SASKATOON, June 18, 2019 /CNW/ - The third annual BMO
Celebrating Women event in Saskatoon honoured four women for their
remarkable contributions to business and the community.
The program honours female leaders in local communities as part
of BMO's commitment to drive the advancement of women and
recognizes contributions in one of three categories: Trailblazers
& Innovators; Community & Charitable Giving; and Expansion
& Growth in Business.
The following honourees were recognized:
- Trailblazers & Innovators: Devon
Fiddler. Challenging several realities frequently faced
by Indigenous women including racism, family violence and
incarceration, Ms. Fiddler created a fashion lifestyle brand that
inspires thousands of Indigenous women. After graduating with a
Bachelor of Arts from the University of
Saskatchewan, she landed her first professional experience
as a business development coordinator with the Meadow Lake Tribal
Council. While helping Indigenous entrepreneurs, she was inspired
to start SheNative Goods Inc., in 2014. The brand offers authentic
leather goods, apparel and accessories and serves as a platform for
Indigenous women to share their stories, convey cultural teachings
and inspire hope for positive change. She also created The Red
Purse Collection, in reverence with The REDress Project, honouring
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada (MMIWG). In addition to shedding light
on the issue, 15 per cent of collection profits go toward charities
providing support and services for Indigenous women escaping
domestic violence and for other empowerment programs.
- Community & Charitable Giving: Linda Shaw and Robin
Sasko. Both mother and daughter are co-chairs of The
Silver Spoon Dinner, founded in 1991. The dinner, co-hosted with
sponsors Saskatoon Canadian Hadassah-WIZO (CHW) and Congregation
Agudas Israel, provides an elegant evening of luxury and
entertainment in support of local charitable causes including the
Saskatoon Interval House and Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan.
The event draws local volunteers and hundreds of prizes donated to
the beneficiaries of the event. Under Ms. Shaw and Ms. Sasko's
leadership, the event has raised funds for organizations supporting
the advancement of childcare, education, healthcare and women's
issues.
- Expansion & Growth in Business: Danielle Robson. Initially planning to
pursue a career in law, Ms. Robson's course shifted after working
at a Tim Hortons franchise owned by
her friend's father. Recognizing Ms. Robson's potential, her
friend's father encouraged her to apply for her own franchise. With
the support of her family, Ms. Robson owned her first Tim Horton's franchise in Saskatoon in June
2003. Four years later, she opened her second store and from
2009 to 2011, she opened three additional franchise locations.
Currently, Ms. Robson owns 10 Tim Hortons franchise locations, and
employs over 300 people.
"Through their personal commitment and hard work, this
influential group of leaders has inspired and encouraged their
industry peers and communities to support the advancement of women
across Saskatchewan," said
Marcia Lemon, Vice-President of
Business Banking (Saskatoon), BMO
Bank of Montreal. "Recognizing
strength in diversity, BMO is honored to celebrate these community
and business champions for their efforts in raising the profile of
women in every industry. These dedicated initiatives are core to
the Bank's purpose to Boldly Grow the Good in Business and Life and
our commitment to support women entrepreneurs."
BMO has developed products to address the needs of its female
clients, including the recent Women in Leadership Mutual Fund – the
first impact-investing mutual fund focused on gender diversity to
be offered by a Canadian bank. In April
2019, CEO Darryl White signed
the UN Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs) on behalf of the bank,
making BMO the first Canadian financial institution to sign the
WEPs.
For more information about BMO Celebrating Women, please visit
bmoforwomen.com and join the social conversation using
#BMOforWomen.
About BMO for Women
BMO is committed to supporting
initiatives that empower women within its workforce and the
communities the bank serves. BMO has partnered with organizations
such as the Women's Presidents Organization, GroYourBiz,
#movethedial, and Women Get On Board to provide expertise,
leadership, knowledge, and opportunities for women to network and
learn. In 2018, BMO announced it is making $3 billion in capital available over the next
three years for Canadian businesses owned by women. Through the
only bank-owned recognition program for women in North America – BMO Celebrating Women – BMO
celebrates successful women who have given back to their
communities or achieved success in business. Since 2012, BMO
Celebrating Women has honoured more than 100 women in communities
across Canada and the United
States.
SOURCE BMO Financial Group