Kelowna CEO a 'catalyst'
Laurel Douglas, CEO of the Kelowna Women’s Enterprise Centre, was recognized by the Vancouver Board of Trade with the inaugural Wendy McDonald Award.
The award was given in the community catalyst category and presented April 8 in Vancouver.
The awards were created in memory of the former president of BC Bearings Engineers Ltd. A force in Canadian business and a pioneer for women in leadership, McDonald left an impression on the board when she became its first female chair in 1990.
Douglas was chosen as the recipient based on her work through the Women's Enterprise Centre during the past 10 years. She and her team have assisted thousands of women entrepreneurs to start, grow and succeed in their business.
A non-profit organization funded in part by Western Economic Diversification Canada, Women’s Enterprise Centre is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2015. Since Douglas joined as CEO in 2004, it has provided business loans and leveraged financing of more than $45.7 million to business owners in B.C. and has helped create or maintain more than 2,000 jobs.
“Under the strong leadership of Ms. Douglas, the Women’s Enterprise Centre has successfully become the leading business resource centre for women who are, or are considering, starting, purchasing or growing a small business in B.C.,” said Michelle Rempel, minister of state for Western Economic Diversification.
Douglas is the only person from outside the Lower Mainland to be recognized with a Wendy McDonald award so far.
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