All eyes are on social responsibility as the business community responds to the pandemic’s economic impacts. Canadian businesses — large and small — have stepped up to support each other and their communities during the pandemic. Leaders agree – those that prioritize community will ultimately be more sustainable, more resilient and better set up for long-term business growth. Join Canadian Club Toronto on June 8 for a discussion that will feature opening remarks from Guy Cormier, CEO of Desjardins Group, and a panel of business leaders including Jenn Harper, Founder of Indigenous-owned beauty brand Cheekbone Beauty and Kayla Isabelle, CEO of StartUp Canada – both who have a unique perspective on “doing good through business”, and supporting their communities and other entrepreneurs along the way. The panel will be moderated by David Skok, Editor in Chief of The Logic, Canada’s innovation economy news outlet. Join us in this exciting, important discussion.
This event is free of charge thanks to our sponsor. You will receive the access link on the morning of the event. Guy Cormier
President and CEO, Desjardins Group
Guy Cormier was 26 years old when joined the world of cooperatives and started working at Desjardins Group. He became the president and CEO in 2016, and is completely transforming the organization with his member- and client-focused vision.
He’s a leader who puts innovation, people and communities first. These values are key to his goal to make Desjardins everyone’s #1 choice.
That’s why he created the GoodSpark Fund to support different community projects.
Guy is also actively involved in engaging youth. He became the first sponsor of Academos, an organization that helps young people reach their full potential by connecting them with professionals in the workforce. He also supports shared prosperity, sustainable economic development and building a more open and inclusive society.
Kayla Isabelle
CEO, StartUp Canada
Kayla Isabelle is the CEO of Startup Canada, the national rallying community supporting and giving a voice to Canada’s 3.5 million entrepreneurs. Kayla has dedicated her career to supporting entrepreneurs, both in Canada and internationally. An advocate for women in leadership, Kayla is also the host of the Startup Women Podcast focused on providing resources to women entrepreneurs across Canada.
Kayla is the Board Chair of the Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation, President of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Ottawa Chapter, and a former Board Member of the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS). With a passion for mentorship, Kayla runs the IABC Members Connect Mentorship program, is a Carleton University Network Mentor, and Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization (OCISO) Career Mentor. Kayla has also worked as a Coach at the World Skills Employment Centre for newcomers to Canada, and as a Volunteer with the Darkness into Light Suicide Prevention initiative.
Jenn Harper
Founder and CEO, Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics INC.
An award-winning social entrepreneur, Jenn Harper is the founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics INC. Cheekbone Beauty is a digitally native direct to consumer brand with a mission to help Indigenous youth see themselves in a beauty brand while using the concept of a circular economy in the brands ethos and in developing their latest line of products. Creating a new segment in the beauty industry – Sustainable Socially Conscious Beauty
Jenn Harper has been making a name for herself in the beauty industry for a number of years but has been gaining popularity quickly after being on the hit CBC show, Dragons Den. Cheekbone Beauty is helping Indigenous youth see themselves in a beauty brand.
In addition to Cheekbone’s mission, she strives to educate as many people as possible about the Residential School System and the effects it has had on my family and friends through decades of generational trauma. She speaks regularly to university, college and high school students about social entrepreneurship, empathy and the history of her First Nations family. She has also been invited to speak to various entrepreneur groups, women in business associations, Apple Canada and First Nations organizations.
David Skok
Founder and Editor-in-Chief, The Logic
Before founding The Logic in 2018, David Skok was the associate editor and head of editorial strategy at the Toronto Star. He has also served as the managing editor and vice-president of digital for the Boston Globe, and as the co-creator and director of digital for Global News. David is a leading thinker on digital transformation who co-published a seminal paper on disruption in the news industry with the Harvard Business School professor Clayton M. Christensen. David sits on the advisory board for the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University and has served as a juror for the Pulitzer Prizes in journalism.
