BDC Small Business Week Runs Oct. 17-23 Oct 15, 2021
World Trade Centre Winnipeg celebrates Small Businesses in Manitoba with Special Podcast Series
Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 – WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – World Trade Centre Winnipeg joins the Business Development Bank of Canada to celebrate entrepreneurship in Manitoba with BDC Small Business Week from October 17-23 across Canada.
BDC Small Business Week is an annual celebration that the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is organizing for a 42nd year in 2021. During the week, close to 10,000 entrepreneurs will gather to learn, network and celebrate the people building businesses across the country.
World Trade Centre Winnipeg and presenting sponsor BDC will host a series of seven podcasts to showcase small businesses and entrepreneurs in Manitoba, posted daily from October 18-22.
Presented by BDC and WTC Winnipeg, the podcasts will be available on most podcast platforms, including Buzzsprout, Apple, Spotify Google Podcasts and Pocket Casts. Hosted by WTC Winnipeg CEO Mariette Mulaire along with special guest co-hosts, each podcast explores the guest’s business path to growth, while touching on the themes of the week: innovation, inclusion and sustainability. The series is produced by Monique Lacoste at Phonique Media.
FEATURED GUESTS ON WTC WINNIPEG PODCAST SERIES PRESENTED BY BDC
Isabelle Hudon, Chief Executive Officer (BDC)
Isabelle Hudon was appointed President and CEO of BDC, the bank for Canadian entrepreneurs, in August 2021.
Ms. Hudon brings a deep business background and a clear vision for an inclusive economy to support growth for Canadian entrepreneurs. She is a champion of diversity, gender equality and the green economy, leading BDC’s 2,500-person team.
From 2017 to 2021, Ms. Hudon was Ambassador of Canada to France and Monaco. She has also served as the Personal Representative of the Prime Minister of Canada for the Francophonie. Previously, she was President and CEO of Sun Life Financial Quebec and Senior Vice President of Sun Life Financial Canada. Ms. Hudon has also held seats on several boards of directors including those of Hydro-Québec, Groupe Marcelle, Holt Renfrew and the Canada Council for the Arts. She is the co-founder of The A Effect.
Ms. Hudon has received a medal from the National Assembly of Québec for her commitment to the cause of women’s ambition, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her contribution to culture
in Canada and was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Law by Concordia University in 2017.
Daniel Badiou and Katrina Jean-Laflamme (Ukkö Robotics)
An innovation award winner at the Startup Canada Awards in 2019, Ukkö Robotics makes automated agricultural equipment. Based in Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes, Ukkö Robotics strives to optimize farming practices. Using innovative technologies, this company is transforming traditional pasture-based farming to become more accessible and efficient while ensuring ethical practices and optimal care and comfort for the animals.
Brett Burkard (CEO) and Kelly Sitarz (President), Titan Environmental Containment
Titan Environmental Containment is a North American leader in the supply and installation of high-quality geosynthetics and specialty civil engineering construction products that help manage the environment and prolong the life of critical infrastructure. The company, based in Ile-des-Chenes offers a range of innovative, low-impact and cost-effective products designed to protect soil, water, and air, reduce carbon footprint, and preserve natural resources.
Janice Gair, President and Co-Founder (EI Advantage)
EI Advantage uses a combination of assessment, training and coaching based on a foundation of emotional intelligence (EI). EI Advantage certifies others to administer emotional intelligence, change and resiliency assessments. Based and founded in Winnipeg, it also conducts research and offers monitoring and evaluation to demonstrate return on investment.
Jonny Loewen, BDC
The BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) is a financial institution wholly owned by the Government of Canada and a partner with WTC Winnipeg, notably for the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP). Jonny Loewen, the BDC’s Manager at the Winnipeg Business Centre joins the podcast to discuss BDC’s services and programs for Manitoba businesses, as well as going over the results of a recent study commissioned by the BDC looking at how businesses can adapt to the labour shortage situation.
Host – Mariette Mulaire, President and CEO (WTC Winnipeg)
Mariette Mulaire is also Vice-Chair of the international board of directors of the World Trade Center Association, the only Canadian and one of only four women on the 19-person board. She is also a director on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Canada.
Co-hosts – Fiona Mourant-Webster (Co-chair of WTC Winnipeg Board; President, Manrex Limited), Carole Freynet-Gagné (Vice-President of WTC Winnipeg Board; Director and Reviser, Freynet-Gagné Translation and Consulting), Derek Earl (Vice-President, WTC Winnipeg) and Camille Bardy (Trade Advisor, WTC Winnipeg)
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The World Trade Centre Winnipeg (WTC Winnipeg) is a bilingual private sector-led organisation and the strategic partner for trade for the Province of Manitoba. The WTC Winnipeg caters to the business community by acting as an information portal for Manitoba entrepreneurs. Our core objective is to work with Manitoba companies to increase their confidence in international trade, providing them with training, tools and a network of contacts essential to compete locally, nationally and internationally.
For further information and interview requests:
André Brin, Director of Communications
World Trade Centre Winnipeg
o +1 (204) 289-4085
m +1 (431) 278-8506
For business and trade support and/or advice:
World Trade Centre Winnipeg
+1 (204) 253-4888/ +1 (800) 665-2019
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