Leading with Inclusion: Lessons from year one of the WEOC National Loan Program

Saijal Patel is the Founder and CEO of Saij Wealth Consulting, a financial consultancy and education platform dedicated to empowering women’s financial independence and security.

With over two decades of experience in the financial industry across North America and Asia, she holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and has served in roles as a financial strategist and analyst.

Saijal is the renowned creator and host of the Strictly Money podcast. Formerly a business anchor and correspondent for Canada’s Business News Network (BNN) and CNBC Asia, she provided insightful commentary and analysis on global economies, stock markets, and corporate news to millions of households worldwide. Her exceptional coverage earned her recognition as one of the most influential South Asian Women Executives in the Media and Entertainment Industry.

Jennifer Bessell is currently the chief executive officer with the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs.  Jennifer is an accomplished senior leader in the non profit sector with extensive experience in both professional associations and charitable organizations.  She has held executive director roles in professional legal education and with the Canadian Bar Association as well as executive positions with the Association for New Canadians locally and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada nationally.  Jennifer has a demonstrated ability to lead and motivate teams with a people first approach to leadership.  She is an experienced executive leader who enjoys both program and finance management.

In addition to her work with WEOC, Jennifer is also a board member with Women in Science and Engineering, Newfoundland and Labrador and volunteers with Junior Achievement of Newfoundland and Labrador as a mentor for their company program.

As a highly skilled Chartered Professional Accountant and Family Enterprise Advisor, Shauna Frederick brings a wealth of experience to her roles as Founder of Frederick OTG and Co-Founder of The Finance Cafe. With a primary focus on empowering entrepreneurs, Shauna is not only a sought-after financial literacy educator but also a passionate advocate for advancing the rights of women and girls in business.

Shauna’s dedication to empowering women entrepreneurs and fostering financial empowerment is evident in her commitment to providing accessible and comprehensive financial wellness education. She also co-created a Girls’ Leadership Program, a five-week initiative designed to cultivate leadership skills in young girls. Through these initiatives, Shauna aims to change the conversation around finance and bridge critical gender gaps in financial literacy.

In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Shauna has played pivotal roles in various organizations, serving in Treasury, Co-Chair, and Chair roles. Her extensive experience has provided her with valuable insights and opportunities to connect with entrepreneurs, oversee committees across Canada, and collaborate with external partners and government officials.

With experience in business banking and lending, Heather brings a natural curiosity and strong critical-thinking skills to her role as loan manager at WEOC. With 18 years in the Manitoba Credit Union system, most were spent working with small businesses and non-profits which has given her a strong foundation in financial literacy as well as an understanding of the highs and lows that come with being a business owner. A proud feminist, she is pleased to work for an organization that recognizes the unique challenges women face in entrepreneurship while also valuing their equally unique contributions. Heather is a graduate of Red River College’s Business Administration program and has volunteered with a number of local organizations including Peg City Car Co-op, The Winnipeg Folk Festival, and The Jubilee Fund. Heather is excited to bring WEOC’s National Loan Program to life!