Over the past year, AWE has had the pleasure of being a part of the 2020 WEDO Alberta Conference planning committee to celebrate Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, a global movement. Alberta’s two-day event took place on November 19-20, bringing together women entrepreneurs and supporters from across the province. As Edmonton’s WEDO Ambassador, it was an honour to be a part of such an important initiative.
The conference served as a much-needed platform to have very meaningful conversations on issues brought to the forefront by the pandemic. It was exciting to gain insights on the future of Alberta’s economy from experts and panelists such as Lara Murphy, one of AWE’s 2020 Celebration of Achievement Award recipients. Learning from trailblazing women entrepreneurs as they share their stories and unique perspectives is always inspiring and energizing.
The panel on “Technology’s Role in Driving Post-Pandemic Business Transformation” highlighted the importance of prioritizing digital transformation. The pandemic has reshaped how businesses are operated, and it's essential that women entrepreneurs are equipped with the tools they need to succeed in the digital world. For that very reason, AWE recently launched Bold Leadership, a program that helps women entrepreneurs learn leadership insights, build digital transformation strategies, and gain skills and knowledge to increase their digital competence. Digital business is here to stay, and AWE is dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs thrive in this new era.
2020 has been challenging in many ways. As I reflect on the past year, I have realized that despite all the uncertainty, I have been very fortunate to gain an increased appreciation for community. The entrepreneurial spirit here in Alberta is truly one of a kind. We have been inspired by the tremendous resiliency and innovation of our province’s entrepreneurs and the commitment and support shown by our partners as we navigate uncertainty together. As we head into the new year, I hope we will build on this momentum and continue to work together toward an equitable future for women entrepreneurs.
Although this holiday season looks a bit different for all of us, I hope we can take the time to reflect and recharge. On behalf of our AWE team, I wish you a safe and happy holiday season. Thank you for being a part of our community.
Always with gratitude,
Marcela
