NEWS & UPDATES

Learn about news and updates happening at Making Changes!

On June 15, 2023, a graduation ceremony was held for the Fall cohort of the Women in Technology program. We congratulate the following graduates for completing the program:

- Ashionye Onwuka
- Baoer Huang
- Chell Zhang
- Charu Jain
- Folakemi Omotoye
- Gulnaz Nikitina
- Ihuaku Azuma-Awoyo
- Iryna Bilostotska
- Ivana Alejandra Ayala Osorio
- Kanchan Maheshwari
- Khalisha Nelson
- Marwa Ali
- Naveeda Khowaja
- Ruchi Deshmukh
- Seema Bains

We are very proud of our graduates to pursue the journey toward becoming exceptional professionals in the tech sector. We wish all of them the best of luck in their future endeavors!

A big thanks to the WIT Advisory Committee members who attended the event:
- Tanya Sharma-Moore
- Paul Selway
- Scott Walsh
- Lisa Eyamie
- Brian Bench

Other Acknowledgements:
- Nageeb Damani
- Aurora Wang

Heartiest congratulations to Ingrid Martinez, one of our volunteers, for winning Ms. Calgary 2023. She was crowned on June 10, 2023.

Ingrid was born in El Salvador and moved to Calgary when she was very young. She says, “I remember clearly it was the kindness and the community spirit of Calgarians that helped us make Calgary our home. I grew up in this beautiful city, and as I continue to watch the city flourish, I firmly believe with all my heart that Calgary is the best place to call home.”

“I look forward to what I can only imagine will be an incredible year. And in my journey as Ms. Calgary, I want to share with you all the beautiful things that Calgary and Calgarians have to offer.”

Ingrid chose Making Changes Association as her charity of choice. She intends to continue supporting our mission of facilitating women to advance their futures.

Ingrid, we are so proud of your achievement and grateful for your continued support.

The first Powerful You! Fundraising Luncheon was held on May 30, 2023. The event was a great success, bringing together over 170 generous supporters and community members, who are committed to advancing the futures of women, those who identify as women, and teen girls in Calgary. It was heartwarming to see such a strong show of support for an important cause.

We express our sincere appreciation to our esteemed panelists for sharing their valuable insights and engaging in an open discussion on redefining success. Their thought-provoking and candid dialogue about their personal and professional journeys illuminated what success truly means to them and the valuable lessons they have learned. Thank you, Michelle Cameron Coulter, Sue Riddell Rose, Chelsea Crowshoe, Nketti Johnston-Taylor, and Karen Judge.

The event could not have been possible without the support of our incredible sponsors. Thank you to all sponsors.

Diamond Sponsors: Boardwalk, Tourmaline Oil
Platinum Sponsor: ARC Financial
Supporting Sponsors: Fairmont Palliser Hotel, RnR Wellness, and Encore

The funds raised will go directly to supporting women and teenage girls in Calgary, helping them to flourish and achieve their maximum potential.

We are very pleased to announce that Dress for Success Calgary is now partnering with Gallagher.

As part of the partnership, Gallagher hosted a panel discussion event “Share Your Story with Gallagher: Mental Health, Well-Being and Work-Life Balance” for our clients on May 9, 2023. At the event, our clients shared their experiences and benefitted from the panel’s insights on the importance of mental health and how to create a well-balanced life.

Gallagher sponsors virtual workshops and creates opportunities for mentoring in partnership with Dress for Success, helping women in the workforce around the world gain skills, resources, and confidence to set them on their paths to rewarding careers.  

We look forward to working with Gallagher to provide more support to our clients for their future success.

We have the winners of the Wine Survivor 2023 fundraiser!

Congratulation to team Loose Tannis for winning 1st place in the competition!

Team Still Vertical won the 2nd prize, team Caber-Yah in 3rd place, and team Syrah Sisters in 4th place. Congratulations to all winners!

We'd like to thank everyone who participated in our fundraising event! Proceeds raised will go directly towards our programs and services that help to empower women and teen girls in our community.

We would also like to thank our sponsors; Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink & Olympia Liquor. Your contribution had a significant impact on the success of our event!

Tuesday, May 30, 2023 | 11:00 am – 1:15 pm | Crystal Ballroom, Fairmont Palliser

While a lot has changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, women’s fight for equality in all aspects of life remains. Join us for a three-course lunch with eminent female leaders and role models for a candid conversation about taking your seat at the table, inspiring leadership, and empowering other women along the way.

