnect Conference in Toronto, November 4-5th
Barbara Mowat, President of Impact Communications and Founder of GroYourBiz took time to explain how the success and support initiatives like GroYourBiz can be one of the steps to attain the success we were there to celebrate. In the crowd there was a feeling of agreement as many of us are now connected and building amazing business and personal connection through GroYourBiz which she founded in 2010.
Honored for their achievement were:
Barbara Ross Denroche, President, Chair and Co-Founder of The Refinery Leadership Partners, received an award for Global Growth this year.
Michelle Pockey, Partner, Fasken Martineau and Founder of Professional Women’s Network (PWN), was honoured for her Community and Charitable Giving.
Sylvie Peltier, President and Founder of Red Letter Films and LaDiDa Media, received the WPO Next Generation Award. Sylvie is now a member of WPO Vancouver Chapter 2.
Cheryl Dawn Smith, President and Owner of Horty Girl Living Décor, also received the WPO Next Generation Award.
It was wonderful to honor these women’s hard work, and see what can happen with dedication, successful financial backing, support from their peers, and strong alliance leadership. Many of the honorees and attendees are creating a strong national and international ties through their businesses— being part of the strong economic comeback that Doug Porter from BMO spoke about.
BMO – Bank of Montreal Photo Album Click HERE
Being surrounded by Canadian business women being firmly celebrated by BMO was a pretty amazing experience. These women have created these businesses in WPO through strong leadership, education and skills. I appreciate being asked to record and share the evening through social media so others will understand they can also achieve these goals… – Anyssa C
If you are looking for success like this, and want to be part of this amazing network of women business owners supporting each other, please contact Barbara at Barbara.Mowat@ ImpactCommunicationsLtd.com.
GroYourBiz has new chapters opening up on the East Coast of Canada at the end of October (Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick), with expansion coming soon in Arizona and Texas in 2014. The Lower Mainland and Toronto continue to have a strong presence.
For more information on how to join any of the women’s programs, for photos and/or interviews please contact Barbara Mowat directly .
For more photos of the event check out our Facebook Album and if you have any amazing images please post them to the page. You can view this even if you don’t use Facebook.
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