Meet Carol Deacon: a Chief Operating Officer in the automotive industry

Carol Deacon began her career sourcing automotive parts in Detroit. After earning an MBA from INSEAD, she worked with several large retailers and consumer brands on growth strategies, innovation, and turn-around plans, before returning to the automotive world with a role at Canadian Tire. Carol decided to shift gears after having her third child, and, after an extended leave, is now back in automotive as Chief Operating Officer at Pfaff Automotive Partners.

Join us at the 27th Annual RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Gala

Join us on, November 20 at the Fairmont Royal York as we recognize the accomplishments of our finalists and reveal who will take home the top awards. This prestigious event offers an opportunity to connect and celebrate with 300+ high profile entrepreneurs, investors, industry influencers, and notable champions.

How Colette Cooper transitioned from trained nurse to self-taught co-owner of a successful engineering company

With four small children and the challenges of juggling home, her nursing career, and her husband having his own business, Colette Cooper made the decision to step away from a demanding career as an intensive care nurse — and never went back. Instead, she joined forces with her husband Darren, ultimately taking on the role of Executive Vice President at Renteknik, their energy efficiency and operational management, engineering and consulting company.

How Dream Maker Inc is making entrepreneurship more inclusive

Isaac Olowolafe Jr., President of Dream Maker Inc, a Toronto-based asset management firm, started his entrepreneurial journey at just 22 years old. Now at 36, he credits the support of his parents, wife and his community for his success — and he’s paying it forward, with venture capital investments and philanthropic support guided by a diversity and inclusion mandate.

What leading teams has taught me

With a breadth of marketing and strategy expertise, Virginia is passionate about leading people and building great teams. A Business Strategist and Marketing Partner at ELIM5, a Toronto-based media production company, she’s also on the Women of Influence Advisory Board, and an American Marketing Association mentor. 

A new view of boys being boys

As Senior Vice President, Global Engagement for Women of Influence, Jan Frolic has the privilege of connecting with people who are doing the work to advance women and are looking to do more. Passionate about inclusion, she’s also the founder of boypro-ject, offering in-school curriculum to encourage youth to be authentic in their unique expression of personal identity.

Meet Our 2019 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards TELUS Trailblazer Award Finalists

The TELUS Trailblazer Award celebrates an entrepreneur who has recognized a new market, product, service or technological advancement, and led the way in seizing the opportunity. Meet our 2019 finalists Carinne Chambers-Saini Founder (Diva International),  Jesse Finkelstein & Trena White (Page Two), and Natalie Voland (Gestion Immobilière Quo Vadis).

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Join the Cisco Women Entrepreneurs’ Circle

This is the place for you if you want to access entrepreneurial support, get inspiration from the stories of women successful business owners, as well as technical insights and educational opportunities. What are you waiting for? Become a part of the circle.

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The Women of Influence community enables women to make relevant, meaningful, and valuable connections on their journey to success. Help us inspire countless women to take the next step towards realizing their full potential. Become a sponsor!

Are you ready to make your next career move? Start preparing.

From invaluable career advice to inspiring profiles of women who’ve made it, Women of Influence has partnered with Smith School of Business to bring you the Step Ahead: Preparing for Senior Leadership series. 

Do you have a quote you turn to for wisdom or advice? Post your favourite on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook using #WOIwisdom and we’ll share a new one each week.