How do you meet fellow leaders and build bonds and relationships that endure? How do you build the professional networks that matter? And how are we fostering the next generation of women leaders in the private sector?

YWCA Halifax’s Women’s Leadership Collaborative was designed to address these questions.

In 2018, YWCA Halifax, along with first title sponsor NSBI, launched the Women’s Leadership Collaborative. Its goal is to build a strong network of women in the private sector who support economic inclusion and women’s leadership development through the power of professional networks. Along the way, women develop ways to refer business to one another, to champion each other’s career trajectories, and work toward comprehensive inclusion of all women.We have grown to 21 leader members and invite you to continue as part of this movement!

Why do we need the Women’s Leadership Collaborative?

Executive-level women tend to find ways to connect with one another. But younger or less experienced professional women have fewer opportunities to engage in development and networking among their peers and executives.
This collaborative is designed to celebrate the experiences of successful female leaders and provide opportunities for them to share their knowledge and make meaningful connections. It’s also designed to provide emerging women leaders opportunities to build networks and expand professional opportunities.

What do we want to achieve?

• Promote economic inclusion and the advancement of women in leadership in the private sector.
• Build, expand, and connect a strong community of like-minded women to one another.
• Engage in deep and meaningful conversations about the experiences that affect women.

How does it work?

Each event is designed to learn from the experiences of women and provide the opportunity to make connections as women share, listen, support, and learn from one another.
In-person* events are held twice annually and structured:
• The Welcome: Introduction of host and guest speaker / panelists.
• The Talk: A woman of experience or panelists speak to the theme of the event.
• The Breakout: Deep dive questions related to the theme are given to the groups to discuss.
• The Networking: Networking where the WLC Members facilitate introductions for their guests.

What do I have to do?

We ask each Member to do three things:
1. Attend the events personally or send a delegate if necessary.
2. Invite and host five up-and-coming women at your table. They could be women of any generation who are entering a stage of leadership (e.g. newly promoted staff, fledgling entrepreneurs etc.). Please note that the intent of this network is not for multi-level marketing.
3. Open your calendar to have between 5 and 10 “coffee talks” with attendees who approach you at the event to ask for your time.

I’m in! What’s my membership?

We ask you to contribute $1,000 annually. This provides you with:
• A table of six at two amazing events annually (spring and fall);
• An opportunity to host up-and-coming women and support them build their networks;
• An opportunity to spend time with your friends and colleagues in a safe, female-focused event.

Please sign and return the following membership page to YWCA Halifax per the instructions.

2022 YWCA Women’s Leadership Collaborative Form

We look forward to seeing you at the Spring 2022 Women’s Leadership Collaboration, sponsored by NATIONAL

About YWCA Halifax

YWCA Halifax is a registered charity with nearly 150 years of experience in delivering community-based programs for diverse women, girls, and families. With more than 100 staff working in more than 40 locations, we are Atlantic Canada’s largest and HRM’s only multi-service women’s organization.
YWCA Halifax is the only provider in Nova Scotia of critical services such as:
• The December 6 Fund: provides microloans for those fleeing abuse or violence;
• SHYM (Supportive Housing for Young Mothers): a housing program for mothers aged 16 – 24 who are parenting independently and who are experiencing homelessness;
• Safer Spaces: a housing program to support young people who have experienced sexual exploitation and / or human trafficking and want to exit the sex trade;
• GirlSpace: a cyberviolence prevention program that equips female and gender non-conforming youth with the knowledge and skills to safely navigate the online world; and,
• Shift Change: a social-emotional learning initiative to support male supervisors in the trades to build inclusive work environments.
This is in addition to critical services such as childcare, employment skills, immigrant support, and the informed advocacy you would expect from your local YWCA.