BMO Celebrating Women: BMO Recognizes Outstanding Women in Saint John Through National Program

SAINT JOHN, June 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Three women were honoured at the annual BMO Celebrating Women program in Saint John for their remarkable contribution to business and the community in one of three categories: Innovation and Global Growth, Community and Charitable Giving, and Expansion and Growth in Small Business. The program recognizes female leaders in local communities as part of BMO's commitment to drive the advancement of women.

At the Saint John event, the following honourees were recognized:

• Innovation and Global Growth: Jill Green. Ms. Green is the CEO of Green Imaging Technologies, Inc., a company that specializes in nuclear magnetic resonance equipment to evaluate rock samples for the oil and gas industry. It credits UNB researchers for their work to grow this technology and look inside materials beyond the human body. Its software is now used worldwide.
• Community and Charitable Giving: Dr. Peggy Bown. Ms. Bown is a dentist with a private practice, Peggy Bown Dentistry. Last year, to celebrate its first anniversary, she offered a smile makeover to a bride-to-be in Saint John who overcame cancer. She is part of the '100 Women Who Care of Greater Saint John' organization, which has raised over $385,000 to date for charities in the area.
• Expansion and Growth in Small Business: Sylvia MacVey. Ms. MacVey is the President and CEO of G.E. Barbour, a family-owned food processor. This year will mark its 150^th year of operations. Under her leadership, the company has expanded in the U.S. and invested in its Sussex plant to double its productivity of peanut and almond butter. Nut butter is now 80 per cent of the company's business.

"These recognitions showcase women that have given their time and energy to make a valuable contribution to business and the community and inspire others," said Lynda Taylor, Senior Vice President, Atlantic Provinces Division, BMO Bank of Montreal. "We're pleased to applaud them through this important initiative and engage in programs that support the advancement of women, which is a major priority here at BMO."

The BMO Celebrating Women program follows the bank's second Catalyst Award win for its industry-leading work to accelerate diversity and inclusion in its workplace and dedication to gender equality.

In addition, BMO has partnerships with organizations such as GroYourBiz, WBE Canada, Women Presidents' Organization, SheEO 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 focused on gender diversity – and spearheaded studies around women entrepreneurs, such as A Force to Reckon With: Women, Entrepreneurs & Risk – an eye-opening report in partnership with Carleton University that debunked myths around the notion of women being risk averse.

For more information about BMO Celebrating Women, please visit: bmoforwomen.com and join the social conversation using #BMOforWomen.

About BMO Financial Group
Established in 1817, and currently marking its 200th year of operations, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services provider based in North America. With total assets of $719 billion as of April 30, 2017, and more than 45,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.

SOURCE BMO Financial Group

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