Bowen Group: Navigating Economic Upheaval
During this year’s Annual Conference, the WBE Canada’s annual awards will once again celebrate and recognize the significant achievements of Canadian women owned businesses, corporate and government leaders. These awards ultimately increase awareness and visibility of the impact supplier diversity initiatives create to inspire further achievement.
2019 WBE Canada Awards nominations are currently open, and as we are collecting applications, we wanted to share with you accomplishments of the winner of 2018 WBE of the Year – Shannon Bowen-Smed, President & CEO of Bowen Group, a leading independent Canadian recruitment and contractor management firm located in Calgary, AB.
Bowen Group offers temporary and permanent placement, recruitment solutions, contingent workforce management, payroll and independent contract management, executive search and Indigenous recruitment. They are positioned uniquely in the marketplace, thriving in the highly dynamic and transformative human capital space.
Bowen Group was recognized as 2018 WBE of the Year winner for their demonstrated excellence in business, namely through growth, accomplishments, impact on the economy and dedication to community service.
But it hasn’t always been a smooth ride. Bowen Group was able to navigate what was the worst economic climate in Alberta in their company’s 45 year history. And they not only survived, they grew as a result. Year over year, BOWEN has grown substantially in terms of employees and revenue. This is a reflection of the company’s agility and ability to transform and adapt to changing trends and market conditions. Shannon Bowen-Smed has been instrumental in leading the company’s growth strategy through affiliates, partnerships and networks. She has aligned the company with local recruiting specialists to scale and meet national business needs. Today Bowen Group has expanded and is doing business across 9 Canadian Provinces. In 2017 alone, Bowen helped over 3,000 individuals find employment.
With a commitment to championing inclusive cultures, harnessing diverse talent and enriching safe working environments, it is Bowen’s mission “to make people matter”. And that mission extends to Shannon’s personal vision – to enrich lives beyond the world of business and into the community where she actively participates on several Boards and campaigns. Over the past five years Bowen Group has contributed more than $500,000 to worthwhile causes including Calgary’s Community Kitchen Program, KidSport, Canadian Fallen Heroes Foundation, Calgary and Area Foster Parents Association, Canadian Cancer Society YWCA and the Calgary Herald Christmas Fun as well as over $450,000 to the Calgary Health Trust.
Shannon Bowen-Smed and the team at Bowen Group provide inspiration not only from their strategic business and economic success but from their commitment to community and their mission to make people matter. As we look ahead to this year’s Annual Conference and announcing the 2019 WBE of the Year, Shannon shares: “I am a proud member of WBE Canada community and hold great hope we see Western Canadian based business take the same serious stance in supporting woman-owned organizations as we have seen in Ontario. Together we can do great things in changing the face and success of business and I congratulate everyone for their involvement and support in doing so.”
We continue to congratulate 2018’s WBE of the Year – Shannon Bowen-Smed and Bowen Group and encourage others to share their success and their stories through WBE Canada’s Awards program.
The WBE of the Year award recognizes a certified women business who has demonstrated excellence in business, namely through growth, accomplishments, impact on the economy and dedication to community service. Winner of this category will also receive a prestigious Tuck Scholarship, compliments of GM. Nominations for this and other WBE Canada awards are open until September 9, 2019. Learn more and submit your nomination here.