Friday May 22, 2015 8:00 am 4:30 pm Coast Capri Hotel, Kelowna

Friday May 22, 2015 8:00 am 4:30 pm Coast Capri Hotel, Kelowna

ADVANCING WOMEN TO GROW THE BC ECONOMY On behalf of Women s Enterprise Centre, the Catalyst for Growth Project Steering Committee, tour and event sponsors, partners and supporters around the province, I am delighted to welcome you to the Catalyst for Growth event. This project continues the work of the fall 2014 BC Economic Forum, which gathered over 400 women and men in Vancouver to discuss how to increase women s roles in the BC economy as executives and on boards, as entrepreneurs as well as in trades and emerging technologies. That forum resulted in an Action Plan which was released earlier this month and is included in your package. Our goal is to gather input from the half of the BC population who live outside of Metro Vancouver, which is why we are holding these regional dialogues in Kelowna, Victoria, Prince George and Prince Rupert. To bring added value to your community and take the first step in implementing the Action Plan, we are pleased to present Dr. Valerie Young s workshop to address the self-limiting beliefs that are identified as a recurring barrier to women s success in all tracks. As an organization that supports women entrepreneurs throughout the province, Women s Enterprise Centre understands the importance of creating resources that are relevant and accessible for all regions. This project exemplifies the power of collaboration on a provincial scale. Our 20th anniversary is in May 2015, and I am proud to have been a part of this committed team of talented professionals for half of its life. I look forward to seeing how these wonderful events will influence and inspire the next 20 years of growing women in BC. It s going to be a great day! Laurel Douglas CEO, Women s Enterprise Centre #econwomen 3

PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE Women s Enterprise Centre is pleased to continue the work of the 2014 BC Economic Forum: Women as a Catalyst for Growth with this collaborative project. The Catalyst for Growth project is guided by an experienced Steering Committee of senior women leaders who were all on the organizing committee for the BC Economic Forum (BCEF). Chaired by Jill Earthy, co-chair of the BC Economic Forum, the committee is comprised of women have made significant contributions to advancing women s economic impact in BC. Jill Earthy Chair, Catalyst for Growth Project Steering Committee Role Member Affiliation Chair Vice-Chair Jill Earthy, Vancouver Lois Nahirney, Vancouver Kristina De Araujo, Prince Rupert Renee Wasylyk, Kelowna Shauna Harper, Prince George Michelle Pockey, Vancouver Dawn McCooey, Victoria Laurel Douglas, Kelowna Co-Chair, Web Alliance; Co-Chair, BC Economic Forum Co-Chair, BC Economic Forum; Chair, Premier s Women s Economic Council BCEF Track 1 Women in Senior Leadership, Premier s Women s Economic Council BCEF Track 2 Women Entrepreneurs; Vice-Chair, Premier s Women s Economic Council BCEF Track 2 Women Entrepreneurs; Premier s Women s Economic Council BCEF Track 3 Women in Trades and Emerging Sectors, Professional Women s Network Co-Chair, Web Alliance; Women s Enterprise Centre BCEF Track 2 Women Entrepreneurs; Women s Enterprise Centre 4 CatalystforGrowth.ca

EVENT PROGRAM #econwomen Time Session 8:00 am Registration and networking 8:30 am Welcome and opening remarks Laurel Douglas, Women s Enterprise Centre Renee Wasylyk, Troika Developments 9:00 am Collaborative dialogue Includes morning break 12:00 pm Lunch 12:45 pm Women s Enterprise Centre 20th anniversary celebration 1:15 pm Overcome the Impostor Syndrome workshop with Dr. Valerie Young Includes afternoon break 4:15 pm Closing remarks 4:30 pm Mingling and Dr. Young book sales and signing Get your copy of Dr. Valerie Young s book The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from the Impostor Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of It will be available for purchase after the workshop. Buy a copy today for $30 and have it signed by Dr. Valerie Young! Cash and credit cards only. #econwomen 5

CATALYST FOR GROWTH PROJECT BACKGROUND The Catalyst for Growth project continues the work of the BC Economic Forum: Women as a Catalyst for Growth, a working forum that gathered leaders and small business owners in Vancouver in fall 2014 to provide input on how to grow women s impact on the economy. The inaugural forum resulted in Women as a Catalyst for Economic Growth: A BC Action Plan, which outlines key steps that government, businesses and individuals can take to enhance opportunities for women. The report will serve as the starting point for today s discussion, providing background and context but the work has just begun. Key Recommendations from the Summary Report The following key recommendations arose from common themes across all tracks to advance the economic impact of women in BC and Canada. For more detail, see page 7 of the summary report. 1. Promote and advocate diversity 2. Champion women 3. Foster positive and self-affirming mindsets 4. Incorporate a diversity focus in early education 5. Activate men A copy of the Women as a Catalyst for Economic Growth: A BC Action Plan Summary Report is included in your participant package. View the full report at weballiance.ca. Your Role This working forum is your chance to share your ideas and ensure your region s voice is included as strategies and actions are developed to help women in all regions make progress on the three tracks. 6 CatalystforGrowth.ca

