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VANCOUVER, May 8, 2017 /CNW/ - Three local women were honoured at the fifth annual Celebrating Women program in Vancouver 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 Vancouver event, the following honourees were recognized:
- Innovation and Global Growth: Cathy Press. As the first female flight instructor in Canada, Ms. Press is the CEO of Chinook Helicopters Ltd., an Abbotsford-based flight training school and a national leader in training some of the best pilots around the world.
- Community and Charitable Giving: Annar Mangalji. Ms. Mangalji's giving nature and volunteerism developed at an early age, starting with her determination to help Ugandan Refugees settle in Canada. She supports charities around the globe, and in Canada, the North Shore Multicultural Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society.
- Expansion and Growth in Small Business: Tara Bosch. After educating herself on the health impacts of sugar, Ms. Bosch founded SmartSweets in 2015, which has grown to sell sugar-free candy in more than 170 locations across Canada and online throughout North America.
"These honourees have demonstrated great work and dedication to building businesses that make a positive impact in the local community and beyond," said Michael Bonner, Senior Vice President and Regional Head, B.C. & Yukon Division, BMO Financial Group. "Recognition of their talent and efforts through these awards is important for the entrepreneurial spirit of our community."
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
