April 26th | Plenary Session
“Access to Capital: Investing with a Gender Lens“

“Access to Capital: Investing with a Gender Lens“

Sponsor: Mackenzie Investments

While the topic of “Feminine capital and Feminine leadership” has grown substantially over the past few years, studies show that women business owners still face difficulties in obtaining capital. In 2023 the State of Women’s Entrepreneurship in Canada report suggested systemic biases continue to play out as women face barriers such as access to financing, whether it be in the form of loans, venture capital or angel investing. The report also highlighted the disproportionate challenges faced by Indigenous and racialized women in the space. What has developed, changed? In this session, the panelists dive deeper into the realities of accessing capital, the latest research and what is available to WBOs.

Moderator: Roslyn Kunin, President, Roslyn Kunin & Associates Inc. Economic Consulting

Plenary Speakers/Panelists:

• Cathy Bennett, Co-Founder, Sandpiper Ventures
• Sheri Griffiths, SVP, Head of Ontario Corporate Finance, BMO Commercial Bank, Canada
• Wendy Cukier, Academic Director, Diversity Institute; Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub; Future Skills Centre
• Teara Fraser, Founder, Elibird Aero, and Founder,CEO, Iskwew Air