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WINNIPEG, May 31, 2017 /CNW/ - Three women were honoured at the annual BMO Celebrating Women program in Winnipeg 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 Winnipeg event, the following honourees were recognized:
- Community and Charitable Giving: Perla Javate. Ms. Javate has been championing community-focused programs for newcomers, youth, women and seniors since she came to Canada 40 years ago. She's the co-founder and President of Pinays Manitoba Inc., a new women's group that serves as a resource to help all women become resilient, confident and strong. She's also involved with Stronger Together, a joint undertaking to connect immigrants and refugees of all cultures.
- Expansion and Growth in Small Business: Edna Nabess. Ms. Nabess is the founder and principal designer of Cree-Ations & Artist Showcase, a Winnipeg-based store that specializes in handmade Aboriginal arts and crafts. Ms. Nabess designs, while her sons run the day-to-day operations. In 2013, a set of her traditional moccasins and mukluks were sent to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for their son, George.
- Expansion and Growth in Small Business: Barbara Bowes. Ms. Bowes is the President of Legacy Bowes Group, a talent management firm that serves the rural areas of Manitoba. It specializes in executive search, human resources and business advisory services, but has grown to include government departments and First Nations' agencies. She also contributes weekly to a column on Human Resources issues in the workplace.
"These women have shown incredible work centered around giving back to the community and growing their businesses in a meaningful way," said John MacAulay, Senior Vice President, Prairies Central Canada Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. "Their contributions are an example for women in the area looking to do the same, and we're proud to honour them through this program."
The BMO Celebrating Women program follows the bank'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 $719 billion as of April 30, 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
