ABOUT
Believe, Build, and Become
The WOO event for Women of Oakwyn is a gathering designed to empower and celebrate women in the community of Oakwyn that was founded six years ago. The purpose of this annual event is to provide a platform for women to connect, share experiences, and inspire one another in a supportive and uplifting environment. With the majestic backdrop of Vancouver's Downtown Permanent, this year's event promises to be an evening of inspiration and transformation.
The acronym "WOO" stands for Women of Oakwyn, highlighting the focus on fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among the women in the area. The event aims to address the unique challenges women face, both personally and professionally, and provide opportunities for personal growth, networking, and empowerment. The theme, "Believe, Build, Become," encapsulates the spirit of the day. It's a reminder that every success story begins with a steadfast belief in oneself.
Beyond the celebration of accomplishments, this event carries a deeper purpose. We are dedicated to lifting up other women on their journeys to leadership, empowerment, and entrepreneurship. Over the past couple years of WOO, we have proudly offered 16 scholarships to empower and support women as they pursued growth & learning. By participating in this year's event, you are contributing to causes that resonate beyond these walls, creating a ripple effect of positive change. The proceeds from this event will be channeled to select organizations, Cause We Care & The Forum, that champion empowerment initiatives and entrepreneurial pursuits for women.
Be a part of this extraordinary movement. Let's come together to celebrate accomplishments, inspire change, and craft a future where every woman's potential is recognized and nurtured. Your presence at this event is not just an attendance; it's a declaration that we stand united in our commitment to creating a world of opportunities.
LIMITED TICKETS SO PLEASE BUY YOUR TICKETS SOON FOR THIS INCREDIBLE EVENT!
The WOO event for Women of Oakwyn is a gathering designed to empower and celebrate women in the community of Oakwyn that was founded six years ago. The purpose of this annual event is to provide a platform for women to connect, share experiences, and inspire one another in a supportive and uplifting environment. With the majestic backdrop of Vancouver's Downtown Permanent, this year's event promises to be an evening of inspiration and transformation.
The acronym "WOO" stands for Women of Oakwyn, highlighting the focus on fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie among the women in the area. The event aims to address the unique challenges women face, both personally and professionally, and provide opportunities for personal growth, networking, and empowerment. The theme, "Believe, Build, Become," encapsulates the spirit of the day. It's a reminder that every success story begins with a steadfast belief in oneself.
Beyond the celebration of accomplishments, this event carries a deeper purpose. We are dedicated to lifting up other women on their journeys to leadership, empowerment, and entrepreneurship. Over the past couple years of WOO, we have proudly offered 16 scholarships to empower and support women as they pursued growth & learning. By participating in this year's event, you are contributing to causes that resonate beyond these walls, creating a ripple effect of positive change. The proceeds from this event will be channeled to select organizations, Cause We Care & The Forum, that champion empowerment initiatives and entrepreneurial pursuits for women.
Be a part of this extraordinary movement. Let's come together to celebrate accomplishments, inspire change, and craft a future where every woman's potential is recognized and nurtured. Your presence at this event is not just an attendance; it's a declaration that we stand united in our commitment to creating a world of opportunities.
LIMITED TICKETS SO PLEASE BUY YOUR TICKETS SOON FOR THIS INCREDIBLE EVENT!
Location
The Permanent Library Ltd.
330 W Pender Street, Vancouver
330 W Pender Street, Vancouver
Date & Time
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
SUGGESTED DRESS CODE
COCKTAIL, ALL-WHITE
(not mandatory)
(not mandatory)
Schedule
4:00 PM
Reception
Begin the evening with cocktails, canapés, and engaging conversation, setting the stage for a memorable night.
4:30 PM
Opening Speech & First Speaker: Andrea Hill - Cause We Care
Oakwyn Co-Founder, Morgan Browne, will kick us off with the ignition of WOO 2023 and introduce our first speaker, the altruistic Andrea Hill representing Cause We Care.
5:15 PM
Second Speaker: Paulina Cameron - The Forum
Our second speaker for the evening is the accomplished and dynamic Paulina Cameron, representing the Forum.
5:30 PM
Keynote Speaker: Meeru Dhalwala
Prepare to be inspired as our keynote speaker, Meeru Dhalwala, Co-Founder of the Vancouver staple, Vij's, takes the stage, as her words are sure to leave a lasting impression and ignite a passion for positive change within us all.
6:30 PM
Closing Address: Arlene Chiang
Concluding the night, Oakwyn Co-Founder, Arlene Chiang will leave us feeling inspired with her visionary words to spark innovation.
HOTELS & ACCOMODATIONS
Here are some auto-recommended accommodations, hotels and Airbnbs nearby. A WOO-recommended hotel with a booking code will provided soon!
WOO 2023 SPEAKERS
Andrea Hill
FOUNDER AND CHAIR OF CAUSE WE CARE
Andrea Thomas Hill moved to Vancouver from Toronto in 1999. She has 20 years of experience in marketing communications, both in advertising agencies and for corporate clients. In 1992, Andrea organized the first Run For The Cure for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. After expanding the Run For The Cure across the country, Andrea later sat on the Board of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, BC Chapter for several years before shifting her attention to single mothers and children living in poverty in Vancouver. Andrea is married and a mother of two children.
