MARKHAM, ON, May 17, 2017 /CNW/ - Three women were honoured at
the fifth annual BMO Celebrating Women program in Markham for their remarkable contribution to
business and the community in one of three categories: Innovation
and Global Growth, Community and Charitable Giving, and Expansion
and Growth in Small Business. The program recognizes female leaders
in local communities as part of BMO's commitment to drive the
advancement of women.
At the Markham event, the
following honourees were recognized:
- Innovation and Global Growth: Sheena
Chandaria. Ms. Chandaria is the co-owner of Conros
Corporation, a leading manufacturer that pioneers innovative
products and processes available at hundreds of retailers across
North America. In 2006, she and
her siblings took over the family company.
- Community and Charitable Giving: Marilyn Sinclair. Ms. Sinclair is the
owner and President of All About Words, a full-service company that
delivers content to help businesses and organizations communicate,
inform and persuade. It also donates resources to groups like Act
to End Violence Against Women. She was inspired to create NOT ME,
an organization that promotes awareness and prevention of sexual
assault on campus.
- Expansion and Growth in Small Business: Ruthie Burd. Ms. Burd is the founder of the
Lunch Lady, a ready-made lunch delivery service for school
children. Ms. Burd got the idea after wanting to find a balance
between her work and the demands of her family, including the
special needs of her autistic middle son. She currently manages a
network of 32 local, owner-operated kitchens, servicing over 1,300
schools across Canada.
"Through their leadership and dedication, these women have made
a difference in business and the community. We're pleased to honour
them through this program," said Sheri
Griffiths, Regional Vice President, Business Banking, GTA
North and East Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. "Their work inspires the
entrepreneurial fabric of the community and helps with the
advancement of women, which is a priority here at BMO."
The Celebrating Women program follows BMO's second Catalyst
Award win for its industry-leading work to accelerate diversity and
inclusion in its workplace and dedication to gender equality.
In addition, BMO has partnerships with organizations such as
GroYourBiz, WBE Canada, Women Presidents' Organization, SheEO and
Catalyst. It has also developed products that address the needs of
its female clients, including the recent Women in Leadership Mutual
Fund – the first impact investing mutual fund offered by a Canadian
bank focused on gender diversity, and spearheaded studies around
women entrepreneurs, such as A Force to Reckon With: Women,
Entrepreneurs & Risk – an eye-opening report in partnership
with Carleton University that debunked
myths around the notion of women being risk-averse.
For more information about BMO Celebrating Women, please visit:
bmoforwomen.com and join the social conversation using
#BMOforWomen.
About BMO Financial Group
Established in 1817, and
currently marking its 200th year of operations, BMO Financial Group
is a highly diversified financial services provider based in
North America. With total assets
of $692 billion as of January 31, 2017, and more than 45,000 employees,
BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking,
wealth management and investment banking products and services to
more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three
operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth
Management and BMO Capital Markets.
SOURCE BMO Financial Group