EDMONTON, May 16, 2019 /CNW/ - The annual BMO
Celebrating Women event in Edmonton, Alberta honoured three women
for their remarkable contributions to business and the
community.
The program honours female leaders in local communities as part
of BMO's commitment to drive the advancement of women and
recognizes contributions in one of three categories: Trailblazers
& Innovators; Community & Charitable Giving; and Expansion
& Growth in Business.
The following honourees were recognized:
- Trailblazer & Innovators: Steffany Hanlen-Francey. For over 30 years,
Ms. Hanlen-Francey has dedicated her career to supporting the
athletic community, including athletes, referees, skating
instructors, coaches and performance consultants. In 2003, Ms.
Hanlen-Francey founded Quantum Speed, a skating development company
that provides process-oriented coaching for athletes developing and
advancing their training. As CEO of Skatetech Group of Companies
(which includes Proskate, Quantum Speed and Skating Success), Ms.
Hanlen-Francey leads a team of instructors to help figure skaters
and hockey and ringette players achieve their full potential.
- Community & Charitable Giving: Diane Buchanan. Sharing the same passion for
philanthropy with her late husband Gordon, Ms. Buchanan ensures all
her business ventures involve a component of giving back to the
community. As founder and patron of the Gordon & Diane Buchanan
Family Foundation, Ms. Buchanan has been involved in charitable
efforts for public and private corporations, hospital boards, the
arts and international support initiatives. Serving the
Edmonton community for two
decades, one of Ms. Buchanan's notable projects includes the
creation of the Buchanan Centre. Named in honour of Ms. Buchanan's
late husband who had battled Parkinson's Disease, the Buchanan
Centre serves as the new home for the Parkinson Association of
Alberta and is dedicated to Albertans living with Parkinson's and
their care partners and families.
- Expansion & Growth in Business: Heather Stewart. Championing supply chain
management for the majority of her career, Ms. Stewart is the
President of BBE Expediting Ltd., a logistics and freight service
provider for mining, airline, oil and gas, and construction
industries. Under her leadership, BBE continues to expand its
services to more locations, moving goods to Canada's less accessible regions with
locations in Nunavut and the
Northwest Territories, strategic
hubs in Edmonton and Ottawa and headquartered in Yellowknife. In addition to receiving personal
industry recognitions, including one of Supply Chain Management
Association (SCMA)'s "100 Influential Women in Canada Supply Chain" list, Ms. Stewart serves
as a member of SCMA's national board of directors.
"These outstanding leaders have demonstrated that tireless
dedication and initiative can inspire and empower others to strive
for excellence in everything they do," said Vanessa Laroque, Regional Vice President,
Alberta North and N.W.T., BMO
Financial Group. "BMO is proud to recognize these leaders for their
influence across the province of Alberta and commitment to
providing a platform to amplify the advancement of women
nationwide."
BMO has developed products to address the needs of its female
clients, including the recent Women in Leadership Mutual Fund – the
first impact-investing mutual fund focused on gender diversity to
be offered by a Canadian bank. In April
2019, CEO Darryl White signed
the UN Women's Empowerment Principles (WEP) on behalf of the bank,
making BMO the first Canadian financial institution to sign the
WEPs.
For more information about BMO Celebrating Women, please visit:
bmoforwomen.com and join the social conversation using
#BMOforWomen.
About BMO for Women
BMO is committed to supporting
initiatives that empower women within its workforce and the
communities the bank serves. BMO has partnered with organizations
such as the Women's Presidents Organization, GroYourBiz,
#movethedial, and Women Get On Board to provide expertise,
leadership, knowledge, and opportunities for women to network and
learn. In 2018, BMO announced it is making $3 billion in capital available over the next
three years for Canadian businesses owned by women. Through the
only bank-owned recognition program for women in North America – BMO Celebrating Women – BMO
celebrates successful women who have given back to their
communities or achieved success in business. Since 2012, BMO
Celebrating Women has honoured more than 100 women in communities
across Canada and the United
States.
SOURCE BMO Financial Group