Paulina Cameron
CEO OF THE FORUM
As CEO of the Forum, Paulina leads a national organization that educates, mentors and connects women entrepreneurs to be wildly successful. A champion of gender equality, Paulina is the author of bestselling Canada 150 Women: conversations with champions, leaders and luminaries; and was the co-founder and president of Young Women in Business. Believing in empowerment for the next generation, Paulina has advised the Government of Canada on Canada’s $800M Youth Employment strategy.
Paulina is the Chair of the Board of the Immigrant Employment Council of BC, and serves on the Board of Directors for YWCA Metro Vancouver and the Government of British Columbia’s Small Business Roundtable.
She has been recognized in the community by being awarded as a Globe & Mail Changemaker 2022, the Vancouver Board of Trade’s inaugural Wendy McDonald Award, The International Alliance for Women Top 100 Award in Washington DC, and the YWCA’s Women of Distinction Awards.
Paulina is the Chair of the Board of the Immigrant Employment Council of BC, and serves on the Board of Directors for YWCA Metro Vancouver and the Government of British Columbia’s Small Business Roundtable.
She has been recognized in the community by being awarded as a Globe & Mail Changemaker 2022, the Vancouver Board of Trade’s inaugural Wendy McDonald Award, The International Alliance for Women Top 100 Award in Washington DC, and the YWCA’s Women of Distinction Awards.
Meeru Dhalwala
Co-owner/Chef, Vij’s Restaurant
Founder, My Bambiri Foods
Founder, My Bambiri Foods
Meeru Dhalwala is the Co-Owner of Vij’s, a notable writer and a self-taught creative chef who erased traditional boundaries within Indian cooking. She holds a Master of Science in Development Studies from Bath University, UK, and brings her passion for humanity into her business and cooking practices. She is one of Vancouver’s most prominent promoters of women in business, climate change and sustainability, and healthy-elegant home cooking. Vij’s received a Bib Gourmand distinction from the renowned Michelin guide in 2022 for its cuisine. Meeru’s kitchen is fully staffed by women, all of whom hail from villages in the Punjab, India, to experiment with various cooking techniques and spice
combinations.
Outside of Vij’s, Meeru is a member of many boards of organizations that relate to the climate crisis. Notably, she is on the Faculty Advisory Board for Land and Food Systems at UBC, and speaks regularly at many public events. For her professional and community work, Meeru has received honorary doctorates from both UBC & SFU.
combinations.
Outside of Vij’s, Meeru is a member of many boards of organizations that relate to the climate crisis. Notably, she is on the Faculty Advisory Board for Land and Food Systems at UBC, and speaks regularly at many public events. For her professional and community work, Meeru has received honorary doctorates from both UBC & SFU.
WOO takes great pride in our distinguished speakers that are actively engaged in meaningful philanthropic endeavors. Find out more about the charities we will be championing during WOO 2023 below; we encourage you to support by contributing to these noble causes!
WOO 2023 BENEFICIARIES
CAUSE WE CARE:
Cause We Care Foundation is a Vancouver-based registered charity founded in 2007 to assist local single mothers by supporting programs and initiatives that empower them to achieve economic security, build capacity, and create a positive future for themselves and their children.
The Foundation committed $1.5 million to help build the YWCA Cause We Care House in downtown Vancouver, distributed over 10,000 Holiday care packages, with essential supplies to families through 40+ outreach organizations, donated more than $2.4 million to educational and employment training programs and initiatives that support single mothers and their children achieve security and have provided more than $750,000 in bursaries to single mothers as they pursue further education and training through their Single Mothers Support Fund.
THE FORUM:
The Forum's vision is to see women entrepreneurs thrive. As a registered charity in Canada, they are the leading national organization that provides women entrepreneurs with the education, mentorship, resources and community that they need to succeed. They have supported over 12,000 entrepreneurs since 2002 through their radically impactful programming and wildly supportive community. The Forum has always stood on the same principle, of believing in women, believing in their visions, and believing in the change they can make in their families, their communities and the economy when provided with the resources and connections they need.
To support these organizations directly, you can add a donation in addition to your ticket purchase. If you are unable to attend but would still like to donate, kindly email [email protected].
Cause We Care Foundation is a Vancouver-based registered charity founded in 2007 to assist local single mothers by supporting programs and initiatives that empower them to achieve economic security, build capacity, and create a positive future for themselves and their children.
The Foundation committed $1.5 million to help build the YWCA Cause We Care House in downtown Vancouver, distributed over 10,000 Holiday care packages, with essential supplies to families through 40+ outreach organizations, donated more than $2.4 million to educational and employment training programs and initiatives that support single mothers and their children achieve security and have provided more than $750,000 in bursaries to single mothers as they pursue further education and training through their Single Mothers Support Fund.
THE FORUM:
The Forum's vision is to see women entrepreneurs thrive. As a registered charity in Canada, they are the leading national organization that provides women entrepreneurs with the education, mentorship, resources and community that they need to succeed. They have supported over 12,000 entrepreneurs since 2002 through their radically impactful programming and wildly supportive community. The Forum has always stood on the same principle, of believing in women, believing in their visions, and believing in the change they can make in their families, their communities and the economy when provided with the resources and connections they need.
To support these organizations directly, you can add a donation in addition to your ticket purchase. If you are unable to attend but would still like to donate, kindly email [email protected].
Check out our WOO hoodie!
50% of proceeds will be split amongst our two WOO 2023 beneficiaries.
50% of proceeds will be split amongst our two WOO 2023 beneficiaries.
