News Releases

Award-winning writer and acclaimed journalist Jacquie McNish will be the featured speaker today in the first in a series of dynamic luncheons presented by BMO Financial Group and the YWCA of Calgary.

McNish will speak to a sold-out crowd of more than 200 people at the TELUS Convention Centre on the role of the three women who either blew the whistle or publicly challenged Enron, Worldcom and Hollinger. She will reflect on why it was female executives who sounded the alarm and how the power of women can influence significant change in the world of business.

The ‘Power of Women – Power to Change' luncheon speaker series aims to increase awareness of important issues facing women in the Calgary community.  Proceeds from the series will support YWCA programs for women in crisis in Calgary to assist them in regaining the power they feel they have lost through poverty, homelessness or violence.

“YWCA of Calgary is committed to the enhancement of women and providing opportunities for growth.  The ‘Power of Women – Power to Change' lunch series is one way we can gather women together to build strength in women.  It is also a way that we can share the issues women in our community still face around domestic violence, poverty and lack of affordable housing,” said Jill Wyatt, CEO, YWCA of Calgary.

“Together with our sponsors and BMO Financial Group we can build healthy communities by building strength in women,” added Wyatt.

“We are pleased to support the YWCA and its ongoing work to advance women and mobilize change in Calgary,” said Mary Ellen Neilson, Vice President, Western Canada Credit, BMO Financial Group.  “Working together to help improve the lives of, and opportunities for, women in our community is very important to us and is an important part of BMO's commitment to helping make our communities vibrant and strong.”

Jacquie McNish and Sinclair Stewart's book “Wrong Way: The Fall of Conrad Black” won the 2005 National Business Book Award, also sponsored by BMO Financial Group.

BMO Financial Group and the advancement of women

Approximately fifteen years ago BMO launched a groundbreaking task force on the advancement of women which lead the bank to establish diversity goals and develop programs designed to recognize, monitor and eliminate barriers to advancement. Today, more than 35 per cent of BMO's Canadian executives are women – up from nine per cent fifteen years ago. This important work continues at BMO and in the communities it serves.

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