Advancing Women’s Leadership in Canada’s Digital Economy
When & where
-
BCABMBONQC
-
-
Who it's for
- Registered businesses or not-for-profits in Canada's digital economy
The first sessions begin on June 16 and 17. Register early to make the most of the program.
Advancing the representation of women in leadership roles in Canada’s emerging technology sectors
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role in Canada’s digital economy, and diverse leadership is key to driving growth. However, women and marginalized genders are underrepresented in managerial, executive, and board roles across many sectors, limiting perspectives and potential for innovation. Businesses that prioritize building diverse leadership teams have been found to have greater adaptability, helping them to meet the demands of the changing workplace landscape and giving them an advantage over less agile industry competitors.
This free program from ICTC offers Canadian businesses and not-for-profits high-quality, no-cost resources that support organizations in building stronger, more inclusive leadership teams. A free alternative to paid consulting solutions, the Advancing Women’s Leadership (AWL) program provides flexible, self-paced, practical, and action-oriented resources that help organizations strengthen leadership development, equitable advancement, allyship, and workplace inclusion.
- Free, High-Quality Resources: Access the same value as paid programs, with no financial investment.
- Customized Action Plan: After an assessment, receive a tailored guide to achieving gender diversity in leadership roles based on your organization’s unique starting point.
- Mentorship, Events, and Community Support: Engage with mentors and a supportive online community for personalized guidance.
- Flexible Time Commitment: Decide how much time to dedicate based on your business’s capacity.
With minimal time commitment and maximum flexibility, participating in this program can help your business build a diverse and gender-inclusive leadership team that is adaptable, agile, and ahead of the curve.
Grow the Diversity of Your Leadership Team, Grow Your Business
Access impactful webinars led by top EDI consultants and subject matter experts, hands-on workshops, an interactive online hub, community discussions, and more—all at your own pace and on your schedule; choose the resources that suit your business’s needs.
Register your organization to access resources and events for free!
Discover our full program offerings and what to expect in the drop-down menu below.
Quick Facts
To be eligible for the program, businesses and organizations must meet the following criteria:
1) Business Type
Must be a registered sole proprietorship, business, or not-for-profit operating in Canada's digital economy with under 500 employees.
2) Location
Must be headquartered or have significant operations in one of the following Canadian provinces:
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Manitoba
- Ontario
- Quebec
Organizations should be prepared to meaningfully engage with program activities—such as workshops, webinars, or mentorship opportunities—at a level that aligns with their business needs and capacity.
Participants are not required to take advantage of every resource or event, only the ones their schedules can accommodate.
Participating organizations can choose to engage with any of the following opportunities, as their schedule allows:
1) Conferences
Regional one-day conferences that bring together industry leaders, subject matter experts, and EDI advocates and champions to discuss and address the systemic barriers women face in emerging technology sectors. These events offer a platform for sharing success stories, challenges, and best practices in leadership.
2) Workshops
Hands-on workshops designed to equip organizations and professionals with practical tools, leadership strategies, and implementation approaches that support inclusive leadership, allyship, professional development, and equitable advancement.
3) Webinars
A series of interactive webinar-style sessions led by subject matter experts and facilitators focused on leadership development, allyship, workplace inclusion, professional growth, and practical organizational strategies.
4) Mentorship
Participating businesses will gain access to a personalized mentorship program with carefully selected mentors, including industry experts and leaders from Canada's technology sectors. These mentors will provide guidance on leadership development, equitable advancement practices, allyship, and building more inclusive workplace cultures.
5) Networking Opportunities
A range of structured networking events, both in-person and virtual, will create avenues for collaboration, peer support, and knowledge sharing with industry leaders and mentors. These events will provide a platform for discussing best practices, challenges, and exploring strategies for advancing gender diversity in executive leadership.
6) An Online Resource Hub
An online portal featuring research, toolkits, leadership resources, webinar recordings, and practical implementation materials focused on inclusive leadership and advancing women in Canada’s digital economy. This hub will support organizations in implementing effective strategies for gender equity in leadership roles.
7) ICTC’s Gender Equity Assessment Tool
An assessment to help participants identify strategies to improve gender equity in their organizations. ICTC will generate an evaluation and list of recommendations based on the answers provided.
8) Women in Leadership Living Lab
A national Women in Leadership Living Lab offering an exclusive number of organizations across Canada the opportunity to pilot and measure inclusive leadership practices that support meaningful organizational change and equitable growth in the digital economy.
As a mentor, you’ll play an active role in supporting businesses looking to increase the number of women in leadership positions across their organizations. This flexible volunteer position lets you choose how you want to get involved—whether by leading group mentorship sessions, facilitating networking events, speaking at program events, or even helping to shape program content as an advisor. You can also support the community through our Online Hub by sharing resources, flagging key topics, or promoting the program to your networks.
Engagement is flexible: Assisting with group sessions will require approximately 1.5 hours of commitment per session, while other roles can be fully adapted to your schedule. Make a meaningful impact on the future of diverse leadership, and join a community dedicated to supporting women in leadership.
Interested in becoming a mentor? Complete the expression of interest form to get started.
Partner with us to promote and support women in leadership! As a program partner, your organization can engage in various ways: sharing resources, co-hosting events, joining speaker engagements, or promoting the program within your networks. By participating in this project, you’ll be making a measurable impact and leaving a lasting legacy.
Gain visibility with your logo featured on our website and other promotional materials, plus the ability to share content on our Online Hub to share your organization’s work with an engaged audience. As a program partner, you’ll make a measurable impact while being recognized as a champion of equity, diversity, and inclusion, joining a community committed to creating impactful change.
Email @email to get started as a program partner.
FUNDER
PARTNERS
