News Releases
HALIFAX, May 10, 2017 /CNW/ - Three local women were honoured at the fifth annual BMO Celebrating Women program in Halifax 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 Halifax event, the following honourees were recognized:
- Innovation and Global Growth: Evelyn Ernst. Mr. Ernst is the co-founder of Terra Beata Farms Ltd., a Maritime cranberry farm that exports fresh, dried and frozen berries, and produces sauces, juices and preserves. Ninety per cent of sales are outside of Canada.
- Community and Charitable Giving: Denise Doucet. Ms. Doucet, owner of Denise Doucet Strategic Partnerships Inc., donates her time and energy to enrich the lives of at-risk youth and Indigenous peoples. She also sits on the organizing committee for the Ruth Goldbloom Ladies Golf Classic, raising nearly $900,000 for Kids Help Phone.
- Expansion and Growth in Small Business: Kim Geldart. After purchasing her first pharmacy in 1999, Ms. Geldart now owns eight pharmacies under the Pharmasave Banner, along with property for six of them. A pharmacist, she has a passion for helping others and a true entrepreneurial spirit.
"These recognitions spotlight remarkable women in our community and across the country, sharing stories about the work they do that makes a difference each day," said Lynda Taylor, Senior Vice President, Atlantic Provinces Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. "It's important to us to continue to expand these initiatives that educate, support and celebrate the talented women in the communities we serve."
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
