Social Procurement and Doing Business with the City of Toronto – Tips and Recommendations on Selling to the City from Successful Women-Owned Businesses

Did you know the City of Toronto procures approximately $2.5 billion in goods, professional services, and construction services annually?

The City of Toronto in partnership with Women Business Enterprises Canada Council (WBE Canada) will be hosting an event on doing business with the City of Toronto. During this session, you will learn about the City’s procurement processes and policies, including information about the Social Procurement Program, which aims to embed supply chain diversity and workforce development initiatives within its procurement processes to drive inclusive economic growth.

Who should attend

If you are a women-owned business and are looking to understand about the City’s Social Procurement process and also hear from successful women-owned businesses on tips and recommendations on selling to the City, this is your opportunity!

REGISTRATION CLOSED!

Event Speakers

Moderator:

Silvia Pencak – President & CEO, WBE Canada

Silvia is the President of Women Business Enterprises Canada Council (WBE Canada), a Canadian non-profit organization that is opening doors for Canadian women-owned businesses to corporate and government supply chains. Silvia has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit and business environment, leading transformational projects and teams.

Presenter:

Alexandra Mutinelli-Djukic – Purchasing Coordinator, City of Toronto, Purchasing and Material Management Division

Alexandra has been advancing social procurement in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area since April 2014 where she was the Manager of the Social Purchasing Project (SPP) at United Way Toronto & York Region. Before her role at SPP, Alexandra spent eight years managing one of Toronto’s most successful social enterprises. She also brings over 15 years of business ownership and management experience. McGill University recently recognized her as a Supplier Diversity Change Agent.

Panelists:

Andrea Robinson, President & CEO, Robinson Global Management (RGM)

Andrea is the President & CEO of Robinson Global Management Inc. (RGM) As founder, Andrea oversees all aspects of leadership and operations of the unique procurement consulting business, including it’s corporate initiatives, expert recruitment, client relations, and knowledge development. She establishes ambitious business goals while spearheading innovative corporate initiatives for diversity, a green mindfulness, and incorporating the ‘think globally’ approach. Outside of RGM, Andrea supports her community as a volunteer Build Crew Member with Habitat for Humanity since 2015, and as a Director and Board Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Training Institute since 2017.

Sherry Isnor – President, Design Marketing

Sherry has been advancing social procurement in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area since April 2014 where she was the Manager of the Social Purchasing Project (SPP) at United Way Toronto & York Region. Before her role at SPP, Alexandra spent eight years managing one of Toronto’s most successful social enterprises. She also brings over 15 years of business ownership and management experience. McGill University recently recognized her as a Supplier Diversity Change Agent.

Valerie Ritchie – Owner & President, Racks Unlimited Manufacturing Ltd.

Valerie is a woman entrepreneur who founded & still owns Racks Unlimited Manufacturing. Just after two months of starting her first sales job in the automotive industry in her early twenties, Valerie was awarded an order for one million dollars with General Motors. After this success, Valerie knew that she had the unlimited potential to make a name for herself in a male dominated industry. In 1998, Valerie opened Racks Unlimited Manufacturing & has been successfully running her business for over 25 years. She was recognized with the ‘Doing Business Award 2015’ in recognition of 2014 WBE sales success, utilizing certification, for sales reaching over one million.” By overcoming an abundance of obstacles along the way, Valerie’s journey to the top makes her an inspiration to future generations of women entrepreneurs.