An event in Vancouver this fall aims to put gender equality and the B.C. economy in the spotlight – all while helping young women better understand their potential and career options.
We For She, scheduled for Oct. 14, is organized by the provincial government, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBT) and Web Alliance (a women's business network of which SheTalks is a member).
Taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre, the 2016 We For She: Championing the Next Generation conference is billed as one of North America's largest gathering of women's organizations, companies, experts, business leaders, advocates and young women.
The event follows the successful B.C. Economic Forum: Women as a Catalyst for Growth events held in 2014 and 2015.
This year, attendees will hear from industry experts about the latest research on women and the economy and learn what B.C. company CEOs have done to promote and stimulate leadership diversity. Young women will also have the chance to meet role models who can share their experiences and insights, as well as discuss their own plans to contribute to improving gender equity.
Among the speakers are Coquitlam's Emily Naing, who at 18 and fresh out of high school, is the co-founder of the startup Swave; Sue Paish, the CEO of LifeLabs laboratories, which serve 19 million patient visits each year; Nicole Verkindt, business founder and one of the "dragons" on CBC's online show Next Gen Den; and retired Olympic soccer player Karina LeBlanc.
To register, visit weforshebc.ca/register.
Registration is open to GVBT members (at a discounted rate), non-members and post-secondary students (also at a discounted rate). Partial proceeds from ticket sales will help support students wishing to attend.
Registration is free for B.C. youth in Grade 10, 11 or 12, but they must be registered by a teacher or parent, who must attend as a chaperone. For more information, check weforshebc.ca
Look for SheTalks at the We For She conference.