Panelists:

• Sue Riddell Rose, President & CEO, Perpetual Energy

• Michelle Cameron Coulter, Olympic Gold Medalist, Keynote Speaker, Author, CEO of Inspiring Possibilities

• Karen Judge, Proactive Mind Health Researcher, Author, Coach and Founder, A Dose of Happiness

• Nketti Johnston Taylor, Executive Director, Calgary Regional Immigrant Employment

• Chelsea Crowshoe, Manager, Indigenous Research Services Team, University of Calgary

Powerful You! is an empowering event to support the delivery of our programs and services.

Limited seats are available. Register today!

To participate, join on your own or create a team of six and join in on the fun for a chance to win an amazing selection of wine from Olympia Liquor.

Registration of $50 per person includes a $25 raffle ticket and $25 for the purchase of a bottle of wine on your behalf.

Proceeds raised will help empower women, those who identify as women, and teen girls in our community through programs and services provided by Making Changes. Your donation for participating will be matched by up to 50% by Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink.

Spots are extremely limited. Sign up today!

Accenture organized a workshop for Women in Technology students on “Visualizing Success: Facing the Imposter!” on March 17, 2023. The session aimed at providing a safe space for important women-focused conversations and support.

The workshop activities included a few Accenture leaders sharing insights into how they handled imposter syndrome in the past and our students sharing their experiences/challenges as they transition into the tech sector. Participants also joined a painting and networking session called 'Do-it-Afraid' to try something new and bolster their confidence in the process.

A huge thank you to Accenture for organizing the workshop in support of our WIT students.

Making Changes and Dress for Success Calgary participated in a job fair organized by Lifemark Vocational Services, where our team shared information on our programs with the attendees.

On March 8, 2023, Toast hosted a night of networking to celebrate International Women’s Day in collaboration with Chic Geek and the51. The event included two panel discussions on ‘Vulnerability: a strength for men, a weakness for women?’ and ‘Male Allyship – Friend or Foe?’

The Women in Technology team attended the program to share information about the program and network with industry professionals.

All proceeds from ticket sales were donated to Making Changes. Thank you, Toast, Chic Geek, and the51 for your generous support!

Plug and Play Alberta organized a 'Night of Networking with Women in Technology and Innovation' on March 8, 2023, in collaboration with the Making Changes Association and EECOL Electric.

This impactful event raised awareness and recognition of programs available to support women pursuing their dreams of a career in tech, IT, and cybersecurity. It was a great opportunity to connect with women and allies, from across industries, from new in the tech career to experts, and from corporate to startup companies.

Our Executive Director Lori James spoke at the Women in Leadership Foundation Alberta Chapter's virtual event in recognition of International Woman's Day on March 8, 2023. Lori spoke on the topic of 'Leading with Vulnerability and Authenticity' focusing on the importance of empowering others so all voices are heard.

Making Changes participated in the panel discussion at "The Only One in the Room" event on March 6, 2023. The event was organized by DiliTrust Canada in support of Dress for Success Calgary, a division of the Making Changes Association, to kick off the week of International Women’s Day.

The event provided a unique opportunity to connect with other individuals who are passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion in the boardroom. The funds raised through this event will go a long way in supporting our mission to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing professional attire, career development tools, and a supportive network.
 
The panel included Dr. Elizabeth Cannon, Heather Culbert, Yvonne Jeffery, MSc (Dist), Brittany Humphry, and Sylvia Groves, FCG, Acc Dir. The speakers shared their experiences and expertise of being on boards and their insights and strategies for breaking through the barriers that hold us back were both inspiring and insightful.

Field Safe Solutions hosted an Open House on March 3, 2023, for Women in Technology students. The day included:

- team presentation by two WIT students finishing their internship with Field Safe Solutions,
- presentation on “Product Roadmap” by Doug Junor, Director, Innovation and Product, and
- “Get to know you” and technical interview practice with the Field Safe Solutions team.

A big thank you to Field Safe Solutions for organizing a day filled with information, learning, networking, and practical experience for our WIT students which will prepare them for the next steps in their careers.

WBM Technologies Ltd. in collaboration with Pembina Pipeline Corporation hosted "A Day in the Life" event on March 2, 2023, for our Women in Technology students. The day included panel discussions with female technology professionals who shared their professional experiences of working in a largely male-dominated sector, a networking session, and professional headshot photography for our students to use on LinkedIn.

A huge thank you to WBM Technologies Ltd. and Pembina Pipeline Corporation for hosting the incredible event to familiarize our students with insights and opportunities in the tech sector in Calgary.

We're thrilled to share this Global News story on the "A Day in the Life" event.

