Over the last few decades, we’ve made progress towards gender equality in the workplace, and shifted our focus from ‘why’ we should be doing it to ‘how’ it can be done. The path that will most likely lead to success? One that includes men — as leaders, champions, and allies. Here’s why and how we’ll […]
With the high failure rate of startups, what can entrepreneurs do to drive towards success? Dr. Yolande Chan, professor of information technology management at Smith School of Business, Queen’s University, offers four suggestions for using digital innovation to help your company grow. By Hailey Eisen When Dr. Yolande Chan began her academic […]
Catherine Velie believes that the idea of “having it all” puts too much pressure on women. But she’s still found her own way to balance her role as general manager of the Delta Toronto hotel with marriage and motherhood — thanks to defined boundaries, a network that’s willing to lend a hand, and a supportive […]
Prior to 2014, Eva Wong had never started a business. Today, she is the leading lady of one of Canada’s largest fintech companies. By Kristen Sears Eva Wong doesn’t have the technical background or entrepreneurial experience that one might expect of a fintech startup founder. Before she launched the Toronto-based credit education […]
When Heather Stewart took over at BBE Expediting — a supply chain service provider and logistics company serving the Canadian North — she knew she needed to diversify the “feast or famine” business. So they developed the GoBox app to enable carriers to bid live on shipping jobs, with the expectation it would be used […]
As the Chair of the Scotiabank Alliance for Mental Health (SAMH), Karen Jordan is helping to deliver the message that mental health issues can impact us all — either directly or through a family member, friend or colleague. She’s also working to reduce the stigma around getting help, and making sure everyone at Scotiabank (and […]
As an Integration Consultant for Disney in Orlando, Emily Chambers helps develop forecasting models and algorithms to keep the magic running smoothly — like her latest gig, ensuring Frozen on Broadway is a success. How did she get her dream job, bringing her passion for statistics to the happiest place on earth? Taking advantage of […]
As the co-founder and CEO of Schema App, Martha van Berkel is helping organizations of all sizes to be found more easily on the Internet. Now a leader in the market with their tool that automates schema markup (the language search engines read), Martha traces her success back to an outspoken personality, and an ability […]
Karen Yolevski didn’t expect to find a role that would bring together her industry experience in both real estate and technology. Now, as president of Nationwide Home Closing Services (HCS), she’s doing just that — leading a fintech that’s innovating and loving every moment of the experience. By Hailey Eisen In January 2011, […]
Mary Anne Butler still drives a decked out “soup mobile” around the streets of Chatham, but she’s expanded well beyond her on-the-road roots. Serving delicious, diner classics with a spin (including 150 soups), Hungry Sam’s quickly grew from a seasonal food truck in 2011 into a much larger, year-round restaurant in 2012. They’ve since expanded […]
The first year for any business owner is bound to be full of ups and downs. Co-founders of Eivey, an online marketplace for luxury, pre-worn fashion, share their best tips for surviving year one without losing it all – including your mind. Entrepreneurs and friends Maryna deLannoy and Laura Sim decided to enter […]
Jennifer Stewart’s entrepreneurial drive and self-proclaimed “overconfidence” led to her opening her own PR and government relations firm at just 25 years old. Through vision, leadership, and a whole lot of hustle, she’s built Syntax Strategic into an internationally recognized communications and business strategy firm and stands tall as one of Canada’s top communication-leaders. […]
Digital transformation impacts all aspects of an organization, from leadership and strategy to marketing, innovation, finance, operations and IT. In the digital age, employees with skills in digital business and strategy execution is essential. Does your organization have what it takes to build a digital business model? In June, the International Data […]
Melissa Sariffodeen is the co-founder and CEO of Ladies Learning Code, which has taught over 100,000 individuals skills in HTML, CSS, WordPress, Python, Ruby, artificial intelligence, web design, and more. Her impact was recognized with the 2017 Social Change Award at the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards — an accomplishment she humbly credits to the […]
Whether you know it as income sprinkling or income splitting, as of January 1, 2018, the rules have changed. There is still lots of uncertainty that exists surrounding the interpretation of the proposed federal legislation but here is what you need to know as a business owner. By Shauna Forret, Tax Partner, […]
When Allison Christilaw and her husband sold their successful management consulting firm to Deloitte, she was taken on as a partner in the firm. A few years later she was striking out on her own path to create Reddin Global — and she’s still on that journey today. By Shelley White […]
As a young girl, Shirlie Delacherois was aware of her Aboriginal heritage, but didn’t fully appreciate its value until much later in life. It was after a 20-year career at Scotiabank that Shirlie had the opportunity to continue the bank’s long history of supporting Aboriginal Peoples — by stepping into the role of Senior Aboriginal […]
Raised in India by refugees, Kalsang Tanzin has had a long journey to where she is today: living in Toronto, working in her dream job at LinkedIn, and pursuing an Executive MBA at Smith School of Business. By Hailey Eisen Kalsang Tanzin recalls watching The Lion King as a child and her […]
Erin Gertner is not afraid of a challenge. A successful IT sales professional, she is driven by achieving lofty end goals, and proving that despite working in a field of predominantly male colleagues, her gender does not hold her back. To what does she owe her unstoppable attitude? Environments — from her high school […]
Laura Didyk has spent more than two decades at The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). The supportive environment has allowed her to achieve success — and now she’s paying it forward, acting as National Lead for BDC’s Women Entrepreneur Strategy, helping the next generation of women leaders excel. by Shelley White […]
As the Director of the Queen’s Master of Management Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Smith School of Business, Shari Hughson interviews hundreds of entrepreneurial-minded candidates each year. About half intend to pursue careers in corporate innovation. by Shari Hughson CEOs seem to lack the confidence in their organizations’ ability to innovate. In […]
After beginning her career in the financial industry in the UK, Mary Aitken moved to Canada — and became a serial entrepreneur. Over two decades she launched several successful start-ups and investment companies. In 2004, she opened the doors on her sixth start-up and current venture: a private women’s club named Verity. Her goal? To […]
These 12 women entrepreneurs agree: technology has the power to change a business. As participants in the Cisco Circle of Innovation program, they’ve been paired with engineering interns to help build their organization’s digital strategy, scale, and impact in the marketplace. They’re sharing how their business will be getting better through technology this year — […]
As Director of Sales Effectiveness at Scotiabank, as well as lead champion for Scotiabank’s Toronto Pride Employee Resource Group, Val Walls is always asking herself: How can I touch, move, inspire and make a difference? She shares how she’s driving change — and creating an inclusive vision of LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans+) […]
As manager of expedition fundraising with the True Patriot Love Foundation (TPL), Megan McDonald’s job takes her to some unusual places – like 17,598 feet up the world’s highest mountain. Back in Toronto following her most recent expedition, she shares details from the exhilarating experience, and the path that led her there. By […]
Women entrepreneurs represent just a small segment of business owners in Canada, but their numbers and impact are growing — and their potential is even greater. Cisco and the Business Development Bank of Canada have partnered to unlock it, using a unique internship program that’s now in its third successful year. By […]
by Stephanie Ray, founder and designer, Grayes I started Grayes because I believe you should feel like “you” in your work clothes, and love your 9-to-5 looks as much as your favourite pair of jeans. You shouldn’t have to invest in two separate wardrobes — one for work and one […]
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