This diverse council of leaders will support businesses and non-profit organizations in Abbotsford to concretely improve inclusion in the workplace and address barriers to participation.
For Immediate Release
(ABBOTSFORD B.C.) Sept 10, 2024 – Today, the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce (ACOC) announced the inaugural members of a new initiative to address inclusion and workforce barriers, the Women’s Leadership Council (WLC).
The WLC will work to elevate and enable women in the workplace by identifying barriers, advocating for women, and working with businesses to implement successful policies that position Abbotsford businesses as Employers of Choice in the Fraser Valley.
As part of its initial priorities, the council will hold programs and workshops that help to educate ACOC members on these issues. It will also offer resources to help businesses improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace, as well as actively championing representation on panels at Abbotsford Chamber events.
The first event will be September 25th at the Reach Gallery Museum, featuring networking with female leaders, followed by an insightful panel conversation how to empower highly effective teams. Tickets are available online from the Abbotsford Chamber.
WLC 2024-2025 Members include:
- Chair, Kimberley Tamminga, Director of Business Development, Chinook Helicopters
- Carli Williams, Investment Advisor, RBC Dominion Securities
- Yovini Moodley, Senior Marketing Director, Fraserway RV
- Sarah De Klein, Director of Philanthropy, Communitas Society
- Amanda Tagle, Adaptive Soccer Lead, Abbotsford Soccer Association
- Erin Bettger, Manager Prestige and Personal Banking, Canadian Western Bank
- Stephanie Singh, Operations Manager, Prestige Physiotherapy
- Lisa Huppee, Owner, Just Like Family Home Care
- Jasmine Bhambra, Vice President, Fraser Valley Indo Canadian Business Association
- Harpreet Khangura, Mortgage Broker
- Sara Albert, Founder, Albert & Co Law
- Naomi Pisio, Senior Branch Manager, Scotiabank Gladwin
- Carla Johnson, Certified Financial Planner,The Cooperators
Quotes
“At the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, we work to continuously champion, unite and advocate for our diverse business community. The Chamber has prioritised gender inclusion at the Board leadership level and across its operations and programs. We believe the initiatives of the WLC will help us to advocate more effectively for the economic competitiveness of our City by ensuring we can spotlight the leaders and ideas that are shaping it,” says Alex Mitchell, CEO of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce.
"A successful economy without female representation is not achievable in the 21st century. We need to do more than just ensure we, as businesses, look at how women in our workplaces drive businesses to success." said Kim Tamminga, Chair of the WLC. "I’m looking forward to our work with the Chamber’s Women’s Leadership Council driving the conversation about how to enable women in the workplace through programs that address the many barriers women face in the paid economy."
Associated Links:
More about the Women’s Leadership Council: Women's Leadership Council - Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce
September 25th Networking and Panel Event: Women's Leadership Council - Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce
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Media contact:
Nathalie Darwin
Communications Manager
Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce
E: hello@abbotsfordchamber.com