Founder’s Table, kicking off tonight, provides support, mentorship and networking opportunities for female tech entrepreneurs in our province.
There are more than 34,000 women entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan but a gap between the number of male and female entrepreneurs remains. Founder’s Table is a made-in-Saskatchewan program that will address this gap through mentorship and education. Over the next six months, female tech entrepreneurs will meet to develop sector-specific knowledge and strategy.
“We are blessed to come from a province where successful female business owners are part of an ecosystem that steps up to inspire and mentor new entrepreneurs,” Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan Tina Beaudry-Mellor said. “Founder’s Table is an excellent opportunity for women in tech to learn to take their business and management skills to the next level.”Ten technology company founders were selected to participate in the Founder’s Table. They will meet in Regina once a month from now until February in preparation for The Growth Intensive Workshop in March 2020, where they will plan the next phases of their businesses.“Founder’s Table is committed to supporting female founders from across this province grow and flourish in the technology sector,” Women Entrepreneurs Saskatchewan (WESK) CEO Prabha Mitchell said. “Together with Economic Development Regina, and with the financial support of Innovation Saskatchewan, WESK is pleased to help Saskatchewan women in technology succeed through this mastermind program.”Katrina German, Co-founder and CEO of OneStory, is the program facilitator. She is an award-winning Saskatchewan entrepreneur with a passion for encouraging women to pursue careers in technology. Innovation Saskatchewan is providing $50,000 to Economic Development Regina to support the initiative developed in partnership with WESK.
WESK and the Government of Saskatchewan announce the members of the newly created Saskatchewan Advisory Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2019
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Today, twelve prominent entrepreneurs and business professionals from the province were announced as representatives to the newly formed Saskatchewan Advisory Committee, whose work will shape and influence the business climate in our province for women entrepreneurs.
Prabha Mitchell, CEO of Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK) commented that it was a historic day for Saskatchewan and highlighted that, “Women contribute $148 billion to the Canadian economy, according to a 2011 study.”
“Advancing gender equality in the creation of economic activity has the potential to add another $150 to 420 billion to the economy by 2026”, said Mitchell, “and supporting women entrepreneurship is not limited to a gender equity issue, but is part of a strong economic policy.”
The Saskatchewan Advisory Committee Members are:
Al-Katib, Murad President and CEO, AGT Food and Ingredients Inc..
Buettner, Adele Founder and President, AgriBiz Communications Corp
Clark, Eric COO and Partner, PFM Capital Inc.
Dubreuil, Janis Partner, Allan Construction
Hardy, JoeAnne President and Partner, WBM Technologies Inc.
Hrudka, Christine Pharmacy Owner; Chair, Canadian Pharmacists Association
Ivey, Adrienne Co-owner, Evergreen Cattle Co.; Owner, View from the Ranch Porch
Mielke, Rachel CEO and Founder, Hillberg & Berk
Parent, Kimberly Owner, Saskatoon Salsa Dance Company
Soulier, Alicia Founder, SalonScale Technology Inc.; Owner, Capelli Salon Studio Inc.
Vandenhurk, Natasha CEO, Three Farmers Foods Inc.
Weimer, Mary Chief Member Experience Officer, Conexus Credit Union
The Saskatchewan Advisory Committee will draw on new and existing evidence, utilizing the expertise of the committee members to advise on the development of strategy, policy and action to close the gender entrepreneurship gap. The committee will also serve as an advocate on behalf of women entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan.
Minister of Advanced Education, Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan, Minister Responsible for Status of Women Office Tina Beaudry-Mellor was on hand for the announcement stating, “Our economy depends on the success of female entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan. This committee focuses on making sure they have every opportunity to expand their business by identifying and addressing obstacles that prevent them from scaling up.”
“It is a privilege to be collaborating with this incredible group of people to address the gender entrepreneurship gap – many of the effects of which I have experienced in building and scaling my own business,” said Rachel Mielke, CEO and Founder, Hillberg & Berk. “I’m proud that we are undertaking this effort in Saskatchewan, and I am confident that we have the individuals, leaders, and communities here to support female entrepreneurs, and thus contribute to what makes us thrive as a province.”
“While such an initiative encompasses diversity, inclusion and equity; let’s not lose sight of its impact on profitability and economic growth in our province,” concluded Mitchell.
The Saskatchewan Advisory Committee has been created and funded through a partnership between the Government of Saskatchewan, specifically the Status of Women Office and WESK and will continue over the course of the next 8 months.
WESK is a non-profit organization that works with Saskatchewan women to assist them with starting, buying or expanding a business and to achieve their entrepreneurial goals.
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For more information and interviews with Prabha Mitchell and Committee Spokespersons, contact: