News Releases
TORONTO, May 29, 2018 /CNW/ - Three women were honoured at the annual BMO Celebrating Women event in Toronto for their remarkable contributions 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.
The following honourees were recognized:
- Innovation and Global Growth: Nadine Artemis. Ms. Artemis is the co-owner and creator of Living Libations, a Haliburton, Ontario company offering beauty and wellness products that bring out the strength of pure botanicals without reliance on synthetics.
Ms. Artemis works with individuals in several countries, including Madagascar, Peru, Brazil, India, Argentina, and the U.S. to create essential oils, serums, elixirs, and dental care products that promote healthy oral care. All products are synthetic-free, organic, GMO-free, gluten-free, and animal friendly. They are available across North America, Europe, and Australia.
Ms. Artemis is also a speaker, educator and the author of Holistic Dental Care: The Complete Guide to Healthy Teeth and Gums and the forthcoming book Renegade Beauty.
- Community and Charitable Giving: Jody Steinhauer. Ms. Steinhauer is the owner of The Bargains Group, an award-winning discount wholesale & promotional products company.
Ms. Steinhauer is the creator of the "Give Back Where You Live" initiative. For over 15 years, The Bargains Group team has dedicated time and intellectual resources in the support of multiple initiatives that help the homeless.
Ms. Steinhauer is also the founder of Engage and Change, a national charity "all about good people working together for the good of people."
The charity has taken over the operation of Project Winter Survival and Project Water - two annual projects that help the homeless by providing necessities for Canada's extreme weather conditions.
- Expansion & Growth in Small Business: Nancy Adamo. Ms. Adamo is the president and co-owner of Hockley Valley Resort in Orangeville, Ontario. Hockley has created a unique niche within the provincial market and regularly records occupancy rates over 70 per cent - well above market average in the hotel industry.
Since purchasing the resort in 1985, Ms. Adamo and her team have evolved the property to include golf, skiing, a spa, wedding receptions and conference facilities. In 2016, they further expanded to create the Adamo Estate Winery.
Ms. Adamo has been listed six times in Profit Guide's "W100: Canada's Top Female Entrepreneurs."
- Expansion & Growth in Small Business: Christine Manning. Ms. Manning is the owner of Manning Canning Kitchens, Inc., a preserves company and independent food hub in Toronto. Her mother and grandmother taught her how to preserve but started the practice as an adult to relax in her off hours. Due to the overwhelming response from friends and neighbors, she quit her day job as a marketing executive to open Manning Canning Kitchens.
Ms. Manning's marmalades have won numerous awards at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Mad for Marmalade, and The World's Original Marmalade Awards. After a few years of success, she had the idea to create a 24/7 rentable commercial kitchen space in downtown Toronto. Ms. Manning raised $35,000 in 35 days via Kickstarter to make her dream a reality.
In 2014, Manning Canning Kitchens became the first dedicated rental commercial kitchen space for small food producers in the GTA. They provide space for people to bring their food ideas to market as well as storage, kitchen access, and consultations.
"We are thrilled to recognize these business owners who have shown the importance of inspiring, encouraging, and connecting our communities through the spirit of entrepreneurship," said Catherine Roche, Head, Marketing and Strategy, BMO Financial Group. "We are pleased to honour them through this important initiative. BMO is committed to developing programs that support the advancement of women in communities nationwide."
BMO has partnerships with organizations such as GroYourBiz, WBE Canada, Women Presidents' Organization 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. It has also spearheaded studies around women entrepreneurs, such as Everywhere, Every Day Innovating – Women Entrepreneurs and Innovation. For more information about BMO Celebrating Women, please visit: bmoforwomen.com and join the social conversation using #BMOforWomen.
About BMO Financial Group
Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a highly diversified financial services provider – the 8th largest bank, by assets, in North America. With total assets of $728 billion as of January 31, 2018, and a team of diverse and highly engaged 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, BMO Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.
SOURCE BMO Financial Group
