The State of Women’s Entrepreneurship: Progress to Date and an Agenda for Action
12:50 PM
In this session, Dr. Wendy Cukier, founder and academic director of the Diversity Institute and Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub and Academic Research Director research lead for the Future Skills Centre, will delve into the dynamic landscape of women’s entrepreneurship in Canada, drawing on insights from the State of Women’s Entrepreneurship (SOWE) in Canada 2024, the go-to resource for the most complete picture of women’s entrepreneurship in Canada.
She will share the most recent data on women’s entrepreneurship, including the trends across regions, sectors and intersectional groups; how Canada compares internationally; and the strengths of and barriers facing women entrepreneurs with intersecting identities, including those who are Indigenous, Black, racialized, living with a disability or 2SLGBTQ+. She will also delve into how women entrepreneurs are driving economic development, innovation and sustainability—and the opportunities and challenges we need to address to advance women’s entrepreneurship in Canada.
Session Speakers
Dr. Wendy Cukier
Presenter / Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
Dr. Wendy Cukier is a professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy at the Ted Rogers School of Management, Founder and Academic Director of the Diversity Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University, Academic Director of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) and Research Lead of the Future Skills Centre.
Dr. Wendy Cukier
Presenter / Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub
Dr. Wendy Cukier is a professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy at the Ted Rogers School of Management, Founder and Academic Director of the Diversity Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University, Academic Director of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) and Research Lead of the Future Skills Centre.
Dr. Wendy Cukier is a professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy at the Ted Rogers School of Management, Founder and Academic Director of the Diversity Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University, Academic Director of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH) and Research Lead of the Future Skills Centre. She co-authored the bestseller “Innovation Nation: Canadian Leadership From Java to Jurassic Park” and is a leader in disruptive technologies and innovation. She is the former Vice-President of Research and Innovation at Toronto Metropolitan University and has authored more than 200 articles on diversity, inclusion and innovation.
She has been recognized with many awards, including the Harry Jerome Diversity Award, the Bob Marley Award, the Metropolis Research Award, the CATA Alliance and the Sara Kirke Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and she has been recognized in the 100 Most Powerful Women by WXN. She has been named a YWCA Woman of Distinction, one of the “100 Alumni who shaped the Century” by the University of Toronto and an International Women’s Forum 2020 Women Who Make a Difference. She holds a PhD in Information Systems, an MBA, an MA, and honourary doctorates from Laval and Concordia universities. She has also received Canada’s Meritorious Service Cross, one of the country’s highest civilian honours, and is the founder of several startups, social enterprises and nonprofits.