Employee mental health and its impact on business will be on the agenda as Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual International Women’s Day luncheon next month.
The event, taking place March 8 at Sheraton Fallsview Hotel in Niagara Falls, includes a panel discussion on mental health in the workplace, featuring Katharine Coons, national senior manager of workplace mental health for Canadian Mental Health Association; Christine Burych, founder of StarlingBrook Leadership; and Brenda Heatley, mental health matters employee resource group leader for Canadian Tire Corp.
Stacey Stemplowski, founder and director of Grounding Balance Wellness & Psychotherapy in St. Catharines, which offers a broad range of supports through its team of psychotherapists and social workers, is moderating the discussion.
The theme of 2024 International Women’s Day is Inspire Inclusion.
Stemplowski, vice-chair of the chamber’s women in Niagara advisory committee, said the discussion is in line with the committee’s work in identifying unique challenges women face in addressing mental health concerns in the workplace.
She said one of the few positives of the pandemic was how it highlighted the need for businesses to take an active role in making sure the workplace is a safe place to address these issues and to normalize doing so.
“It’s really trying to create awareness and discussion of women’s mental health in the workplace,” she said.
Receiving the International Women’s Day Award at this year’s luncheon will be Dr. Tapo Chimbganda, founding executive director of Future Black Female (FBF), a feminist-informed, not-for-profit organization providing services to Black female youth, ages 16 to 22, around the world.
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GNCC chief executive officer Mishka Balsom said the work FBF does to increase social, political and economical opportunities for young Black females, which includes addressing their unique mental health challenges, makes Chimbganda a perfect choice for the award.
“She’s been extraordinary over the years in her commitment to social and political advocacy,” Balsom said. “We can’t think of a better individual to be honoured at the event.”
The Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce International Women’s Day event takes place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 8 at Sheraton Fallsview Hotel, at 5875 Falls Ave.
South Niagara Chambers of Commerce is holding its International Women’s Day luncheon and business showcase at Cherry Hill Club, at 912 Cherryhill Blvd., Fort Erie.
Taking place 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., it will include a vendor fair and a fireside chat featuring homegrown success stories from women entrepreneurs who have made their mark in our community.
The panelists are three local entrepreneurs: Andrea Sacco, owner of YET (You Empower Tomorrow) Niagara; Tamrara Lockwood-Ortiz, co-founder of Infinite Harvest Technology; and Sharon Corcoron, owner of Corks and Bubbles.
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