History
In 2019, a group of Brantford business women, led by Shannon McMannis founded Ladies Who Lead, with the intent to provide information, connection and support to female professionals in the Brantford Area. Through innovative workshops and speaker series, The Power of the Purse has helped to empower over 500 women in Southern Ontario in the areas of finance and law.
After a successful first year, Ladies Who Lead, like so many organizations, was forced to take a pause during the early stages of the pandemic. Not to be derailed by this, Shannon and her team sought to maintain the valuable connections that were created during the initial year of LWL. As a result, the group moved to a completely online format, offering much needed connection, support and resources to the members while welcoming all women in the community to attend these informative sessions.
Ladies Who Lead refused to be dormant during the pandemic. The organization contributed to organizing a community-wide, day-long business event called Business Mission Possible, which brought together local business people who shared their experiences of adapting to the pandemic, as well as information from experts in the areas of physical and mental health and business. This event demonstrated Ladies Who Lead’s commitment to working in tandem with community and government organizations to promote the sharing of information and a co-operative and a collaborative approach to community building. In addition, the membership was provided with opportunities to participate in unique marketing initiatives including creating professional promotional videos and participation in the The Authentic Ladies Who Lead Podcast.
Fast forward to the new reality. With the opening up of the community in the fall of 2021, LWL has focussed on resuming in-person events to provide timely information to the membership and has been focussed on resuming connection and support as individuals and businesses recover from the pandemic. LWL continues to move forward, developing ideas and resources to offer the membership that continue to promote the four pillars of the organization. It remains important to the executive to create a supportive, cohesive environment as members move out of the pandemic lifestyle and seek to resume their business activities in a post-pandemic world. As an organization, LWL is poised for growth as it aims to foster inclusiveness and support to the professional women in the area and beyond.
Fast forward to the new reality. With the opening up of the community in the fall of 2021, LWL has focussed on resuming in-person events to provide timely information to the membership and has been focussed on resuming connection and support as individuals and businesses recover from the pandemic. LWL continues to move forward, developing ideas and resources to offer the membership that continue to promote the four pillars of the organization. It remains important to the executive to create a supportive, cohesive environment as members move out of the pandemic lifestyle and seek to resume their business activities in a post-pandemic world. As an organization, LWL is poised for growth as it aims to foster inclusiveness and support to the professional women in the area and beyond.
Ladies Who Lead is a network of dynamic professional women who believe that by Building Business, Building Self, Building Relationships and Building Community, we can lift each other up to achieve our goals. Proudly serving Brantford, Brant & Six Nations.