On February 25, 2023, Making Changes participated in the 'Power of Voice Conference' organized by Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth, where we shared information about My Best Friend's Closet program.

The event aims to help newcomer youth to develop a stronger understanding of voice, identity, and well-being.

The Board of Directors of Making Changes Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Lori James as our new Executive Director. 

Lori comes to us with over 25 years of experience empowering teams, supporting clients, and generating results. With a focus on relationships and empowerment, Lori has spent the last 14 years in senior roles within non-profit organizations guiding strategic planning, program development, human resources, funding applications, and stakeholder engagement. 

Lori is passionate about empowering women and is excited about joining the Making Changes team to help build off the impactful work being done. She looks forward to guiding the next phase of growth and development for the association.

In her spare time, Lori stays busy with her husband and daughter taking road trips to find new places to explore with their dog.

Please join us in welcoming Lori to her new role!

Our community partners give time to orient and prepare our students with job search strategies, preparing for a new job, and understanding the Canadian workplace. We are thankful for their commitment to women’s empowerment which leads to their taking charge of their careers and lives.

A special thanks to Dave Wilkinson and the team at Field Safe Solutions for inviting our WIT students to an open house to get information on job opportunities in Full Stack Web Development. We and our students are very grateful for the insight and support provided by our IT Industry partners!

Making Changes Association brings back our annual fundraiser POWERFUL YOU!

Join us on the red carpet for a transformative evening of empowerment, fashion, and supporting Calgary women, those who identify as women, and teen girls to thrive!

Date: November 10, 2022
Time: 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Venue: The Hudson

Dress up in your finest cocktail dress and suit and accessories with a masquerade mask!

The masquerade-themed evening includes a reception with dinner and drinks, musical entertainment, a silent auction, a photo booth, interactive speaker talks, a fashion show highlighting the best in Calgary’s retail fashion, and the opportunity to shop pop-up kiosks created by several local retailers.

With immense gratitude, we announce the retirement of our Executive Director, Cathy Coutts. As the Executive Director for the past six years, Cathy shaped strategies that have driven our mission forward, reinforced our purpose and values and enhanced our community impact and partnerships.

As she retires, we celebrate her role in forging Making Changes Association into a trusted community resource for all who identify as women or girls. Throughout her impressive journey at Making Changes, her vision, inspirational and authentic leadership style, and relentless focus on people, have defined her incredible impact both within and outside of the organization.

We wish Cathy the absolute best in her future endeavours and thank her for everything she has done for Making Changes.

With Cathy’s departure, we are looking to the future and actively searching for our next Executive Director. Check out the job description and share it with your networks to help us find our next leader!

Job Description: Executive Director, Making Changes Association

Our Women in Technology (WIT) Program Employment Training Team attended an Education Career Fair organized by the Ismaili Community for newcomer refugees.

We joined other non-profit organizations to provide information on vocational training programs and options for employment opportunities offered in Calgary.

Making Changes Association continually works to empower women through initiatives that build their confidence and enhance their employability skills!

Making Changes Association is pleased to welcome Tanya Sharma-Moore to its Board of Directors.

Following the appointment of Tanya, who will add valuable experience to our board's acumen, the board will comprise 13 directors.

Tanya brings a wealth of business experience to Making Changes. She is a customer-centric and results-oriented business transformative executive with multi-industry and geography experience. She is also a member of the Alberta Accenture Leadership team, focused on increasing customer value and customer success in the Canadian Resources industry.

Tanya has over 25 years of experience with expertise in building and leveraging stakeholder relationships to enable businesses to maximize value realization. She has an undergraduate degree in Economics as well as an MBA. Prior to Accenture, Tanya has worked at IBM, Wipro, Suncor Energy, and Microsoft in various roles. She is highly experienced in digital transformations, cloud technologies, multi-vendor environments, and delivering results in time-constrained and diverse environments.

Tanya is passionate about diversity and inclusion, and has served on the Board for Youth Singers of Calgary and participates in the ‘Learning from Leaders’ program at the Haskayne School of Business.

Please join us in welcoming Tanya to Making Changes and our community!

Calgary Guardian interviewed our Executive Director, Cathy Coutts recently to learn more about the Making Changes Association.

“Women making the transition from unemployment to employment face a myriad of challenges from understanding corporate culture to building an appropriate wardrobe, often without any support systems in place to help them navigate this daunting change. The women who access our programs face financial barriers. We offer four programs that are strategically connected to one another with the common objective of empowering women in all facets of their lives.”

Read the full interview here.