What happens when you put over 300 of the province’s top innovators, entrepreneurs, community builders, and influencers together in one room? Pure magic. A celebration of honouring amazing women who are breaking new ground, tearing up old playbooks, driving forward with new ideas, and showing what true innovation can achieve. On October 22nd, Edmonton hosted the third SHEInnovates Alberta event on the 16th floor of the Epcor Tower in the heart of the Ice District where 70 Alberta SHEInnovators, many who were in the room, were celebrated and showcased.
SHEInnovates Alberta is the first Canadian Chapter and a pilot for the GICC, the Global Innovation Coalition for Change. The GICC is a dynamic partnership between UN Women and key representatives from the private sector, academia and nonprofit institutions. Focused on developing the innovation market to work better for women and to accelerate the achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment, and that young women need role models to lead the change, SHEInnovates believes that if we see it, we can be it.
As a hotbed for innovation and global firsts, and in true Alberta style, we were chosen to pioneer the first global chapter of the UN Women’s SHEInnovates initiative. We are the fastest growing population in North America, with the most high-growth companies in Canada and the highest rate of post-secondary completion in Canada. We are growing and growing fast. We’re incubating innovation and supporting entrepreneurship province wide. With so much opportunity in front of us, this is the right time to ensure we empower and support women in their endeavours to succeed. The Edmonton event would not have been possible without the generosity and support of the SHEInnovates event sponsors listed above. Their contributions have left a lasting impression on this community, and will continue to allow women in Alberta’s work to act as a beacon in our community and the world. In addition, there have been other significant sponsors that supported our first two Calgary events. Thanks to you all for stepping up and creating this movement.