Meet Carolynn Dubé, RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Social Change — National Impact Finalist

Carolynn Dubé is the executive director of Fertility Matters Canada (FMC), a leading charity providing support, education, and advocacy for fertility care in Canada. Since 2015, she has led advocacy efforts at the federal, provincial, employer, and insurance provider levels, helping more than one million Canadians connect with the FMC community.

Motivated by her personal experience as a fertility patient, Carolynn is passionate about driving systemic and social changes in policies to support fertility care. She is committed to improving access, awareness, and inclusivity in fertility and family-building.

As a member of the APEC Smart Families Working Group, Carolynn contributed to a comprehensive menu of policy options for demographic resilience, addressing the economic implications of declining birth rates. She also co-founded Fertility Benefits Matter, serves as chair of the board of the Women’s Nonprofit Network, hosts the Fertility in Focus podcast, and shares her expertise in media discussions on fertility and patient experiences.

Carolynn received a bachelor of science degree in human kinetics from St. Francis Xavier University and a master of science degree in sport and exercise science from the University of New Brunswick. She lives in Moncton with her husband and three sons, all conceived through IVF.

The moment I knew I wanted to catalyze social change was… when my first son was six-weeks-old. My fertility clinic asked me to join a small patient committee to advocate for public funding of fertility care in Nova Scotia. At our first meeting, I realized that I had a voice and a story that needed to be heard if I wanted the experience to be different for those coming after me.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as a change leader is… that no one will be as passionate about the change you want as you are. Your vision drives the momentum, and while others may support you, it’s up to you to keep pushing forward, even when their enthusiasm wavers. 

My proudest accomplishment is… having the Honourable Marci Ien, Federal Minister of Women and Gender Equality, accept my invitation to address a room full of fertility patients and industry experts. Her willingness to share her personal struggle with fertility and pledge her support for our advocacy was a powerful moment that underscored the impact of our work.

The biggest risk I took that paid off was… moving across the country in my twenties without a solid job or place to live. This led me to connect with a mentor who profoundly impacted my life. She educated me about infertility, helping me recognize it in myself years later, and encouraged me to use my voice to advocate for others, setting me on the path to where I am today.

My biggest setback has been… dealing with burnout. I didn’t realize that the way I worked before having children would need to shift after I became a mom. No one tells you that. Finding a balance between my professional responsibilities and personal life was challenging. 

I overcame it by… acknowledging that my previous approach to work needed to change to fit my new reality as a mom and employee. It took years to understand, but I set boundaries and prioritize where I spent my energy. It’s still a work in progress!

One of the most important lessons I’ve gained from my experience within the sector is… the ability and openness to embrace change. Being open to doing things differently is crucial for growth and effectiveness. If I can better serve my community by doing things differently than we did before, then I am all in!

I surprise people when I tell them… that I can be introverted and feel shy in new environments, especially when I don’t know anyone, or it seems like everyone else already does. I need to assess the situation and find my person in the crowd in order to move into my more outgoing self. 

If I had an extra hour in the day, I would use it to… organize my closets. Bringing order to the chaos makes me feel accomplished and gives me a sense of calm, knowing everything has its place.

If you googled me, you still wouldn’t know… that I’m the mom who dances and sings in the stands if music plays at one of my kids’ hockey games. I love bringing energy to the crowd. 

The future excites me because… I’m growing in confidence as a change-maker. Seeing others collaborate to create meaningful impact is empowering. I can see a future where everyone in Canada has access to the fertility care they need without barriers.

Connect with Carolynn on LinkedIn and Instagram. Follow her incredible work with Fertility Matters Canada on LinkedIn and Instagram.