June 14, 2023

Women in Business Summit Agenda

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 and CEO, Equileap and Stephen Tapp, Chief Economist, Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Speaker Introduction:

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

Moderator:

Gayla Brock-Woodland, Chief Operating Officer, Canadian Chamber of Commerce


Speaker:

Marie-Hélène Labrie, Senior Vice President and Chief Public Affairs, Communications and Strategy Officer, Cogeco
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.

Introduction:

Gabriel Friedman, Journalist, Financial Post, PostMedia

Moderator:

Robin Guy, Vice President and 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, Canada, 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

Moderator:

Candace Laing, Chair of the Board of Directors, Canadian Chamber of Commerce


Speaker:

Penny Wise, President and 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 and Financial Services Policy, Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Panelists:

Stacey Bai, Vice President, Commercial Pricing, Aviva Canada

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

Julie Dickson Olmstead, Managing Director, Public Affairs and 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.Remarks 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 and Q&A with Saadia Muzaffar, Founder and President, TechGirls Canada (TGC) and Co-founder, Tech Reset Canada
1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.1-on-1 Discussion and Health Break

Moderator:

Diana Palmerin-Velasco, Senior Director, Future of Work, Canadian Chamber of Commerce


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.”  

Introduction:

Sarah Steele, Senior Director, Visa Small Business Products North America


Moderator:

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


Panelists:

Jodi Huettner, Founder, Helga Wear Inc.


Lara Murphy, Co-founder, Ryan Murphy Construction

Rory Richards, CEO, NUQO Elevated Modular

Emma Todd, CEO, MMH Technology Group
2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.Health Break
2:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.Closing Keynote/Fireside Chat

Introduction:

Noralee Bradley, Executive Vice President, External Affairs and Chief Sustainability and Legal Officer, Nutrien

Moderator:


Penny Wise, President and Managing Director, 3M

Speaker:

Karen Vecchio, MP, Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women

Thank You to Our Event Sponsors