COLLABORATIVE DIALOGUE Supporting women in business is an economic imperative and an opportunity for unprecedented growth. Now is the time to shift the dial on this issue and become leaders in taking action. This morning s collaborative dialogue is a unique opportunity to shape the future of your community s economy. We need perspectives from women and men in your community politicians, business leaders, educators, tradespeople and everyone else who is ready to take action to grow women s roles in the economy. Dialogue Format In small, facilitated group discussions, we will actively explore how we can affect change and support economic growth through women. We will talk about what is working and discuss how we can create an even greater impact in your region to: Grow women in senior leadership roles (women executives, women on boards) Grow women entrepreneurs (access to capital, resources and markets); and Grow women in trades and emerging sectors. But we are going to go beyond the conversation you will be encouraged to activate your ideas and build the capacity for increasing women s economic contributions in your own community! Next Steps Following the regional forums, Women s Enterprise Centre and the Catalyst for Growth Project Steering Committee will incorporate the issues and solutions raised around the province into the Action Plan. They will report on the findings at the BC Economic Forum 2.0 planned for October 23, 2015 in Vancouver. Following that, the Steering Committee will select solutions that can be delivered in each region to act on the issues raised today and maximize the impact of the Updated Action Plan with the resources available. #econwomen 7

MEET THE FACILITATORS Amanda Fenton Amanda Fenton Consulting Vancouver Amanda works with groups to design and host community conversations, meetings, retreats and longer-term change and transformation projects. She also teaches, designs and hosts circle-based processes for groups who want to meet and work together in a more collaborative way. Shauna Harper Live Work Communications Prince George Shauna develops marketing solutions for online and offline companies. She and her team initiated the Ignite the North community building events held across the north to use innovation to build resiliency, create jobs and develop thriving communities in Northern BC. Dawn McCooey Women s Enterprise Centre Victoria Skills Development Manager at Women s Enterprise Centre, Dawn oversees all our training and mentoring around BC, and travels to 15-20 communities a year to deliver live workshops. She has a Master of Arts degree in Leadership & Training and has worked with individuals, corporations and government in program design, workshop facilitation, and organizational development for over 20 years. 8 CatalystforGrowth.ca

OVERCOME THE IMPOSTOR SYNDROME WORKSHOP Today you will take part in a life-changing workshop with Dr. Valerie Young to end needless self-doubt so you can increase your own contributions as a leader! The Overcome the Impostor Syndrome workshop handout is included in your participant package. Learn more about the Impostor Syndrome at ImpostorSyndrome.com. About Dr. Valerie Young Dr. Valerie Young is an internationallyknown speaker, author, and leading expert on building confidence by overcoming the impostor syndrome. Dr. Young s career-related tips have been cited in The Wall Street Journal, Science, Psychology Today, Woman s Day, Men s Health, NBCNews.com, and dozens of other publications around the world. Dr. Young earned her doctoral degree from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Her research focused on understanding and eliminating the psychological barriers preventing women from embracing their full potential in school and in the workplace. A former manager at a Fortune 200 company herself, Dr. Young has shared her highly relatable and practical advice with thousands of executives and professionals in the United States, Canada and Europe. She has spoken at over 70 colleges and universities including Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Princeton, and MIT. #econwomen 9

THANK YOU! Thank you to the Steering Committee, speakers, champions, volunteers and participants in the morning forum for recognizing the importance of this dialogue and contributing to the success of the Catalyst for Growth project. SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 23, 2015 BC Economic Forum 2.0 Vancouver, BC ABOUT WOMEN S ENTERPRISE CENTRE Women s Enterprise Centre helps BC women entrepreneurs start, grow and succeed in business through our business loans, workshops, mentors and resources. Since 1995, we ve invested in our clients with the support of our volunteers and partners, and we re proud to be part of a thriving community of catalysts for growth in BC. Our team of professionals provides: business loans up to $150,000 business skills training mentoring programs professional business advisors self-study guides, resources, research networking connections and referrals a supportive community as you scale your business Contact us to see how we can help YOU start, grow or succeed in business! womensenterprise.ca 1.800.643.7014 Facebook.com/wecbc @businesswomenbc 10 CatalystforGrowth.ca

THANK YOU TO OUR PROMOTIONAL PARTNERS Tour Promotional Partners The WEB Alliance of women s business networks Premier s Women s Economic Council Join SCWIST s free mentoring network at www.makepossible.ca Community Promotional Partners BC WOMEN LEAD BC Lake Country Chamber of Commerce

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS Tour Sponsors and Supporters BC Ministry of Jobs, Tourism, Skills Training and Labour Led by the Honourable Shirley Bond, this ministry oversees the Small Business Roundtable and the Premier s Women s Economic Council. Its major branches include Tourism & Small Business, Economic Development and the Major Investments Office. Futurpreneur Canada is a national non-profit providing early stage financing + mentorship to entrepreneurs aged 18 39, as well as resources such as an online Business Plan Writer and workshops. ThriveNorth is a collaborative initiative in partnership with BG Canada, helping young people in BC s Northwest region to start and grow their own business. BCIC s mission is to strengthen British Columbia s economy by accelerating the growth of BC ventures through the support of entrepreneurs and technology companies. We do this by encouraging the development and application of advanced or innovative technologies to meet the needs of industry in BC. The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises in Public Works and Government Services Canada advocates on behalf of SMEs and encourages their participation in federal government procurement. The department also manages the Build in Canada Innovation Program. For more information visit Buyandsell.gc.ca Community Sponsors The Catalyst for Growth project is supported by Status of Women Canada. Women s Enterprise Centre is supported by Western Economic Diversification Canada.