HERstory Panel - Women in Leadership

Join us on September 28th for our first-ever Women in Leadership #HERstory Panel and Networking Event. We’re thrilled to celebrate women who are moving the needle forward as business leaders and discuss building a diverse workforce and removing barriers to women becoming leaders.

Join us in-person or virtually on September 28 from 6 pm to 9 pm.

• When: 2022-09-28, 6:00 - 9:00 pm
• Where: The Desmarais Building (University of Ottawa), 55 Laurier Avenue West
• In-Person Tickets: $100. Light refreshments included.
• Virtual Attendees: $25

Women play a vital role in the economy and the community, and they deserve recognition for their dedication and success. The additional barriers women face in breaking into business and rising through the ranks were compounded by the pandemic. The “She-cession” had serious impacts on women’s employment, so it’s time we talked about how to increase the number of women not just working, but working in high-level, executive positions. That’s why we’re taking this opportunity to celebrate the women in the Ottawa-Gatineau region who have made strides as business leaders, while learning how to build a diverse workforce.

Our HERstory panel will cover topics such as:

• What are some of the greatest hurdles that female entrepreneurs face?
• How does a female-led company focus differently?
• What can organizations do to increase diversity in hiring and C-suite promotions?

Enjoy an evening of dialogue and networking and help Dress for Success Ottawa empower women to achieve economic independence and professional success. This hybrid event will kick off Women’s History Month and launch our fall #HERstory campaign highlighting local female founders and business leaders.

100 in-person attendees will get to network and listen to our amazing panellists at The Desmarais Building, located at 55 Laurier Avenue East. Not ready to mingle in person? Don't worry! Our virtual tickets have you covered so you can join us from the comfort of your home! The event will also feature a silent auction and prizes open to all!

Moderator: Nicole Wilson

Nicole Wilson is a Project Manager with experience working in Canada & the United States of America. In her professional role, she currently works as a Senior Program Advisor at the Government of Canada. She left a successful NYC career in marketing to provide the family life that she felt would be best for her son in Ottawa. Nicole happens to be a Dress for Success client turned volunteer.

Nicole has a passionate desire to help people. She has worked for various sectors such as Advertising/Marketing, Program Management for Recreation and Employment Services in Ontario. For the past 6 years she has been a Lecturer in the Brand Management program at Algonquin College. There, she teaches Brand Consulting II and Project Management & Stakeholder Relations.

In her spare time, she volunteers for a number of non-profit organizations as a Project Manager and administration. These organizations are focused on serving Women, Students & New businesses in the African American Community. In Nicole’s value system, she believes in the importance of keeping honesty and integrity. Her “tell it like it is” personality allows her to speak to stakeholders, upper management CEOs and on behalf of the voices of others who are shy or afraid to speak about struggles or inequality for people of colour or those with who face barriers to employment. She believes in the value of teamwork, hard work and innovation.

Nicole has a personal goal to inspire, motivate, redefine and encourage all types of people, especially women of colour, single women and single mothers.

Panellist: Dr. Charlotte M. Karam

Director, Executive MBA and Ian Telfer Professorship in Inclusive Human Resource Systems

Charlotte Karam, PhD holds the Ian Telfer Professorship in Inclusive HR Systems and is the Director of the Executive MBA at the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa. Charlotte’s work as a scholar-activist contributes to overlapping conversations in Human Resource Management, Business Ethics, Public Policy, and Feminist Praxis. She is the Area Editor of Feminisms and Business Ethics at the Journal of Business Ethics, and her publications appear in many academic and book outlets. Prior to joining the Telfer, Charlotte was a Professor at the Olayan School of Business, American University of Beirut, where she spent over thirteen years and served as Department Chair, Associate Dean, and Founding Director of the Center of Inclusive Business and Leadership (CIBL). With over $10M in external funding her current projects adopt a multisector, multistakeholder feminist participatory action approach to support and track dignified and equitable recruitment, retention and promotion of women into formal employment across the MENA.

Charlotte was recognized as a Global Gender Champion by US Dept. of State, one of the 100 Most Influential People in Gender Policy by Apolitical, and on the Bath University’s Thinklist 30. Charlotte completed terms on the WEF’s 2018-19 Global Future Council and the board of the PRME working group on Business for Peace. She is a founding member of Khaddit Beirut in response to the Aug 4th 2020 Beirut explosion. Being a woman of color her work is personal, political and focused on positive change for women and other historically marginalized groups.

Panellist: Margot Sunter

CPA, CGA. Chief Innovation Officer/Chief Operating Officer, GGFL Chartered Professional Accountants.

Margot Sunter is the Chief Innovation Officer & Chief Operating Officer for Ottawa-based accounting firm GGFL LLP. A high energy, innovative and strategic executive and qualified Chartered Professional Accountant, Margot focusses on business strategy while overseeing the firm’s finance, human resources, technology, marketing, planning, change management, and data analytics.

She is recognized as a driver of change. She thrives on developing cultures that embrace innovation to not only keep pace with change but to benefit from the opportunities it creates.

Panellist: Stacey Martin

Founder - CEO - Fashion Designer, Stacey Martin Lifestyle.

Panellist: Paula Naponse

Entrepreneur, Designer, Educator, Ondarez Clothing and Goods.

GGFL

Avison Young

Telfer

Host or Publisher Dress for Success Ottawa National Capital Region