BMO Celebrating Women: BMO Recognizes Outstanding Women in Ottawa through National Program

OTTAWA, Oct. 25, 2018 /CNW/ - The annual BMO Celebrating Women event in Ottawa 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: Innovation and Global Growth, Community and Charitable Giving, and Expansion and Growth in Small Business.

Roxanne Bouchard, VP and Market Manager, BMO; Alexandra Dousmanis-Curtis, Head, Canadian Sales and Distribution, North American Personal & Business Banking, BMO; Dr. Penina Lam – Innovation & Global Growth Honouree; Sharon Johnston, Keynote Speaker; Tara Shannon – Community & Charitable Giving Honouree; Tammy Giuliani – Expansion & Growth in Small Business Honouree; Victor Pellegrino, SVP Eastern, Central & Northern Ontario Division, BMO; Jeff Hill, Branch Manager, VP & Managing Director, BMO (CNW Group/BMO Financial Group)

The following honourees were recognized:

• Innovation and Global Growth: Dr. Penina Lam
  Dr. Lam is the Founder and CEO of eLearning Innovators Inc., a boutique consulting firm, which offers organizational development solutions as well as customized learning sessions, conducted virtually and on-site.
  
  Dr. Lam is a pioneer in the eLearning field. As a learning solutions consultant and coach, she has worked internationally and co-directs the annual eLearning Innovations Conference in Kenya, reaching thousands of educators, leaders, and innovators.
  
  
• Community and Charitable Giving: Tara Shannon
  Tara Shannon is the president of Willow Sound Records Inc., a membership co-op record label and publishing company dedicated to the development and distribution of independent music.
  
  Ms. Shannon is a singer and songwriter and is well known for supporting and giving a voice to local and national charitable campaigns including
  LYME Hope, the Butterfly Child Project, and BeYou.
  
  
• Expansion & Growth in Small Business: Tammy Giuliani
  Tammy Giuliani is the Owner of Stella Luna Gelato Café and an Italian-trained master gelato chef.
  
  Ms. Giuliani opened her first location in Old Ottawa South in 2011. The success of her business has led her to open two additional locations, in Ottawa and Merrickville.
  
  Stella Luna Gelato Café was awarded Best Gelato in Canada and Top Three Gelato Shops in The Americas at the prestigious Gelato World Tour (Chicago 2016) and also received the International Journalist's Choice Award (Italy 2017).

"We know how important it is to celebrate the accomplishments of women leaders, and we're proud to honour these leaders who have shown the importance of inspiring, encouraging, and connecting our communities through the spirit of entrepreneurship," said Alexandra Dousmanis-Curtis, Head, Canadian Sales and Distribution, BMO Financial Group. "BMO is committed to developing programs that support the advancement of women in communities nationwide."

BMO has partnerships with organizations such as GroYourBiz, WBE Canada, Women Presidents' Organization and Catalyst. It has also developed products that address the needs of its female clients, including the recent Women in Leadership Mutual Fund – the first impact-investing mutual fund offered by a Canadian bank which focuses on gender diversity. In collaboration with the Government of Canada, Beacon Agency, and Carleton University, it has conducted studies around women entrepreneurs, such as the report titled Everywhere, Every Day Innovating – Women Entrepreneurs and Innovation.

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 Boards 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

Media Contacts: James DeCosimo, Toronto | [e-mail] | 416-867-3996