June 14, 2023

Women in Business Summit

Our annual Women in Business Summit brings together some of the most influential thought leaders, business leaders and entrepreneurs from across Canada.

Together, as Canada’s most activated business network, we are working to create the conditions for our collective success. “This is not a women’s issue; it is an economic issue.”

Agenda

(All times are ET and subject to change)

9:30 a.m. – 9:35 a.m.Opening Remarks by The Honourable Perrin Beatty, President and CEO, Canadian Chamber of Commerce
9:35 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.Morning Fireside Chat with Diana van Maasdijk, Co-founder & CEO, Equileap and Stephen Tapp, Chief Economist, Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Speaker Introduction:

Tina Ackermans, Vice President Strategy & Corporate Development, Suncor
10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.1-on-1 Discussion and Health Break

Speaker:

Marie-Hélène Labrie, Senior Vice President and Chief Public Affairs, Communications and Strategy Officer, Cogeco Inc
10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.Panel 1 – High-Growth Sectors and the Corporate Pipeline

Recent research has shown a dramatic decline in the representation of women in the pipeline to senior management roles. We are bringing together business leaders from high-growth sectors where women have been traditionally and significantly underrepresented. Speakers will highlight key actions that need to be taken to ensure women have full access and opportunity to thrive in these sectors.

Moderator:

Robin Guy, Vice President & Deputy Leader, Government Relations, Canadian Chamber of Commerce


Panelists:

Molara Awosedo, Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Greater Toronto Airports Authority

Tim Coldwell, President, Chandos Construction

Kimberly Doran, Vice President, Practice Lead, Geotechnical Engineering Services, SNC-Lavalin

Rachel Moore, Executive Vice President, Corporate Services, Ovintiv
11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.1-on-1 Discussion and Health Break

Speaker:

Penny Wise, President & Managing Director, 3M
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.Panel 2 – Leadership and the Gender Gap

This panel will bring together diverse perspectives on the progress made to increasing women’s representation across leadership levels in the   financial services and retail industries. Panelists will share their personal experiences and their organization’s progress on advancing gender parity.

Introduction:

Gayle Murdoch, Senior Vice President, Sales, Effectiveness and Performance, Canada Life

Moderator:


Alex Gray, Senior Director, Fiscal & Financial Services Policy, Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Panelists:

Stacey Bai, Vice President, Commercial Pricing, Aviva Canada

Dilys D’Cruz, Senior Vice President, Wealth & Financial Planning, Meridian Credit Union

Julie Dickson Olmstead, Managing Director, Public Affairs & Corporate Social Responsibility, Pattison Food Group

Rejean Roberge, Vice President, Optimum Mortgage, Canadian Western Bank
12:15 p.m. – 12:55 p.m.Lunch Break
12:55 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.1-on-1 Chat with The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Speaker Introduction:

Matthew Holmes, Senior Vice President, Policy and Government Relations, Canadian Chamber of Commerce
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.Lunch Keynote/Fireside Chat with Saadia Muzaffar, Founder & President, TechGirls Canada (TGC)
1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.1-on-1 Discussion and Health Break

Speaker:

Julia Kelly, Vice President, Small Business Banking and Segment Strategy, TD Bank
1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.Panel 3 – Pushing Boundaries and Disrupting the Status Quo
 
Women entrepreneurs continue to face a variety of barriers to the growth and success of their businesses. This panel will feature women who are pushing boundaries, owning their narrative and making waves in what some would consider “male dominated sectors.”  

Moderator:

Jennifer Cooke, Director of Inclusive Trade, Export Development Canada (EDC)


Panelists:

Jodi Huettner, Founder, Helga Wear Inc.


Lara Murphy, Co-founder, Ryan Murphy Construction

Rory Richards, Chief Executive Officer, NUQO Elevated Modular

Emma Todd, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, MMH Technology Group
2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.1-on-1 Discussion and Health Break
2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.Closing Keynote/Fireside Chat

Thank You to Our Event Sponsors

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