Women Presidents' Organization launches New Chapter in New Brunswick Atlantic Canada

New York, NY (September 21, 2016) -- The Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO), an international peer advisory group for million-dollar plus women-led companies, is launching a new chapter in New Brunswick, Atlantic Canada. A kick-off event, hosted by WPO corporate sponsor BMO, will be held on September 26th, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the BMO Main Branch, 505 King Street, Fredericton. Dr. Marsha Firestone, WPO President and Founder, will attend.

“At BMO, we recognize the power of women. Whether they are self-made or have inherited wealth, women are an economic force. We exhibit a long-standing commitment to helping the advancement of women and are extremely proud of our partnership with the Women Presidents’ Organization,” said Aaron Naccarato, Regional Vice President, Western New Brunswick, BMO Bank of Montreal. “Celebrating women in communities, developing tools and resources to help them succeed, understanding their unique needs and adjusting how we work to help them realize their financial goals are critical to being the bank for women.”

Local WPO chapters are coordinated by a professional facilitator and meet monthly to share business expertise and experience in a confidential setting. Members in non-competitive businesses tap into the collective wisdom of their peers to advance their business success.

The first WPO chapter in Atlantic Canada opened in 2011. Since then chapters have opened in Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia, and now New Brunswick.

“New Brunswick is a key economic partner for businesses in North America and throughout the world. Women-led companies make up an increasing share of significant economic growth,” said Dr. Marsha Firestone. “We are confident that the Women Presidents’ Organization’s expansion into New Brunswick will help provide key resources to a dynamic group of women business leaders to help them build their businesses in an ever-changing global economic context,” she said.

According to Laurie Sinclair, President & CEO, Sinclair & Associates Management Group and WPO facilitator for both the WPO Atlantic Canada I and II chapters, “Development of entrepreneurs is a key strategy that helps economies benefit from the productive potential that women bring to the labor market, in terms of talent, energy and ideas. WPO is a key resource to fuel this growth.”

Rhona Levine Ruben, President, RLR & Associates, a WPO Advisory Board Member and WPO Director of Canadian Corporate Sponsorship, worked with Dr. Firestone to open the first Canadian WPO chapter in Toronto in 2000, and will also attend the New Brunswick event. “Helping to build WPO’s presence in Canada has been a defining moment in my life. I am thrilled that this new WPO chapter is opening in my hometown of New Brunswick, where I was born and raised.”

WPO membership requires annual revenue of at least $2 million ($1 million for service-based companies) and an ownership interest in the company. The Atlantic Canada II New Brunswick Chapter of the WPO is currently recruiting for membership. Interested women business owners should contact Laurie Sinclair at laurie.sinclair@msvu.ca or call (902-457-5538). For information about WPO membership benefits contact Tomi Jane DeTorres, Membership and Chair Coordinator, tomijane@womenpresidentsorg.com or 212-688-4114.