Media Release – BDC Partners with WBE Canada to Launch Supplier Diversity Program

Media Release

BDC partners with WBE Canada’s Consulting team to launch their Supplier Diversity program at this year’s Annual Conference

TORONTO, September 10, 2018

WBE Canada is thrilled to support BDC in the development and implementation of its Supplier Diversity program. “Working closely with the BDC procurement team, we are able to customize processes from diverse supplier outreach, to uncovering opportunities to tracking progress and impact”, said Stephanie Fontaine, VP Business Development, WBE Canada. “The BDC program is currently being built with the best practices that we know work in the industry, and we are implementing them within the framework of BDC’s day-to-day business. It’s important that we build a program that is easy to understand and incorporates actions that all team members can do to further their culture of diversity and inclusion, and its impact on the Canadian economy.”

“With the support of WBE Canada, we are building a Supplier Diversity program that will allow us to foster greater diversity and inclusion in the workplace, says Pierre Dubreuil, Executive Vice President, Financing at BDC. By forging stronger relations with our current and potential suppliers, we are creating more opportunities not only for women entrepreneurs, but also for the under-represented communities we serve.”

We welcome BDC as a member of WBE Canada and congratulate them on their third year as the Presenting Sponsor of the WBE Canada 2018 Annual Conference. This year’s conference theme is “Building to the Future” and focuses on bringing together a community of women-owned businesses, corporations, government agencies and regional partners for a day and a half of learning, networking and matchmaking.

“It is inspiring to see BDC’s commitment to developing Canadian women-owned businesses and I believe that they’re going to bring incredible expertise and energy to our community as a sponsor and as our newest corporate member.” said Silvia Pencak, President, WBE Canada. “We are excited to work with BDC and honoured to help them build a strong Supplier Diversity program and facilitate engagement with certified WBEs (Women Business Enterprises) and other diverse suppliers.”

Building to the Future takes place on September 26th and 27th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. More than 200 certified diverse suppliers, corporations and government procurement professionals and those championing supplier diversity will be there to benefit from speakers, workshops and networking events.

About WBE Canada

WBE Canada certifies majority-owned, managed, and controlled women’s businesses and facilitates opportunities for them to meet buyers and get access to corporate and government contracts as part of supplier diversity programs.

In addition to certifying Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), WBE Canada provides a range of programs and services to assist WBEs in better accessing business opportunities with major corporations. This includes training and education, through an annual conference, workshops and webinars; mentoring programs and networking events with like-minded businesswomen and corporate members. WBE Canada also provides its corporate members with forums, tools and techniques to broaden and achieve their goals.

About BDC

BDC is the only bank devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs. It promotes Canadian entrepreneurship with a focus on small and medium-sized businesses. With its 123 business centres from coast to coast, BDC provides businesses in all industries with financing and advisory services. Its investment arm, BDC Capital, offers equity, venture capital and flexible growth and transition capital solutions. BDC is also the first financial institution in Canada to receive B Corp certification. To find out more, visit bdc.ca.